Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Motogp be almost here
AHHHHHHHH! ITS ALMOST HERE AND MARQUEZ IS GONNA KICK MORE ASS! CANT MISS THE TESTING WATCH IT FELLAS!
Sunday, 16 February 2014
Ben bostrom respect to tommy aquino
Ben Bostrom Remembers Tommy Aquino
by ben bostrom
Saturday, February 15, 2014
It's so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.
-- John Steinbeck
The above quote seems very fitting and describes so well what Tommy has brought into my life and the lives of those in our racing paddock.
When I met Tommy for the first time I saw a reflection of myself: a naive, shy kid that the world would use as food if he did not toughen up a bit. Chuck Graves had come to me asking if I wanted to help a young kid needing a leather sponsor. I figured he knew I was soft when it came to kids and would say yes. But my first day with Tommy secured the fact that Chuck had found me a lifelong friend and protege.
At the time, I did not have the understanding to help others and not expect anything in return. It happened by accident on several occasions, and since, has taught me that "to give for the sake of giving, has a life of its own, an elevated one," far greater than any return.
So, for 16-year-old Tommy, lesson one would be to train. Daytona was approaching and getting down to "race weight" was a new concept for this hamburger-eating kid. It was time Tommy met his new friend, the bicycle. I still laugh at all the rides and "bonk sessions" we had. So many photos of Tommy putting himself "in the box" or "the pain cave" on that suffer device and being so proud of him for finding that place over and over again. Day one had us departing Newbury Park bike shop and riding to Graves Motor Sports in the valley. About 3 hours on the bicycle, with no real route laid out, a typical "Ben" ride. This was going to be a long day for a newbie learning to clip in for the first time on this strange bike. Well, it took us four and a half hours. It was dark when we arrived, and the whole Graves and factory Yamaha teams were waiting on us to do Daytona 200 pit stop tests. I felt horrible. As Yamaha's new rider, this was no way to make a first impression and certainly no way to put Tommy in their good graces as a future rider. In typical Tommy fashion though, exhausted from the ride, he just wore a smile that said, "We were on an epic and did our best to get here." Not one person could argue with the look on his face. Keith McCarty came over, put his hand on my shoulder, leaned in close, and in comforting voice said, "don't worry about it". That just backed up the theory of helping others ten fold.
Since that day Tommy has been on a handful of crazy adventures with our small crew. From weeks in Italy with the boys, to Belgium super moto adventures racing alongside our motocross heroes, Tommy had the ability to make everyone smile in the worst of times. We would always get the biggest laughs at his forgetfulness and ability to laugh off even the worse situation. When Tommy, Chris Clark, and I returned home from our Italian bromance, Tommy realized he had left his camera in Italy. Well, now I know what a blessing it was. Our Italian family friends, found the camera, sent it back, along with an oversized photo book they had made with all the pictures from our adventure. That book makes me laugh and cry at the same time. Being forgetful is not so bad. I think each of Tommy's friends have at least one article of clothing from him that he had left at their house.
Tommy never lost that shyness and that is what made him so special. It showed on the racetrack, though. Riders would take advantage of that, knowing Tommy would not close the door or force a pass that would endanger both of them. He would just settle into the position behind or get shuffled back several spots and accept it. Tommy was a kid with more talent than most, and was probably starting from pole position, but he had not been born with the selfishness that racing requires. I would preach to him the importance of aggressiveness and staying quiet at the track before races, quite hypocritical of me really. So there would be Tommy, always smiling, camera in one hand, iPhone in the other, socializing and laughing around the paddock. This is how most of us remember him and why that Steinbeck quote is so fitting.
Parent in training usually starts with a pet. Gain some experience before you tackle the ultimate attainment in life, parenting. I have to tell you that I was under the impression that I had learned enough from my two boys, Jack and Oliver, and now I was ready to be the teacher. Every day my dogs watched me closely, studying my mood and never judging me for my actions, just there to share time and make the house a happy environment. Since I did not have a human son, I never even noticed that I had taken to Tommy as my son, just trying to teach him some of the lesson I have learned in life, didn't want to see him make the mistakes I had made. It hit me this year that I may have been trying to teach him, but I being taught just as much. It has bettered me as a person and has taught me the importance of keeping a young mind. Never take failure or tragedy in a negative way. It is through those moments that we become better people.
