Rossi starting from pit lane today

[tomr6]

Rossi starting from pit lane today at Aragon due to using a 7th engine.

My question is, does this mean he starts all remaining races from pit lane or just today? Surely Ducrappy will need more engines before end of season.

I went to Aragon earlier this year and I think the pit exit is almost on the first corner with a short straight to a right hander. Gonna be difficult for the spoilt one to build up pace early on.

Another question, why is it that Rossi can slate the Ducrappy and its viewed as constructive criticism yet when Stoner, who is a better rider than Rossi, complained about he was christened "Moaner" by the Rossi fan club?

Let the debate begin

[ned flanders]

just said on eurosport, that its only the race where you put the engine in that you start from pit lane. At the next race, if you still using same 7th engine, then no penalty enforced.

[DynaMight]

Another question, why is it that Rossi can slate the Ducrappy and its viewed as constructive criticism yet when Stoner, who is a better rider than Rossi, complained about he was christened "Moaner" by the Rossi fan club?

Let the debate begin

When Stoner has won his 10th championship (assuming Rossi doesn't win anymore) we can all class Stoner as a better rider

[julian]

rossie is without doubt one of the greatest ever, and my hero too.....but....

stoner has won races on that bike and was allways the fastest ducati....

rossi was the third fastest ducati. ( 11th) hayden ( 9th) depuniet (6th) if stoner had been on that bike he would have been on or close to the front row...

anyone who has raced knows the most important competitor to beat is your teammate or someone on similar machinery. rossi was beat by lorenzo last year and is by no means the best ducati..

i hope as much as the most ardunt rossi fan that he gets back to winning ways because at the moment the legend is being tainted....

[tomr6]

Another question, why is it that Rossi can slate the Ducrappy and its viewed as constructive criticism yet when Stoner, who is a better rider than Rossi, complained about he was christened "Moaner" by the Rossi fan club?

Let the debate begin

When Stoner has won his 10th championship (assuming Rossi doesn't win anymore) we can all class Stoner as a better rider

No prizes for coming less than first and you are only as good as your last race/ season. The leader board doesnt lie.

Rossi used to be the best rider in the world. Now he is not. With his talent he should be back with the aliens next year but think his crash shook him up a bit. Why is it that only in Britain do real bike fans struggle to recognise talent and support one rider by slagging off another. No reflection on Rossi though. He is still a good rider. Just getting a bit older.

[TLS-Moose]

Rossi used to be the best rider in the world. Now he is not. With his talent he should be back with the aliens next year but think his crash shook him up a bit. Why is it that only in Britain do real bike fans struggle to recognise talent and support one rider by slagging off another. No reflection on Rossi though. He is still a good rider. Just getting a bit older.

I think in some ways you are right Tom - Rossi's crash has taken more out of him than perhaps he'd like to admit ...... and it is inevitable there will be a "changing of the guard" ..... much as I am a Rossi fan I would agree he may not be THE best at the moment, but he is still one of the best, and has race-craft far in excess of others that helps in circumstances too ...... and he certainly can't be written off once on machinery he's comfortable with (whereas the old Rossi might have ridden around the issues) I think he'll be back at the front .... but I don't tink he'll get back to the dominance he once enjoyed. I don't however, think either Stoner or Lorenzo will dominate the way he has for the duration he has

A clear parrallel is Schumacher - clearly one of the best racing drivers ever, but eventually you have to accept you can no longer do what you once did

[tomr6]

Agreed Moose,

Stars like Rossi only come along once in a generation.

[Scotty]

It would appear that the next outrageously talented rider has already arrived - Marc Marquez - already the most successful 18 year-old ever in GPs (the septics would call him the "winningest" but I won't stoop to mangling our language like they do ) It'll be interesting to see the reaction of the current Spanish top dog, Lorenzo, when this precocious youngster hits the top class and overshadows him - will it be like 2000 all over again when Rossi stepped up and stole Biaggi's thunder...? Does he have the potential to be even more dominant than Rossi was? It would appear so, as it took Rossi a year to get the hang of a 250 before winning the championship the following season whereas Marquez has taken a more difficult step up to Moto2 and a heavier 4-stroke that requires a completely different riding style from a 125 and after taking a few races to get up to speed, has dominated the middle of the season, winning six of the last seven races and whittling Bradl's seemingly unassailable 81-point lead down to just 6 points.

