What if Rossi leaves GP?

Suppose Rossi isn't happy about the technical changes in GP. What would happen if he took his 20M Euro parade on the road to WSBK?

Personally, I think he should do it. He showed he has enough power to do whatever he wants (he got standing ovations at Assen while he was at the back), why not bail on Ezy's brokedown palace and take his show on the road.

Think about how much WSBK would be willing to pay to inherit half of motogp's fans. Overnight, WSBK would be the premier championship. Manufacturers would drastically reduce their GP budgets and the sponsors would go running for the exits.

Seriously, what would happen in WSBK could successfully poach Rossi, Hayden, and one of Hopper/Melandri/Capirossi/Edwards, then bring Gibby and Barros out of retirement? Then get Schumacher & SPIES?!!! Maybe they could even convince Bayliss to stay.

Bayliss, Haga, Neukircher, Xaus, Corser, Biaggi, Checa, Hayden, Rossi, Gibernau, Capirossi, Edwards, SPIES, & Schumacher! That grid would have approximately 8,000 major championships between them. It would be the world series of awesomeness, who cares what happens to GP. Just the thought of such a line up, makes my head spin. All WSBK have to do, is line up the sponsorship $$$.

Many unanswered questions, I'm surprised I haven't let my mind wander down this road before. BTW how much are DORNA already paying Rossi to make sure this doesn't happen?

I think Rossi would be foolish at this point to attempt this......in theory it would be cool, but I think he is better suited to try and keep GP's interesting...they are afterall the coolest bikes out there, even though Dorna needs to have their head examined...........besides...he's still got the fire, and at least of late, WSBK seems to be the place that old GP guys go to still appear competetive....

That would be one hell of a championship, but i would not want to see rossi leave moto gp just yet he's got two championships to fight back at for now . And apart from that, surely wsbk would could be viewed as a step down ??, from prototype million pound bikes to factory bikes doesnt really add up.

I've brought this up before...

ALL the average and above sized riders should bail out of Moto GP less they change back to 990s..
If this were to happen it would be the DEATH of Moto GP...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 30 2008, 06:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Think about how much WSBK would be willing to pay to inherit half of motogp's fans. Overnight, WSBK would be the premier championship.

Motogp fans would still be watching motogp. Rossi fans would probably follow to the other series and boost their viewing figures though. As powerful as you may think Rossi is, i very much than many people consider the premier class of bike racing to be "wherever Rossi is" and the best riders in the world would most probably remain in GP.

He has said he hopes to ride until he is 35 and that is what he will do. MotoGP is his place. WSBK is essentially known as the series GP stars go to die.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 30 2008, 11:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Motogp fans would still be watching motogp. Rossi fans would probably follow to the other series and boost their viewing figures though. As powerful as you may think Rossi is, i very much than many people consider the premier class of bike racing to be "wherever Rossi is" and the best riders in the world would most probably remain in GP.

thats the prob right there Tom..they USE to be the premier class of bikes....not anymore.

It would be fantastic if it happened, can you imagine Vale battling it out with the likes of Haga, Corser, Max. N etc. It would definatly be a change from what he's used to in MotoGP.

Sadly this would never, ever happen as it would be classed as a big step down for Vale.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Jun 30 2008, 06:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Suppose Rossi isn't happy about the technical changes in GP. What would happen if he took his 20M Euro parade on the road to WSBK?

Personally, I think he should do it. He showed he has enough power to do whatever he wants (he got standing ovations at Assen while he was at the back), why not bail on Ezy's brokedown palace and take his show on the road.

Think about how much WSBK would be willing to pay to inherit half of motogp's fans. Overnight, WSBK would be the premier championship. Manufacturers would drastically reduce their GP budgets and the sponsors would go running for the exits.

Seriously, what would happen in WSBK could successfully poach Rossi, Hayden, and one of Hopper/Melandri/Capirossi/Edwards, then bring Gibby and Barros out of retirement? Then get Schumacher & SPIES?!!! Maybe they could even convince Bayliss to stay.

Bayliss, Haga, Neukircher, Xaus, Corser, Biaggi, Checa, Hayden, Rossi, Gibernau, Capirossi, Edwards, SPIES, & Schumacher! That grid would have approximately 8,000 major championships between them. It would be the world series of awesomeness, who cares what happens to GP. Just the thought of such a line up, makes my head spin. All WSBK have to do, is line up the sponsorship $$$.

Many unanswered questions, I'm surprised I haven't let my mind wander down this road before. BTW how much are DORNA already paying Rossi to make sure this doesn't happen?

One of your better posts Lex, I really like the idea.

But Schumacher? Get real!

