Show some Respect to Rossi

So, why don't we all dissect Mick Doohans titles then?


Honda Lane........check


Michelins..........check


Burgess and crew.........check


Lack of decent competition (or at least they were for Rossi in 2000-2001)......check

All true Talpa, and a point that has already been made.


 


If Rossi was on good teams and bikes it certainly had more than a little to do with his quality as a rider, as it always has done, and he obviously contributed significantly to the quality of many of those bikes.


 


What was different in his era imo was the hatred of and disrespect for riders other than him, and hence the reaping of what was sown on some of the forums now, not that the opinion of a few people on motogp forums amounts to a hill of beans, as has also been said, except to obsessives such as us. 

michaelm

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All true Talpa, and a point that has already been made.

 

If Rossi was on good teams and bikes it certainly had more than a little to do with his quality as a rider, as it always has done, and he obviously contributed significantly to the quality of many of those bikes.

 

What was different in his era imo was the hatred of and disrespect for riders other than him, and hence the reaping of what was sown on some of the forums now, not that the opinion of a few people on motogp forums amounts to a hill of beans, as has also been said, except to obsessives such as us. 

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We all loved Crivelle, Biaggi etc

Talpa

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We all loved Crivelle, Biaggi etc

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I did think about the end of the Doohan era, and those riders were perhaps not exactly liked then but nor were they really vilified.Perhaps if it applies to Doohan as well, which if it does was not nearly to the same extent, for both Doohan and Valentino it was a reflection of fans of a totally dominant rider getting carried away. I don't recall it in the "golden era" 500 days, when fans did seem able to appreciate all of the several great riders who were around then even if they were fans of one in particular.

michaelm

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I did think about the end of the Doohan era, and those riders were perhaps not exactly liked then but nor were they really vilified.Perhaps if it applies to Doohan as well, which if it does was not nearly to the same extent, for both Doohan and Valentino it was a reflection of fans of a totally dominant rider getting carried away. I don't recall it in the "golden era" 500 days, when fans did seem able to appreciate all of the several great riders who were around then even if they were fans of one in particular.

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I recall being bemused when half the crowd seemed to walk off when Doohan crashed out of the opening laps 1997 Australian GP. A year later, I was puzzled/slightly annoyed when Biaggi was booed by a chunk of the crowd waving black flags (in reference to the Catalunya disqualification) at the same venue.


 


But it seemed to get worse to the point of insufferable in the Rossi golden years, the other factor beingoohan didn't appear to feed it or feed off it in the same manner as Rossi.

I like Rossi. I think he's a great rider and great ambassador for the sport who is now reaching the downslope of his career. His Valentinik fanboys, not so good for the sport.


 


Let's face it though, Italy has been in a bit of a drought since Mussolini retired - nobody other than a few manky footballers to cheer for and we all know how level and kosher the Serie A is... So if they want to cheer for someone that is obviously past his best, they are going to do it - who else they got? Dovi? 


 


I mean, look at it - he is nearly .25 of a second a lap behind the leaders... complete ...-baggery! Most think it is time to hang up the clown suit, but while he has neon-yellow-wearing ..... with cash to spend, he will keep plugging away.


 


While we are at it, can Hayden, Edwards, Bautista, Barbera, Spies, Aoyama and Abraham also seriously consider ....... off - you've done nothing lately and your places could be better fitted out with young Spanish/British talent. Maybe the Yanks have someone tucked up their sleeve racing mudpigs or something that can be convinced to leave the filthy ovals of the deep south to come show the Yuropians how to slide...

Talpa

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We all loved Crivelle, Biaggi etc

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Have said it before and will say again ..................... the issue is the internet as it allows people to connect and espouse whatever view they see fit, often with no knowledge or understanding of the situation


 


Back in the Doohan days there were riders who were subject to ridicule and 'crowd hate' but it was not as widespread due to the lack of the internet as for people to vent their hatred they had to meet face to face and talk with people be they mates, strangers or some guy at the bus stop. The numbers who were aware of teh sport itself were different as was the demographic of those numbers which in itself often meant a more 'educated' crowd and thus often the verballer would be called out etc.


 


Today however there is a marked disparity in the 'supporters' of the sport as we still have the incredibly knowledgeable and educated. But we also have the 'personality fanboy' who has little knowledge of the sport, and often little knowledge of the achievements of the rider/personality they support but are there because they are entranced by the marketing, hype or personality.


 


These fans do not always behave in manners that many find abhorrent, but as with all there is a very vocal minority that will tarnish the well behaved and of course, with the internet there are more places where they can mis-behave anonymously.


