Under-Rated and Over-Rated Riders

Overated - No one... I don't feel anyone gets more respect than they deserve.

Underated - Checa - Not just saying this cos i'm a life long fan, he was on the Yamaha M1 and pulling out some exellent results, and on Ducati he had an amazing run near the end of the season... then they put him on the Dunlops.. where he is absolutely thrashing the other Dunlop riders. Unfortunately for his age he won't get a very good ride again.

Valentino Rossi - Overated!
When Rossi came into MotoGP who was his competition? Biaggi? Sete? some other old people! Biaggi, who was Criville's, Doohan's, and Roberts ...... was never really a threat to anyone. So how can anyone say that Rossi's as great as they say with such poor competition? From 2003-2005, who was there to push Rossi? Melandri! he was a rookie on a crap bike, he was plagued with injury and wasn't consistant enough. Hayden! this kid almost got sent back to AMA because of poor performances. Sete! well it seems that ever since Kato died, its lit some sort of spark in him but Sete isn't exactly a legend of the sport is he? Now where in 2006, guess what! the competition gone up a level and Rossi hasn't stacked up to the challenge. The inclusion of Pedrosa and stoner have made everyone raise their game. Melandri, Hayden, Roberts, Hopkins, Pedrosa, Stoner, Vermuelen have all made 2006 a very tough season for Rossi as well as Bike problems ( which has never been an issue with Rossi before ) have ended his championship race. what about all the times that Caparossi, Melandri, Hayden, Sete have been plagued with bike problems? why doesn't anyone want to talk about that? why is it that when it finally happens to Rossi, people start to give a damn? For the reason I've stated above and that people dare say he's better than doohan, for those two reasons Mr Rossi is over-rated.

Hoffman, I don't know what this guy is doing in MotoGP. He clearly isn't up to the standard and I think he would be better suited in world super sport or maybe even Superbike.

Cardosa, Rich SOB, go home!

Ellison, well what can you say, his excuses far surpass his performance's. If Dorna want an English guy In MotoGP, get ....... Toseland or Haslam not some rider who never won an important championship.

Hopkins, I just don't get it! whats this guy ever done thats warrented a ride in MotoGP? he came way to early and I think its damaged him abit.

Melandri and Nakano are ridiculously under-rated, its not fair that they've had to deal with crappy machinery but thats life. If Nakano wasn't so loyal and moved Honda he would be a championship contender. And if Melandri had better luck and would stop crashing leading to bad injury, we would also see another championship contender.

Stoner, great talent but stop crashing!

Pedrosa, what can you say, they said he was too small, they called him Danibot, but look who's second in the championship .....!

Well in regards to Melandri having crappy machinary i would have to disagree. The RC211V is a fine piece of machinery.

Rossi is struggling not because of one thing all year, Its been problems with the bike breaking down and the rise talented riders such as Stoner, Pedrosa, Hayden, Melandri, Vermeulen and all the riders more hungry than ever knowing that Rossi is struggling and have a real shot at the championship.

Agree with your critique of all the riders, Israeli racer. Nice work

Katt - I wouldn't say Stoner was arrogant. He always seems willing to admit when he's made the mistake and caused the crash. Whats better? try really hard and run the risk of finishing or be a journeyman that continually occupies that 7-12 position.

Just like Pedrosa he has every right to feel proud at his achievements and battling, entertaining attitude in my book.

Electric Mofo, I agree with most of what you say, but aren't you a bit unfair about the merits of Rossi?

The guy had the courage to renounce to the dark side of the Force to join Yamacka rebels. He proved that man prevails over machine.

And his competitors were very fast, only human. His competitive mind set is over-rated, imho; his racing stalking tactics are really too cheeky too often for my taste.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vespix @ Jul 28 2006, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Electric Mofo, I agree with most of what you say, but aren't you a bit unfair about the merits of Rossi?

The guy had the courage to renounce to the dark side of the Force to join Yamacka rebels. He proved that man prevails over machine.

And his competitors were very fast, only human. His competitive mind set is over-rated, imho; his racing stalking tactics are really too cheeky too often for my taste.