I hope this never happens.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (phleg @ Jun 30 2008, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>One of your better posts Lex, I really like the idea.

But Schumacher? Get real!

It's such a simple and beautiful plan. All of a sudden the premiere class would be for fat, old 250 champions.

Schumacher hasn't won b/c no one has thought a strategy through. FIAT can sponsor a bike, so can ferrari!

Put a prancing horse on a rosso corsa Ducati and stand back. Bayliss can block for him

I'm not trying to fluff how great Rossi is, but remember him and edwards teaming up for Suzuka. Edwards couldn't even match Vales #'s and that was when Colin was hot .... in WSB. I seriously think it would hurt the great racing we are getting in WSB...I do like the idea though...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 30 2008, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Motogp fans would still be watching motogp. Rossi fans would probably follow to the other series and boost their viewing figures though. As powerful as you may think Rossi is, i very much than many people consider the premier class of bike racing to be "wherever Rossi is" and the best riders in the world would most probably remain in GP.


MotoGP needs Vale to stay to keep up the profile. Agreed, GP is the premier class, always has been, even back in the bad old Foggy days where the UK bike press practically ignored GP for the diesels. Ive said it before, it's the cult of personality. It takes a Sheene or a Rossi to take it to the mainstream. As amazing riders as Casey and Pedro are, there would be very little mainstream interest in either of them. Ive followed GPs for a long time, and in the Doohan era there was nothing like the outside interest we have now. Why? The guy was an awesome rider, (one of my long time heroes) but about as interesting as watching paint dry. And Casey and Pedro make him look like a stand up comic.

Those of us old enough will tell you that when we were kids, everyone knew Barry Sheene. Now everyone knows who Rossi is. There seems to be a wanky "Oh no, Rossi sucks, you want to see (insert fav rider)" snobbery appearing. It's like the twats who stop listening to a band because they become successful, you know "Well I liked the early material, before they sold out" mentality.

I don't see it happening, but if Rossi went to WSB, the ratings would go with him, because he's a great rider, and a huge personality. Can you imagine trying to sell Casey to someone who doesnt like bike racing "Yeah he's fast as ...., but goes off with his face trippin him if he gets beaten, gets followed, someone looks at him wrong...." Woo, sounds awesome...not...Good job we have Horhey in the wings, another rider who can appeal to more than the hardcore fans.

I think what I'm saying is there was GPs before Vale, and GPs with Vale. Looking up google will not show you the impact he has had. Maybe some folks just want GP or motofuckingp (stoopid ...... name) to go back to the pre Rossi days. Attendances dropping, smaller grids, coz thats what it was. Is it a good thing to have our secret sport that only the diehards know about if it allows it to go backwards?

At the end of the day, Superbikes are more relevant to the man in the street because the bikes look like the bikes they see on the road, or have in their garage. If the other manufacturers do a Ducati and make "road versions "of their GP bikes, then it becomes an expensive, and pretty irrelevant version of WSB.

Open your eyes folks, you are watching an awesome era of bike racing. Stop greetin about the fact that somebody is more popular than your man and enjoy it. Or .... off and watch golf or Hong Kong Ladyboys, whatever your preferance is.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Jun 30 2008, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>MotoGP needs Vale to stay to keep up the profile. Agreed, GP is the premier class, always has been, even back in the bad old Foggy days where the UK bike press practically ignored GP for the diesels. Ive said it before, it's the cult of personality. It takes a Sheene or a Rossi to take it to the mainstream. As amazing riders as Casey and Pedro are, there would be very little mainstream interest in either of them. Ive followed GPs for a long time, and in the Doohan era there was nothing like the outside interest we have now. Why? The guy was an awesome rider, (one of my long time heroes) but about as interesting as watching paint dry. And Casey and Pedro make him look like a stand up comic.

Those of us old enough will tell you that when we were kids, everyone knew Barry Sheene. Now everyone knows who Rossi is. There seems to be a wanky "Oh no, Rossi sucks, you want to see (insert fav rider)" snobbery appearing. It's like the twats who stop listening to a band because they become successful, you know "Well I liked the early material, before they sold out" mentality.

I don't see it happening, but if Rossi went to WSB, the ratings would go with him, because he's a great rider, and a huge personality. Can you imagine trying to sell Casey to someone who doesnt like bike racing "Yeah he's fast as ...., but goes off with his face trippin him if he gets beaten, gets followed, someone looks at him wrong...." Woo, sounds awesome...not...Good job we have Horhey in the wings, another rider who can appeal to more than the hardcore fans.

