Rossi is going car racing. Including possibly the 24 Hours of Me Mans.

Mad

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The 24hr is just one day. He's a bike guy so the other car races like rallies and flip one of those close to the 24hr and where are we at? He's more ending the career with exhibition driving around the cones, and other whatever events. He flips that much to cars, then WSB is out of the question, if at all any motorcycle races. Too risky at his age. Cars no problem.

Nakagami. I think he's going to pop one or two off. Same track next round, and he does pretty good on the refresher course. Ah, I'll play with one guy making it on the podium. He's due for one. And it won't be the bike.

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There is a question no one is asking.

Rossi will retire at the end of this season.
He only has a hand full of races left to go in his 30 odd year career.
I guess one goal he could shoot for in his last few races is 200 MotoGP podiums which is a substantial achievement but unlikely considering his race position results this season.
And when it comes to the 2021 Word Championship race, he is amongst the tail end of the field with hardly a point to his name so that option is well gone.
His record speaks for itself so he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone any further.

Therefore will he back off riding as hard as he can, even just a little, to not risk hurting himself and maintain his health for retirement?

A definite question Petronas Yamaha will need to self ask and watch out for.

And before all you biased Rossi fans reply with "Not Valentino, no way", have a careful think about what you personally would do in the same position?
If you are 100% honest with yourself, it is not a clear cut answer...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/6/2021 @ 11:33 PM *

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I was pondering that too Yannih. I think that, no matter the desire, there is now a
little voice in his head saying " Don't get hurt. Don't fall down. "
That will immediately take some speed out of his laps. It would be horrible for someone with
his career to have something bad happen right at the end.

Mad

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... have a careful think about what you personally would do in the same position?
If you are 100% honest with yourself, it is not a clear cut answer...

It was clear to me. I had nothing to prove, bought an investment, and we both walked away without a scratch, sans the pegs and clutch case. Had fun with the whole massaging of the hardware, hours of prepping rather than the competition. Told nobody I was going to retire. No one wanted that XR so the dealer was happy to get rid of it. HD was paying $500 for a win only. BMW had to be the better handler of the day, but I figured the XR is going to hold its value over the current year Beemer.

Like I mentioned, didn't need another trophy, didn't care about the $500 purse; didn't care about the points; didn't care being self sponsored so no pressure and backed off of my last race. With the XR, they take your practice times and there is your position on the grid. I did it all for the passion to keep racing. It was money rather than age. Guys older were still racing so I accomplished what I set out to do in my first few years. Average club racer lasted 2 years back then.

Had big dreams about the TT. Then the cost out of pocket, having no job to come back to-meets reality. You'll know it and plan for the 'forking exit.' That, or here, hold my Bitter, watch me nail this corner. I believe the factory/satellite teams know this quite well. And that too is part of the sport and no secrets about that angle, better known as a performance clause.
_________________________
So it ain't over till the fat cloud squeezes out every last-drop of the flag, and there goes the GOAT in the lead.
Maybe I scrambled something up hearing a canceled race, add this track for the [points] gap one more time? Anyway, I'd like a rain race and see both Marquez brothers and Naka sweep the podium. Dry? Still picking Naka for some reason.

Are you watching the seasoning of the up-an-comers happening now? Let alone Gardner and Raul filling throttle grips for next year. Fresh meat on the seat. Sad is life, but the young rule this sport.

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I raced for almost 15 years. When I started I was a true back marker, got lapped by the leaders on Lap
3 ! I used to watch them come past me and I'd see them scraping and wobbling and I'd think, " There's
no way I'm ever going to that !". A few years later, I was doing that and was one of the guys lapping
people. But I never actually won a race. Got a few 2nds and 3rds. And I know why....EVERY race I'd
be pitching it into a corner and thinking, " I don't want to crash here ". And I know that slowed
me down. I discovered I can teach people how to be much faster than I ever was. I have to believe that
these kind of thoughts are now in Rossis head. I expect to see him continue to be near the back.
But he's an unusual guy. I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

Mad

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I raced for almost 15 years. And I know why....EVERY race I'd be... " I don't want to crash here ". And I know that slowed me down.

Wow, 15 big ones. I had a ritual like Rossi. I'd walk past the ambulance and say, 'I won't need you today.' There were a few more mental exercises I used to do. Remember how much time you put in the prep and the outside sources were late in coming and you have the final prep within hours of the race? I'd be saying to myself tinkering out in the garage and say, 'I'm going to win' and those would pop up during the week to remind you about all those hours spent.

And to this day I remember that wet 6-hour, sitting on the line and said, 'I'm going to lead this race.' Funny I didn't say win it, I just said lead. Video wise I question how close I was to the leader, seeing the camera guy pan him, then me next in the same spot he stayed in. So I never caught him. He pitted, and I think I lead until I had to switch riders? Looks close to me. That I ponder a lot when it comes that day on the line, and the will to make it happen for real.