The loss of Tommy has hit me harder than anyone I have ever lost to death. Maybe it is because he looked up to me so much, or maybe because we were so similar. I realize now that he was my teacher just as much as I was his. The parenting definition should include: we are just here as a guide and lucky enough to have these new people in our life to share moments with.
Tommy gave me a small fir tree to plant in my yard the last time he stayed over, just two weeks before his death. I thought this was a funny gift because he had called me over Christmas, embarrassed that a mutual friend had run into him while he was working at the Christmas tree lot. I was proud of him and I reminded him that I was a janitor, from 10pm-3am during the week in high school. A few days later Jeremy McGrath backed it up with a comment on Instagram, reminds me of when I worked on a Christmas tree lot. Of all gifts to give before you go, a fir tree, the symbol of immortality and remembrance.
Every year I change backpacks and switch over only a few items that are important: Advil, International drivers license, cell phone charger, etc. Then I add a Mechanix Wear glove that is special to me, and Tommy's bracelet that he had given me during his rookie season, #6. I have always understood the Mechanix Wear glove; keep it as a reminder of how thankful I am to have Nikki in my life. The Tommy bracelet has always been a mystery to me because I do not keep any trinkets from other friends. Now I understand that one too.
The day after Tommy died, I took a ride on my bike to cry alone and to ride as high up a mountain as possible to be closer to Tommy. As I rode, the great moments we had shared flooded my mind. I lost track of time, and the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen set in on Vegas. I marveled at this beauty and said goodbye to the happiest guy the paddock has ever known. Pulling into my garage, I stopped my Garmin and looked down at the screen. Yep, 31 miles. So strange. Plugged in the Garmin to Strava to log in my farewell ride with Magnum Rogers and noticed the same thing had happened to my friend Sean who had titled his ride 31 for #31. Some things in life are inexplicable and require no explanation.
My last text from Tommy read, I'm off to England on the 11th for 10 days to launch the team, then I want to come out and hit some Vegas adventures before I ship off for good. My reply, Lets hope you're not shipping off for good. Typical Tommy in his reply, Yeah, I guess so, LOL, got an Instagram pic coming your way.
It was his last Insta pic. A big hamburger he had just eaten, with the words, @BenBostrom...I'm sorry. So, I scrolled thru his pictures until I arrived at his very first post from a few years ago: a picture of Tommy and my shadow pointing up to the heavens with the simple words. My photographer's shadow is pointing to where it's at.
Miss and love you brother! #BesideYouInTime
-- Your Photographer
It's so strange how life works: You want something and you wait and wait and feel like it's taking forever to come. Then it happens and it's over and all you want to do is curl back up in that moment before things changed. -- Lauren Oliver, Delirium
ENDS
by ben bostrom
Saturday, February 15, 2014
| Ghent, Belgium 2011 We pretended to be in a rock band called the "Lamb Gods". One of many LG pics that week. image thanks: 155 |
|---|
-- John Steinbeck
The above quote seems very fitting and describes so well what Tommy has brought into my life and the lives of those in our racing paddock.
When I met Tommy for the first time I saw a reflection of myself: a naive, shy kid that the world would use as food if he did not toughen up a bit. Chuck Graves had come to me asking if I wanted to help a young kid needing a leather sponsor. I figured he knew I was soft when it came to kids and would say yes. But my first day with Tommy secured the fact that Chuck had found me a lifelong friend and protege.
At the time, I did not have the understanding to help others and not expect anything in return. It happened by accident on several occasions, and since, has taught me that "to give for the sake of giving, has a life of its own, an elevated one," far greater than any return.
So, for 16-year-old Tommy, lesson one would be to train. Daytona was approaching and getting down to "race weight" was a new concept for this hamburger-eating kid. It was time Tommy met his new friend, the bicycle. I still laugh at all the rides and "bonk sessions" we had. So many photos of Tommy putting himself "in the box" or "the pain cave" on that suffer device and being so proud of him for finding that place over and over again. Day one had us departing Newbury Park bike shop and riding to Graves Motor Sports in the valley. About 3 hours on the bicycle, with no real route laid out, a typical "Ben" ride. This was going to be a long day for a newbie learning to clip in for the first time on this strange bike. Well, it took us four and a half hours. It was dark when we arrived, and the whole Graves and factory Yamaha teams were waiting on us to do Daytona 200 pit stop tests. I felt horrible. As Yamaha's new rider, this was no way to make a first impression and certainly no way to put Tommy in their good graces as a future rider. In typical Tommy fashion though, exhausted from the ride, he just wore a smile that said, "We were on an epic and did our best to get here." Not one person could argue with the look on his face. Keith McCarty came over, put his hand on my shoulder, leaned in close, and in comforting voice said, "don't worry about it". That just backed up the theory of helping others ten fold.
