Rossi Stoner 2007-2008 CURRENT RESULTS with prior year comparison SPOILER

[gm2]

[gm2]

"With his championship chances now gone," Stoner could undergo early surgery

[derby]

"With his championship chances now gone," Stoner could undergo early surgery

well, cowboy is at 4 for 14 now... early surgery would really throw off his predictions. 

[darylbowden]

I think he will be lucky to win 4 races this year (which is still great by any standard, but far shy of last year's total).

Hmm.  I remember getting some heat from this reply.  Maybe I should order up a plate of crow for a few peeps?

[mikeb]

"Casey keeps quiet because he doesn't want to be labeled a whiner

How fitting is that quote?

[COWBOY]

Wow step away from a thread and get hammered....LOL.

As I said on page 10 after Misano, congrats to Rossi.  Here's the full text for those unable to find it...

"The past 3 weeks goes to show though that it's not the fastest rider or bike who wins it is the fastest one that finishes.  What a waste - 7 straight poles, 3 wins, 2 podiums and 2 DNF.  To quote GM2 a few posts up "I think <insert Stoner> lost it rather than <insert Rossi> winning it....however you can't be in the position to win unless you put up something like 9 podiums in a season."  He's only 22 though so you'd think (hope) that he learns from the experience and gets better as a result.

Props to Rossi for finishing races and taking home what is almost a certain championship, but I can't help but think race fans will miss what could have been as far as the battle royal at the end of the season races. "

Nothing at Indy changed that so there's not much more to say.  Stoner continues to be the fastest rider on the grid, but winning races involves more than fast laps .... like staying on the bike.

well, cowboy is at 4 for 14 now... early surgery would really throw off his predictions. 

LOL.  You wanna throw stones at the record then provide me the link to your preseason predictions.   

I made and posted my predictions before Qatar and left them up for the full season even the Lorenzo picks....

Stoner actually hurt my hit rate since he won 2 races I picked Rossi to win.   Even with Stoner out I can finish batting .333 if Rossi wins in Japan and Lorenzo wins Valencia both good possibilities.  I'll take a 1/3 hit rate with the injuries and crashes up front this season. 

Hmm.  I remember getting some heat from this reply.  Maybe I should order up a plate of crow for a few peeps?

I looked and the only thing I saw was a sound file and some back and forth with another guy.  I'll chime in though...

I'll give you credit not reserved for others in that you called 4 wins early or even before the season and stuck with it.  You weren't as confident sounding about it going into Laguna but you stuck to your guns.  If he calls it quits you'll be right.  If he doesn't you'll probably be wrong.  I don't see him crashing on his home track and he is still the fastest (in the dry at least, ahem) going around most of these tracks whether it be on Qualifying or Race Rubber.

Given the context though, you also assumed Rossi would be running the fastest times and riding around the Duc -- not Stoner having his version of 2006 crashing out of the lead in 2 races with 3 second plus leads either.  Lucky for you, Unlucky for me.  Stoner's not a flash in the pan, 2007 wasn't an aberration and I believe his best riding is still ahead of him.   He'll win another title or 2 before he's through.

"Casey keeps quiet because he doesn't want to be labeled a whiner
How fitting is that quote?

For all your whiner labels I've not heard/read Casey whine once about his front tire or bike or suspension regarding his 2 crashes, which cost him the Championship.    He's either taken responsibility or said he doesn't know what happened.   That stands in stark contrast to others on the grid...

Celebrate your boys win and hump away but leave that dead horse alone.

[derby]

LOL.  You wanna throw stones at the record then provide me the link to your preseason predictions.   

i didn't call 'em race by race, but i did say stoner wouldn't repeat and rossi on stones would better him.

[COWBOY]

i didn't call 'em race by race, but i did say stoner wouldn't repeat and rossi on stones would better him.

A fanboy predicted his GOAT would win --- no way!  Seriously dude if that's the best you got, just stop.  Don't throw 4/14 stones if you're not even in the game....

