Yamaha just lost the championship for Rossi!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Jul 26 2006, 12:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is it just me, or is consistency just another word for a slower rider who just got his lucky shot? Is consistency brilliance? Is consistncy a winner?
I don't know, just that I got this funny taste in my mouth.

Now there's a point worth debating. The only thing I definately disagee with is the slower part. Nicky ain't slow. In fact any guy who makes the top 10 in GP's cannot be called slower.

I think Nicky has been just as clever as Rossi this year only sometimes people don't notice it because there's so many other dramas going on. All this year he's ridden fast, finished consistently well, and quietly went about the business of doing the best he can with what he's got which is a testbed chassis for the '07 bike. Doohan used to say you gotta win the championship as slowly as you can.

Is Nicky a winner? Can he lead from the front when he's not at Laguna? I'm not sure. The last couple of laps at Assen he sort of messed up but was lucky to get the win I thought. Hopefully the win in the US will fire him up and we might see some of the AMA toughness that we only see now and again from Nicky, I've said that before and I'm still waiting. At the start of this year if you asked Nicky would he win the title he'd have said no way and that reflected in his approach to racing, I don't think he ever went into a race saying to himself, 'yep I can win this one', except for Laguna and look what happens there. If he can get a winners' head on then he'll win a lot more, he's gotta start believing it.


Hey Ben what's that rating thingy on the side there?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ Jul 26 2006, 10:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now there's a point worth debating. The only thing I definately disagee with is the slower part. Nicky ain't slow. In fact any guy who makes the top 10 in GP's cannot be called slower.

Understand me right, I'm not saying Hayden is slow but when we compare you are either the fastest or you are slower. Now, if Casey Stoner was the fastest out there one could easily argue that he is really not as long as he is fastest for a few laps and then he is in the gravel.
If we look at recent years there has been some talk about Rossis concistency but more than anything his number of victories and his will to win. As an explanation to why he win the chpionship consistency were never a major point. That said I see that comparing the two is unfair as no one would expect anyone to take over Rossi's role as the undisputed champion when he himself fail for a number of reasons.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>I think Nicky has been just as clever as Rossi this year only sometimes people don't notice it because there's so many other dramas going on. All this year he's ridden fast, finished consistently well, and quietly went about the business of doing the best he can with what he's got which is a testbed chassis for the '07 bike. Doohan used to say you gotta win the championship as slowly as you can.

Sure he has done very good with what he's got, allthough I don't know how slow his bike has been compared to the others. The Repsol team has been quite consistent at the top, both of them, that tells me that the differences might be smaller than som people want it to be.
Up to the last weekend the ods were still in favor of Rossi as they have been all year despite all the trouble. Does that make Hayden underrated? I don't think so. He has been and is the consistently fast rider we know, it's just that most people thought there were someone faster comming form behind.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <div class='quotemain'>At the start of this year if you asked Nicky would he win the title he'd have said no way and that reflected in his approach to racing, I don't think he ever went into a race saying to himself, 'yep I can win this one', except for Laguna and look what happens there. If he can get a winners' head on then he'll win a lot more, he's gotta start believing it.
Hey Ben what's that rating thingy on the side there?

I agree with what you are saying here and it will be very interesting to se what happens in the remaining races.

Simply put, Nicky Hayden has won two races and finished on the podium in every race bar two this season (it should be noted he was ill when he finished fifth in Le Mans and lost track time testing a new chassis when he finished seventh at Donnington) on a bike that HRC said didn't think was capable of podium finishes the first half of the season. When Hayden was testing the 'Evo' and 'Spec' bikes back to back, he was more than a second slower on the 'Evo' than the 'Spec.' Melandri and Pedrosa both turned down the opportunity to ride the 'Evo,' which says even more about the level of the bike. Sure, the 'Evo' may be a lot closer, if not equal, to the other Hondas now, but the fact of the matter is Hayden has done what no one thought he could do.

I just wish Nicky would pull up his pants and start believing in himself and the bike like he does when he's racing at home. He's got that 'Laguna's MY track' attitude and it works. You can bet that if Rossi or anyone else got close enough to make a pass on him there he would bounce right back and probly gap them again. Put a blindfold on him on the way to every track and tell him it's Laguna. Ooost I'm not knocking the guy for one second, him and his team deserve the title this year, they've been the best over the season so far, the points don't lie, it just frustrates me cos I think he needs a kick in the ... sometimes and half the time is resigned to 'well another podium will do'. I guess the fault really lies with HRC by putting him on a bike that they didn't expect to perform well in the first place, hopefully that'll change now that the title is in his reach and the top brass at Honda just want to take the title away from Yamaha and Rossi. When he digs in he's as good as any of those guys including Rossi I just want to see more of it. I'll be really happy if Nicky wins the championship.

No, I agree with you Skid. Not trying to have a dig or anything. I'm not sure what his mindset is at other tracks but it's obvious it's not the same as it is at Laguna.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Doctor @ Jul 24 2006, 11:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>wow...how do you really feel?

You have to look at it this way...That's racing..

Mechanical failures happen...tires can let riders down.

It's part of the game. There is no reason to even begin to believe in conspiracy theories.

What is happening in MotoGp is terriffic for the sport. It is so exciting to watch the races this season instead of wondering ...ok Rossi won but by how much this week?

There are battles at the front week after week...