We should feel privileged to be able to see two such dominant talents in such a relatively short space of time. In ten or fifteen years' time, when the newbies and squids of that era have watched a couple of races on TV and consider themselves to be true authorities on the subject, you'll be able to engage smug mode say "yeah, ever heard of Rossi? I watched him from 1996 onwards and dominate after 2000, and then in 2010 we saw Marquez in the 125s and thought he'd be a real talent for the future..."

[badgerKDD]

When you consider even Lorenzo has said this season is Stoners to lose i think everyone is looking to next season, with the return of the 1000's.
I really hope Rossi can find settings to bring him back to his old form but i have to agree, maybe his career has peaked, it would be very interesting to put him on the latest Honda and Stoner back on the latest version of the Ducati (GP11.3456789etc...) and see how the lap times differ, I hate to say it but i reckon Rossi might just get smoked again. And i'm saying that as a big Rossi fan .

It seems the aluminium frame was not the answer, but then they have made so many changes to the bike, frame etc. that I think maybe they have lost their way, I reckon they should give Bayliss a go on the bike and get some of his feedback, after all he managed to piss all over the GP pack when he got his 'bonus wildcard' a few years back and now they are back to 1000's, he might be able to get them back to basics so they can sort out this mess.

CanI just also add, what a great job Bautista is doing on the Suzuki, i really hope they return next year but contesting an 800 against the new breed of 1000's is a pointless exercise. Fingers crossed they stay in it and just stick a gsxr1000 engine in the GP frame if its cost saving they are after !

[Funky]

I think Rossi is going to develop the Ducati have one proper season on it and then retire.

As much as I have to say it with gritted teeth, Stoner is riding rings around everyone and with his experience on the 990's he may well be a force on the 1000's too.

I have to agree about Marquez, but I hope his rise isn't too meteoric. I like the way Smith is developing agreeing another 2 years in Moto 2 With a GP ride in 2014. He'll probably end up as one of the eldest the way things are going!

Nicolas Terol in the 125's is one to watch as well.

[Scotty]

I don't know how much of his experience on the 990s Stoner would like to draw upon, he spent most of his one season on them in 2006 losing the front end after graduating from 250s . At the beginning of that season I read an article in Motorcycle Racer in which they marked him out for great things - I'd not seen much of him in those days prior to getting Eurosport so I didn't have an opinion either way. Towards the end of his season spent crashing the LCR Honda in '06 I heard that he'd be on the works Ducati in '07 and I almost expected their bodywork suppliers to cancel all leave but, credit to the guy, he rode the wheels off the thing and didn't make a mistake all season - Racer mag got it right

Something else you have to credit Stoner for are his celebration stand-up wheelies across the line when he wins - they are pretty damn cool....

[richiec]

Unfortunately in this day and age it is not enough to be a good or even great rider. You also need to be able to master the media, something Rossi does with ease. He seems to know how to play his audience to perfection, He's had possibly his worse ever season yet is still idolised by the masses. Stoner, Lorenzo et all try their best to play to the crowds yet there is still something missing or false whatever they do. Stoner was away at the front on Sunday yet the cameras were on Valentino coming from behind and finishing mid pack - Love him or hate him the guys a genius. Stoner may possibly go on to win a number of championships yet will never come close to the total genius that is VR. If he does manage to get the Ducati sorted the others may as well pack up and go home - If he doesn't then they still have to race in the knowledge that no matter what they do on the track the media and the crowds will still be cheering for a true entertainer !

Another vote for Marquez being the next star though, another crowd pleaser who can make stupid mistakes yet still be forgiven in an instant.

[ZX6Rich]

Personally always been on the stoner side of the fence from when he was winning races on a bike no else could ride and I knew he'd prove to b a real weapon at Honda. For me the best news that came from the pre talk on Sunday was a possible move for Ianonne incredible rider I think will suit a ducati and maybe even keep it upright...always one to watch in the twos doesn't win that often but proved his stuff in last years final race imo!!

[Funky]

Personally always been on the stoner side of the fence from when he was winning races on a bike no else could ride and I knew he'd prove to b a real weapon at Honda. For me the best news that came from the pre talk on Sunday was a possible move for Ianonne incredible rider I think will suit a ducati and maybe even keep it upright...always one to watch in the twos doesn't win that often but proved his stuff in last years final race imo!!

Got to agree with you on Ianonne, my only hang up about him is that he is a bit of Pedrosa in that if he isn't leading you don't hear much of him.