Yamaha have only won two championships in the last eight attempts (2012/15 Lorenzo) but honda are dominating with Six including this year(M.Marc),there lies the problem.IMO
I voted yes and I am a fan. For me he jumped ship just as Ducati were getting their act together, but worse, just as Yamaha were slipping. Race results prove he is competitive against “most other riders” however new talent has emerged. His qualifying is a problem though, difficult to understand good race pace with poor pole positions. I could sum it up, age! I am slower than I used to be. Dont mend as quick either. Rossi never seemed the same again to me after the Simoncelli accident, which he could not help, but somehow The Doctor seemed like a different rider after that with less flashes of brilliance than we used to see. Takes nothing away from he him being one of the all time greats though and would hope to see him heavily involved in the sport for many years to come.
MotoGP needs Rossi, even a slightly slower Rossi, like Guy Martin needs a mug of tea. And here's Guy bragging about his new teapot.
I'm sure some will disagree but rossi leaving moto gp would be like when foggy left wsb, I honestly cannot remember the last time I watched a wsb race and when I have caught one, it's never held my attention for more than a few minutes.
Yes, He is becoming less and less competitive as newer riders come through. Better to retire on a high than hang on and become a washed up hanger on fighting in the bottom 1/3 of the pack.
...but managed 4th in last race. Not exactly slow. The interesting thing was how much faster Honda and Ducati are on acceleration and top end. Quatowhatsit, faf! But still could not get near the faster bikes. Rossi will be a miss but looking at the new kid ( Petronas?) , really feel he should be on a factory Yamaha next season ahead of Rossi and Vinales. Maybe it Vinales who should be pushed out...
Thing is Rossi is Moto GP even if he's not winning he creates interest in the sport that no other rider does The majority of the grid are self absorbed charmless wingers. Jaylo being one of the worst
Currently no one, no matter how talented they are. In my lifetime there have been two outstanding characters in GP/Moto GP Sheene and Rossi. Sheene was a great rider but not a contender for the greatest of all time, Rossi arguably is. But both these men transcended the sport and consequently were, and are, loved by so many.
Cant read this thread for fear of blasphemy, i voted no Say what ya like about jesus and mohammed but dont take our lord Rossi’s name in vain
It annoys me when people keep banging on about Rossi's age he's super fit extremely fast still has the will to race he genuinely enjoys what he's doing good luck to him I say
A great rider without doubt and he had done an colossal job in raising the the profile and awareness of motorcycle racing but this season he has not shown that competitive edge, sure the Yam is not as quick in a straight line but something has been missing in the braking and cornering where the bike is perfectly capable. Probably only a 2 percent drop but that is all it takes at the highest level. Never been his biggest fan but always acknowledged an incredible talent. As for the greatest of all time, has he really matched Agostini's 15 world titles in Grand Prix and 12 TT wins? To my mind no. Time to bow out with dignity and in a position of respect.
What you need to consider with Agostini record a number of his world championships and TT wins he didn't really have much opposition re was racing the factory MVs against the likes of Manx Norton's
