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Betting wise, he had odds 50.00. He started from the 8th place on the grid, and he was never expected to break the Top 3. But odds never tell the whole story – he was number #46! Last year he showed he can still compete at the highest level, but to win in this situation? Insane.
Valentino Rossi took a breathtaking win in the Qatar 2015 opening Moto GP round at Losail, downing rivals Marquez, Lorenzo and Pedrosa for his 83th premmier class win – and a chance for a 10th Championship title, 8th in the premier class. He won it in vintage fashion, breaking down every expert analysis, talks of retirement and all expectations.
And he won it in style. The same style that made him the most popular rider in Moto GP history. Taking off from 8th on the grid, he dropped to 10th, but consistently made his way up the grid over Honda and Yamaha rivals, only to battle it out with the new and strong force of Ducati – a battle which he won, courtesy of some brilliant racing to fend off the speed of the Italian manufacturer. He leads the line right now, he is first in the standings. What`s to come?
You talk Giacomo Agostini, you talk Mick Doohan, you talk Valentino Rossi when you talk about the GOAT. You talk guys like John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Eddie Lawson or Casey Stoner. These guys are established as absolute Top 10 riders in racing history. Still, there is not one person who can say one is better than the other. Oh, the spectacular racing style of Rossi must make him the best ever, the GOAT, but that is only from a fans’ perspective. Or is it? How about reality? How about the true facts that makes one better than the other?
Similar to tennis, formula 1 or even football, the gap between generations and, in this case, racing rules, will always generate a reason fore debate. However, if Valentino Rossi wins his 10th overall championship and his 8th Moto GP crown, he should be regarded as the best rider to ever take the circuit. Why?
Because winning over different generations is a difference maker !
Giacomo Agostini dominated with unprecedented authority in 1968-1975, Mick Doohan was untouchable in his glory years and Casey Stoners’s skill proved you can win with an inferior bike if you are one of the best ever. But Rossi is competing since 2000 at the top class and killed himself in the glory years by taking on the Ducati dream, which proved to be just that – a dream, with the Italian manufacturer unable to provide a competitive bike.
Moto GP Class number of championships (as of March 2015):
Giacomo Agostini: 8
Valentino Rossi: 7
Michael Doohan: 5
Rossi utterly dominated his early years on his Honda against the likes of Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi and defeated Jorge Lorenzo on a Yamaha. Should he rise (at 36 years old) above top form riders like Lorenzo or Pedrosa, should he rise over an emerging open class Ducati and a young Marc Marquez, that will be an unprecented feat. To defeat an established and hungry Marc Marquez, a rider that has a perfect bike and will end up being in the ‘best ever conversation’, would be Valentino Rossi’s final statement.
A statement that could not be contested. Ever.
i liked this a lot and shared it. man, rossi is GOAT!
And this is why I read you!!!! Love this articles. But IMO Marquez will still win championship .. too strong
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very n\ot-techinal. do you know anything about bikes? but decent read
well, the piece is not meant to be about the technical side of racing. thanks.
Rossi is the best ever no matter what!
I nave seen moto sincer the 90s and Rossi is just great!
Yep. Such a showman and to be consistent for so long is simply amazing.
rossi is better than marquez fighting like a champion
Don`t disrespect Marquez, you know he`s good. You`re just afraid he`s too good and might deny Rossi this title. I have the same feeling. But no doubt, he has a looot to prove to be in the same conversation as Valentino, but he has time.
Hahaha you are right , i am just afraid too if marquez can overcome rossi, rossi is my fav u know !!
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I fully agree to you. Skill, maturity, determination and technical knowledge is what the Doctor has. The young blood pobably has purple heart but they still have to learn more from Rossi to keep alive in the sport. Otherwise 8-10 session, a game over for them.
Well having to earn 200 podium is GOAT. Standing on 4 podiums on 4 premier races with great young riders is really tough. Doubt Stoner can live with this. Looking forward for his 10th.
Stoner was an incredible rider, but Rossi;s consistency is just too good. And, as we both said, it is a difference maker. Maybe we`ll see Stoner on the Honda, fingers crossed 🙂
Rossi is down to earth and it is hard to believe he stood on the podiums in all 4 races in 2015, making MotoGP is more interesting than Formula 1, SBK, tennis and others. I hope he’ll do good, maintain collecting the 3 spot points and clinch the 10th of the GOAT! He’s great and god just made him to ride MotoGP premier class…
Moto GP is truly the king of motorsport right now. The show is waaay over what any other mainstream motorsport can offer.
I agree 100%. I also respect Marquez still has in his mind that Rossi is his idol. Marquez will deserve an admiration after Rossi if he starts learning to smile and express his friendly getsures over the close up camera like what Rossi has been doing. Marques has what Rossi has, the speed, the fighting spirit, the skill, the look and all.
Yep, I am of the exact same opinion. Marquez is a good kid. He`ll do well, already doing some of the things you said. He`ll make a lot of money and become the image of the sport, that`s for sure as far as I`m concerned.
An American doesn’t fancy MotoGP that much but It begin to be more popular nowadays. I’ve been the follower since 4 years ago. Rossi is something – a real sportman. He loves the sport even he’s hit by low results that most people think he is on a downhill trip. Even I thaught the same way but he proved that I’m wrong and all of us were wrong. He shattered both Marquez and Lorenzo’s feelings on their chances for world championship. Being an earlier generation racer Doohan gave great comments for Rossi. The rest doesn’t comment because their egos overcomes the reality.
I feel Rossi is the main reason why Moto GP has grown globally lately. I think you, Americans, love your own competitors (who doesn’t), so this would be a good time for someone to emerge.
Doohan is a class act. Too bad his injuries barred him some great fights with Rossi. It would have been the exact same situation like Rossi vs. Marquez.
Lets go Rossi beat this imbecile Lorenzo. I will die laughing if it rains and Lorenzo falls
Valentino Rossi is the Greatest of all time