Doesn't get any better than this if you ask me.
ditto brother!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Katt @ Jul 24 2006, 08:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>BUT FROSTY! ur still around! hadn't seen u post in ages
been outa town working an awful lot. have'nt had much time to stop in much. but o yea i'm still here! i ain't a goin nowhere!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ooost @ Jul 24 2006, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>so it's hard to say whether the M1 is a piece of junk or the heat and track conditions finally beat it into submission.
i'd say both!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE ([email protected] @ Jul 24 2006, 11:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>to repeat....all the top riders battling the entire race at every round.....
thats what this sport is about.....
no motorsport will ever attain this kind of consistent battling at the front consistency! what planet are u from! breakdowns, tire problems & the like HAPPEN! they always will & when it affects someone like yer man rossi yer just gonna have to bite the bullit & deal with it!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dion @ Jul 24 2006, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I blame Honda...
I swear i saw a Honda mechanic sporting a false beard putting the oil in the engine of Vales bike just before the race!
I also saw a dani pedrosa lookalike putting a banana up Vales exhaust pipe !
Those dorma cameras catch everything u know!
Dirty ....... honda umpa lumpas!

good stuff!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (svgamer @ Jul 24 2006, 03:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'><-Long time lurker first time poster

I've been watching MotoGP for several years now, and without a doubt Rossi's talent puts him in a class by himself. Rossi has had an amazing run of luck since hitting the premier class. In many ways he creates that good luck for himself through the use of his intelligence (helping to develop the bikes he rides), raw talent, and a team that works flawlessly with him. What we have seen in 2006 is a run of bad luck that eclipses all of that and has all but cost him the title.

Every rider on the grid eventually faces the same challenges. Challenges such as setup problems, physical illness, riding injured, poor tire selection, poor weather/track conditions, etc, etc, etc. The thing everyone should remember and keep in mind is that Rossi won races and championships when his closest rivals were the ones having bad luck (eg Honda chatter problems in '05). That's racing.

2006 will be remembered as either the year Rossi triumphed over adversity (if anyone could still win it this year it's him), or the year he gave up the crown to a more consistent rival (Hayden, Pedrosa or possibley Melandri). If he does give up the crown, then the person who wins the title does so legitmately playing by the same rules and with the same risks as everyone else on the grid.

No matter how it turns out 2006 will be remembered as one of the best years for MotoGP in history.
EXCELLENT!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rossi 46 winner @ Jul 25 2006, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>but yet again rossi has treated me to sum fantastic performances,,
no argument there!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skidmark @ Jul 26 2006, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I just wish Nicky would pull up his pants and start believing in himself and the bike like he does when he's racing at home. He's got that 'Laguna's MY track' attitude and it works. You can bet that if Rossi or anyone else got close enough to make a pass on him there he would bounce right back and probly gap them again. Put a blindfold on him on the way to every track and tell him it's Laguna. Ooost I'm not knocking the guy for one second, him and his team deserve the title this year, they've been the best over the season so far, the points don't lie, it just frustrates me cos I think he needs a kick in the ... sometimes and half the time is resigned to 'well another podium will do'. I guess the fault really lies with HRC by putting him on a bike that they didn't expect to perform well in the first place, hopefully that'll change now that the title is in his reach and the top brass at Honda just want to take the title away from Yamaha and Rossi. When he digs in he's as good as any of those guys including Rossi I just want to see more of it. I'll be really happy if Nicky wins the championship.
perfectly put skid.

can't only blame Yamahahahaha,....

i believe Mich had a bit to do with it also.....

Rossi's tyre after Laguna Seca

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Yamahamer-AL @ Jul 28 2006, 11:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>can't only blame Yamahahahaha,....

i believe Mich had a bit to do with it also.....

Rossi's tyre after Laguna Seca


Great pic, that thing is scrap. I think Rossi's tactic of a slow start and then trying to set an insanely fast pace mid race has something to do with this.

saw a simalar picture of haydens rear tire & it looked almost identicle. i tryed to find it again after i saw this pic but i could'nt remember were i saw it. i wonder if the bridgestones ended up lookin the same?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jul 29 2006, 08:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>saw a simalar picture of haydens rear tire & it looked almost identicle. i tryed to find it again after i saw this pic but i could'nt remember were i saw it. i wonder if the bridgestones ended up lookin the same?

i don't think the same...and thats cause this was after some burnouts..

funny, i've never seen anyone doin burnouts on the sides of their tires.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jul 29 2006, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>funny, i've never seen anyone doin burnouts on the sides of their tires.

man if thats the "side" of the tire for you, i feel like having some chicken!

that ain't from doin burnouts! jeez another rossi fan with conspirisy theorys to explain poor vales tire failure. i guess honda droped a little sugar in his tank to .... up his motor just to be on the safe side.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jul 29 2006, 10:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>that ain't from doin burnouts! jeez another rossi fan with conspirisy theorys to explain poor vales tire failure. i guess honda droped a little sugar in his tank to .... up his motor just to be on the safe side.

i didn't say that, i said "that" is not the side of the tire....thats all.
how big are your chicken strips?

look at were the wear is in both pics. same place. it.s the PART of the tire thats spends the most time on the tarmac in the turns. wise guy

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jul 29 2006, 03:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>look at were the wear is in both pics. same place. it.s the PART of the tire thats spends the most time on the tarmac in the turns. wise guy

yeah i know, just yanking your chain
....BUT also look at how much more Rossi's tyre is gone, and thats cause he didn't do the 32 laps....Nick did....and burnouts.

They haven't lost it yet. Still 7 races left I think? You never know Pedrosa and Hayden could fall off/crash and badly injure themselves and colin and valentino could get first and second in every race from now on. It's not over by a long shot!

yeah... and there could be floods, earthquakes and locusts... you never know, really

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Claymore @ Jul 30 2006, 04:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>yeah... and there could be floods, earthquakes and locusts... you never know, really
& rossi's voodoo woman is workin on it right now!