Moto GP this weekend

[girly]

Hi

So I'm super new to this site and I was wondering what people thought of Stoner?  I've previously seen people (on another site) pretty polarised - some love him, some hate him.

But given he's riding a Ducati are peeps here a little more supportive?

Sam

[mattyvas]

Yeah I don't mind him as a rider, he's very fast and usually always competitive.
But as some here might agree he just lacks character. Rossi he is not.

[craigo]

I like him. He is an Aussie *and* on a Ducati. But to be honest I can't dislike anyone in motogp (Well, since Biaggi left anyway). They all have massive stones and skill.   

Casey gets a serve from some English commentators. It's just because they are upset that Toseland was crap in MotoGP and they hate being beaten by convicts.

He is in the running for winning Qatar for the fourth year running. Toby Moody seems to think he's in top form. I'm just stoked there is bike racing on again. I reckon watch out for Ben Spies this year

[girly]

I have to admit - I'm a bit of a compulsive fan of Stoner.  I think he's probably handled the media a bit poorly, but I think that is probably due to his age more than anything.  He's certainly doesn't have the ability to manipulate the media the way that Rossi does (he is definitely the master at this - have you ever noticed that when the media ask him a question he never actually answers it - he just says whatever he wants to and the media think he is a god!!) but Stoner can definitely tame the beast that others haven't!

And damn it - I like Hayden, but he just doesn't seem to make the most of the Duc the way that Stoner does.

Really looking forward to the first round - and my fiance and I are going to Sepang as part of our honeymoon, so really, really looking forward to that 

[Betty]

Casey gets a serve from some English commentators. It's just because they are upset that Toseland was crap in MotoGP and they hate being beaten by convicts.

I've heard its one of those self perpetuating things ... they bag him, he doesn't talk to them, they bag him some more, etc.

he just lacks character

There's nothing wrong with a lack of character. But c'mon the kid still looks like he's 13.

Rossi he is not.

Umm, yeah you've seen his groupie wife right.


Some of you know I don't follow the racing at all but I know Casey has copped some criticism as not being a 'proper rider' becasue he exploits the electronic aides available to him. Interesting that no other bastard has been able to match him on that bike.

Now for the conspiracy theory ... Rossi won't ride the Ducati because he may not be able to tame it.

Edit: Girly has now said most of this while I was typing

[mattyvas]

Have to agree with you, I do like Hayden and always have cause he just enjoys it.
There's not often a tanty or excuses from him, not in my memory anyway.
He just rides and has a blast and if he wins well great, not that he or any rider likes to loose.

I think I saw some fluff on Casey's chin last year.  .
Can't say it was much more than the growth I manage as people would know from our Movmeber days last year.

I'll buy into that Betty, but I think it is more of an Italian thing.
Italians rarely ride/drive their Countries Marque. And when they do it either doesn't go well or the media
crucify the rider/driver if they don't do a good job.

[Nickati]

Well it's pretty well all been covered from where I sit.
I agree on the Media situation 100%, it will come with age.
Love Rossi
Love Stoner
Love an Aussie at the top of their game & representing our country well
Also agree watch out for Ben Spies & I also like Jorge !
Bring on the racing

[signora monster]

Yeah, all I can say is that Rossi does it for me! Sorry Nickati, you come a close second. 
Just kidding. 

[goldFiSh]

I like Stoner probably more cause he's an Aussie and on a Duc than anything else.

I think he's a gifted rider, but what does erk me is what I perceive is his "media attitude"

Lets face it, he's a professional sportsperson in a world level championship, and with that comes a couple of things, namely being good enough at your sport to be there, but also having to do what you are contracted to for media / fan / sponsor relations. You can't have one without the other, and his apparent disregard for his off track duties does him no favours with a lot of potential fans.. And it's an easy fix - hire good PR people and do what they say..

Getting that out of the way, I'd like to focus on what he does on the track. He's bullshit fast, and has been able to get the Duc to do what alot of other talented riders have not, but I think Rossi (and others) have his measure from a racecraft perspective. if he gets out in front, and has the setup and pace to stay there, he's unbeatable, but get him into a scrap and others can take him - he's kinda like Pedrosa in that way...

Rossi has the package - he may very well be a real contender for the title of GOAT based purely on his on-track achievements, but he also has the charisma and the realisation that this is his profession, and media / sponsor / fan relations are all part of the job. Back to the track again, Rossi has the development ability, the pace, the racecraft, the experience, and the hunger to be the dominant persona he is. He's a tough competitor in anyones language, and his results speak for themselves.

