14 replies to this topic

[TylerNew]

I was reading random articles on Wikipedia last night (I do this from time to time), when I came across the article about Grand Prix motorcycle racing. While looking at the list of champions, I noted that both Giacomo Agostini and the ever versatile John Surtees were champions in both the 350cc and 500cc GP championships, and both of them winning every race in both categories in the same year too. Surtees won both categories in 1958, 1959 and 1960, obtaining all possible victories in the 1958 and 1959 seasons. Agostini won both categories from 1968 to 1972, obtaining all possible victories except for a second in Germany and a 4th in France on 350cc in 1972.

So my question is, couldn't Valentino Rossi suit up on a Moto2 bike and just clip off the wins/titles for a few years, get even more experience and raise his game even higher in MotoGP, and easily break Agostini's records? Or do people feel that his record would be more impressive if he obtained it in MotoGP only? Personally, I feel that if two of the greatest had done it, there's no reason why Rossi couldn't either.

[hotstickyslick]

He very well could, but statistics and records only mean so much. One win against the current crop of MotoGP riders would be worth about several in Moto2 and Vale knows that better than anyone. You don't need to have the biggest numbers to prove you're the best.

[Seanspeed]

Going to Moto2 wouldn't 'raise Rossi's game'.

[cheapracer]

You don't need to have the biggest numbers to prove you're the best.

But biggest bronzed monkeys helps, different eras but don't forget Ago took many wins at the Isle Of Man and won Championships as a team manager as well.

Neither are 'better' than the other but Ago has a more complete record.

[IMHO]

Ago had the more completely dominant bike.

[Atreiu]

(...)Neither are 'better' than the other but Ago has a more complete record.

Rossi's record is as complete as possible, he won the title on EVERYTHING he hopped aboard.
125cc, 250cc, 500cc, 990cc, 800cc...

I can't see how it could be more complete unless he took a step sideways to WSBK.

[aditya-now]

But biggest bronzed monkeys helps, different eras but don't forget Ago took many wins at the Isle Of Man and won Championships as a team manager as well.

Neither are 'better' than the other but Ago has a more complete record.

Never thought I would agree with you, cheapracer, but here you are: spot on.

Comparing Rossi with Agostini is like comparing Schumacher with some greats from the past....

[Montoya1]

Will Rossi win a title on a Ducati though?

I would love it if he did, the whole world would, but I can't see it.

[HP]

Never thought I would agree with you, cheapracer, but here you are: spot on.

Comparing Rossi with Agostini is like comparing Schumacher with some greats from the past....

But what can guys like MS Schumacher and Rossi do who were born into a different area? It's utterly unfair to compare either way, simply because times are changing.

In the past they loaded their bikes/car on a truck and drove it to the next race. Which is Utopia today (notice the irony in this statement?) . Every era has their outstanding riders and drivers, and they should be recognized as such, without comparing between eras. Have those comparisions ever produced anything helpful?

Besides that neither Schumi, nor Rossi have ended their careers.

[OfficeLinebacker]

I was reading random articles on Wikipedia last night (I do this from time to time),

I do that too!

[HP]

Will Rossi win a title on a Ducati though?

I would love it if he did, the whole world would, but I can't see it.

Let's be thankful that Rossi thinks otherwise. Else he never made the move. Also when he moved to Yamaha, few thought that Rossi would be able to break the Honda dominance.

[Arska]

Will Rossi win a title on a Ducati though?

I think it's possible. In any case a break from Yamaha and from competing against Jorge in the same team might just be what he needs to turn the momentum around in his favor.

Edited by Arska, 15 August 2010 - 16:42.

[beanoid]

I can't find the article, but he has already said that it would be impossible to race two series (Moto2 and GP) at once, and that riding a Moto2 bike would be too much of a step backwards anyway. He's not interested.

I agree with Atreiu. Rossi has nothing to prove. Although I, too, would love to see him on a superbike--apparently, part of the deal with Ducati was to give him several options for moving on when he retires, including a shot at Ferrari F1, Fiat rally, etc. I hope racing in WSBK for Ducati was on that list as well.

[Kucki]

Sorry but what are the main differences between WSBK and MotoGP?

[beanoid]

WSBK is production based, GP is purpose-built prototype racing machines.