I think what I'm saying is there was GPs before Vale, and GPs with Vale. Looking up google will not show you the impact he has had. Maybe some folks just want GP or motofuckingp (stoopid ...... name) to go back to the pre Rossi days. Attendances dropping, smaller grids, coz thats what it was. Is it a good thing to have our secret sport that only the diehards know about if it allows it to go backwards?

At the end of the day, Superbikes are more relevant to the man in the street because the bikes look like the bikes they see on the road, or have in their garage. If the other manufacturers do a Ducati and make "road versions "of their GP bikes, then it becomes an expensive, and pretty irrelevant version of WSB.

Open your eyes folks, you are watching an awesome era of bike racing. Stop greetin about the fact that somebody is more popular than your man and enjoy it. Or .... off and watch golf or Hong Kong Ladyboys, whatever your preferance is.

Pete

Good post, i agree that a lot of fans would go with Rossi if he were to leave, but just as there has been GP after Sheene and Schwantz, there will be GP after Rossi and it will remain the premier class. GP even survived the competition from WSBK in the 90's when it was at its strongest.

I agree with you to some extent about people who stop liking bands (or riders in this case) because they have mainstream appeal but there are equally people who resent fans when they start to like a sport (or music genre) pureley because of its most popular figure. Regardless of the motives of peoples opinons, there are pros and cons to the progress of the sport particularly in the commercial market.

As you said though we are witnessing a brilliant era in bike racing, and to those who have nothing but complaints about the racing, the rules and the competitors i would reccomend they stop watching.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Jun 30 2008, 08:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Good post, i agree that a lot of fans would go with Rossi if he were to leave, but just as there has been GP after Sheene and Schwantz, there will be GP after Rossi and it will remain the premier class. GP even survived the competition from WSBK in the 90's when it was at its strongest.

I agree with you to some extent about people who stop liking bands (or riders in this case) because they have mainstream appeal but there are equally people who resent fans when they start to like a sport (or music genre) pureley because of its most popular figure. Regardless of the motives of peoples opinons, there are pros and cons to the progress of the sport particularly in the commercial market.

As you said though we are witnessing a brilliant era in bike racing, and to those who have nothing but complaints about the racing, the rules and the competitors i would reccomend they stop watching.


Agree Tom, I will always look on GP as the premier class, (which it is!) and there will be GP after Rossi. However, we need guys like Horhey, coz the other guys will never keep the profile up, which keeps the money and spectacle going. With GP and WSB both running diesels now, prototypes or not, theres not a big difference to the man in the street.

And we have to remember, that the man in the street brings money to our sport.

Pete

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Jun 30 2008, 01:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Agree Tom, I will always look on GP as the premier class, (which it is!) and there will be GP after Rossi. However, we need guys like Horhey, coz the other guys will never keep the profile up, which keeps the money and spectacle going. With GP and WSB both running diesels now, prototypes or not, theres not a big difference to the man in the street.

And we have to remember, that the man in the street brings money to our sport.

Pete



good posts dude...but have to admit, it was more premier when the bikes had monster horse power and toque...not so much anymore.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 30 2008, 04:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>good posts dude...but have to admit, it was more premier when the bikes had monster horse power and toque...not so much anymore.

yeah I agree on that one man.....still good, but was so much cooler when we knew they were vicious death machines with waaaay too much power to use...lol

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Jun 30 2008, 09:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>good posts dude...but have to admit, it was more premier when the bikes had monster horse power...not so much anymore.


Everyone knows I'm a 2 stroke fan. I think those of us who have ridden a racing 2 stroke (crosser or whatever) understand that there is another level there. The diesels are winning in MX now, but with an advantage of twice the capacity, and lets be honest, a very different power delivery.

Thats what I mean about the 4 stroke gp bikes, to the casual observer, they are not a million miles from supers.

Pete

^+1

the letters NSR had a menace to them that nothing else could, including 888, 916, GSX-R, ZXR etc.

the premier class has lost that aura about it now, who here thinks "RC212V aahh fuuuck!"

its now a case of people thinking "R1 eeek!" that aint right.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (basspete @ Jun 30 2008, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Everyone knows I'm a 2 stroke fan. I think those of us who have ridden a racing 2 stroke (crosser or whatever) understand that there is another level there. The diesels are winning in MX now, but with an advantage of twice the capacity, and lets be honest, a very different power delivery.

Thats what I mean about the 4 stroke gp bikes, to the casual observer, they are not a million miles from supers.

Pete

I know what you mean..i grew up with 2 strokers...but both the 2 strokes and the 990s had one thing in common, you could make your own lines....cause the power was there...with the 800s it's all about momentum...you can't pick and choose your lines...follow the leader has become the norm..and its boring people.