Is the Rossi Curse a Boomarang?
Monday, May 22nd, 2006 at 8:37 am by rhino
Valentino Rossi, arguably the best roadracer of all time, has only one win and two DNFs (did not finish) for the first 5 races of this year’s MotoGP World Championship. In a series he dominates (he’s won 4 times in a row), and in what is supposedly his swan song season, things are not looking good for “the Doctor” to leave motorcycle racing on a high note. In addition to Rossi’s undeniable talent, he’s also had incredible luck for the bulk of his career. So much so, that many believe he’s charmed.
One of Rossi’s innocuous comments about fellow rider Sete Gibernau a couple of years ago announced no more wins for the rest of the Catalan’s time in MotoGP. At the time it was dismissed as just talk, but the reality is that since that pronouncement, Sete, one of the fastest riders on the grid, has come up empty handed ever since. While I don’t believe Rossi’s words have that kind of power, the luck tables have turned on the messenger. Now it’s Rossi that can’t get things to go his way, even when he’s on top of his game. Whether it’s getting knocked off by another rider, bad vibration in his Yamaha’s new chassis/suspension/tire combo, chunking a front? tire or having an engine blow while leading a race, the Italian sensation is not looking his usual untouchable self. And that’s giving the rest of the field just the motivation they need to try to wrest the crown from the incumbent king. The sharks can smell the blood in the water!
Rossi was clearly running away with French GP (Le Mans) when his Yamaha expired! To my knowledge, Rossi has never had a mechanical problem since entering the primier class back in 2000. He’s now 40 points (one and a half race wins) behind the series leader, Nicky Hayden (USA) and only one place ahead of the rider he cursed. Rossi has typically lead the series by this point in years past. The Doctor has his work cut out for him, especially if he wants to leave motorcycle racing a hero! What will Lady Luck have in store for the rest of the season. This is definitely the year to be watching MotoGP!
Rhino
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I enjoyed Moto GP this Sunday for a couple of reasons. First, the 9am broadcast time (left coast) allowed me to have some breakfast and watch at the same time. Secondly the racing was great. Tire choice was everything and Pedrosa saw his 2nd place evaporate as his “soft/soft” gave up the ghost.
As for Rossi - two DNFs in a row. It was the front tire last week, has MotoGP.com posted what happened to his bike yet? I wonder if he will be able to salvage his season, there is no doubt he would have won had his bike not expired - I think his tire choice was “medium/hard,” the commentators said there was so much changing at the last minute because of the weather that the paper they were reading off was full of last minute scratchouts and corrections.
Even if his season is a bust, I think he will make an excellent F1 driver. The scuttle I’ve read is that he’s going to drive for Red Bull, they use Enzo’s motors - I don’t know what the diff is from the factory team though.
We shall see, again great racing this weekend.