The last lap at Barcelona was one for the ages, with the lead swapping four times before the flag finally fell. In the post-race press conference with Casey Stoner, the subject of that pass almost inevitably came up, as Stoner passed Rossi in exactly the same place in 2007. Ever forthright in his opinion, Stoner was clear about how Rossi's victory came about. "It was a silly mistake by Jorge," Stoner said. "He was just that confident that he had it in the bag, that he braked too early. Even where he braked, I brake later than that. If you get a little bit better run up there, it's so easy just to run it up inside. You saw it was an easy pass."
"Jorge braked earlier than he had been braking all race. I was behind him earlier, and he was braking much later than that then." But Stoner didn't expect Lorenzo to make the same mistake in the future. "He was just thinking about getting a run for the line. But Jorge learns, and he'll learn from this mistake."
Comments
Stoner:
Can he get any less likable?
In reply to Stoner: by Stinkwheel
Of course he can get less likeable...
He could eventually morph into another of his countrymen: http://matmladin.blogspot.com/
In reply to Of course he can get less likeable... by theSnaab
Usually he's saying something arrogant
But that June 4th blog post was pretty cool.
In reply to Usually he's saying something arrogant by Stinkwheel
Granted, it's a cool sentiment...
...but I don't buy it for a second. Instead of whining about not having any competition, he could have tried to make it on the World stage. But he didn't. And when Pegram actually gave him a run, just a few days later, he wasn't too happy about it.
As an insider once told me, "All Mladin wants to do is win and complain. AMA gives him plenty of opportunities to do both."
He's just stating a fact:
He's just stating a fact: Rossi did to Lorenzo what Stoner did to Rossi once...
In reply to He's just stating a fact: by jihem
But he is trying to say that
But he is trying to say that it was Lorenzo's mistake, not Rossi's skills that caused the pass. In my opinion he is trying to down play how good of a rider Rossi is.
In reply to But he is trying to say that by Bob46
No matter how much skill
No matter how much skill Rossi has, there is no way that he could have made that pass if Lorenzo hadn't left the door open. Rossi skill allowed him to take advantage of Lorenzo's mistake, it didn't cause the pass.
Simple statement of fact. I am not seeing arrogance in this at all. He isn't commenting on Rossi's skill.
Lets get the facts right!
It was Valentino the one who passed Casey at the last corner in 2007 in Catalunya (with 6 laps to go). Watch the race on motogp.com
Here is the adress : http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2007/Full+session+MEDIUM+quality+race+M…
Even Casey said at the press conference (at the end): "He did it to me in 2007. I learned my lesson already."
http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2009/Rossi+Lorenzo+and+Stoner+reflects+…
As for the preview of the race here at Assen, Rossi dind't leaned anything from Stoner at that corner. If there is anyone who learned anything it was Stoner, as he, himself, said it.
So get your facts right.
You're welcome.
"No matter how much skill
"No matter how much skill Rossi has, there is no way that he could have made that pass if Lorenzo hadn't left the door open"
Rossi planned that move a couple of corners before... He went down to 2nd gear when it is normally taken in 3rd just to get a tiny bit more drive before the final corner, knowing that had Lorenzo had a clear run, he would have beat him on the drive out in 3rd, hence Rossi blocked Lorenzo on the way out (J. Burgess explained this in last weeks MCN). Lorenzo did brilliantly, but it had nothing to do with him leaving the door open, it was down to Rossi using his vast experience and skill and instant judgement to pull that one. Took a lot more last-second planning than it looked!
In reply to "No matter how much skill by Triumph1050cc
All of that and...
Lorenzo could have prevented that pass if he hadn't left the door open. He could have easily blocked the line but he believed that he already had the win.
Yes, the pass there is hard and Rossi was prepared for it but if Lorenzo had watched the tape of Rossi's previous pass there, he could have easily prevented it from happening again.
I am not questioning Rossi's skill, nor is Stoner, but the fact remains, the Lorenzo gave Rossi the opportunity and that wsa a silly mistake since many of us fans who cannot ride at his level knew that Rossi could pull that pass off.
