The best era?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 11 2007, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Since when do we get ESPN in the uk, how do i get it, and does it actually have a lot of good stuff on it. What about SPEED, can we get that as well.

It s on Sky. To be honest, most of its football an stuff like that, They have been showing a bit of road racing lately tho.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Feb 11 2007, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>but the unpredictable highsides have all but disappeared.
pete u do watch the 125s & 250s don't ya?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ Feb 10 2007, 12:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>THE big question. The greatest era. When was it? Has it yet to arrive? Is Rossi the Messiah? I've had this argument with my old man many times. He watched Surtees, Hartle, Hocking, Ivy, Redman, Ago and Hailwood in the 'glory days' of the 60's. He fiercely inists that Lawson, Doohan, Rossi and the like couldn't possibly ride those old bikes, that they're not the real hard men, and though he makes me laugh cos he gets so animated about it, he might be right. If you've ever stood close to a classic racer, you'll know how crude some of those bikes really were compared to even a 2007 over the counter 'blade let alone a GP bike. Consider mostly closed public roads full of potholes along with crap suspension, brakes and tyres, and the fact that IOM TT lap records have only improved by less that 20% in 40 years, and you'd have to say those guys were amazing. I could present a reasonable argument for the early 90's, someone else could conclude that the present era is the greatest of all time, same with riders. My argument is always that you just can't compare different generations in any sport. Every year records get broken and technology moves on. They're all golden eras, we're in the middle of one right now. In 30 years time I hope I'm arguing with my kid about who was the greatest. Geez, imagine a gp bike in 2037
i think the only thing you can really compare of riders from different era's is ball size or insanity factor. depending on your view of course.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Feb 11 2007, 03:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'> pete u do watch the 125s & 250s don't ya?
i think the only thing you can really compare of riders from different era's is ball size or insanity factor. depending on your view of course.


Yep, 125 and 250s still use 2 strokes......

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ogunski @ Feb 8 2007, 07:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>My personal favorite time is when you had guys on the track like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Gardner, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Christian sarron, Bubba Shobert, and Randy Mamola. Mick Doohans time is hard to quantify because he simply beat everyone into oblivion to such a degree that everyone else knew they were racing for second place. The machines were malevolent unpredictable brutes that would try to mangle or kill its riders at a moments notice. These were really hard men who raced hard every time they got on the track. I dont think we can say the same for all of the racers of the modern era.
This was by far the greatest era. But the current era starting in 2006 is very exciting as well.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Feb 11 2007, 07:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This was by far the greatest era. But the current era starting in 2006 is very exciting as well.

Drawing straws are also very exiting.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Alex @ Feb 10 2007, 12:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>What i'm trying to get to is that there is much more hype about these guys competing with each other and to win races and the championship.
Exactly my friend,.....the sport is better promoted.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Drawing straws are also very exiting.
Sounds like you have experience in this.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Feb 11 2007, 08:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sounds like you have experience in this.

Drawing straws or watching mr. LuckyNumbersDon'tLie?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Drawing straws or watching mr. LuckyNumbersDon'tLie?
Ok scarecrow (made of straw), you may watch Mr. "Lucky..." I'll keep watching mr. "CrashWhileMyNumbersAreInTheChampionshipLead."

Racejumkie said:

Ok scarecrow (made of straw)

Click to expand...

And now I'm a scarecrow (made of straw). Doh. I'm sure you can do better than that.

[/quote] I'll keep watching mr. "CrashWhileMyNumbersAreInTheChampionshipLead."
[/quote]

I never seen that or anything similar on anyone's leather.
Are we still talking MotoGP or are we in a different league?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 12:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I'll keep watching mr. "CrashWhileMyNumbersAreInTheChampionshipLead."

I never seen that or anything similar on anyone's leather.
Are we still talking MotoGP or are we in a different league?
It’s in the same league as the "Mr. Lucky...." you are watching. You know, the one you watch with your imaginary friend.

I don't want to be too offensive but i really cannot understand how somebody can claim to be a fan of motrcycle racing and then only be happy when one guy wins. I mean have you no appreciation of one of the greatest seasons in history. Have you no idea about the hardwork and dedication it requires to even get to motogp, let alone win the world championship.

This is a conversation i have quite often with my friends, but i believe that a true fan of a sport will appreciate when they see the sport at its finest, regardless of who wins. Now we all have our favorites, and that is fine, but to be blind to the sport you claim to love because of the result seems illogical to me.

