2017 MOTOGP Season ****SPOILER ALERT*** *****WARNING - SPOILER *******

[The Black Knight]

They need to put Miller on an Aprilia or KTM for a few races... That'll humble him up a bit!

Need to send him back to Moto3 where he belongs....

[The Black Knight]

Well, after that Q session, looks to be a great race for tomorrow. Provided it stays dry and everyone gets away safe in the first few corners, then I'll call this an all Yamaha battle for the win.

It was interesting that while Vinales set the fastest and pole time in qualifying, I couldn't help but notice during the analysis of the fastest sector times that Rossi was 2nd, 2nd, 2nd and 1st in the timing splits. Vinales was 1st and 1st in split 1 and 3 but nowhere in 2 or 4. Rossi looks to be fast and consistent around the whole track.

If it all pans out and my hope is for Rossi to break free quickly, I think he may get his first win of the year.

Such a dramatic turn around from Jerez. Neither of the Yamaha's were on the radar. But Rossi for sure was in a living hell during that race. You can bet some ass got chewed at Yamaha for that performance at Jerez.

My only worry? Zarco

Just hope he keeps it cool and races hard but clean. With this being his home race and right next to Rossi and Vinales, he could totally cock this up and wreck Rossi and/or Vinales out of the race. If he wants to wreck everyone behind them that's fine, just leave the front two alone and this will be a good race.

[VryfastRR]

Wow what a race. That little mistake from Rossi messed up everything for him and I don't think he needs to push that hard, not sure Maverick would have been able to catch him.

[The Black Knight]

That was one exciting and depressing race I've ever seen. And I hate to say this, as I'm a huge Rossi fan. But the guy needs to retire. He's fast as hell but he's also embarrassing now. He's just too old to fight with these younger riders. They can make mistakes and find ways to catch up. He makes mistakes and goes down. He's just too old to run with these younger guys. If that were Rossi at 28 he wouldn't have gone down. Rossi at 38 needs to hang it up.

He's still the G.O.A.T. in my eyes and always will be but damnit man, just stop racing.

Feel bad and really hate to admit it, but Rossi just isn't fast enough anymore. He just flat blew that win....

[VryfastRR]

That was one exciting and depressing race I've ever seen. And I hate to say this, as I'm a huge Rossi fan. But the guy needs to retire. He's fast as hell but he's also embarrassing now. He's just too old to fight with these younger riders. They can make mistakes and find ways to catch up. He makes mistakes and goes down. He's just too old to run with these younger guys. If that were Rossi at 28 he wouldn't have gone down. Rossi at 38 needs to hang it up.

He's still the G.O.A.T. in my eyes and always will be but damnit man, just stop racing.

Feel bad and really hate to admit it, but Rossi just isn't fast enough anymore. He just flat blew that win....

Fighting for a win today and battling for the championship and he should hang it up?

[The Black Knight]

Fighting for a win today and battling for the championship and he should hang it up?

Fighting for a win? I saw him lose it and end up on the deck with Zero points today. Losing a fight for the lead to come in 2nd is called battling for a win. Losing the front because he got desperate and tried to catch up, is called not having the speed anymore to keep these other guys behind him.

Marquez can lose the front and crash all he wants. He's still fast and will bounce back. Rossi can't keep up, he just can't do it anymore.

Again, I hate saying it as much as anyone. I'm a huge Rossi fan, I'm all things Rossi. But even I realize he's done. He's not going to win another championship, he's not going to win anymore races either. He's f**king finished!! When you've got a satellite rider on last year's kit staying in front of you, that should be a tell tale sign that you just don't have it anymore.

Sure he got passed Zarco and then pulled away. Shouldn't have been behind him to begin with. Should have passed him long before the race even got going. Rossi doesn't have the speed anymore. Then when push came to shove, he cracked under pressure with Vinales on his ass. Again, the guy doesn't have the speed anymore.

He was super fast last year and look where that got him. A ton of crashes and no consistency. Now he's back to his barely fast enough 2015 self and he's playing prevent defense. Again, he's not fast enough. He should be like Marquez, who's so fast he doesn't need to worry about playing defensive. Marquez just goes out there and wrecks people. Vinales has the same speed.

