Valentino Rossi: “The 800s are the biggest mistake in 15 years.”

[Cleve]

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...-for-the-800s/
Interesting article by Dennis Noyes

[Wingnut]

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...-for-the-800s/
Interesting article by Dennis Noyes

Twas very interesting - thanks for the link.

[slowpoke]

Not sure about this statement: "And the move to a single-tire provider, Bridgestone, added to the predictability of the racing."

After 2007 and the Stoner/Bridgestone dominance it was obvious to Rossi that the championship race was over before it began if you weren't on Bridgestones. Without a one make tyre series it would have been even more processional than it is.

The one make tyre rule livened up WSBK and without it in MotoGP it would be an even bigger yawn fest. It's bad enough having a series decided by the best electronics package but to have it decided by tyres would be even worse because the gulf between michies and bridgies was only getting wider.

[eelracing]

Not sure about this statement: "And the move to a single-tire provider, Bridgestone, added to the predictability of the racing."

After 2007 and the Stoner/Bridgestone dominance it was obvious to Rossi that the championship race was over before it began if you weren't on Bridgestones. Without a one make tyre series it would have been even more processional than it is.

The one make tyre rule livened up WSBK and without it in MotoGP it would be an even bigger yawn fest. It's bad enough having a series decided by the best electronics package but to have it decided by tyres would be even worse because the gulf between michies and bridgies was only getting wider.

I dunno Slowpoke,am I the only one to think that the Honda was the best bike last year? Would a rider of Rossi's or Stoners ilk have been able to make a better fist of it?

Michelin were more guilty of resting on their laurels and believing their own press after years of dominance.The one tyre rule was more of a financial decision on Dorna's part (yes admittedly to encourage closer racing)but really all in the name of TV revenue.If Michelin or Dunlop want to still be in the sport then surely they should be in the name of competition.Is'nt that what Grand Prix is all about? (well it used to be anyway)

Can't help but think that it's all about the show and if it is god help us if plastic personalities like Lorenzo become the norm,hell! Criville-Pedrosa-Lorenzo...do you see a pattern forming.Spain is churning them out like robots...a bit like the bikes I spose eh.

[slowpoke]

I dunno Slowpoke,am I the only one to think that the Honda was the best bike last year? Would a rider of Rossi's or Stoners ilk have been able to make a better fist of it?

Michelin were more guilty of resting on their laurels and believing their own press after years of dominance.The one tyre rule was more of a financial decision on Dorna's part (yes admittedly to encourage closer racing)but really all in the name of TV revenue.If Michelin or Dunlop want to still be in the sport then surely they should be in the name of competition.Is'nt that what Grand Prix is all about? (well it used to be anyway)

Can't help but think that it's all about the show and if it is god help us if plastic personalities like Lorenzo become the norm,hell! Criville-Pedrosa-Lorenzo...do you see a pattern forming.Spain is churning them out like robots...a bit like the bikes I spose eh.

The Honda was a pretty good bit of gear by the end of the season but it was an absolute shocker at the start. Remember Pedrosa couldn't even keep it in a straight line for the first few races with a frame that had some serious flex problems.

Dunno about Michelin resting on their laurels either. They used to do go through testing and practice then take all the data away, brew up special tyres for their favoured sons on race day and fly them in overnight. Custom tyres for every round. Then the tyre rules were changed and they were forced to come up with more generic tyres that worked at different tracks (no more one off specials) and couldn't quite keep pace with Bridgestone. They wouldn't have liked getting steamrolled by the Stoner/Ducati/Bridgestone juggernaut any more than Rossi did and I've no doubt they would have been burning the midnight oil to try and rectify the situation.

I blame it on that farkin' traction control; now that electronics exploit every fraction of grip available the difference between tyres is highlighted. Used to be a rider could make up for slight deficiencies with sheer skill, but now there's no hiding from the all seeing electronic eye.