Grand Prix of Malaysia ***spoiler alert***

[Cormanus]

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.

[activedirt_imp]

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.

Yea baby

[Pterodactyl_imp]

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

[DAC]

From a financial perspective, it's weird and not too astute for Rossi to pick a fight like this. His major sponsor is Movistar - a major telecom company in, um, Spain!

On a more positive note, glad that Dani Pedrosa get a win. Seems he's been through a lot this year.

[Headbanger02_imp]

I used to love nascar, nowadays not so much, pretty boring, I used to "love to hate" Dale Earnhardt Sr., he would pull this kinda crap all the time against some of my favorite drivers, sometimes it worked in his favor, sometimes not. Sponsors back then ate it up. nowadays it's become to PC. Nascar has finally realized this a couple of years ago and has been trying to get that back, in my eyes it's a little to late. Long story short, Rossi "earnhardt" his A$$. To me it keeps it exciting, glad Marquez wasn't hurt, but after watching and reading about this, I'm thinking he may have had it coming and while it was intentional on Rossi part, I don't think he meant to take him down, "it was that emotion thing" that got him in trouble. To me this is part of the whole package and it makes it even more exciting, It will be fun to watch the next race even more so.....

[Pterodactyl_imp]

^^^^^. Respectfully, couldn't disagree more. Hard, no quarter given motorcycle racing is dangerous enough and about as far away from PC as you can get. To slow down and intentionally run wide to push another rider wide is like playing aces from your sleeve. Even the usually toothless race revue committee delivered a (gentle) slap to Rossi.

Cheers

[Headbanger02_imp]

^^^^^. Respectfully, couldn't disagree more. Hard, no quarter given motorcycle racing is dangerous enough and about as far away from PC as you can get. To slow down and intentionally run wide to push another rider wide is like playing aces from your sleeve. Even the usually toothless race revue committee delivered a (gentle) slap to Rossi.

Cheers

Respect given... as you say a (gentle slap) it's just there way of looking like they care without ruining one of there "stars" of the sport and all the revenue that he creates, ticket sales, tv revenue, sponsorship, paychecks etc. without him and a select few riders nobody would care at that level unless you are strictly a manufacturer fan (honda for me). IMO motogp is loving the attention that this is bringing there brand....

[Cormanus]

^^ Quite right Headbanger02: the MotoGP organisers are loving this. No news is bad news, as they say. The controversy, the thrills and spills, Rossi's naked animosity are all part of attracting people to watch the sport.

With respect, my problem for me is that, like my friend Pterodactyl, I find the whole business of pulling aces out of sleeves repugnant—particularly when, in this environment, it's more akin to pulling a loaded gun from your sleeve. After Rossi pulled his 'marketing stunt' I lost interest in the race and still feel deeply annoyed ('cause that's a family-friendly word I can use here) that he ruined Dani Pedrosa's afternoon with an act of bastardry. He should be told to gather up his leathers, his helmet, his motorcycle and his attitude and take them home for good. The sport doesn't need him.

But, for the reasons you outline, the pusillanimous lot who run the show have not done it.

Pity.

[Headbanger02_imp]

Dale Earnhardt Sr. use to annoy me the same way RIP, wanted to tar and feather him every week, Didn't Marquez force himself into the last corner and bump Rossi to cut the corner at the Dutch Gp for the win or did the old dog (Rossi) school him and us into making us "think that" so he could cut the corner for the win. Is he that cunning and passionate enough to win and do this. I think so, how many championships has he won. Remember I'm a Honda/marquez fanboy, did I like it, no, did I enjoy it, yes. Of course, as always it just my opinion. thumbs up

[Grinton_imp]

http://www.ilgiornale.it/video/sport/vid...87369.html