There you go - my "Did I pay over the odds" has now morphed into a "Which GP rider is the best" topic, so here is a new thread that will inevetibly come to the conclusion that Rossi is GOD, followed by Mr Doohan, then the rest.

Maybe it should be a poll but don't know how to set that up.

OMG! Rossi is somewhere down in 5th or 6th place... I really can't get this Rossi hype crap! He's good for sure, but he's been flattered his whole career. Either by the lack of a 100% strong field, having the best bikes, or the best team. He wouldn't get himself in contention for the rides if he didn't have raw talent, but that's just my opinion...

Mine would be:

Rainey
Doohan
Lawson
Surtees
Spencer
...
...
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I think it depends on what you mean by best: Talent? Guts? development ability? race statistics? It's very hard to compare riders from different eras, as they face(d) different challenges.

Also I agree that Rossi is racing in a period where there is less competition, it may be rose tinted spectacles but Lawson, Gardner, Rainey, Schwantz Doohan etc seems stronger competition than the current lineup.

I have heard that some of the Honda bosses thought Freddie Spencer was the best of all of them, if it wasn't for injury he might have gone on and on. Equally Doohan could have actually had his leg amputated and never won anything in GP.

My personal favourite is Doohan, just because of what he's gone through to get to be GP 500 champion. If he hadn't had the massive injuries, I think he would have dominated even more.

But you could say something similar about Rainey....

Agostini?

Mat.

Maxim - Your opinion ofcourse, but I don't get all this talk of hype about Rossi. Like I said in last thread - there substance behind Rossi - 5 consecutive titles on both 2T and 4T, as well as Honda and Yamaha. Thats not hype, thats hard fought evidence of a phenomenal talent. You can't blame Rossi for making very good riders look crap. Maybe if he slowed down a bit and made it look harder, his competition would get more credit, and he'd get less cynicism. He has some very strong competition, he's just too good and too consistent for 'em.

And as for the strongest team, I thought HRC was the strongest team?

And right now he hasn't got the best bike PERIOD.

Can't believe you'd put Rossi down in 5th or 6th though - that's just madness .

Best for me also incorporates their attitude, and Doohans stank! Sheene had an off track personality, as does Rossi. Mamola too, but the likes of Mick and Foggy are too miserable to be all round Chanmions...
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Dave Ett wrote:Best for me also incorporates their attitude, and Doohans stank! Sheene had an off track personality, as does Rossi. Mamola too, but the likes of Mick and Foggy are too miserable to be all round Chanmions...

Rossi's is awful... One minute all smiley happy, the next, when things aren't going his way, he looks like a potential serial killer... And the fact he bleeted on about tobacco sponshorship all that time and now he's riding for 2 different brands...

I'd rather have the focused narrow minded attitude of Rainey and \Doohan any day!
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I reckon the current riders in the various international and domestic championships today would all have been on the same level or higher than these aussies and gobby yanks everyone seems to love so much.

I make this judgement based on what i see when i've watched them ride on TV. Gotta be honest, those yanks in AMA superbike display some of the most spectacular riding, but i think the track layouts have alot to do with it looking so impressive. See now Nicky Hayden is in GPs, you don't see the awesomeness in the same way anymore because of the layouts of the tracks he now races on.

From what i've seen Rainey (who has a big gob, but doesn't get bad press like Foggy because he's in a wheel chair) etc slung it often and hurt themselves alot. Rossi doesn't, but its clear he still has to push very hard to keep up front.

Its easy to say; "yeah, but the bikes were harder to ride". Based on what you've read in magazines but lets face it, magazines are full of sh*t... 100% of everyones opinions are based on what you've been told or read in the media. If the old 'greats' got bad press no-one would think so highly of them.

I also think its a bit like music, the guys who the 500 titles when you were 16 to 21 are gonna be your favourites and you'll find ways to shoot down current talents any way you can.

46 FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!
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He wasn't THE best...by my all time favourite has to be Schwantz
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nsrmonkey wrote:

you like that smiley dont you mate
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i'm not getting involved in this debate, fontyyy will get his stats book out.

just thought i might sit back and watch.
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Wot's maxim got againt Rossi

I think when on rare occasion he is beaten he takes it very well.

Must agree re. baccy sponsors though. He used to always say he wouldn't ride for one.

Well said Hermit - 46 forever.

RE. Falling off, he fell off loads in his first year on the 500's. He was just lucky enough not to cripple himself. Once he got the hang of the big bikes he has the ability to ride right up to the limit (and beyond), every time, with perfect consistency. That's why he's not a binner generally.

Colin NSR wrote:Wot's maxim got againt Rossi

It's a dream team thing we run... long story!

He's bloody good I admit. I watched some late 80's early 90's stuff the other day though and just can't generate the same kind of respect for the guy. He wouldn't be so injury free if he'd grown up on those things...
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maxim wrote:Rossi's is awful...

come on Maxim he's the most enigmatic 'fun' champion since Sheene, it makes me laugh some of you are so sad just cos the top flight isnt 2T anymore all you can do is harp on about how good the 'good ol days' used to be how so and so would have beaten such n such.

I understand that its only a discussion and everything else but to say "One minute all smiley happy, the next, when things aren't going his way, he looks like a potential serial killer" mate whats that all about, show me a rider who is having a bad weekend who is all smiles.

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