So you guys can call Hayden lucky all day long and pretend he didn't deserve to be champion. But at the end of the day a motogp fan will stand up regardless of their favorite rider and tell you that hayden did a fantastic job to win the title and fought for every last point. Rossi made some truly amazing rides no dou bt, but he didn't have enough. So lets wait and see who brings what in 2007

I totally agree with Tom on this, if u love this sport you will love it despite who wins it. However because of how awsome it is you naturally get involved and you start to wish and hope that, that one person u really want to do well actually does well. When he doesn't do well u feel angry and upset and those emotions u feel is what makes this sport so great and why people all over the world come together to share their views and feelings. I believe that last year is as good as it will ever get and that it may never be as good ever again. The level of compitition was so great people had to ride injured to stay in the championship and they still lost because of that on awsome person who put together the perfect season despite the pressure from rossi and pedrosers mistake he still came out on top and anyone who claims he doesn't deserve it or didn't earn it is infact atomaticly wrong.

ignore my poor spelling please!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jack @ Feb 11 2007, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I totally agree with Tom on this, if u love this sport you will love it despite who wins it. However because of how awsome it is you naturally get involved and you start to wish and hope that, that one person u really want to do well actually does well. When he doesn't do well u feel angry and upset and those emotions u feel is what makes this sport so great and why people all over the world come together to share their views and feelings. I believe that last year is as good as it will ever get and that it may never be as good ever again. The level of compitition was so great people had to ride injured to stay in the championship and they still lost because of that on awsome person who put together the perfect season despite the pressure from rossi and pedrosers mistake he still came out on top and anyone who claims he doesn't deserve it or didn't earn it is infact atomaticly wrong.

ignore my poor spelling please!

I think it is silly to claim that 2006 is the best it will ever be but overall i agree with what you have written. Capirossis brave ride to 15th place is what got him 3rd place in the title, and that is the commitment it takes to get anywhere, good example jack.

Of course it is excellent that so many people feel so pasionately about how it workd out, and perhaps it just comes down to sportsmanship. If my man looses, i am still thrilled and delighted to see the race and will be happy to admire the winner of what i consider the ultimate sport. But for some it is not like that. Spanish fans often used to leave the ciircuit after criville had crashed from a race. Afterall whats the point if hes not gonna win it!! .

But however you feel about who wins and who doesn't win, respect for these guys is in order, and maximum respect goes to the champion.

numbers don't l1e afterall.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jack @ Feb 11 2007, 01:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>if u love this sport you will love it despite who wins it.
Welcome to the site Jack.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 11 2007, 10:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't want to be too offensive but i really cannot understand how somebody can claim to be a fan of motrcycle racing and then only be happy when one guy wins. I mean have you no appreciation of one of the greatest seasons in history. Have you no idea about the hardwork and dedication it requires to even get to motogp, let alone win the world championship.

I enjoy every season of MotoGP, every single race, they all have qualities that can be apreciated. I agree that at this season were exiting when it comes to the championship, and quite a few excellent races, all in all not bad at all, what makes it less than a great season in my eyes is that all the best riders are periodically out, one after the other, as a result number 4 rise up and snatch the championship. I like to see the best wining, specially when they perform outstanding riding and racing. This season I saw too many crashes, to many DNF's and to many injured guys trying to hang on. Makes for exciting championship but I'm in it for the racing more than the championship.

This happens from time to time in all championships but not on a regular basis, but if it did, it would not be very exciting.
I was responding to racejumkie's "current era starting in 2006 is very exciting as well". I assume he ment the new era, with Hayden on top. If Hayden continue to win championships the way he did last year, that would be as exciting as drawing straws.

If he develops and start fighting in the top on a regular basis, even when all the other top riders are present, it will be great.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>So you guys can call Hayden lucky all day long and pretend he didn't deserve to be champion. But at the end of the day a motogp fan will stand up regardless of their favorite rider and tell you that hayden did a fantastic job to win the title and fought for every last point.

Now, that's a different storry.
I acknowledge his championship but don't agreee he did a fantastic job, more like "just another day at work" thing But he did it.
Deserve or not is something I leave to others, he got it and I do think he was lucky, but I'm not perapared to say he didn't deserve it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I enjoy every season of MotoGP, every single race, they all have qualities that can be apreciated. I agree that at this season were exiting when it comes to the championship, and quite a few excellent races, all in all not bad at all, what makes it less than a great season in my eyes is that all the best riders are periodically out, one after the other, as a result number 4 rise up and snatch the championship. I like to see the best wining, specially when they perform outstanding riding and racing. This season I saw too many crashes, to many DNF's and to many injured guys trying to hang on. Makes for exciting championship but I'm in it for the racing more than the championship.