Maybe I am being a little bit harsh on Rossi! But IMO the Yamaha shouldn't really be considered a weaker machine. Throught AMA, WSB, BSB, ASB the Yamaha range has always been down on power to allow for better cornering and its not stoped anyone from winning. Rossi deserves all the credit he gets, but isn't it unfair to compare him to other great champions when people dont take into account the level of competition Rossi faces? Lets take Federer for example, people call him the greatest ever but could you really argue that he isn't? Lets face it, the guy has single handedly forced every else to play almost perfect tennis. When the new kids like Hewitt and Roddick entered the stage, they seemed to bring over a new era of Tennis where you had to be much more powerful but also a specialist in all areas and Federer pisses all over them. Not taking anything away from Rossi but I remember when Doohan used to pull away and slaughter his opponents by rediculous amounts on a bike that would eat your head off. I know that Rossi did the same, but did he do it with the same amount of authority as the previous Legend? IMO if Rossi were born 10 years earlier he would of been that guy who could only win if the top dog wasn't on form or even around. I know it seems like I look like another Rossi basher but trust me, I think Rossi is a monster! they way he comes through from the back of the grid and over takes 2-4 people in a lap is .... you would only get in a hollywood movie. However I think it silly when people just splurt out "he's the greatest ever" without even thinking about. When you make a claim like that you should really back it up with reasons why you think he is.

The way it is here, IMO, there are three overrated racers (ie the Italians) with Rossi reaching embarassing to annoying levels in terms of coverage and all sorts of excuses they make when he's not on the podium.. and everyone else, who's just considered average, with some good mentions for Pedrosa, Vermuelen, Roberts, Stoner... Kentucky Kid is treated like sht or simply ignored (even when he wins!) because he's on top and a threat to Rossi's throne (about time, I say!)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rossi 46 winner @ Jul 25 2006, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>man if this post isnt trying to put people offside then im .... gay,, wot a ....... waste of space this post is, sum truly rubbish ..... ive ever read,,
take as u want but im truly thinking hanging my boots up,,,
ben ur a top geezer and most on ere r,, but wow.. c u later maybe..
ah quit bein a .....!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (vespix @ Jul 26 2006, 05:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi: Someone will start a religion on his sake, with a church and ayatollahs and all, before he retires.i think this already exsists!

i really don't think rossi is over-rated. over-hyped maybe, but that should not be a criticism of him. i think many people after 5 years of rossi domination people have become sick of the guy, which is understandable but often creates a negative reaction in my opinion.

i dont believe that rossi is a god, but i dont belittle his accomplishments either. 7 times world champion? jeez, he must be doing something right. 125, 250, 500, MGP, heck, the guys adaptable. titles with honda, and then yamaha (which was an inferior machine, altho not as much as some would think)? crikey, this guys good! yet now he's over-rated/overhyped? perhaps its understandable with those credentials.

as for the team comment... i actually think its to rossi's credit that he takes the effort to handpick his own team to work around him, something thats he's done since his 125 days. no-one else seems bothered with who they work with... perhaps that tells you something?

aaaanyway, after that little rant, heres my list:

over-rated:

tamada - on his day he was fkin quick, or was that bridgstone?

cardoso - altho then again, who has rated him to do anything?

under-rated:

definately nakano - his results don't do his talent any justice

checa? - over the past year or so he's kinda impressed me, but then again he has had too many chances in the past

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Electric Mofo @ Jul 28 2006, 12:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Maybe I am being a little bit harsh on Rossi! But IMO the Yamaha shouldn't really be considered a weaker machine. Throught AMA, WSB, BSB, ASB the Yamaha range has always been down on power to allow for better cornering and its not stoped anyone from winning.

Now that's an interesting theory. How does a slower bike do better cornering? I assume we're not talking about mopeds doing maximum 45km/h? How does a slower machine make the chassi better for cornering?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>Rossi deserves all the credit he gets,

But he is overrated? Humm

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>but isn't it unfair to compare him to other great champions when people dont take into account the level of competition Rossi faces?

or the competition the old gods had?
Why don't we start pulling storries from the old days when half the riders had a hangover going out on the moring warm up. Now _thats_ what I call competition. Or meybe not.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>However I think it silly when people just splurt out "he's the greatest ever" without even thinking about. When you make a claim like that you should really back it up with reasons why you think he is.

IMHO the gratest ever is more or less impossible to rate, but usually it the latest multi-champion around, just because every sport develop and become more focused and professional, and as time goes by the sport changes so much it's not even really the same sport anymore. What has the days of Agostini in comon with today? IMO: two wheels, nothing more.
So to compare the two is useless. What it took to become the champion then is very different from what it takes today. They are both the gratest of their time.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Jul 30 2006, 02:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now that's an interesting theory. How does a slower bike do better cornering? I assume we're not talking about mopeds doing maximum 45km/h? How does a slower machine make the chassi better for cornering?
But he is overrated? Humm
or the competition the old gods had?
Why don't we start pulling storries from the old days when half the riders had a hangover going out on the moring warm up. Now _thats_ what I call competition. Or meybe not.
IMHO the gratest ever is more or less impossible to rate, but usually it the latest multi-champion around, just because every sport develop and become more focused and professional, and as time goes by the sport changes so much it's not even really the same sport anymore. What has the days of Agostini in comon with today? IMO: two wheels, nothing more.
So to compare the two is useless. What it took to become the champion then is very different from what it takes today. They are both the gratest of their time.

