Re: Just one question, is someone sabotaging Rossis bike??
The Honda bikes are probably just so much faster that attempting to get that type of performance from the inferior Yamaha platform (which it has been since inception) has stressed it to the point where it's no longer reliable.
I recently read some old reviews (more than a year maybe - a lifetime, in other words) on the M1 and RC211V from some motomag that got to ride them and while their opinion is likely of limited value, they suggested that the RC211V had a lot more giddyup *and* substantially better handling. The platforms are similar, if revised, today, but I would bet that the gap has only increased.
Go back and look at Rossi riding a couple of years ago on the Hondas doing unheard of and ridiculous things, just blowing the field out of the water at will, and watch him struggle to keep up today. Same rider, but his bike just doesn't have the same performance.
He still is competing for the championship, because it's mostly rider, but bike makes a small difference. All of those guys are pretty much amazing riders, so sometimes, even the Doctor's genius isn't enough to overcome 50 / 50 equipment.
cdg