<lurking mode off> Hi all, I remember posting this some time ago, during the continuing "How great is Rossi...really" debate. Excerpt from some webpage (motogp.com?) which I trust had accurate stats ... "Valentino Rossi is World Champion for numerous reasons; one of those is that the 24 year old only crashed once in over 80 hours of racing, practice and qualification. For the record the Italian departed from his machine during free practice for the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring." I remember Mark responding to the effect that when you have the best bike, and therefore don't have to push as hard, you are less likely to crash, practice, qualifying or racing... So this year it's "and this year on the Yamaha it appeared that it took everything he had to beat Biaggi straight up in the opener..." For what it's worth, I think that since Rossi is apparently to be forced by an incrementally inferior machine to ride that much harder and pull out all the stops, it will be very interesting to see if he stays upright with same precision as in previous years. Obviously it's all very well to be a backmarker who doesn't crash - (I do a lot of trackdays and don't crash....but that's easy, since I can use a sundial as a laptimer).... but a very different story when you're running at the front....and standing on podiums and winning championshops must be a lot easier when one stays out of the gravel. Not suggesting that the Nascrap model applies, I guess you couldn't win the MGP championship finishing every race in 5th.... At any rate, I think we're lucky to be witnesses for what is sure to be a fantastic season, regardless of whe wins or bins! Cheers, Shel <lurking mode back on>