You are up against the odds of how did I walk away with a couple and others were probably going after the same goal. How cocky do you have to be? I used to and still do say, 'I'm coming for your trophy.' But I don't tell the riders that, or the bikes I prep for those riders. They'd think I'm nuts, but they already know that.

So I had to work up the speed to those faster riders. How is that done? I was on a mission and had no clue about steps getting there. It was sheer will thinking how to win? How in the fuck do you win a race? I can see our mindsets working.

I discovered I can teach people how to be much faster than I ever was.

I believe that. That's 8 more seasons I wish I had. Something sunk in, because I was lost out there. Yeah, I know what comes next is, if only what I know now anshit.

I have to believe that these kind of thoughts are now in Rossis head... But he's an unusual guy. I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

Them there Bitters keep bubbling up, but my bet is he grabs that foot peg, bends to say, 'I'm going to win.'

* Last updated by: Hub on 8/8/2021 @ 7:05 PM *

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It would be horrible for someone with his career to have something bad happen right at the end.

Couldn't agree more...

there is now a little voice in his head saying " Don't get hurt. Don't fall down. "

And who could blame him?
I reckon given the same situation it's what I would definitely be thinking.

But who knows what goes through the head of absolute top tier motorcycle racers...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/8/2021 @ 9:42 PM *

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Vinales has completely lost it!
He has to have screws loose.
WTF was he thinking trying to destroy his M1 in the last MotoGP race and discredit Yamaha???
Now suspended.
Why would Aprilia risk their factory ride and multi million dollar equipment/campaign in 2022 on such a loose canon?

What a complete mess.

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/12/2021 @ 6:37 AM *

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In a press release issued today: .... “the unexplained irregular operation of the motorcycle by the rider during last weekend’s Styria MotoGP race”. Translation ~ When we opened the files and cross checked it with the throttle position sensor [opening on its own], then backed up the data with the stepper motor, who the fuck was stretching the rods for a faster opening of the engine cases?

According to Yamaha: ... “the rider‘s actions could have potentially caused significant damage to the engine of his YZR-M1 bike, which could have caused serious risks to the rider himself and possibly posed a danger to all other riders in the MotoGP race”. Translation ~ We swapped out crew chiefs as he requested. He started to act the Karen with an ever expanding whaaaa list. We forgot to write a clause about reaching so many rpms as per get the fuk off the bike before you kill someone with our flying connecting rods, case shrapnel, oil on the track pointing to a liability you fuking idiot!

Though Yamaha calmed up... Photographers present say that for the last four laps or so, they heard the bike in fifth gear at the end of the straight... Translation ~ Rider was trying to make turkish taffy out of certain engine parts trying to oil the front straight to first turn.

Signed,
Ass The World Turns

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Hahaha Hub and Mad!
Never get out in front with calls to early or you may be bitten. Hard.

If you heard the commentary about how hard it is to pick as opposed to MM dominating earlier, I knew that going in for a year if not months of the changing of the guards. I like the hit and misses. Like pulling on the one arm bandit and watch it roll.

See, I liked how Naka was up to 4th in qualifying, fastest lap one time was it for early practice? I didn't get a Rook kind of chunk out of me if this counts calling the odds on all the riders out there. And you know why? Without Mr. Consistency out front all the time, you now see the curtain pulled back and it is just a boiling pot of water with different bubbles coming to the top every race/practice.

But how about those rolling drops for the history books. I know about the cigars and horseshoes, but counting out the doctor and oh so close of pulling one out of the helmet.

Oh shit, here comes yanni someone mentions a potential GOAT.

Let me see if I can duck Nope.

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Man, did you catch Mir or Rins come out of that corner? Then, they showed the rear end squat in slow-mo? Duc leads the way on both the start/squats. The next trend and everyone is adding a button. What little I know about this is just watching gp. That telemetry is all about TPS, wheel speed and axis. I'm think that no rider is going to figure out when to hit a squat button adding more to think about... No way. At the start line sure hit the button.

And MM mentions that Martin is the next big deal. Sometimes qualifying is more exciting than the race. These guys remind me of a bunch of pastries in a bakery. More like in the oven and watching them rise... to the top.

Cough, oh look

Signed,
Put a fork in it

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No spoilers but FP 1 & 2 were pretty interesting.
So was the news that the SRT Yamaha team are coming back next year with a new title
sponsor and...wait for it....Dovi on a factory bike.

Mad

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Miller on the yammie and watch him eat Crutch for lunch. There's a fork. Don't count him out is 8th. Basti is the one in the oven on the cook. Needs more time.

Dovi is going on 36, MM 29 next year and looks to me like one past its due date and the other is dried up and stale.

Oh look, ducnuts in a row.

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I hate hypocrisy!

Rossi followed Bagnaia around pretty much all of free practice to assist getting him straight into Q2.
He then again slotted in behind Bagnaia in Q2 to gain any advantage he could.

As he should have!
He found something that gave him an advantage under the rules that anyone can do if they wish and he used it.
Well done I say.