MotoGpmatters etiquette
Guys, one of the delights of MotoGpmatters is that we don't do the emotive slanging of riders - there are sites for that where you can throw whatever you like into the mix and someone who holds a contrary opinion will flame back. No rider is above criticism but we generally praise or criticise mostly on the basis of their achievments / lack of achievments on the track, not from reported comments that have sod-all to do with the spectacle of the racing anyway. Yes, we exchange banter but there's a lack of malice in it - much as you would get in a friendly discussion over a few drinks at a bar, not the sort of stuff verging on the religious / racial hatred one sees on some sites. Many of us here really appreciate the respite from the tiresome popularity / unpopularity contest that pervades some other sites and strive to ensure that MotoGpmatters will continue to be the site for intelligent commentary.
FWIW, Jorge has already said that he made a mistake so Stoner is not saying anything that Jorge hasn't already said. Yes, it was perhaps a slightly inelegant comment by Dr. K. that Rossi learned that move from Stoner - there's nothing that Stoner could teach Rossi as far as racecraft is concerned, it could have better been phrased 'Rossi learned that move ON Stoner'. But as Dr. K's race report from Catalunya states, Stoner also learned, repassed Rossi and on the last lap didn't leave the door open for Rossi to do again what he had done 6 laps before, so Stoner held on for the win. Stoner was making a statement of fact from his own experience - that pass can be blocked and the win taken. I fail to see how this can be taken as a put-down of either Rossi or Lorenzo unless you're already looking to find fault with anything Stoner may say.
Thanks, Oscar
Couldn't agree more. Cheers!
The only thing I'm saying...
Is that Casey did not pass Valentino at the last corner, as it is stated in two articles:
1. "Stoner passed Rossi in exactly the same place in 2007." (I believe you refer at the last corner)
2. "Valentino Rossi came back inside Lorenzo through that final corner, crossing the line to take victory. It was a trick he had learned two years earlier from Casey Stoner."
You could have said "learned on Casey Stoner", but these two statements tell me you guys really thought Casey overtook Valentino at the last corner in 2007, wich in not true.
It just boders me when I see a statement that it is not true.
I'm just saying, be more careful next time, accept your mistakes and learn from them.
Just for the record, I really enjoy your articles and specialy the race previews and reports. You are a true story teller Dr.K..
Keep it up.
In reply to The only thing I'm saying... by ciprycus
Based On Comments
I was basing my call on that pass on Rossi's comments and on the review of the race in Motocourse. I have the race on video, but didn't go back to watch it before I wrote the preview. I'll check it out when I get back home, and rewatch the race there. I'm sure you're right, but I ought to watch the race again so I know for next year.
Stoner's comments were a
Stoner's comments were a stab a Rossi, plain and simple. I'm not saying it's wrong, mind games are an art and Rossi has been doing it for years. Sometimes it seems to work on opponents.
I think it makes Stoner appear a bit desperate, though. As has his constant complaining about "lack of respect" the past few years.
That's what makes MotoGp different
I don't really care wether Lorenzo left the gate open or Rossi planned it..it was a fantastic race and after a year or so of so so racing it was great to see.
As for Stoner's comments..he has every right to and so he should.In the almost forgotten tradition of Sheene,Rainey,Doohan et al they said what they thought and good luck to them.
God forbid we ever get to the F1 stage where if utterences are made they are well choreographed by the drivers teams.
Stoner did disapoint me with his comments after Laguna Seca..but in this case he wasn't involved and was merely expressing his opinion as a rider...once again something which is frowned upon in F1.
Hope my nationality doesn't shine through,but I would have the same opinion whichever rider expresses their view.
In reply to That's what makes MotoGp different by jayar
I concur!
As much as I don't like Stoner's attitude, I'm glad he displays it. It's good for the spectacle and good for the sport when the riders do a little verbal sparring...draws us into the storyline. Every plot needs a villain (just who that villain might be is subjective).
Like you, I can't stand the sanitized commentary that comes from most drivers/riders in professional motorsport. Don't piss anybody off, be gracious, and make sure to mention the sponsor!! Come on...these guys have passionate opinions about their work, and it's disappointing to see them stifled.
That's one of the reasons I like Colin Edwards so much...he's got no problem telling you what he really thinks.
And the plot thickens along with the chatter...
I certainly enjoyed the rivalry, the thinly-veiled personal rancor between the riders, and the occasional verbal attack that we often saw back in the Biaggi days. I'm glad it happened. It thickened the plot, made things more interesting, and it has been an element in short supply the last few years(aside from Laguna Seca 2008). I welcome it, and I thoroughly enjoy it. It's great for entertainment value, but...
