2010 Moto GP round 6 Assen...(Spoilers!)

[swampduc]

I've followed his career since he started. I used to dislike him waaay back when he started because he has the life I wish I had. The dude is my age and we come from very similar backgrounds and upbringings, as well as personalities (anyone who has met me can attest to the fact that I am a pompous ass). But he has an incredible work ethic and a shit ton of heart. I mean, the dude rode with two fractured ankles and a severely sprained wrist and still managed fourth. He has trouble communicating in english, if you heard him in spanish you would realize he's a lot more laid back than what he comes off as in English. And truly, if anyone is enjoying himself on the paddock is him, and RDP and Kallio. The rest of the riders make it seem like a job, they look like they're actually having fun.

+1
And the thing I like best about Lorenzo is that, unlike the vast majority of the other riders, he doesn't appear to be intimidated by Rossi. That may just be because Vale hasn't had time to break him yet        Or he may just be that tough.

[gm2]

or he's that good.

[Spidey]

Well, he's that good, but Vale just hasn't broken him yet.  Rossi almost broke him by forcing him to highside and crash himself into oblivion for a year or two.  He'll be the toughest to break though.  Harder than Max, Sete, and Stoner, who in retrospect, looks kinda fragile.  Which is why Rossi is the GOAT--he makes great riders just fold up and die.

Colin's fine.  He's just having a not great year so far.  He'll either pick it up as the year goes on or maybe retire if he doesn't want to keep up the grind.  <shrug>  He's not broken by having Ben as a teammate, or riding around scared like Haga.   

[El Matador]

Well, he's that good, but Vale just hasn't broken him yet.  Rossi almost broke him by forcing him to highside and crash himself into oblivion for a year or two. 

Not that I don't agree with you, but please 'splain what's the difference between forcing someone to push themselves hard enough to highside their ass into the stratosphere (R->L) and pressuring someone to push themselves so hard that they highside their ass to a hospital for a couple of months (L->R)?

[Triple J]

Not that I don't agree with you, but please 'splain what's the difference between forcing someone to push themselves hard enough to highside their ass into the stratosphere (R->L) and pressuring someone to push themselves so hard that they highside their ass to a hospital for a couple of months (L->R)?

It's debatable whether Rossi's current condition was caused by him pushing hard to keep up with Lorenzo.

However, the real key IMO is that Rossi applies the pressure during races, which is different than in practice or qualifying (like Rossi's accident). It seems you can always point to a specific race incident where Rossi "broke" his competition (Laguna '08 for Stoner).

That, and Rossi's been on top long enough that he can't be broken.

[Spidey]

Not that I don't agree with you, but please 'splain what's the difference between forcing someone to push themselves hard enough to highside their ass into the stratosphere (R->L) and pressuring someone to push themselves so hard that they highside their ass to a hospital for a couple of months (L->R)?

Not much difference, in my mind.  If Rossi keeps make the beast with two backsin' himself up trying to keep pace with Lorenzo, then Lorenzo will be in the process of breaking Rossi.  But it takes more than just a coupla crashes.  Look at what Rossi did to Biaggi.  Now that's breakin' someone.

[Spidey]

It seems you can always point to a specific race incident where Rossi "broke" his competition (Laguna '08 for Stoner).

Intersting point.  The elbow for Max, and the "vow" with Sete (and the much-later punt-off-the-track in the last turn of . . . uh . . . don't remember).

[gm2]

He's not broken by having Ben as a teammate, or riding around scared like Haga.  

i don't think so either.  i just think he's taking his lumps a little as the ben shows him up a bit.

i also don't get the impression he's ready to retire.

[gm2]

(and the much-later punt-off-the-track in the last turn of . . . uh . . . don't remember).

jerez 

[gm2]

And I really, really want to go to one of his camps as well. 

"Colin Edwards Texas Tornado Boot Camp. Or. What Did Col' Ever Do With That $3 Million Aprilia Paid Him?"

[El Matador]

"Colin Edwards Texas Tornado Boot Camp. Or. What Did Col' Ever Do With That $3 Million Aprilia Paid Him?"

OMG I WANT!!!!!

I'd chuck babies into traffic all day long to attennd one of those gm, you might be interested too, spies is a guest instructor

[derby]

OMG I WANT!!!!!

I'd chuck babies into traffic all day long to attennd one of those gm, you might be interested too, spies is a guest instructor

...or you could just pay the entry fee. heheheh.

http://www.texastornadobootcamp.com/

[Jester]

What is all this bs talk about Rossi highsiding, trying to keep pace with Lorenzo.  I've seen Rossi highside a handful of times in his career, and in all honesty part of his mystique is also luck.  He just didn't happen to break anything when it happened before.

Rossi is 9/10 fast and 10/10 racer.  His career has been built on the fact he is excellent when the lights went out.  He has never been a superb qualifier ( great but not the best ).  He has the gift of going fast during a race and being able to understand race tactics better than almost anyone that has participated in motorcycle racing.

Most great careers, be it any sport, are marked with two things.  Talent and luck.  Rossi has had both and fortunately for him his luck ran out near the end of his career if we're speaking about injury.  Now everyone wants to say he's done and I disagree with that completely.  His results on the Duc and his physical condition will impact his legacy little in the long run.  Whether or not he wins another championship is to be decided, but I guarantee he will give a Ducati to future generations that someone else can ride outside of a bin it or win it attitude Stoner.  While that kind of style might impress us race fans, it doesn't necessarily mean he had more talent.  Just balls.... and that style is exciting, but lacks consistancy.  We all know consistancy wins, and Rossi has had a whole hell of a lot of that for a really long time.  Lorenzo is similar in that vein ( lately ), but lets give him time and see how his career pans out.

I enjoy the taste of Rossi's balls, and so should you.

[El Matador]

What is all this bs talk about Rossi highsiding, trying to keep pace with Lorenzo.  I've seen Rossi highside a handful of times in his career, and in all honesty part of his mystique is also luck.  He just didn't happen to break anything when it happened before.

Rossi is 9/10 fast and 10/10 racer.  His career has been built on the fact he is excellent when the lights went out.  He has never been a superb qualifier ( great but not the best ).  He has the gift of going fast during a race and being able to understand race tactics better than almost anyone that has participated in motorcycle racing.

Most great careers, be it any sport, are marked with two things.  Talent and luck.  Rossi has had both and fortunately for him his luck ran out near the end of his career if we're speaking about injury.  Now everyone wants to say he's done and I disagree with that completely.  His results on the Duc and his physical condition will impact his legacy little in the long run.  Whether or not he wins another championship is to be decided, but I guarantee he will give a Ducati to future generations that someone else can ride outside of a bin it or win it attitude Stoner.  While that kind of style might impress us race fans, it doesn't necessarily mean he had more talent.  Just balls.... and that style is exciting, but lacks consistancy.  We all know consistancy wins, and Rossi has had a whole hell of a lot of that for a really long time.  Lorenzo is similar in that vein ( lately ), but lets give him time and see how his career pans out.

I enjoy the taste of Rossi's balls, and so should you.

Make no mistake, they are deliciously salty with an aftertaste of nutella.

I agree with just about everything that you said, except for the fact that he wasn't pushing harder than usual because of the pressure of having Lorenzo. The fact of the matter is that Jorge has been the toughest challenge for Rossi in his entire carreer. The fact that he was being beat consistently on equal machinery could not have done anything but make him push harder, hence the highside.

[gm2]

The fact of the matter is that Jorge has been the toughest challenge for Rossi in his entire carreer. The fact that he was being beat consistently on equal machinery could not have done anything but make him push harder, hence the highside.

really?  rossi won the championship in 2008 and 2009. 

and after the 2nd race of 2010 he wasn't healthy -- he had what has been a career ending shoulder injury for others.  he's still recovering. 

then he broke his leg.  a lot. 

and later on he still spanked george all over motegi.


i'm not taking anything away from george.. the kid is super fast, has a talent for making up many spots in the final laps of a race, and he deserved the 2010 title.  but a fair fight with rossi it was not.