Rossi has his "Hayden" championship.  Stoner has his "Rossi 06" season.  We'll see next year.

[Jester]

Stoner's not a flash in the pan, 2007 wasn't an aberration and I believe his best riding is still ahead of him.   He'll win another title or 2 before he's through

I agree with that, and I haven't seen anyone on the grid disagree with Stoner being the fastest rider.  However, I do think Stoner's approach to riding is the reason he fails, and also wins.  I think it will be the difference in him retiring with 2-4 titles instead of more.

He pushes the limit past being smart at times, and while it takes him to dominating victories, it also fails him when there is no reason to push quite as hard as he's pushing.    The other riders on the grid have eluded to that about Casey, such as when Hayden remarked he doesn't understand how Stoner doesn't crash more due to pushing his bike at 100% limit all the time.  There are so many times his bike is sideways or on the brink of crashing, and he doesn't.... unfortunately the law of averages caught him this year.  He plays with fire, and it will burn you such as his time with Honda, and at the end of this season.  He'll string some more stretches together and take a few more championships, but I think his style will also lead to a few more lost championships as well.

Hayden taught us one thing with his championship run.  First place doesn't always win you top prize in racing.  Consistent finishing is usually more important.

[COWBOY]

I agree with that, and I haven't seen anyone on the grid disagree with Stoner being the fastest rider.  However, I do think Stoner's approach to riding is the reason he fails, and also wins.  I think it will be the difference in him retiring with 2-4 titles instead of more.

He pushes the limit past being smart at times, and while it takes him to dominating victories, it also fails him when there is no reason to push quite as hard as he's pushing.    The other riders on the grid have eluded to that about Casey, such as when Hayden remarked he doesn't understand how Stoner doesn't crash more due to pushing his bike at 100% limit all the time.  There are so many times his bike is sideways or on the brink of crashing, and he doesn't.... unfortunately the law of averages caught him this year.  He plays with fire, and it will burn you such as his time with Honda, and at the end of this season.  He'll string some more stretches together and take a few more championships, but I think his style will also lead to a few more lost championships as well.

Hayden taught us one thing with his championship run.  First place doesn't always win you top prize in racing.  Consistent finishing is usually more important.

He's also 22 in the early stages of his career.  Age and experience tend to temper some of that.

[derby]

A fanboy predicted his GOAT would win --- no way! 

fanboy? hardly.

Seriously dude if that's the best you got, just stop.  Don't throw 4/14 stones if you're not even in the game....

Rossi has his "Hayden" championship.  Stoner has his "Rossi 06" season.  We'll see next year.

lighten up, francis... if you can't take a little ribbin', don't put yourself out there. 

[COWBOY]

fanboy? hardly.

lighten up, francis... if you can't take a little ribbin', don't put yourself out there. 

Was just a lighthearted bar room smackdown no harmful intent here junior.  I just didn't like any of the available smileys....

Fanboy was a general statement although from our posts most would say it applies to each of us respectively.  LOL. 

I'm a Cubs fan too and have been predicting the Cubs world championship every spring since 1978.  I've been wrong every year but this one....

[NAKD1]

A fanboy predicted his GOAT would win --- no way!  Seriously dude if that's the best you got, just stop.  Don't throw 4/14 stones if you're not even in the game....

Rossi has his "Hayden" championship.  Stoner has his "Rossi 06" season.  We'll see next year.

Hardly a Hayden championship. Rossi won 7 so far, and Hayden in 06? Apple and oranges my friend.

[darylbowden]

Stoner is classic Kevin Schwantz.  He rides the hell out of that bike and he pushes it to the absolute limit.  Unfortunately, a lot of the time, he also goes past the limit and ends up crashing.  He got his title, he MAY get one more, but he'll never be a Doohan, a Rossi, or a Rainey because he simply can't control himself.

[gm2]

Stoner is classic Kevin Schwantz. 

i've never thought about it that way but that is spot on.