Whats the deal with Sete Gibernau?

I think Sete got a bad rap, not entirely sure why. He always struck me as a rather nice and honest guy. That being said, I was never a big fan of his. He had his factory Honda ride, didn't do much with it, took his sponsorship to Suzuki, similar story. Got his sponsors to land him with Gresini Honda and something clicked after Kato's death. He was stronger than he had ever been from the second round of 2003 through the first round of 2005. After Jerez 2005 he got quite a bit of bad luck and you could see the magic fading as the season wore on.

I'm not sure Rossi's ever had a closer rival in the sense of battling. Rossi didn't lose many of those head to head battles, but he did lose a few. There aren't many out there who have beaten Rossi head to head.

Part of the reason why I was never a big Gibbers fan is because I feel he got his Honda ride without merit. KRJR was Gib's teammate in 2002 and had beaten him, similar results throughout their careers but KRJR was usually stronger, even while Gibs was at Honda and KRJR was with Suzuki. I've wondered for quite some time what would have happened had KRJR landed a Honda in 2003 and not Gibs. What could have been.

Ah well, here goes.

Gibernau is for me a bit of an enigma in that he came from relative obsurity to the v-twin factory Honda, onto Suzuki and eventually he found his home back at Honda with the Movistar team.

He was IMO an extremely talented rider, sometimes brilliant racer but always came across as a bit fragile of mind, perhaps to fragile to ever be a serious contender despite the sensational period he experienced after Kato's sad death.

Whilst I mention fragile of mind I do not mean this as bad as it may read, but for me he struck me as being very easily distracted and one who was riding for enjoyment and who wanted to be liked/appreciated. Basically, when the heat got to hot he struggled to cope with the pressures and subsequently his enjoyment of the sport diminished as did his results, until his retirement.

He 'enjoyed' his strongest period following the death of Kato and his gaining the factory bike. It was during this period that he seemed to focus all his attention on racing and winning and went on to show that he genuinely deserved to be there, challenging and beating Rossi in dog fights that I feel both enjoyed.

But sadly, once that mutual respect was destroyed(although there were initially conflicting reports) and VR issued the 'he will never win another race' line of Gibbers, he seemed to lose focus, motivation and eventually his ride as he then moved to Ducati where he ended his career. Additional to the VR statement was the reported romance which resulted in marriage for Gibbers and I do feel that his focus shifted somewhat to more family oriented and eventually he simply lost the desire.

I do not feel that he was ever destined for greatness, nor a rider that will be mentioded in discussions of the best never to have won a championship, but he was for a period a worthy contender and challenger to Rossi and dare I say it, but in the latter years he was motivation for some of VR's rides.





Gaz

Sete is one of my favourite riders of all time. Bad rap is right he was/is a stellar rider and at the top of the heap in my book.

I don't believe for one second that it was lack of talent that let Sete down. A great qualifier & a great racer, I think he will be remembered for that. You've got to admire a man that can come back after this sort of thing:

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Yeah that accident ruined Loris Capirossi's championship run. I will always remember that race causse my heart sunk thinking someone musta died there. Sete in his prime was very good. Had the ability to take it to Rossi. While still not on Rossi's plane he was good enough to give him a run for his money quite a few times.

Man hear those 990's!!!!!

Gibbers is a snot gobbling arsehole.... nuff said.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (chopperman @ Sep 12 2009, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Gibbers is a snot gobbling arsehole.... nuff said.
Giveupnaw.....You got a hamster? I got the sellotape...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Goatboy @ Sep 11 2009, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I don't believe for one second that it was lack of talent that let Sete down. A great qualifier & a great racer, I think he will be remembered for that. You've got to admire a man that can come back after this sort of thing:

How many Riders can say they have Two Runner Up spots during Rossi’s MotoGP Era? Biaggi (2001 & 2002) and Gibernau (2003 & 2004), obviously Stoner (2007 1st & 2008).

Those Runner Up Spots from Biaggi and Gibernau were back in Rossi’s 15 second advantage (Recovered or lead twice in 2003 at Donington and Phillip Island) type of Racing. Or ran out off track and come back and win (I think Motegi 2001). And Rossi had the Best bike at that moment, being with Honda. I think Gibernau has been one of his greatest rivals ever, but he simply was cursed!

I always liked Sete, he is quite an eloquent, educated man(spoke five languages, I think). The thing that is very unique about Sete is that his performances were strongly tied to his emotional state, which was simultaneously a great strength and great weakness.

When the USA was attacked on 09/11/2001. It was Sete that waved the American Flag after the race at one of the Euro circuits. That alone makes him an awesome person from my point of view. I cannot remember which race it was or, if he had won the race. I am sure someone here will remember.







.

i liked sete & hes ok in my book. he was the only guy from 03 to 05 that could give rossi any kind of challenge who could forget sachsenring in 04. i think the fact that he comes from money, bultaco for those that don't know, is why he was not very popular. hell i don't even think the spanish cared for him much.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (evo9 @ Sep 14 2009, 06:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>When the USA was attacked on 09/11/2001. It was Sete that waved the American Flag after the race at one of the Euro circuits. That alone makes him an awesome person from my point of view. I cannot remember which race it was or, if he had won the race. I am sure someone here will remember.







.
that was just to get attention for himself, just like he did after Kato was killed

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RCV600RR @ Sep 14 2009, 05:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I always liked Sete, he is quite an eloquent, educated man(spoke five languages, I think). The thing that is very unique about Sete is that his performances were strongly tied to his emotional state, which was simultaneously a great strength and great weakness.

Near bang on that is bud.

Did you guys remember also that CEII was on the Honda V-twin....

Sete was the Man. I just didn't like his off the track personality. I believe he got the Honda ride over KRJr due to Nationality/Sponsor dollars and His grandfather..

As a racer the guy, when inspired, rode his butt off. I don't rate him better than Biaggi but he certainly is among the best to never have one it..

I enjoyed his Lex Luthor to Rossi's Superman.
He consistently over the course of several seasons gave one helluva show.

Sete on the big boy bike RC211V was handing ......... the 800s still suck .....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (xx CURVE xx @ Sep 15 2009, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Sete on the big boy bike RC211V was handing ......... the 800s still suck .....

Amen brother.