| Vail Lake 12 hour Mountain Bike race January 18, 2014. BB, Tristan Schoenwald and Tommy. My last photo with my buddy Tommy. image thanks: 155 |
|---|
| Mettet, Belgium super biker race. 40 degrees. Raining. Still smiling! Good, and wet, times. image thanks: 155 |
|---|
Parent in training usually starts with a pet. Gain some experience before you tackle the ultimate attainment in life, parenting. I have to tell you that I was under the impression that I had learned enough from my two boys, Jack and Oliver, and now I was ready to be the teacher. Every day my dogs watched me closely, studying my mood and never judging me for my actions, just there to share time and make the house a happy environment. Since I did not have a human son, I never even noticed that I had taken to Tommy as my son, just trying to teach him some of the lesson I have learned in life, didn't want to see him make the mistakes I had made. It hit me this year that I may have been trying to teach him, but I being taught just as much. It has bettered me as a person and has taught me the importance of keeping a young mind. Never take failure or tragedy in a negative way. It is through those moments that we become better people.
| The day after Tommy died, I took a ride on my bike to cry alone and to ride as high up a mountain as possible to be closer to Tommy. |
Tommy gave me a small fir tree to plant in my yard the last time he stayed over, just two weeks before his death. I thought this was a funny gift because he had called me over Christmas, embarrassed that a mutual friend had run into him while he was working at the Christmas tree lot. I was proud of him and I reminded him that I was a janitor, from 10pm-3am during the week in high school. A few days later Jeremy McGrath backed it up with a comment on Instagram, reminds me of when I worked on a Christmas tree lot. Of all gifts to give before you go, a fir tree, the symbol of immortality and remembrance.
Every year I change backpacks and switch over only a few items that are important: Advil, International drivers license, cell phone charger, etc. Then I add a Mechanix Wear glove that is special to me, and Tommy's bracelet that he had given me during his rookie season, #6. I have always understood the Mechanix Wear glove; keep it as a reminder of how thankful I am to have Nikki in my life. The Tommy bracelet has always been a mystery to me because I do not keep any trinkets from other friends. Now I understand that one too.
| Last weekend at Vail Lake Fat Tire 50 in honor of Tommy. We had suckered him into doing the double the previous year. 50 miler saturday and the 25 milers XC sunday. ONLY Tommy did both...with a smile. image thanks: 155 |
|---|
My last text from Tommy read, I'm off to England on the 11th for 10 days to launch the team, then I want to come out and hit some Vegas adventures before I ship off for good. My reply, Lets hope you're not shipping off for good. Typical Tommy in his reply, Yeah, I guess so, LOL, got an Instagram pic coming your way.
It was his last Insta pic. A big hamburger he had just eaten, with the words, @BenBostrom...I'm sorry. So, I scrolled thru his pictures until I arrived at his very first post from a few years ago: a picture of Tommy and my shadow pointing up to the heavens with the simple words. My photographer's shadow is pointing to where it's at.
Miss and love you brother! #BesideYouInTime
-- Your Photographer
It's so strange how life works: You want something and you wait and wait and feel like it's taking forever to come. Then it happens and it's over and all you want to do is curl back up in that moment before things changed. -- Lauren Oliver, Delirium
ENDS
© 1997 - 2012 Hardscrabble Media LLC
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Rossis honour to Kenny roberts
Che spectacollo
"A magical night" is how last evening at the Indy Mile could best be described. So much of it was perfect that the night was more like a movie you were somehow transported into than a moment from the real and true world.
Mile dirt track racing transcends cool if done right, 120 mph racing on dirt with men and boys with their tin feet scraping on the ground. A Mile dirt track race at Indy—one of the most legendary dirt circuits in America—ups the intensity and cinematic level yet again. A Mile dirt track at Indy is worth whatever they want for admission at the gate.
Then add in Kenny Roberts.
In the middle of the paddock, Roberts and his usual clan of friends, cronies and hangers on sat at the end of a newer box van. There were, literally, forty or fifty people crowded around KR and THAT BIKE, all standing more or less in the dark, a single afterthought of a bulb lit the scene. Roberts was in the center, holding his own in seemingly a dozen simultaneous conversations at once.
