Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
...It's not over (not by a long way), but the early indications were always that this season is going to be the toughest ever for Valentino Rossi, who once again showed his enormous talent by climbing from thirteenth on the grid to threaten team mate Colin Edwards for third place before a disintegrating front tyre put him out of the race. :bang:
While Rossi seems to have lost his way in terms of setting up his bike, Edwards has decided upon independence, and this decision not to use Vale's data to set up his own bike seems to have paid dividends. Next week's French MotoGP now becomes a crucial event in terms of Rossi's championship defence and the emergence of Edwards as yet another challenger for the title.
Rossi's title is under seige from every corner as Hayden increases his lead at the top of the championship table - although even his status as champion-elect is threatened by flying Danny Pedrosa, whose obvious talent will undoubtedly bring him countless accolades in years to come. In turn, Pedrosa will need to resist the attentions of Casey Stoner who, once he learns to temper his youthful exhuberance, will also challenge strongly for podiums and (on works machinery, when he gets it) the championship itself.
For the moment at least, the tide has certainly turned against Rossi, but for me his performances thus far have confirmed his place as the Muhammad Ali of motorcycle racers. He's a great, and greatly-talented fighter who has proved time and again that he can tough it out with the best and still come out a winner. With so many stunning performances in Shanghai, it would be easy to discount his efforts simply because he got a "DNF". But beware: when the Yamaha chatter ceases, the victories will return to Valentino!
Come on, Vale! :yo:
While Rossi seems to have lost his way in terms of setting up his bike, Edwards has decided upon independence, and this decision not to use Vale's data to set up his own bike seems to have paid dividends. Next week's French MotoGP now becomes a crucial event in terms of Rossi's championship defence and the emergence of Edwards as yet another challenger for the title.
Rossi's title is under seige from every corner as Hayden increases his lead at the top of the championship table - although even his status as champion-elect is threatened by flying Danny Pedrosa, whose obvious talent will undoubtedly bring him countless accolades in years to come. In turn, Pedrosa will need to resist the attentions of Casey Stoner who, once he learns to temper his youthful exhuberance, will also challenge strongly for podiums and (on works machinery, when he gets it) the championship itself.
For the moment at least, the tide has certainly turned against Rossi, but for me his performances thus far have confirmed his place as the Muhammad Ali of motorcycle racers. He's a great, and greatly-talented fighter who has proved time and again that he can tough it out with the best and still come out a winner. With so many stunning performances in Shanghai, it would be easy to discount his efforts simply because he got a "DNF". But beware: when the Yamaha chatter ceases, the victories will return to Valentino!
Come on, Vale! :yo:
) funny how he thought it was the back though,, will be at Le mans watching & hearing the action. :yo: