10-08-2021, 12:12 AM
I too have watched MotoGP since 2005 and been to several of the races in Laguna and the first at COTA. I've followed Vale and Yamaha boys since then and was a huge Vale fan.
I think his demise began when he switched to Ducati in 2010 and then the unfortunate incident in Sepang the next year. I truly believe that's when he lost the edge to compete and dominate like he did before. After the crash that he was involved in that killed Marco, he's gone on to win 10 races in 10 years. Those are not Vale type numbers and nary a championship in that time.
I'm glad he's retiring. He's not helping anybody by being a back marker and struggling to get in the points. MotoGP will go on though will look different without that #46 in the paddock since 1995.
I think his demise began when he switched to Ducati in 2010 and then the unfortunate incident in Sepang the next year. I truly believe that's when he lost the edge to compete and dominate like he did before. After the crash that he was involved in that killed Marco, he's gone on to win 10 races in 10 years. Those are not Vale type numbers and nary a championship in that time.
I'm glad he's retiring. He's not helping anybody by being a back marker and struggling to get in the points. MotoGP will go on though will look different without that #46 in the paddock since 1995.