After the heat races, then it was time to ride. Roberts had been training of late, lost some weight, but his ego and omnipresent confidence haven't ebbed a tenth since 1983. He was ready.
What transpired next was otherworldly. Roberts pulled on his leathers, and his crew pushed the bike to the trackside. Roberts' one-time dirt track rival, Mike Kidd, now in charge of DMG dirt track, waved his hand in the air, the crowd cleared and Roberts was pushed off. The bike crackled to life, Roberts throttling it, paddling a few feet forward. Then he was off, throttling the TZ engine as he entered the track.
The capacity crowd in the bleachers went bananas. It was an amazing thing to see—how many of these people were even alive when Roberts won his legendary race in 1975? Young, old, riders, fans, they all stood up and screamed as Roberts was introduced and then went out to make some laps.
Sort of like in 1975, Roberts wasn't in the mood for any grab ass, wheelies or waving to the crowd. He stood on it and accelerated hard into turn one, the TZ sounding healthy, if not a little soft. No matter, Roberts wailed the bike into turn one, put it into the soft outer section of the track and gave it the flick.
Simultaneously, thousands of learned eyes bulged and hearts momentarily stopped for a nanosecond—oh sh*t, he's done it now, that bike is going to flick him and hurt him. But, of course, Roberts jacked his body to one side, put his foot down and gassed it, the bike went beautifully sideways and he was in control of it all.
| After Roberts took his hot laps on the Indy Mile Yamaha, Rossi decided he'd rather watch. image by brian j nelson |
|---|
Mile dirt track racing transcends cool if done right, 120 mph racing on dirt with men and boys with their tin feet scraping on the ground. A Mile dirt track race at Indy—one of the most legendary dirt circuits in America—ups the intensity and cinematic level yet again. A Mile dirt track at Indy is worth whatever they want for admission at the gate.
Then add in Kenny Roberts.
In the middle of the paddock, Roberts and his usual clan of friends, cronies and hangers on sat at the end of a newer box van. There were, literally, forty or fifty people crowded around KR and THAT BIKE, all standing more or less in the dark, a single afterthought of a bulb lit the scene. Roberts was in the center, holding his own in seemingly a dozen simultaneous conversations at once.
After the heat races, then it was time to ride. Roberts had been training of late, lost some weight, but his ego and omnipresent confidence haven't ebbed a tenth since 1983. He was ready.
What transpired next was otherworldly. Roberts pulled on his leathers, and his crew pushed the bike to the trackside. Roberts' one-time dirt track rival, Mike Kidd, now in charge of DMG dirt track, waved his hand in the air, the crowd cleared and Roberts was pushed off. The bike crackled to life, Roberts throttling it, paddling a few feet forward. Then he was off, throttling the TZ engine as he entered the track.
| What transpired next was otherworldly. Roberts pulled on his leathers, and his crew pushed the bike to the trackside. Roberts' one-time dirt track rival, Mike Kidd, now in charge of DMG dirt track, waved his hand in the air, the crowd cleared and Roberts was pushed off. The bike crackled to life, Roberts throttling it, paddling a few feet forward. Then he was off, throttling the TZ engine as he entered the track. |
Sort of like in 1975, Roberts wasn't in the mood for any grab ass, wheelies or waving to the crowd. He stood on it and accelerated hard into turn one, the TZ sounding healthy, if not a little soft. No matter, Roberts wailed the bike into turn one, put it into the soft outer section of the track and gave it the flick.
Simultaneously, thousands of learned eyes bulged and hearts momentarily stopped for a nanosecond—oh sh*t, he's done it now, that bike is going to flick him and hurt him. But, of course, Roberts jacked his body to one side, put his foot down and gassed it, the bike went beautifully sideways and he was in control of it all.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
When Rossi could have won on the ducati
Valentino rossis move to Ducati was rough as he was already used to a differently handling bike.but if he had joined when Capirex joined he may have won a title
Thursday, 12 December 2013
Dorna must resist
So even though MotoGP hasn't changed its point system since 1993, there's no need for Grand Prix motorcycle racing to follow this foolish trend toward "ginning up" season-long points races with parlor tricks such as double points or "showdowns" or "chases."
The winner of the World Championship should be the rider who was the most consistent and dominant for the entire calendar, not just one or a few races. Period.
Critics always will counter that many North American pro and college stick-and-ball sports and NASCAR use postseason tournaments or playoffs to decide season champions.
Well, guess what kids? Grand Prix motorcycle racing ain't baseball. And thank God for that.
Soccer remains the world's most popular sport, and none of the top-flight European domestic leagues use playoffs to determine title winners. The team that accrues the most points during the season is champion. And in the World Cup, the winner of the final game in the group stages receives the same number of points as the winner in the first two group-stage games.
Simplicity works. Were MotoGP fans not entertained by the title battle this season between Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, settled by just four points? Did anyone consider Marquez an unworthy champion? Would it have been a bit unsavory to anyone that Marquez would have lost the title by five points to Lorenzo if double points were awarded at Valencia?
There's incredible hypocrisy in F1's decision to award double points in its season finale. Formula One Management - the commercial arm of the sport, run by Ecclestone - strains every fiber of its being to ensure that all aspects of every Grand Prix are homogenized and identical in every country the championship visits.
Manuals the width of an old Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedia volume are sent to every department of facilities that host F1 races, with explicit instructions to follow about every aspect of staging the event. The FOM manual even includes at what temperature the media center must be maintained - to the exact degree. No joke. Dorna exerts almost nearly as much control over MotoGP races.
So how does Abu Dhabi get elevated in importance over other F1 races, especially the series' crown jewel and high-glitz showcase at Monaco?
Should MotoGP ordain Valencia as more important than Assen or Mugello? Of course not.
Some years one rider dominates and coasts to the championship in a brilliant meteor shower. Other years feature a barroom brawl title race decided at the finale, such as this season or the 2006 battle between Nick Hayden and Valentino Rossi.
The Moto3 championship race came down to the final corner among three riders this season, without the adult diapers of double points or a "chase." But Pol Espargaro wrapped up the Moto2 title with a race to spare.
That's life. But no one can say the current points system produces an unworthy champion based on the merits of a season, not just one weekend.
Dorna and the FIM must resist becoming the latest domino to fall in this trend of artificial competition in global motor racing. Watching guys hang off prototype motorcycles at 210 mph with no roll cage or seat belt is the ultimate form of motorsport on the planet. It needs no confetti or "LOOK AT ME!" neon.
The winner of the World Championship should be the rider who was the most consistent and dominant for the entire calendar, not just one or a few races. Period.
Critics always will counter that many North American pro and college stick-and-ball sports and NASCAR use postseason tournaments or playoffs to decide season champions.
Well, guess what kids? Grand Prix motorcycle racing ain't baseball. And thank God for that.
Soccer remains the world's most popular sport, and none of the top-flight European domestic leagues use playoffs to determine title winners. The team that accrues the most points during the season is champion. And in the World Cup, the winner of the final game in the group stages receives the same number of points as the winner in the first two group-stage games.
Simplicity works. Were MotoGP fans not entertained by the title battle this season between Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, settled by just four points? Did anyone consider Marquez an unworthy champion? Would it have been a bit unsavory to anyone that Marquez would have lost the title by five points to Lorenzo if double points were awarded at Valencia?
There's incredible hypocrisy in F1's decision to award double points in its season finale. Formula One Management - the commercial arm of the sport, run by Ecclestone - strains every fiber of its being to ensure that all aspects of every Grand Prix are homogenized and identical in every country the championship visits.
Manuals the width of an old Funk and Wagnalls encyclopedia volume are sent to every department of facilities that host F1 races, with explicit instructions to follow about every aspect of staging the event. The FOM manual even includes at what temperature the media center must be maintained - to the exact degree. No joke. Dorna exerts almost nearly as much control over MotoGP races.
So how does Abu Dhabi get elevated in importance over other F1 races, especially the series' crown jewel and high-glitz showcase at Monaco?
Should MotoGP ordain Valencia as more important than Assen or Mugello? Of course not.
Some years one rider dominates and coasts to the championship in a brilliant meteor shower. Other years feature a barroom brawl title race decided at the finale, such as this season or the 2006 battle between Nick Hayden and Valentino Rossi.
The Moto3 championship race came down to the final corner among three riders this season, without the adult diapers of double points or a "chase." But Pol Espargaro wrapped up the Moto2 title with a race to spare.
That's life. But no one can say the current points system produces an unworthy champion based on the merits of a season, not just one weekend.