I want him to retire to save his legacy and save some face. Retire as the G.O.A.T. and not as some "has been, also ran". There is nothing more embarrassing than watching an old long in the tooth champion of days gone by, trying to race with the new elite. Look at how Shumacher did when he came back to F1, yep got his ass scorched. Look at Peyton Manning, had it not been for his defense, his broke and battered ass wouldn't have got that Superbowl ring, cause he sure didn't earn because of his performance.

Rossi is not the Rossi of 2004-2005 or 2008-2009. That Rossi of those years would crush today's opposition. He's not that guy anymore, I wished he still was, I really do. Because he's a people's champion and a real guy that loves the sport.

[madvlad]

He's competitive still man, just made a small mistake running wide on that turn and pushing way too hard to chase Viñales down as he should have settled for 2nd. Bummer but well 23 points behind will be a task and with Dani in front in points too. Lucky for him MM didn't score either or that would've been much worse.

[The Black Knight]

He's competitive still man, just made a small mistake running wide on that turn and pushing way too hard to chase Viñales down as he should have settled for 2nd. Bummer but well 23 points behind will be a task and with Dani in front in points too. Lucky for him MM didn't score either or that would've been much worse.

And that's what my point is man. He's not Marquez who can close down 27 points easy. He's Rossi who is having a hard time finding a win, let alone a nice 2nd place on the podium. He should have just realized he screwed up in the braking zone and let Vinales win. Yeah it sucks, no one wants to let someone win. But he would have been only 7 points back, not 23 now. He won't close the gap, mark my words(not unless Vinales DNF's a couple times). He's done, you could see it in his eyes at the end. That screw up cost him big, it was just like Mugello's engine blow up of last year. It took the wind right out of his sails.

As you pointed out, now that Pedrosa is finding form and is fast. Marquez will always be there and now a super strong Vinales. Yep, Rossi is finished, his title hopes went up in smoke today. He might as well try and get a couple wins, because the championship was just lost today.

I don't see Vinales making a ton more mistakes, not with a fat lead that he has now.

I, do disagree with you though on your first point with him still being competitive. I honestly don't think he is this year. Last year yes, he was the fastest. This year, I'd say he's lucky if he's 4th or 5th fastest. He lost speed over the winter, or something. As it is right now, I'd say Marquez and Vinales are tied for 1st in terms of outright pace and speed, then Pedrosa and then Rossi is there in 4th or 5th with Zarco. Which I can't believe I'm saying that, but yes he's barely any faster than Zarco who's on last year's bike.

You can tell he doesn't have the speed when Vinales sets the lap record on the last freaking lap!!! I mean come on man, last lap with burnt up tires and he still sets the fastest lap. That's the kind of stuff Marquez pulls out of the air, super fast lap on the penultimate or last laps.

I'm sorry, but watching Rossi race this year, is like watching Apollo fight Drago... it's pointless...

Have to give credit to one of the posters over at Crash.net, I think it was said best. Rossi is completely opposite of his early years. When younger, he was fearless, imperious and made zero mistakes. He couldn't be rattled.. Now, he's reverse. Makes mistakes, isn't fast and sure gets rattled easy...

[Gramps]

C'mon man. Rossi has been 2nd in the championship for the last two years. He is going to make mistakes because he's human. The human factor is what makes racing great.

It's a long season and I think Rossi is just as competitive as he was at 28 but the competition is better.

Remember the real point of the show is for entertainment. That race was damn entertaining!

[Kristian]

Zarco is not just a guy who moved up from moto2, if you watched his racing the last couple of years he is amazingly talented!

[madvlad]

Agreed with Tom and yes that race was very good. Zarco definitely put up a he'll of a fight. He will earn Rossi's spot if he keeps this up for sure.

[Gramps]

Agreed with Tom and yes that race was very good. Zarco definitely put up a he'll of a fight. He will earn Rossi's spot if he keeps this up for sure.

Zarco is a lock for his spot if he keeps showing improvement and consistency. He is exciting to watch. Why couldn't anyone else put the Tech 3 on the podium?

