Is Rossi the greatest rider ever?

[Pwalo]

Alright I don't know either but he sure must be one of the very, very best.

I've been watching the GPs since the 70s and WSB since it's inception, and I can't think of another rider who has been able to dominate his opposition in all classes so completely.

Obviously Mick Doohan pretty well made the 500GP class his own in the 90s but he always rode what was arguably the best 500 made. He also stuck with the big H throughout his career, and after Wayne Rainey's crash probably didn't have the opposition to consistently challenge him.

In WSB it's again hard to overlook Mr Fogarty but he rode the ONLY bike that had a consistent chance of winning under WSB regulations.

I guess the other rider that I really rate is Eddie Lawson. Not as many titles as Doohan, or Rossi but he was the first rider to win back to back titles on different brands. And anyone who saw him ride that evil NSR500 has got to be impressed.(The pictures of the bracing that was added to the bikes frame is scary).

Anyways folks what's your call?

[Sparky Bills]

Is Rossi the greatest rider ever?

YES!
Plain and simple

[Hitcher]

One of the best ever, for sure. Who knows how well the Agostinis and Hailwoods would have gone on modern bikes?

[TonyB]

He's bloody good, no doubt about it.
But at the Le Mans GP, for the first time since he went to Yamaha, I got the impression that he had a little bit MORE power than Gibernau's Honda. He definitely gained a bit on the staights, but Gibernau closed back up in the twisties. I think Gibernau is also exceptional, he just doen't seem to have the killer instinct that Rossi has.
And just to counter my own theories: do you ever get the feeling that Rossi almost never rides as hard as he can? Look at what he did on the last lap at Le Mans. He managed to pull the pin and break the lap record on the last lap. It often seems when he needs to really go for it, he can step up another notch.

[wildcat_lgf]

He's pretty much tops...I rate Gibernau as well, but as TonyB said Rossi does seem to be able to up the anti when he needs to...damn his skills and natural ability! Of course that may all change when he swaps to F1

[zadok]

I think I must agree that he is the best. I was wondering if the change to Yamaha would make a difference, but he continued on his winning way. Even if he gets a bad start he always manages to get his nose back in front. Amazing rider.

Marty

[Skunk]

And just to counter my own theories: do you ever get the feeling that Rossi almost never rides as hard as he can? Look at what he did on the last lap at Le Mans. He managed to pull the pin and break the lap record on the last lap. It often seems when he needs to really go for it, he can step up another notch.

I have heard Rossi say (when he was with Honda) that he rode 80% until he needed to go 90%...

I think this was on the Faster DVD... Interview while driving around the track. The Second DVD shows him trying to get the car onto the track before they start the interview; he didn't seem to know the way.

[Jazzed]

Yep Rossi is pretty great.... but I know Ago, Mike the Bike and John Surtees would have to rate up there.

Surtees especially for winning on 2 and 4 wheels http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/drv-surjoh.html

[Paul in NZ]

John Surtees whould be my choice but Rossi is right up there with him.

Rossi is just a complete 'natural' that seems to run on confidence and instinct.

Surtees (the original leather clad god of speed) is a study of neatness and consistency. Not to mention a jolly good public speaker and an excellent ambassador for the sport.

Ago should rate highly but he fits into the Foggy class where he was the man on the only competitive bike once the other italians dropped out of racing in '57

Cheers

[Motu]

Too hard to judge against other eras,but Rossi is definatly something special - the way he can almost effortlessly pull out some extra speed,come through the pack after a ''bad'' start (I reckon he almost does that on purpose) I like the way he follows the man in front....watching every move so he knows exactly what they will do...watching that back tyre,pushing them until it's gone and then making his move so they can't come back at him.A real thinking rider,they are always the best....you need more than speed to win.

I still rate Kenny Roberts if not the best then certainly the most influencial rider ever - he changed the riding style (knee down),the corner lines (late apex) and bike set up (more weight on the front wheel) he started race schools,managed teams and is still involve today,the guy is head and shoulders above everyone else.

Going back further they were all the best,the names too long for me to list - but I will pull a couple out - Surtees for acomlishments that will most likely never be beaten,Ago for winning everybloodything possible....and Phill Read for spanning eras as a competitive rider,he was around as a top rider forever.

[XTC]

I agree Rossi is pretty good - Only 2nd to me really. Oh yeah I could beat him..... if I wanted to that is

[merv]

Rossi is great, but to me so was Ago. Forget his years on MV it was the switch to Yamaha that showed the truth - he was great no matter what the bike even winning the Daytona 200 on a TZ700, plus two world championships on Yamahas - one in 350 and one in 500. How could he prove more? Exactly as Rossi has done in his switch from Honda.

[2_SL0]

I dont think we have even seen what he really can do.

[James Deuce]

No, he's not.

He's just a good guy swimming in a sea of corporatised mediocrity, a la Michael Schumacher.

[Motoracer]

Rossi is the greatest MotoGP racer ever.