Great weekend for Yamaha

[Guy_b_g]

This was a very good weekend for Yamaha.

Valentino Rossi ("The Doctor") won the Moto GP world championship for the 7th time (9 total world championships now) on his Yamaha. Yamaha was smart to sign that guy up, many (including me) believe he may be the best rider of all time.

Ben Spies (the Texas World Superbike rookie) took the World Superbike championship on his R1 Yamaha. Most thought a rookie would never win the championship because of lack of track knowledge, Ben proved 'em wrong.

[b.walker5]

This was a very good weekend for Yamaha.

Valentino Rossi ("The Doctor") won the Moto GP world championship for the 7th time (9 total world championships now) on his Yamaha. Yamaha was smart to sign that guy up, many (including me) believe he may be the best rider of all time.

Carl Fogarty on a Ducati fills that slot for me. Pity he was forced into retirement by injury in 2000. However there's certainly no doubt that Rossi's top of the pile at the moment, and will take some beating.

[Guy_b_g]

Only Giacomo Agostini had more championships at the top of the Grand Prix series than Rossi, but Rossi is very young and probably has more championships ahead of him (if he doesn't decide to race Formula cars as he has spoken of in the past).

Many agree with you on your assessment of Carl Fogerty, he truly was a great racer, but he never won a GP race (he entered several, with a best finish of 6th) which I believe is where the top riders go to prove themselves.

The one thing besides the championships at a young age that make me feel Rossi is the best happened a couple of years ago in Spain when he crashed during practice, then got right back on and broke the track record on the next lap. That takes serious balls.

[tw1980]

Better than King Kenny?Maybe so but not if Kenny Roberts wouldn't have developed the riding style that everyone uses now.Also don't forget today's bikes handle 4 to 5 times better than they did back then.Radial tires,progressive suspension,smother power bands,etc...

Terry

[subike]

And it does not stop there for the year

Year of the Yamaha

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MotoGP 1st and 2nd
World Superbike 1st.
World supersport 1st
British Superbike 1st and 2nd
World Endurance 1st

domination is the name of the game

Yamaha rules the road

[Guy_b_g]

Also don't forget today's bikes handle 4 to 5 times better than they did back then.Radial tires,progressive suspension,smother power bands,etc...

I am also a big fan of Roberts..both flat track and street bike.

...yeah the bikes are better...but they are better for everyone riding them...

[Guy_b_g]

To me the biggest difference in the modern riders and the old timers (besides the riding styles) is the fact that the venues have changed, specifically they no longer include the Isle of Mann TT course as a part of the GP program. It took huge courage to race that course (still does).

This year Rossi and Agostini took a lap around it together "a lap of the gods" (of racing). Rossi was incredulous at the risks the riders take there, and seemed a bit glad he didn't have to contend there as part of the GP racing program. I think Rossi gained a lot more respect for Agostini (who did race there) that day. Make a mistake at the Isle of Mann and chances are you may never race again.

[b.walker5]

To me the biggest difference in the modern riders and the old timers (besides the riding styles) is the fact that the venues have changed, specifically they no longer include the Isle of Mann TT course as a part of the GP program. It took huge courage to race that course (still does).

This year Rossi and Agostini took a lap around it together "a lap of the gods" (of racing). Rossi was incredulous at the risks the riders take there, and seemed a bit glad he didn't have to contend there as part of the GP racing program. I think Rossi gained a lot more respect for Agostini (who did race there) that day. Make a mistake at the Isle of Mann and chances are you may never race again.

Takes enough risks of his own already.

"WTF are Chicken Strips"??



..and Foggy does it without looking