Valentino Rossi

[nickjtc]

At 36 is he passed it or is there a chance he might win this years MotoGP Championship?

Discuss.

[nickjtc]

So as of today he has a 15 point lead in the championship. Will it last? What about the heir apparent Marquez?

[Bixxer Bob]

Yamaha have raised their game and can match the Honda for pace while being easier to ride when the tyre isn't working as happened yesterday.  Rossi's main threat at the moment is George although you can't count the Ducati out on faster circuits; boy that thing has some grunt out of the corners allowing Crazy Joe Yannone to fight with Marquez.

Speaking of which, Marquez and The Maniac Joe (as he's now called) gave us three or four laps of brilliant racing and our Bradley is showing he has some pace now he has the latest factory software and new forks.

The last three races have been highly entertaining, I think we're getting one of the best seasons for a long time.

[nickjtc]

Not having a TV (for the last 6 years; another story) I cannot watch the races in real time, so have to wait for updates. I admit to being a VR fan and have followed his career with interest. I was very surprised that he had a lacklustre two years with Ducati, but am glad to see him back on form.

Will he match or eclipse Agostini is the other question?

[Nick Calne]

Rossi is great. Best thing for the sport is him winning.

[John Stenhouse]

Rossi is a GOD. Best thing for the sport is him winning.

Fixed for it you Nick.

[Nick Calne]

Thanks John.

Most of his rivals have...

made Motogp look like F1: Biaggi, Gibernau, Pedrosa (Pedrosa ...ffs!)

Or

Been great but too slow to be in the same league: Edwards, Bayliss, Simoncelli

Who really can hold a candle to Rossi then? Stoner? Marquez? Maybe...

[nickjtc]

Who really can hold a candle to Rossi then? Stoner? Marquez? Maybe...

I think that depends on your definition of 'great'.

There is no question that many of the modern racers, including Marquez and Stoner, are very, very, good riders. Especially Stoner since he was able to tame the Ducati. BUT, imho, a 'great' rider is one who has shown consistency over many seasons of racing.

That would mean Rossi, of course, Agostini (although he didn't have much competition for most of his Grand Prix career), and Mike Hailwood.

[nickjtc]

I see he is still leading the championship....just. If it is close at the end I wonder if "team orders" would prevail??