Dorna and the FIM must resist becoming the latest domino to fall in this trend of artificial competition in global motor racing. Watching guys hang off prototype motorcycles at 210 mph with no roll cage or seat belt is the ultimate form of motorsport on the planet. It needs no confetti or "LOOK AT ME!" neon.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Rossi pays respect to stoner
To see more visit superbikeplanet.com
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Here in the US, Rolling Stone magazine may be a shadow of its past as the journal of the counter-culture, but the Italian version of RS were able to coax some very candid comments from Valentino Rossi about former rival and fellow World Champion Casey Stoner.
Rolling Stone Italy is edited by longtime racing fan Michele Lupi. He is also a close personal friend of Rossi's.
Rossi was the subject of a recent interview in Rolling Stone, and he didn't hold back when praising and criticizing Stoner. Rossi was winless in two seasons with Ducati in 2011-12, while Stoner won 23 races and the 2007 world title in four seasons on Borgo Panigale from 2007-10.
"Stoner did an amazing job at Ducati," Rossi said in Rolling Stone. "When I looked back at his telemetry, I used to wonder how he achieved such times. I immediately realized the bike wasn't the best.
"I'm certain that, was Stoner to climb onto Dovizioso's Ducati tomorrow, he'd still manage to finish a race in sixth place. He used to ride in an incredible way. He's unique."
But Rossi doesn't miss the prickly and deeply distrustful of the opposition Stoner in the paddock, a sentiment shared by several other MotoGP riders.
"Do I miss him?" Rossi said. "On the track, yes. He has fantastic talent and was difficult to beat. But off the track, no, I don't miss him. Without him there is much better camaraderie between the riders."
Rossi also confirmed in the interview the paddock legend that he realized immediately he made a big mistake leaving Yamaha for Ducati during his first test on the Desmosedici in November 2010 at Valencia.
"The first time I rode the Ducati I was very surprised," Rossi said. "After three laps I thought, 'We're in the sh*t.' That was the time I needed to realize I had made a mistake. I had not had a chance to test the bike before signing the contract."
And The Doctor admitted he gave serious thought to terminating his contract with Ducati midway through his first season with the team.
"The problems were clear from the beginning," Rossi said "I just thought: 'OK. We will try to improve this bike. We work on it throughout the first half of the season.' But after 10 races began to realize that I was never going to win a race with it.
"Rumors about wanting to terminate the contract were true. There was absolutely no way I could do it. And that was good. It would have been a big mistake. It would have been too easy to say, 'I'm staying at home' when things were not going well. You should never give up."
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
| Rossi told the Italian version of Rolling Stone that he knew that the Ducati was doomed from the first ride. image by cush drive |
|---|
Rolling Stone Italy is edited by longtime racing fan Michele Lupi. He is also a close personal friend of Rossi's.
Rossi was the subject of a recent interview in Rolling Stone, and he didn't hold back when praising and criticizing Stoner. Rossi was winless in two seasons with Ducati in 2011-12, while Stoner won 23 races and the 2007 world title in four seasons on Borgo Panigale from 2007-10.
"Stoner did an amazing job at Ducati," Rossi said in Rolling Stone. "When I looked back at his telemetry, I used to wonder how he achieved such times. I immediately realized the bike wasn't the best.
"I'm certain that, was Stoner to climb onto Dovizioso's Ducati tomorrow, he'd still manage to finish a race in sixth place. He used to ride in an incredible way. He's unique."
But Rossi doesn't miss the prickly and deeply distrustful of the opposition Stoner in the paddock, a sentiment shared by several other MotoGP riders.
"Do I miss him?" Rossi said. "On the track, yes. He has fantastic talent and was difficult to beat. But off the track, no, I don't miss him. Without him there is much better camaraderie between the riders."
Rossi also confirmed in the interview the paddock legend that he realized immediately he made a big mistake leaving Yamaha for Ducati during his first test on the Desmosedici in November 2010 at Valencia.
"The first time I rode the Ducati I was very surprised," Rossi said. "After three laps I thought, 'We're in the sh*t.' That was the time I needed to realize I had made a mistake. I had not had a chance to test the bike before signing the contract."
And The Doctor admitted he gave serious thought to terminating his contract with Ducati midway through his first season with the team.
"The problems were clear from the beginning," Rossi said "I just thought: 'OK. We will try to improve this bike. We work on it throughout the first half of the season.' But after 10 races began to realize that I was never going to win a race with it.
"Rumors about wanting to terminate the contract were true. There was absolutely no way I could do it. And that was good. It would have been a big mistake. It would have been too easy to say, 'I'm staying at home' when things were not going well. You should never give up."
Saturday, 30 November 2013
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