MOTOGP » Rossi 2008: The numbers

Laterrus - what a good post! Yep, it's head-to-head in fair competition that proves the best. So - looking at Stoner vs. Rossi, both on factory bikes, i.e. 2007 and 2008:

Rossi has won a total of 13 races and made 614 points. Stoner has won a total of 16 races and made 647 points. Rossi came 3rd and 1st in the WC standings, Stoner 1st and 2nd.

Your point is well taken.

Hi LT! There isn't space to go into these debates properly within 1 post, which often leads to misunderstandings & more argument. Even if they were on the same bikes it could be argued one suited the style of a certain rider more etc. They're both great riders, but Stoner has yet to prove he's the equal of Rossi, IMHO. The Ducati was much faster and on better rubber last year, but this year has proved what a fantastic job Stoner did/does to get it to lap quickly too. People can disagree or not as they like, there isn't a definitive answer, and probably never will be. Stoner might face and beat another equal to Rossi in future.

Thanks Fromage. Keep in mind that Rossi had trouble ALL year with his bike and tires in 2007 and despite all of this, he was still Stoner's biggest rival most of the year. Someone wrote earlier that Stoner and Pedrosa couldn't overcome a 4-5kmph top speed deficit like Rossi can and I agree 100%. Stoner has more wins than Rossi over the last two years but, had Rossi's entire package work as good as Stoner's has over the last two years, I'm certain those stats wouldn't be the same. Rossi is pure class and when his bike and tires are working properly, he's a one man train that is RARELY stopped! GOOOOO ROSSI!

P.S. The point of the post was really to say that the reason I support Rossi isn't because of his record. The rest was hypothetical. After the previous two seasons I could even say I was just following Bob's advice and was merely supporting an underdog. Even if Stoner could be proven to be the better rider in the future, I'd still be following his advice because I'd still support Rossi. I've followed his career since 125s when I was in Italy.

Obviously you can say "Black isn't the same as white", or "My favourite colour is red", and some people will still disagree with you here!

Well, Laterrus,let's see how your comment that 'had Rossi's package been as good as Stoner's over the last two years' stacks up.

Ducati in 2007: 1,7,10,13: 'average position': 8th (rounded up). Yam: 3, 9, 16, 18 = 12th (rounded up) . Ducati obviously better.

Yam in 2008: 1,4,7,11: 6th (rounded up) Duc: 2,12,13,17: 11th (rounded up) Yam obviously better - and better than Duc in 2007. The second best Duc rider in 2008 was lower than the 4th Yam rider!

Enjoy Rossi's win - I do - but at least have the grace and sense to admit Stoner's ability, as Rossi does.

In my opinion the 2008 M1 was hands down the best "overall" bike on the grid despite lacking the straight-line grunt the Ducati has. The 2007 M1 seemed alot worse than the 2008 version. At least it seems so to the naked eye. The 2007 and 2008 Ducatis have been very reliable and aggressive in the power department and that has really played into Stoners hand. Could Stoner have mustarded up a season as good as Rossi's 2007 season on a bike with all the problems Rossi had? I think not. STONER'S A FANTASTIC RIDER no doubt BUT, when things are closer to equal like this year, Rossi shines like no one else. If Stoner is going to break any of Rossi's records, it'll be after Rossi's loooong gone.

Laterrus - A very fair appreciation, and yes, I agree that Rossi is the master - of that there is no question - while Stoner is the apprentice. Put the two of them on identical bikes and Rossi would win at least 7 out of 10 times. My point is not that Rossi isn't the best racer in the current pack, just that Stoner is the closest consistent competition we have seen to Rossi ON A GOOD BIKE since at least 2003. Hayden won through consistency and just enough bad luck (and a lack of focus) for Rossi in 2006. Lorenzo, Dovisioso, Hayden and perhaps Pedrosa may all win races in 2009 but the rider Rossi knows - and is targeting - to beat is Stoner. And iot could just be mega..

I also heard Elias and ginters and marco were told to try and slow rossi in qualifing so stoner has a chance to get away at the start of races. le mans 2008......... ducati ducati boo yaa. ducati ducati blew up.

there are lies, damn lies, and statistics, eh fromage??... the stoner fans on here are baffling, in any other sport you just enjoy your favorite and get on with it, where as the stoner fans spend their whole time trying to tell everyone to like stoner, wrongly assuming that if you like a rider, by default you don't like any other riders.. You can get called rotten for saying rossi is great if you don:t also say Stoner is great in the same sentence..plain weird...To say Casey had a great year when he went from miles infront of everyone to losing and the winner hitting a new points record is called denial..