I am a HUGE fan of Valentine Rossi; I think he is a genius on a motorbike and has managed to be at the top for so many years but I think his passion for the sport isn't the same since his close friend Simoncelli died. Take this weekend, Hayden has outperformed him in all sessions which just shouldn't be happening so personally I think he will hang up his helmet at the end of this year and go rallying. At the end of the day the man has nothing left to prove, he has beaten all the current crop of guys and has entertained all of us for going on 15 years so I for one would be gutted to see him go but also be thankful for all that he has done for the sport. In my eyes he will always be the GOAT.
To be honest with you I don't think Ducati are capable of building a bike which can match the Yamaha's or Honda's.
I think they already built the bike. They just need some minor changes and a fresh rider now.
The Ducati is still miles off the pace of the top guys even with all the changes they have made.
If we look carefully to the lap analysis we can see today that Rossi's race pace is only .7 slower than Jorge's. That's not bad at all for a 33 year old rider without motivation.
Barbera's fast lap is not far away. Yes, he chases Jorge, but that showed the bike can be there, and it is the old one.
The major problem I see for the red team today is the absent of a top rider.
Joined Sep 2009
482 Posts | 198+
Austin, Tx. USA
he better not until 2013. i have to see him in Austin. I'll be gutted to see him go. To me he's the most exciting to watch race. He may not always be fastest, but when he's able to fight for victory he certainly does. In recent past I can't really think of any all out battles for the win (in the premier league) that didn't involve Vale. you can flame me now, but please be gentle.
I completely agree; all the greatest motoGP races of the past 10 years have involved Rossi.
Joined Jul 2007
5K Posts | 1K+
unda cheese
Joined Feb 2007
6K Posts | 58+
Rovrum S,Yorks Eng
He's all ready thinking about it
Sun, Apr 15 · 14:30 · MotorsTV Blancpain Endurance Series from Monza: Rnd 1
Valentino Rossi will Race in the Monza Blancpain series http://t.co/xmMcVpIb
and motorstv are talking of covering more of the race because vale has entered
so 14:30 start time might become earlier and longer coverage
Free on sky ch413
Go Vale
in Rally too
Sun, Apr 15 · 14:30 · MotorsTV Blancpain Endurance Series from Monza: Rnd 1
Valentino Rossi will Race in the Monza Blancpain series http://t.co/xmMcVpIb
and motorstv are talking of covering more of the race because vale has entered
so 14:30 start time might become earlier and longer coverage
Free on sky ch413
Go Vale
Joined Jun 2008
2K Posts | 6+
America
I find it a bit funny how Vale is expected to be right at the front of the pack with this bike and very limited development time. If we give him a bit of time I am sure he will have more success. I really think it all depends on his mental game and focus which I think he still has in spades. SUre he has some things that have put him on his heels a bit but all of you know you can't count him out, not just yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they start doing the deed by the fifth race or so. Nicky feels comfy on it, and I am sure Vale knows where he is in terms of the bikes development. These things take some time. I also think it is pretty damn awesome what Ducati has done in such a small amount of time with the new bike. Hopefully we will see a four to six bike battle for the front. I said I hope ok.
If he does, good. If he stays and keeps losing, also good.
He has only beat the current top riders when given advantages or others have been handicaped, still a lot to prove after so much big talk no matter how you try to disguise it.
Sorry...........not really.
He has only beat the current top riders when given advantages or others have been handicaped, still a lot to prove after so much big talk no matter how you try to disguise it.
Sorry...........not really.
How were the other riders handicapped? He beat Jorge in 2009 on equal machinery, can't get much fairer than that
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
Tennessee
Was the Honda split any more amicable. Unless they have a short memory, he has excluded himself from the 2 top manufacturers in the series. With Kawasaki showing some life in WSBK, maybe he can con them into re entering GP
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
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