MOTOGP » The 2008 was not here...

Morgue makes a good point in that Rossi's relationship with Michelin has probably been souring for a while.

Maybe part of Valentino's move to Bridgestone comes not only from wanting to be more competitive (he won more races than anyone who wasn't Stoner in 2007), but needing some sort of outside stimulus to motivate himself. He's the only Yamaha rider on Bridgestones next season, plus he's never ridden on the tires - that represents a major challenge. But not too risky a move.

I remember an interview with Wayne Rainey where he said something to the effect of "if Rossi really wanted a challenge then he'd switch to Dunlops." This was at the time of his exit from Honda to Yamaha.

I think Bridgestone have steadily been chipping away at it in the past years,
they were already very good in 2006, remember Loris Capirossi held the lead for quite some time (until the crash at Barcelona)
the tyre rule change helped them greatly though, that's why it looks like a leap.

Like Dirk, agree that its not too risky a move;
depends how you want to see it...the ones that have cultural obligations would like to see it being risky, a lost - the - plot move; but they are not really actively involved ever in being able to know at all.
same applies for me - i have no knowledge especially not from experience about tyres.
but it doesnt take a scientist to appreciate rossi's understanding and making decisions from it about anything; always a clear decision-maker;
i do see the challenge in it as well and thats all what real legends dare jump into.
that is what makes racing NOT boring!
all of us have witnessed last season what does.

to help the understanding of "boring" without using the dictionary - i would describe it : lack of variety, certainty, predictability.
the same-old - same-old going on
for example - posh spice's face on every magazine - always the same
afraid to make a mistake in front of the photographers - so has to use the well trained in front of the mirror 5000 x a day facial expression. nothing else exists.

back to posh: the image that the public is supposed to perceive becomes more important than what she actually does in her life.
and there are some people out there - that we like and that dont really do what they do - because they are supposed to look good in front of the fans looking at them. thise kind of people do what they love regardless and they do it, not just talk about it. or practice satisfying someone else, parents, wifes etc.
the more they do it - the more in depth knowledge and experience they get and very happy to share the passion with their fans and not keep it to themselves.
rossi is a very giving person - he would love if most ppl would understand what he does

Great stuff Gina, as ever
btw I see that Australia is heading in the right direction, new government, raticifation of the Kyoto treaty,
Pete Garett (Midnight Oil) as minister of environmental issues, not bad
maybe we won't go to the dogs after all (allthough I love dogs), can somebody put out the lights at Qatar?

What you really need in Australia is Angus Young as PM.

I bet he'd tell those F1 boys not to mess with Philip Island, or else.

That's a bit difficult, he lives in Holland now (fell in love with a Dutch girl)

great to see you ( and learn from ) you too Morgue.
looks like the bones are happy and getting ready and well warmed up at the monza rally

Yes, he's taking his family and friends along, the flame is burning,
I have a feeling beautiful things can happen