I'd agree with The Ben (as Haga's son calls Spies) being a contender - perhaps not this year, but who knows. He's got a lot of the ingredients, and he's on a well developed and sorted ride.
 
Jorge is a real contender this year, me thinks - he lacks the level of experience of Rossi, but has a lot of commonality with him

Pedrosa I can't see having the package to take it all the way, I could be wrong.. The Honda's never delivered in the 800 class in my opinion, so that's not gonna help him.

I'd like to see Simoncelli up there, but not this year. He's on a Honda, and a satellite one at that (as all rookies need to). Maybe when he gets a factory ride, it'll be good to see him dueling with Rossi.

Of course, all of this is one persons opinion. Regardless whether you agree with all / some / none of the above, I'm sure we'll all agree that its gonna make for an interesting season, and perhaps an even more interesting one next year with all top riders contracts up and back to the litre bikes..

Bring it on! Can't wait for the season to start!

[signora monster]

On a serious note though, I think anyone on "The Grid" is pure talent. Good luck to all of them I say!

[goldFiSh]

oh, and for you racing fans, come join our fantasy riders league - you're a few rounds down, but it's not too late!

[mattyvas]

yeah you might even get past me on the leader board!

[sydmonster]

Before Stoner there was Doohan, Beattie, Gardner... if you ask me all talented aussies who beat the world in one way or another! I don't care how they handle the media. In the end results count. If you weren't getting results and handled the media well are you a good rider or just a good sports pro? pfff...

[goldFiSh]

Before Stoner there was Doohan, Beattie, Gardner... if you ask me all talented aussies who beat the world in one way or another! I don't care how they handle the media. In the end results count. If you weren't getting results and handled the media well are you a good rider or just a good sports pro? pfff...

It's a yang and yang thing - to be a "pro" means that you make your living of it. I'm just saying that in this day and ago, to be the world elite in any professional sport, I'd argue that you need the complete package. Whether we like it or not, sport needs money, therefore they need sponsors, and sponsors need fans to buy their wares.

I'm not saying that this is a good thing, in fact, its more than a little sad, but it is what it is..

[Mr.S2R]

For those that haven't seen Stoner come out of Siberia, full noise, bike trying to flip him off you dont know what you're missing.  I love watching the other riders trying to follow his line out of there, and they nearly chuck themselves off - but not Stoner.  He keeps going till he gets that corner nailed (like the rest of the circuit) and when he does it is poetry in motion!  Stoner has the riding skills and I reckon he is on the money this year to be a serious challenger.

I met Hayden at Phillip Island on a Thursday night in the Subway at Cowes of all places the first year he was on the Ducati - wasn't very welcoming - and no I didn't give him any bullshit, simply said "hi Nicky, good luck". Meh maybe it was a result of a shite season in a class he just cant come to grips with.  Nicky on big bore stuff - yeah he was good - but since moving to the smaller "800" class he just cant ride like the 250 riders.  I think after this year Nicky should go to superbikes or maybe Supermotard or something......

Pedrosa - back marker again in the top 5 - he's my version of Criville to Doohan - always there as a pain but really not putting in a serious challenge.  Unfortunately there are too many other class riders to take the championship. Pedrosa had his window.

Jorge - the guy is fun!  Very fast and I think youthful exuberance has been replaced after some very spectacular and painful crashes.  Someone may correct me but I think he has the record for highest and longest high side??  Note: Glen Richards after recently wasn't too bad either - for those don't know South Aussie rider in the British Superstock class.

Rossi - what can you say? He's the package, but only with the mastermind Burgess behind him.  Burgess is the only person that I know that can polish a turd.  Look at the M1 in the first season Rossi went over.  I am not taking anything away from Rossi's astronomical riding talent, but you have to admit Burgess has also worked miracles.  Oh and he is another person from SA  (For those who don't know Stoner's wife comes from Adelaide too - seen her at Mallala - local goat track - and DAMN!)

Now for the other random factors;

Melandri - absolute random factor when it comes to racing but highly entertaining in the wet.  Awesome to watch powers slide out of turns 11 and 12 on the Island.

Simoncelli - The young upstart?? I think he will start out like Jorge - lots of bravado and speed, but may end up binning it big time, which may bring him down to earth.  If he gets on a factory bike he could be the one to watch.

Side note Westy in Moto2.  Good to see another Aussie back!

I will take the same disclaimer as GoldFish - this is one persons opinion - mine.  Regardless whether you agree/disagree (and that what makes life interesting) this is going to be a great season again with highs and lows.  Go Casey!!  [moto]