Again, it would have been his choice, he was attempting to pass MM at least as vigorously as MM was resisting said attempts, which he was doing legally both imo and according to the RD ruling. If MM was more motivated to resist than he might otherwise have been this was quite likely down to Rossi as well
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
That was some of the most beautiful riding by both riders i have ever seen right up till Rossi blew a gasket. Lets call this what it is. Rossi lost big points at PI and started to see the writing on the wall. He knew Lorenzo was faster, he knew Marquez was faster, and now we are headed to two tracks where even Pedrosa is faster. It doesnt take a mathematician to figure out he was in trouble. When he saw Lorenzo go by at Sepang and start to disappear, then Marquez, he saw the title going bye bye. Marquez was having fun and Rossi was on the ragged edge trying to hang with him. After almost losing it for the second time,he flipped the .... out. Its probably best he started at the rear in Valencia. He would have tried something crazy had he started from the front because he knew he didnt stand a snow balls chance in hell of running with JL, MM, or DP there. Nottom line is, As it turns out, Rossi does not perform well under pressure.
Oh no, more proof that he practices it http://i.imgur.com/KLIJzVA.gifv
And yes, I am being sarcastic ...............
And yes, I am being sarcastic ...............
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
You know what is amusing?
Rossi made similar overtakes to MM during that battle in Sepang, and the Horde of Yellow had nothing to say about that. If Rossi never does what he does, I'm sure that battle goes down as one of the all time best of the year, and possibly in history.
What should have been a clinic in racing as an art form, was cut short when VR decided he no longer wanted to have to work for it.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
I don't know about clinical, but it was definitely a battle. I rewatched today, and like your sentiments, I was disappointed Rossi bitched out of what had been a good battle, not fierce like it's been made out, but definitely animated. I say it wasn't clinical because both would run wide, and Rossi failed to cover the inside if supposedly he was trying to stay ahead. Both riders made great passes but also ran wide and failed to make it stick. Also, it wasn't as fierce as its been made out. One pass by Marc was nails, but it was obvious Rossi took issue with the last sequence, waving at Marc. At that point you knew it was over, Rossi lost the plot and bitched out like a coward.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
In Rossi's case, his ego is no doubt far greater than it was at 18, to the point where he believes he is bigger than the sport altogether. Of course, how could he help himself? Dorna bent over backwards to accommodate he and the Yellow Horde on all matters. When no one ever tells you no, you begin to accept this as the truth, and live your life according to the belief that you can do no wrong.
The culmination of this was when he was caught issuing a directive to Carmelo Ezpeleta in the wake of Valencia.
Valetino Rossi at 36 somehow manages to be even worse than he was at 18. What we saw in his behavior that weekend in Malaysia was the behavior of a man who has so fully believed in his own myth and legend, that he thought he could alter the trajectory of the title battle based purely on words.
You know what's really sad?
The Ducati years would have humbled many riders to the point that they would have gained new wisdom and insight into life as a grand prix motorcycle racer. Instead he learned precisely nothing. When bailed out of Ducati, the only lesson he learned was that he is entitled to being bailed out and stuck back on the 1st or 2nd best machine on the grid.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I suppose I did engage in a bit of hyperbole there. I would say it was still one of those spectacles in spite of the lack of covering spots because it appeared that both were going to have some fun with it. And who could think otherwise especially since VR had always insisted he loved such battles?
Up until the point where he started waving at MM, I thought it might be a great time. As soon as the wave happened, I thought to myself, "fireworks are coming."
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
JP, what you're talking about is 'moral hazard '. Its exactly what happened when VR got bailed out. He wasn't allowed to learn the lesson. Like a big bank, he quickly went back to doing business as usual. He really did believe it was Ducati 's fault, like all his fans, it's never been a Rossi failure but sometimes else failed Rossi.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Excuse me - but hasn't it already been established that it would have been physically impossible for Rossi to fit his foot between the brake lever and the guard?
Joined Oct 2015
84 Posts | 32+
Canada
Best entertainment I've seen on a track for long long time till VR ruined it.Well I guess PI too and he ...... ruined that too after the fact.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
True, VR has never learned the ultimate lesson of failure in his career because he was never allowed to fail.
Every major event in his career has been twisted into a case of someone else being responsible for whatever calamity befell him. And the majority has believed him every single time!
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I still view Phillip Island as one of the best races I've ever seen.
.... VR for even saying what he did about that race.
Joined Oct 2012
3K Posts | 725+
Crab Key
Sure. But as stated many times, nudge on the fingers will lock up a carbon braked bike pretty nicely..
Absolutely not actually: there is a big gap and as stated Dr No, there could be enough knuckle exposed in front of the guard to transfer the force from the foot to the lever.
The protestations about the guard are a bit disingenuous if you take a proper look at how little of the lever is protected, it's only designed to protect against side-on contact with another bike, not a foot coming from the front...
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Joined Oct 2015
84 Posts | 32+
Canada
Someone else I can't remember who on here made the great point that after PI the world, other racers, commentators, fans , everybody was raving about that race. Then Rossi makes his ........ statement at Sepang and it was like letting the air outta the balloon. Then it turns from one of best races ever to .....
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
It went from being the Moon Shot to who killed JFK.
(This point was made in the Case for Marquez thread).
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
Caption : Two looks and One Kick.
Kick.
Let me save them the trouble. ..oh that's not a kick, his leg barely slightly moved off the peg. His leg moved because Marquez head butted him. The butler did it. Funny how as soon as the karate kick is thrown, VR then looks towards the track and hits the throttle. Like a get away driver leaving the scene of a crime.
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