Times from day one of the Qatar test

**Reckless** · 16th March 2011, 11:14

Originally Posted by Tony.OK

Has Vale even showed his hand yet? He's as cunning as a fox so wouldn't be surprised to see something extra come raceday.

He wasn't the quickest when he went to Yamaha either but that changed on the 1st meeting..........................will be interesting for sure........can't wait

yeh Tony but if not showing your hand is being back in 13th, 1.3secs down, that would really take balls!

I'm with Denhill I was looking for a good battle with Rossi taking another tight title before he decides to quit. Dunno what it is about him probably his ability to laugh at himself (with the donkey helmet etc) and never coming across being a premadonna! I personally think given the above he's one of the greatest Motor racing sportsmen of our time? Maybe all time? I guess his record speaks for itself LOL!!

Stoner is certainly making the move away from Ducati to Honda look like its the bike that held him back? We probably should be cheering for our Aussy cousin anyway!

Watch out for Spies to get faster over the season as he learns. Got talent that boy!

Looking forward to the first race that will sort out all the theories! yeeeha!!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2011, 11:29

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Is there? Multiple world champ, taken victories in 250's, last rider to win a 500cc championship, first to win in the 990's etc etc etc. If he doesn't perform on the Duke that ain't going to take anything away from him. If this thread was posted 5-6yrs ago all money would be on him, but the new crop of riders are here, it had to happen.

Mainly the guys pride mate. After calling Stoner out last year by saying he simply wasn't trying hard enough on the Ducati...when Stoner was winning on the thing. This'll get me shot down in flames...but in the last few years, Rossi has been beaten in the championship by Hayden, Stoner and now his own team mate in Lorenzo. If those guys had been there from the start with Rossi...how many would he have won? Is he REALLY that good...or has he to a certain extent won as many titles as he has by beating below par racers? Beating up on Melandri, Gibernau etc...

That's not to say I don't think he's awesome...but simply that maybe he's not THE best ever like most think.

**onearmedbandit** · 16th March 2011, 11:42

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

That's not to say I don't think he's awesome...but simply that maybe he's not THE best ever like most think.

Broken leg last year, poor performing machine (he threatened to leave Yamaha) when Stoner took the championship, and a poor start to the first half of the season when Hayden took the championship. He's not a god, but he is one of the best riders in recent history. Look what he did with the Yamaha when he left Honda. When was the last time prior to that they won a world championship? You'll be going to back to Rainy in the early 90's.

**Mental Trousers** · 16th March 2011, 11:43

Winning the Championship on the Ducati (maybe not this year but definitely next year) is all about being THE G.O.A.T.

If he wins it this year that just adds another 1st to the long list of things that make him the best ever. But if he doesn't win a championship on the Ducati I guess he'll never ever feel he's earned The G.O.A.T. title.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2011, 11:56

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Broken leg last year, poor performing machine (he threatened to leave Yamaha) when Stoner took the championship, and a poor start to the first half of the season when Hayden took the championship. He's not a god, but he is one of the best riders in recent history. Look what he did with the Yamaha when he left Honda. When was the last time prior to that they won a world championship? You'll be going to back to Rainy in the early 90's.

Well hate to say this...but he's fucking lucky that after all of the nasty high speed biffs he's had over the yerars that the leg is the first and only thing he's ever broken, else he once again, may not have as many titles. He really has had incredible luck with the lack of serious injuries he's had. But threatening to leave Yamaha? Like crying like a baby when he couldn't have Bridgestones so badly he threatened to quit unless he got them? Which he did get...unlike his team mate. So the nest year Rossi had already had an unfair advantage over Lorenzo, because he'd had plenty of races with them already? I think you'll find that Stoner has had to ride that heap of shit for the last few years and won more races in the 800cc era than anyone else...so it's not gonna look that good in my opinion if Rossi can't win on it.

You also forget to mention one VERY important thing. Rossi was born into GP racing, and has ALWAYS had THE very best equipment and crew chief in Jerry Burgess. Don't think he would've won on the Yamaha as quickly as he did without Jerry!

I think the guy in pretty incredible though don't worry...and we could (and do!) argue for weeks and months about who is the best and why. This is just my opinion. As awesome as he is, he's also been incredibly lucky. Some don't manage that much luck in a lifetime, let alone a career.

**denill** · 16th March 2011, 12:25

Originally Posted by Reckless

Stoner is certainly making the move away from Ducati to Honda look like its the bike that held him back?

Now if Stoner had moved to Yamaha........................

**eelracing** · 16th March 2011, 12:30

Come on Crasher widen those blinkers mate winning a Championship is the easy part compared to retaining it.Something Stoner has found out and Lorenzo is going to find out.
Rossi has the pedigree and nothing left to prove at this point, by moving to Ducati you know the hunger is still there and that should put the fear of god into the pretenders over what is going to be a long season.

If he's in the ball park come qualifying then those repsol fairings are going to get a rub-up that still has Lorenzo waking up in cold sweats.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 16th March 2011, 12:34

Originally Posted by eelracing

Come on Crasher widen those blinkers mate winning a Championship is the easy part compared to retaining it.Something Stoner has found out and Lorenzo is going to find out.
Rossi has the pedigree and nothing left to prove at this point, by moving to Ducati you know the hunger is still there and that should put the fear of god into the pretenders over what is going to be a long season.

If he's in the ball park come qualifying then those repsol fairings are going to get a rub-up that still has Lorenzo waking up in cold sweats.

Nah...don't have blinkers on mate. Just putting it out there for consideration! But regardless...I reckon it's gonna be one of the best, most exciting seasons we'll get to see in a long long time.

**Mental Trousers** · 16th March 2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Nah...don't have blinkers on mate. Just putting it out there for consideration! But regardless...I reckon it's gonna be one of the best, most exciting seasons we'll get to see in a long long time.

Indeed. It has the potential to be one of the best seasons yet.

Rossi trying to develop and win on the Ducati
Lorenzo showing he's as good at developing the bike as Rossi
Stoner trying to show it was the bike that held him back
Pedrossa looking to retain his position as top Honda rider and show recruiting Stoner wasn't the right move
Ben Spies showing he's the farken man (in a humble sort of way)
Randy De Puniet wants show he still has the biggest balls in the paddock
Dovizioso pushing to show he's got what it takes
Aoyama showing what he can do when he manages to hold onto the thing long enough
Simoncelli showing everyone he's a nutter

That's a lot of testosterone and ego's.

**Reckless** · 16th March 2011, 13:19

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

Well hate to say this...but he's fucking lucky that after all of the nasty high speed biffs
He really has had incredible luck with the lack of serious injuries he's had.
..........and has ALWAYS had THE very best equipment and crew chief in Jerry Burgess. Don't think he would've won on the Yamaha as quickly as he did without Jerry!

This is just my opinion. As awesome as he is, he's also been incredibly lucky. Some don't manage that much luck in a lifetime, let alone a career.

Ah the old he wins because he's lucky line

Same as he/she is successful because of luck?

In the high pressure racing world his relationship with Jerry probably takes quite a bit of hard work on both their parts I'd guess? No doubt Jerry has had some big offers to go! And Rossi some big offers to leave him! And they get pissed off with each other from time to time. No luck there!

Sorry crasher mate we've never had a clash on KB or anywhere but I have to call you out on the old "luck" one!

Do agree though that Rossi better win (or do better) on the Duc especially if Randy keeps putting one further up the time sheets! The Rossi fans will be shitting that's for sure!!
But the first race could shoot all of the theories down I suppose!
Gosh its getting exciting! Even if the duc's are shit the Yammy vs Honda battle will be good!