[madvlad]

The tech3 got the 2016 package which is very good and just fits Zarco super well, hell even Folger shows great promise. Zarco is a gutsy rider and he may be the next big thing at Yamaha next to Viñales. I thought Cal put the tech3 on the podium couple times?

[madvlad]

Rossi got injured in a motocross incident, hopefully he will be okay to go for next round.

[The Black Knight]

Rossi got injured in a motocross incident, hopefully he will be okay to go for next round.

Why am I not surprised... Well, another year that Rossi WON'T win Mugello.

[madvlad]

Just read that they didn't find any fractures, just sore from the hit but he's expected to be fit for the race

[The Black Knight]

Looks to be another epic battle at the front for the Yamaha guys.

Looking at FP3's race sim times, Rossi for sure has better pace than everyone else. Marquez is next closest and looks good. Vinales doesn't look that impressive, however his pole time was very good. Still, his pole time was not faster than Rossi's FP3 fastest lap, so Rossi looks to have a little left in the tank. Still not sure why he didn't do as well in Q2(yes P2 is good, but still didn't seem all that with it in the session).

Rossi and Marquez both clicked off many 1,47's in FP3, so if tomorrow's pace is in the 1,48's, should be a good battle and a race that Rossi might actually win. Let's see what happens, it's Mugello the race I've been waiting all year for and I'm glad it's finally here.

GO!!!!!!! #46

[madvlad]

Fucking A man, great race by Dovi and Petrux happy for them. Good placement for Rossi too, salvaging some points granted I'm sure he was hurting bad towards the end there cause he dropped way off. Pretty good race overall.

[VryfastRR]

Great race!!! That start was nuts but the power on the straight from the Ducatis was unmatchable. Great tribute to Nicky.

[The Black Knight]

Very good race!! Congrats to Dovi, that couldn't have happened to a nicer guy in the paddock. He finally got that elusive dry win and he did it in Mugello no less!!

I was laughing hard at the Pedrosa/Crutchlow incident. Dani is trying to apologize and there's Crutchlow being Crutchlow shoving a middle finger in his face. Just confirms that guys a real dick.

The start of the race was intense and thought we might actually get that the whole race, then it settled down into normal pace. Have to say that was a real crappy from Rossi, can't even get on the podium in his home race. Lost the final position to last year's Ducati. Someone needs to pull him aside and let him know that he needs to sell his motocross stuff. If that really is what held him up(his physical condition or lack thereof), then he needs to stop riding dirt. Anyone whose ever ridden dirt will tell you that it's a young man's sport and he needs to stop. Sure riding trails and having some offroad fun is one thing but leave the competition stuff to the McGrath's, Stewart's, and Carmichael's of the world.

Then again, I think it has more to do with mindset than physical condition. He's failed to win a race now for some 17 races. I mean Dovi won a race this year before Rossi. Time to hang that sh*t up....

Congrats to Dovi

[madvlad]

Actually Petrux has the GP17, Redding is the one that has the 16 along with Bautista. I wouldn't say hang it up just yet, he showed pace even with his injury given it was a core related one that affects you very hard mainly under braking on that main straight. He's only 30 points behind which is not the end of the world, not scoring last race is what killed him. Dirt accidents happen as training is necessary mainly if he wants to keep up with these younger and faster riders. I think he did very well today considering the shape he's in.

That tribute to Hayden brought tears to my eyes man, love being part of the 2 wheel community and wouldn't have it any other way.

[The Black Knight]

Actually Petrux has the GP17, Redding is the one that has the 16 along with Bautista. I wouldn't say hang it up just yet, he showed pace even with his injury given it was a core related one that affects you very hard mainly under braking on that main straight. He's only 30 points behind which is not the end of the world, not scoring last race is what killed him. Dirt accidents happen as training is necessary mainly if he wants to keep up with these younger and faster riders. I think he did very well today considering the shape he's in.

That tribute to Hayden brought tears to my eyes man, love being part of the 2 wheel community and wouldn't have it any other way.

My bad, had the two mixed up on the Pramac machines.