There's no need to give any type of actual credence to any flimsy attempt at mind games on the part of any Ducati, Yamaha, or any other manufacturer's rider. Perhaps we'll also believe that Laguna Seca was immature and dangerous. It sounds a bit like Aesop's fable of the sour grapes. It also sounds conspicuously like a person who trips and falls(or crashes their bicycle in a movie scene), then gets up and says, "I meant to do that."
I am thrilled that Lorenzo has matured in his premier-class role. It is welcome and refreshing. I think he's well on his way to a scintillating career. It's gonna be HUGELY entertaining. He is a rider that CAN engage in a furious dogfight, which is my single favorite thing to watch, and he gives as good as he gets. He definitely provides much-needed ability to give give the fans a nail-biting, heart-stopping fight to the finish. Running away at the front is food for slumber, even when it is my favorite rider at the front.
We can argue the finer points of who can do what and when, but that's ignoring the obvious fact. Simply put, we watched a world-class move from who is thus far the greatest rider of all time. That statement doesn't rely on a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions, either. Rossi's mastered EVERY challenge to prove that fact, and it's a privilege to see him ride. It's so easy to dissect and try to minimize an epic move possible by only a few riders. There's nothing ignorant, unintelligent, or opinionated about calling a spade a spade, saying that pain hurts, sugar tastes sweet, or that we're witnessing the best ever--or at least the best YET. That said, there's now a rider that is a legitimate challenge, and I couldn't be happier. The race is now down to something other than who can get to turn one in the lead--which sounds horribly like F1...
Anyway, what anyone claims in an after-the-fact critique is MEANINGLESS, and it doesn't make a person more intelligent to try and fabricate a reason why Rossi isn't the best, or why those who believe that he is are just sheep. Another racer can(or WE can)claim that the sky is neon green with teddy-bear-shaped pink polka dots. It's not only untrue, but it makes a person sound silly, and it also sounds like someone's attempt to tarnish a stunning performance from the master. Truly, winning and losing doesn't build character so much as it REVEALS character(or a lack thereof).
All through life, a lesser man often throws rocks at the greater man. Griping about a winning move is about as credible and original as professional wrestling. Without the earlier flag-to-flag abortions, the lead in the championship would be obvious.
I'm not worried, and I doubt Rossi is, either.
Besides, whether he's nervous or not isn't going to make a difference, and if it is, it'll only increase his enjoyment and desire. When you're better than ANY and ALL of your detractors, you're going to beat them, and it'll be thrilling to watch. But it'll be a LOT harder than in years past, and it'll be a return to war, instead of a parade. Bring it on! I still think it'll be Rossi, and then...I'm kinda torn on who'll be second. Ducati and Yamaha both have excellent riders...and Pedrosa is absolutely amazing me with his determination, but I think it'll be Rossi at the top when it is all said and done.
And if I end up being wrong, I'LL ADMIT IT WITHOUT BEING A BABY.
I love the site been coming
I love the site been coming here since i found you in 07 and every story always seems to just fit....this story seems a little off atleast for MotoGPMatters.....Like it doesn't belong here....I guess I would expect to see this news report on a accident prone website....
In reply to I love the site been coming by MSD_V.1
The fascinating thing about
The fascinating thing about Casey Stoner is he just speaks his mind. The statements were made without any malice, just as bald statements of fact, and show that Stoner spends a lot of time thinking about riding. I'll be putting more quotes up on the site later on, about how he works on the bike and trying to find a setup, as well as some words from Nicky Hayden on the same subject. But I also think it's important to get a rider's perspective on these things, a perspective that isn't available when we are not reporting live from the paddock.
Stoner's manner
Can I throw in a little perspective from an Aussie POV? For those who aren't aware, I admire Stoner's riding and sometimes rather despair of his lack of diplomatic nouse, but I live in the Aussie countryside, have children of fairly similar age to Stoner, and live surrounded by young Australians of similar age and basic background.
Stoner was a child in a small country town. In Australia that means the pervasive ethic is farming oriented, and farmers here - and I think the world over, really - consider the only use for bullshit is to make grass grow. You can tell tall stories or embellish the truth but if you expect people to do other than laugh either with or at you, you are in for a rude shock. That doesn't make these people one-dimensional but you don't get Oxford University Debate level conversation around the barbie, either. People talk to exchange information; we don't have the sort of charming cafe society that allows young people to become socially adept in European countries, more is the pity. Stoner is fairly quintessentially a young Australian lad, which makes him neither a better nor a worse person for what he is than the next bloke, even if the next bloke is Rossi. MotoGp is won on the track, not by the audience phoning-in votes.