 


Personally (and I wait for Talps to see this one  ), I do feel that at times Rossi has received a level of opportunity that was not available to others (not opportunity designed to inhibit others) but I also have no issue with his having accepted it, milked it and made dollars from it. To first receive the 'opportunity' he must have and did show a hell of a level of commitment, skill and knowledge that allowed and afforded him to be considered worthy.


 


I certainly am not Rossi's greatest fan and never will be, but I sure as .... sticks to a blanket will not intentionally ever set about diminishing what he has achieved as he has competed against some bloody good riders and beat them all. Two stroke or four stroke, fit or injured, wet or dry, he has still beaten all whom he has raced against for 13 or so years (premier class) and has seen them off. Nothing to be sneezed at whether one likes Rossi or not (all IMO)

Ask Filippo Preziosi?

Talpa

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So, why don't we all dissect Mick Doohans titles then?


Honda Lane........check


Michelins..........check


Burgess and crew.........check


Lack of decent competition (or at least they were for Rossi in 2000-2001)......check

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For the record I hold Doohans wins against Rainey, Schwantz, Lawson, Gardner and co from 89 to 92 on an evil handling Honda in even higher regard that the five championships that came later. It was simply the highest level of competition Ive ever seen.


 


I have no problem with Rossi being regarded as up there with the true greats of the sport such as Doohan, Rainey, Lawson, Roberts etc. He has certainly earned that. The only time I used to get a little neuseous was the Rossi is the greatest of all time, he would .... over any rider, I love Rossi thing that you must admit used to get laid on pretty thick at times. Sure Rossi in his prime would hold his own against anyone, but he's not clearly better. If he had mastered the Ducati and gone on to another title, there would be a case for it. But he did so poorly on a bike that in fact had been used to win many races that you cant escape the fact his overall abilities are now open to debate. And I only say debate, not diminish.

birdman

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For the record I hold Doohans wins against Rainey, Schwantz, Lawson, Gardner and co from 89 to 92 on an evil handling Honda in even higher regard that the five championships that came later. It was simply the highest level of competition Ive ever seen.


 


I have no problem with Rossi being regarded as up there with the true greats of the sport such as Doohan, Rainey, Lawson, Roberts etc. He has certainly earned that. The only time I used to get a little neuseous was the Rossi is the greatest of all time, he would .... over any rider, I love Rossi thing that you must admit used to get laid on pretty thick at times. Sure Rossi in his prime would hold his own against anyone, but he's not clearly better. If he had mastered the Ducati and gone on to another title, there would be a case for it. But he did so poorly on a bike that in fact had been used to win many races that you cant escape the fact his overall abilities are now open to debate. And I only say debate, not diminish.

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Excellent post, Birdman. Worth quoting and repeating.

Holy crap. Birdman? Welcome back.

Mythological status requires that one either dies young after achieving everything, or somehow leaves the scene at the peak of success.


<span style="font-size:14px;It is 100% guaranteed that if a champion stays around long enough, he will eventually fail in something and be beaten by someone. Nothing new under the sun.

Nice apology. Im not buying it. VR is a case study on what a world class rider can achieve when the league facilitates success when the symbiotic relationship calls for it.

Jumkie

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Nice apology. Im not buying it. VR is a case study on what a world class rider can achieve when the league facilitates success when the symbiotic relationship calls for it.

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You call that an apology? you do not need to buy apologies Jum, you need to buy (or dig out, dust and use) a dictionary. 


 


Apart from the foggy lexicon you have an evident prejudice or dislike for Rossi, and dislikes are incurable. But hey, who cares?


 


Have fun watching the race today.

I reckon Rossi is going to have a lot more fun riding at Assen today than I am going to have riding the couch...


 


.... of a job, his.  

Rossi is the Goat for the time being. Respect to him.


During the time that he came up through the ranks to 500/GP it was about the dog fight and the show


Where the Pedrosa 250cc era you literally had to run away at the front or stop Pedrosa from running away at the front.


 


Stoner and Lorenzo are the best of both worlds in my opinion. Marquez is showing his ilk as well.


 


Kudos to Rossi and his move back to the front. I would like to see him consistently challenge at the front. It would make things so much more lively with him in the mix, bring Crutchlow too. A four or five guy free for all would be awesome.


 


Stoner is gone. Lorenzo is the new King. Marquez is the new Lorenzo (young gun threatening the number 1 rider. stay healthy young one).