Yes Mr smart ..., Yamaha's have better cornering than other bikes, everyone knows that. And are you trying to say that Doohans competiton wasn't as great as Rossi's? because that would be quite stupid! I guess you didn't get the point of my posts, let me make things clear, Rossi may be the greatest but to compare him to others is wrong when you dont take certain things into consideration. And IMO the bikes haven't changed dramatically, not the same way F1 cars have changed anf If anything the bikes of yesturday were alot more difficult to ride. All the electronics makes things easier today.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 30 2006, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>But the old champions didn't have to race such powerful bikes (even though they're more reliable now), more tracks in the race year and harder tracks in the race year! + Rossi is surely the greatest ever around even now, because you know he can come from the back of the grid right up to the front and win it, could other great legends do that?

Probably! but why would they need to if all you have to do is qualify better?

u know everybody, rossi lovers in peticular, keep goin on about rossi's great ride from 10th to victory. bfd! u all are forgeting melandri's start from 14th to victory in turkey...... 5th row. bit more inpressive i think.

your not so fond of rossi are you?!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 30 2006, 06:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi CAN qualify a lot higher if he wants to. . .that's petty obvious but he knows that he can overtake other riders each as pie. I think from now on we will see him qualify higher up the grid as the season is coming to the most important bit especially for Rossi if he wants to get his title back!

Yes! and I suppose Rossi Bike bike failures and championship position are all an ellobarate hoax! just so he can win every single round left and pull off one on the best combacks ever! And then make a film about it and bacome a billionaire

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Electric Mofo @ Jul 27 2006, 02:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The inclusion of Pedrosa and stoner have made everyone raise their game. Melandri, Hayden, Roberts, Hopkins, Pedrosa, Stoner, Vermuelen have all made 2006 a very tough season for Rossi as well as Bike problems ( which has never been an issue with Rossi before ) have ended his championship race. what about all the times that Caparossi, Melandri, Hayden, Sete have been plagued with bike problems? why doesn't anyone want to talk about that? why is it that when it finally happens to Rossi, people start to give a damn? For the reason I've stated above and that people dare say he's better than doohan, for those two reasons Mr Rossi is over-rated.

I totally agree with you about everyone having to raise their game and why doesn't anyone else care when the other riders were plagued with bike problem. Unfortunately that is human nature people always care about or follow the winner or best at the time.

Its very hard to say who is under or over rated, because it comes down to alot of things.

Hayden for example I mean you can say he is under rated because he may win the champion ship and because he has been consistent this season. Alot of people would agree because of this he is a good rider.

On the other hand as a rider I personally think he is over rated, there are alot of better riders, but how do I justify this. I can't if you base it on results alone, which in the end is the key way to rate a rider.

Valentino Rossi - over-reted maybe by its fans, over-hyped by media yes, anyway he's the 7th time world champions and that says much about him.
Nicky Hayden - consistent rider - gets lots of attention and lots of fans he's not under-rated...but he isn't over-rated either
Sete Gibernau - over-rated....huge expectation, low performance
Loris Capirossi: allways in the shadow of rossi in the media attention...but every time he's on the track he gives it all
Chris Vermeulen - under -rated...definately.... all cameras go on Crashy
but this guy performed so good this season...
Shinya Nakano - under-rated super rider - good performance so far - if only the kawa's were better
Marco Melandri - under-rated he won from 14th on the grid...he raced and got good position and a podium with disllocated/broken collar bone...
Kenny Roberts Junior - under-rated he's world champion, and he's hungry for performance..
Carlos Checa - under-rated -he's on dunlops and does a great job...
James Ellison - fills the grid
Alex Hoffmann - same as ellison
Jose Luis Cardoso - he's there to fill the grid not to perform

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE ([email protected] @ Jul 30 2006, 11:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>your not so fond of rossi are you?!
i don't hate rossi! i give him his due. he's 1 of the greatest racers of all time. today's benchmark. but his fan's just go on & on & on & onnnnnnnnnnnnnn. give it a rest won't ya

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Alex @ Jul 30 2006, 12:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Rossi CAN qualify a lot higher if he wants to. . .that's petty obvious but he knows that he can overtake other riders each as pie. I think from now on we will see him qualify higher up the grid as the season is coming to the most important bit especially for Rossi if he wants to get his title back!
this is the kind of nonsense that just makes u want to rag on rossi. to see him do poorly. just so u can shut up his insane, drooling, rabid fans.