But did you hear anything from the rider being followed, his team, or any commentator calling Rossi out for doing it?
Of course not.
Just comments like "Unbelievable from the amazing talent that is Valentino Rossi".

But Marquez intentionally follows Vinales around for just one Q1 session a few races ago and every man and his dog has an opinion that what Marquez did was just not right.

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Congrats Aprilia.

Can Marquez stay on a motorcycle this season?

And what a shame Dixon couldn't go just one better...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/29/2021 @ 10:35 PM *

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Technical blackout here. And it had to be the gp race. So I guess it was Rins squatting out of that corner. He could carried some speed on that track.

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Technical blackout here. And it had to be the gp race.

Same here Hub.
Straight after Moto3 and at the start of MotoGP.
I was swearing plenty.

But kept resetting and it came good...

* Last updated by: yannih on 8/29/2021 @ 8:24 AM *

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Ah-ha, I think I heard the slip of the tongue by Qman. The interview was something to the effect, 'yammie is listening to me and it's been good for the year,' or say you now look at Mav and his frustration of swapping out two crew chiefs and no joy but blow the fucker up and get booted off the bike. They favored their golden boy... anything he wants... biting their teeth giving in.

Kind of like what a rider is up against with duc's download and the rider's input, is to delete the rider input in the trash bin, ala Mav's predicament.

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The good old days

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Seen them both Hub.
That screen shot for the second video still annoys me.
Marquez screwed up bad and did Rossi over big time.
He went to apologise along with Honda's management.
If any of Yamaha's management would have told Marquez to fuck right off I would have understood.
But Lin Jarvis and Yamaha just allowed that fat fuck and professional nobody Uccio to push in and speak on behalf of the Yamaha Factory Team by telling a multiple World Champion and Honda to go away.
Complete bullshit...

* Last updated by: yannih on 9/13/2021 @ 2:47 AM *

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Pretty quiet on the forum lately. Probably because people think its for shoes now.
Don't blame Rossi for what the media or the team do.
Having said that, Aragon was a cracker. Marc showed he's not done yet. But his body
isn't quite there yet. Love watching Miller goof around. He's always good for a laugh
I guess Ducati is already turning the screws on Jack. They say he has to be in Title
contention next year or else.
Rossi was apparently looking at baby clothes and strollers during the race. That would explain
his dismal result.
But one of his protoges won so that's a boost I'm sure.
Until next weekend in Misano....WOOT!

Mad

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I said to myself, watch Mav shove that revving issue right up yammie's ass. He pretty much jumped on a strange bike and pulled one out of the hat. Now I want him to win on it within the next 5 races. A champion to me is the guy that can be up front on the dry and wet. Where is Qman? Pacco is going to gobble it up looks like.

Weather says rain today and qualifying might put Vinales on pole. Pecco and MM fill in the rest of the row... if it keeps raining. What's going to be interesting is Pecco and Miller and that little pecking order fight for more contract seat time. Who said Miller's seat is up if he does not win the championship next year? Talk about pressure.

Been too many dry races. A nice change. HP is unusable. It's all about the rider now.

Go Mav!

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Been too many dry races. A nice change.

Agree Hub.
Hope it rains for the remaining races and keeps Qman honest!

I have great fears for Mr Marquez though.
Everyone knows he has ongoing issues but I didn't realise how bad until this race meet.

After all this time, surgeries, recoveries, strengthening, rest, etc, that injury is consistently hampering him greatly.
And a fit MM would only try for a tow every now and then.
Now it's mandatory.
Fit MM could make the Honda sing when ever he wanted.
Now he is really struggling to stay on the bike when it counts.
There is no doubt the motorbike is not where it should be but more importantly neither is his confidence.

I always said the only thing that would ever stop the Marc Marquez domination of MotoGP would be a really major injury.
It seems this injury is even more.

I would love to see MM rest up and be back as fit as ever after the winter break but I just can't see it.

Another amazing stat for Rossi was he avoided really major injuries throughout his career.
After that amount of time and success at the top, easier said than done.
But thank goodness he is done after this season.
These results are just down right embarrassing.

* Last updated by: yannih on 9/18/2021 @ 5:29 PM *

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Popp'inn fresh dough and pastry fresh out of the oven and smoke'inn hot... is a Basti Bun. And from the back, on a two year old claptrap, bye-bye MM, hello Miller's seat clause. Clause if you are not at least on the podium to begin that championship, race two, we have a new bun sitting on your seat... I seat you not. Yeah, I wish I knew what that clause was saying. Second race, outta here.

They're coming over in waves. Raul, and Gardner. Basti is waking up. New faces coming into view. MM says it's the bike and I kind of agree if you put it up against the ktm and duc for power. Talent was Basti today. Changing of the guard, and I think Raul is going to wax everyone next year.

Raul has 4 more rounds to go and beat MM's record on some win streak. And they write about MM and the new crop of quickies that raised the level of speed MM is not about to game up for. And to me, that's hundreds to tenths lost on the poor side of his body that may never have that range again.

I don't know about you, but I'll have another Basti Bun.

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