Rossi's genius.
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Definitely agree with MO. He makes it look so easy. It was obvious on Sunday the Ducati/Bridgestone combo was better than his Yamaha/Michelin combo but yet he got close. Definitely he has been the most dominate rider so far.
Being a computer geek I think I would change the analogy to if he was a computer he would have the fastest CPU and the most advanced software than anyone else . Saying he has the largest hard drive doesn't do him justice.
Being a computer geek I think I would change the analogy to if he was a computer he would have the fastest CPU and the most advanced software than anyone else . Saying he has the largest hard drive doesn't do him justice.
"In my opinion, that makes him the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. "
Yup. But, it makes for a boring series. There aren't but about 20 bikes in the field and everyone falls in about the same places every race. Rossi, trails the leader until the last few laps then passes for the win. It was fun to watch for a while, but I don't care for it much anymore.
If Rossi's ready for Formula 1, I'm ready for him to go.
Yup. But, it makes for a boring series. There aren't but about 20 bikes in the field and everyone falls in about the same places every race. Rossi, trails the leader until the last few laps then passes for the win. It was fun to watch for a while, but I don't care for it much anymore.
If Rossi's ready for Formula 1, I'm ready for him to go.
it'll be interesting to see if he decides to race on four wheels. and if he does, to see if he wins. can you imagine? world championships in all the premier two-wheeled classes, followed by a world championship in F1.
what would he do for an encore? a grand slam win at wimbledon?
what would he do for an encore? a grand slam win at wimbledon?
While Hailwood had several motorcycle gp championships, he never won a Formula 1 championship, John Surtees on the other hand did win both the top motorcycle and F1 titles.
So far, he is the only one who has done that. Rossi would be the 2nd one to accomplish such a goal.
So far, he is the only one who has done that. Rossi would be the 2nd one to accomplish such a goal.
Rossi is the greatest of our generation
However, he's not even CLOSE to being the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. That honor falls on Giacomo Agostini. I quote from an unofficial website (copy/paste):
officially announced on the 22nd of December 1977, Giacomo Agostini had won on 311 occasions. 122 Grand Prix wins, 12 Isle of Man TT's, 18 Italian championships and 15 times World Championships. A truly remarkable achievement.
I think Rossi's not even at the half-way mark compared to those stats. And... let me also say this... Agostini didn't enjoy huge corporate benefits and a big payroll, PLUS back then the races were much bigger and more frequent.
Agostini's the MAN!!
However, he's not even CLOSE to being the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. That honor falls on Giacomo Agostini. I quote from an unofficial website (copy/paste):
officially announced on the 22nd of December 1977, Giacomo Agostini had won on 311 occasions. 122 Grand Prix wins, 12 Isle of Man TT's, 18 Italian championships and 15 times World Championships. A truly remarkable achievement.
I think Rossi's not even at the half-way mark compared to those stats. And... let me also say this... Agostini didn't enjoy huge corporate benefits and a big payroll, PLUS back then the races were much bigger and more frequent.
Agostini's the MAN!!
Rossi's best. period
To all who complain about the series being boring or Agostini being the one. Did an in depth search on the GP history since 49' for a story I've written for another publication and....
There where very few years when so many races where decided on such small margins, often less than 2-3 seconds. Every one of his wins has been hard fought.
Talking about agositni, he used to win races with minutes (!) over second place, usualy some poor soul on an aging matchless G50. Check that too.
To all who complain about the series being boring or Agostini being the one. Did an in depth search on the GP history since 49' for a story I've written for another publication and....
There where very few years when so many races where decided on such small margins, often less than 2-3 seconds. Every one of his wins has been hard fought.
Talking about agositni, he used to win races with minutes (!) over second place, usualy some poor soul on an aging matchless G50. Check that too.
Re: Rossi's best. period
yossef ~ Based on what I've seen in my lifetime, I woud agree that championship alone does not tell the whole story with gp racers. There are a lot of very, very good racers. But there are only a handful who truly did exhibit greatness. We've been through this poll before, but my (very) short list is: (Not neccessarily in this order) - Jarno Saarinen, Mike Hailwood, Ken Roberts (Sr.), Valentino Rossi, Mic Doohan, and Cal Rayborn.
I know that there are many talented riders not on this list, but the riders I have mentioned showed speed, control, courage, and intelligence in the most extrordinary racing situations, often with very tough adversarys i.e. ~ Hailwood/Agostini, Roberts/Sheene, etc.
They are simply without peer in their own racing eras.
yossef ~ Based on what I've seen in my lifetime, I woud agree that championship alone does not tell the whole story with gp racers. There are a lot of very, very good racers. But there are only a handful who truly did exhibit greatness. We've been through this poll before, but my (very) short list is: (Not neccessarily in this order) - Jarno Saarinen, Mike Hailwood, Ken Roberts (Sr.), Valentino Rossi, Mic Doohan, and Cal Rayborn.
I know that there are many talented riders not on this list, but the riders I have mentioned showed speed, control, courage, and intelligence in the most extrordinary racing situations, often with very tough adversarys i.e. ~ Hailwood/Agostini, Roberts/Sheene, etc.
They are simply without peer in their own racing eras.
Rossi is a great pilot, but definetely not close to be the greatest of all times. That title indeed, goes to Agostini without question. Concerning Formula 1 racing, only two have done the transition sucessfully: Mike Hailwood and John Surtees. By the way, Surtees is the only one who became world champion on 2 and on 4 wheels. I believe that he also won more world champion titles than Rossi.
Re: Rossi is the greatest of our generation
I was a huge Agostini fan, and still am, in fact one of the thrills of Laguna Seca was standing about 4 feet from him in the Yamaha tent, and I followed him when he raced (yes, I am THAT old...), but in his days he raced on 350 and 500 every year, and his MV was clearly a superior bike. He raced beautifully, but sometimes even I, who wanted him to crush anyone else, wanted him to have more of a fight on his hands. Usually, unless he fell or his MV blew up, he won. He was great, but I don't know that overall he was better than Rossi. They are both amazing, IMHO.
I was a huge Agostini fan, and still am, in fact one of the thrills of Laguna Seca was standing about 4 feet from him in the Yamaha tent, and I followed him when he raced (yes, I am THAT old...), but in his days he raced on 350 and 500 every year, and his MV was clearly a superior bike. He raced beautifully, but sometimes even I, who wanted him to crush anyone else, wanted him to have more of a fight on his hands. Usually, unless he fell or his MV blew up, he won. He was great, but I don't know that overall he was better than Rossi. They are both amazing, IMHO.
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Re: Yeah!
Good point. AMA SuperBike was a yawner this year. But maybe Tommy and Rog can do what Nicky did. Hope Yamaha joins the party with EBoz
Good point. AMA SuperBike was a yawner this year. But maybe Tommy and Rog can do what Nicky did. Hope Yamaha joins the party with EBoz
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