The thing is man, even with the pace he had. It still wasn't the greatest. I can't believe I'm going to use a Lorenzo reference but take Assen 2013. That guy had just broke his collarbone and still managed 5th place(with a fresh broken collarbone!!). Rossi takes some hard knocks to the thoracic area and all of a sudden that is the reason he can't place higher than 4th?? Like I say, I had high hopes for him based on this FP3 and FP4 times. Going by his FP times one would have bet on him to fight for the win or at least podium. Dude didn't have a sniff of the podium today.

I want him to win more than anyone but man watching some of these races this year is getting embarrassing. Le Mans was a great race and his best this season. He had the killer instinct, just screwed up on the last lap. Today's race has been like most of them though. Kind of fast but you can tell he's not with it.

And I know, everyone else behind should be embarrassed, I know the whole routine. Yes he's fast but if the guy can't start winning races then he might as well be a 100 points down. He ain't getting it done. He's getting schooled by his new teammate and just about everyone else.

I don't know what his problem is this year but he better pull his head out if he wants even a sniff of this year's championship.

[texlurch]

And I know, everyone else behind should be embarrassed, I know the whole routine. Yes he's fast but if the guy can't start winning races then he might as well be a 100 points down. He ain't getting it done. He's getting schooled by his new teammate and just about everyone else.

"just about everyone else" in what way? He is currently 3rd in the championship, which best I can figure is ahead of "just about everyone else".

So you are saying if he isn't winning every race he should hang it up? Where does that put the rest of the field, many of whom have never won or even placed on the podium?? Marquez has really sucked balls this year... he should for sure retire now; we are not gonna even mention Jorge... jeeeezz.

[The Black Knight]

"just about everyone else" in what way? He is currently 3rd in the championship, which best I can figure is ahead of "just about everyone else".

So you are saying if he isn't winning every race he should hang it up? Where does that put the rest of the field, many of whom have never won or even placed on the podium?? Marquez has really sucked balls this year... he should for sure retire now; we are not gonna even mention Jorge... jeeeezz.

The comment above has more to do with stuff I read over on Crash.net all the time about how Rossi should retire, but then people will say that everyone finishing behind him should retire as well. It's hard to understand what I was conveying over the internet. What I meant was, I've heard it all about what people will say in defense of Rossi. I was one of those people, but I'm starting to change and not be "that guy" anymore. I can't defend someone that is losing so much this year.

You mention Marquez and Lorenzo. Well Marquez and Lorenzo have both won championships in this decade. Rossi hasn't won a championship since '09!! That's right dude, 8... long... ass... years since he's stood at the top.

The other thing is Pedrosa, Marquez, Vinales and Dovi have all won this year(don't really care if Lorenzo ever wins again). But it's going to be 18 races once we arrive in Catalunya since Rossi won a race.

So to your comment that since everyone finishes behind him should they also retire. No, not at all. No one should retire based on their placings and this also includes Rossi. Rossi is still fast and competitive, he's just podium competitive and not "race win" competitive. Which is lame as hell, I want to see him winning races not settling for 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th. Sometimes yes, everyone has to settle for the position they are in. However, Rossi has to settle for those positions because he can't even get a sniff of 1st place. Everyone else that have won, belong in the club they are in for this year. They have all demonstrated their ability to ride to the ragged edge/tip of the spear and win. Rossi has shown that when he rides on the ragged edge, he goes down.

Again, preaching the choir here man. I'm the biggest Rossi fan here. It's always been a running joke with how much of a Rossi fan I am. However, I used to defend the guy and try and explain what has happened in races in the past. No more, I'm tired of that, he just flat out sucks this year and that's how I see it. 2014, 2015 and 2016 Rossi rode well, was fast, competitive and won races. He showed why he belonged at the tip of the spear.

And yes, Rossi has finished in 2nd the last three years in the championship. That's a great achievement and very admirable, especially for a 38 year old racer. However, the harsh reality is 2nd place is the 1st LOSER!! in any championship. It's time for Rossi to go big, or go home. He needs to keep his ass on the porch, because the big dogs are just to fast to run with anymore....