This happens from time to time in all championships but not on a regular basis, but if it did, it would not be very exciting.
I was responding to racejumkie's "current era starting in 2006 is very exciting as well". I assume he ment the new era, with Hayden on top. If Hayden continue to win championships the way he did last year, that would be as exciting as drawing straws.

If he develops and start fighting in the top on a regular basis, even when all the other top riders are present, it will be great.
Now, that's a different storry.
I acknowledge his championship but don't agreee he did a fantastic job, more like "just another day at work" thing But he did it.
Deserve or not is something I leave to others, he got it and I do think he was lucky, but I'm not perapared to say he didn't deserve it.


I think DNF's are a shame as always but they are part of racing and it does happen. When a season is competative to a point where riders push themslefes that hard things will go wrong for some, and that is unfortunate. But amongst all this, one man stood through, he avoided trouble, he worked hard to keep clear of problems and he got it done.

There are arguments that other riders "Could" have won the title if it were not for DNF's of one sort or another but i don't think anyone else rode a championship worthy season this year, and to say it was "just another day at work" is silly.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>what makes it less than a great season in my eyes is that all the best riders are periodically out, one after the other, as a result number 4 rise up and snatch the championship. I like to see the best wining, specially when they perform outstanding riding and racing. This season I saw too many crashes, to many DNF's and to many injured guys trying to hang on. Makes for exciting championship but I'm in it for the racing more than the championship.


Deserve or not is something I leave to others, he got it and I do think he was lucky
We will never know of course, but I suspect the season would have been more exciting and fantastic to you had your boy won. Judging from your take on it, I guess you didn't enjoy all those DNFs and injuries from great riders... say the last 20+ seasons? Otherwise perhaps riders like Biaggi, Sete, etal., would have been challenging your boy rather than visiting the gravel and making all those seasons your boy won as: un-exciting and un-fantastic, since you only tuned in to see the “racing”… Uhm, call me crazy but I think many times there have been crashes and injuries by very great riders, but it just seems that when your boy ended up on top, well I guess those were the more exciting seasons...

Obviously the drama and excitement going into the last few rounds in 06 were "boring" (as I recall somebody characterizing it).


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Feb 11 2007, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>There are arguments that other riders "Could" have won the title if it were not for DNF's of one sort or another but i don't think anyone else rode a championship worthy season this year, and to say it was "just another day at work" is silly.
Hey Tom, had it not been for all those DNF by Schwantz, he would have been a multiple champ, instead, since he was DNFing so much, all the championships that Rainey won were un-fantastic and un-exciting, hell they were down right boring. (sarcasm)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Racejumkie @ Feb 12 2007, 12:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>We will never know of course, but I suspect the season would have been more exciting and fantastic to you had your boy won. Judging from your take on it, I guess you didn't enjoy all those DNFs and injuries from great riders... say the last 20+ seasons? Otherwise perhaps riders like Biaggi, Sete, etal., would have been challenging your boy rather than visiting the gravel and making all those seasons your boy won as: un-exciting and un-fantastic, since you only tuned in to see the “racing”… Uhm, call me crazy but I think many times there have been crashes and injuries by very great riders, but it just seems that when your boy ended up on top, well I guess those were the more exciting seasons...

Obviously the drama and excitement going into the last few rounds in 06 were "boring" (as I recall somebody characterizing it).
Hey Tom, had it not been for all those DNF by Schwantz, he would have been a multiple champ, instead, since he was DNFing so much, all the championships that Rainey won were un-fantastic and un-exciting, hell they were down right boring. (sarcasm)

I agree with you here riders have been DNFing and hurting themselfes for ages, thats what happens when you make mistakes in a dangerous sport. I guess the racing would appear more dull to some if your guy isn't at the front all day. Not me though, i thought the end of the portugal race was amazing to watch. And that some of the most dull 250cc races this year were that because Lorenzo was too far ahead.

Cheers for pointing out the sarcasm, i struggle to get it in real life, let alone typed

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Feb 11 2007, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I acknowledge his championship but don't agreee he did a fantastic job, more like "just another day at work" thing But he did it.
Deserve or not is something I leave to others, he got it and I do think he was lucky,
Semantics. Saying he was "lucky" is code for saying he didn't earn it. Crafty but easily exposed for what it is. On top of that, your posts barely veil what you think about the new champ.

Excuse me while I go to "just another day at work" riding around at 150+miles per hour putting life and limb on the line. Just ask Wayne Rainey, if its "just another day at work" on the track when GP racing.