10-25-2015, 09:07 AM
(10-25-2015, 07:27 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: Might as well stir the possum.
I must be getting old, but I am terribly tired of the tolerance shown to execrable behaviour by elite athletes the world over. We probably expect way too much from them, but that doesn't excuse their occasionally appalling behaviour and governing bodies have an obligation to make a very strong stand against it. That they don't speaks volumes for how much more they care about gate takings than anything else.
Valentino Rossi made a cynical calculation and deliberately knocked a fellow rider off his bike. Marquez was lucky. He got back on and rode to the pits; but the consequences could have been considerably worse. No sane rider will ever want to be anywhere near Rossi on a track.
Sadly, the only proper response is to advise Mr Rossi that his services to MotoGP are no longer required. Officials should also express great sadness about such a brilliant and distinguished career ending in such a pathetic way.
Very, very true. Hard riding, aggressive overtaking and defending a position are all a legitimate part of this demanding sport. But Rossi's move? Mate, as our cousins the Brits say, "That was not cricket". As I remarked in a previous post, I have followed Rossi's career since his 250cc days. From day one a remarkable talent despoiled by a spoiled brat attitude. A lot of Rossi's on track rivalries have been marked by unsavoury "incidents", broken friendships and unflattering comments from other riders. Nothing has changed. Talent? Yes. Enough maybe even to start from last on the grid and still salvage the Championship. Courage? Well I suppose so or he wouldn't be in the game. But courage of the right sort? No. It would have taken courage of the right sort to subdue MM in a hard fought and fair battle rather than stoop to an act that can only be described as desperate, despicable and dangerous. And, I nearly forgot, gutless.
Cheers