Huh? Rossi hasn't ridden at all this year since the opening round isn't until April 10th at Jerez.
In 2004, Rossi won on the Yamaha because they made it more user-friendly and he didn't have to push as hard. That allowed him to work less and put pressure on other guys to make mistakes. When they did, he passed them and away he went. The year prior, he was on the Honda, the best bike in the paddock, and simply ran away with it. The Yamaha was clearly the underdog bike and it was a combination of Rossi's skills and his understanding of racecraft that ended up in Yamaha's first World Championship in 12 years. But don't take my word for it, read Rossi's interview in the January 9, 2005 issue of Cycle News.
Rossi, much like Bubba, has got superior skills to everyone in the paddock (perhaps even RC). But unlike Bubba, Rossi's also the shrewdest tactician in the paddock. Rossi is wise beyond his 24 years. Bubba still rides like the 19 year-old kid he is: all balls and little brains. While "win it or bin it" is popular with the crowd, it rarely yields as many championships as smart racing and risk management. And yes, it can be hard to back it down a touch, but you've got to know when you need to attack with reckless abandon and when you need to temper your enthusiasm and bring the bike home upright.
In 2004, Rossi won on the Yamaha because they made it more user-friendly and he didn't have to push as hard. That allowed him to work less and put pressure on other guys to make mistakes. When they did, he passed them and away he went. The year prior, he was on the Honda, the best bike in the paddock, and simply ran away with it. The Yamaha was clearly the underdog bike and it was a combination of Rossi's skills and his understanding of racecraft that ended up in Yamaha's first World Championship in 12 years. But don't take my word for it, read Rossi's interview in the January 9, 2005 issue of Cycle News.
Rossi, much like Bubba, has got superior skills to everyone in the paddock (perhaps even RC). But unlike Bubba, Rossi's also the shrewdest tactician in the paddock. Rossi is wise beyond his 24 years. Bubba still rides like the 19 year-old kid he is: all balls and little brains. While "win it or bin it" is popular with the crowd, it rarely yields as many championships as smart racing and risk management. And yes, it can be hard to back it down a touch, but you've got to know when you need to attack with reckless abandon and when you need to temper your enthusiasm and bring the bike home upright.
