Rossi: “The race today was so boring that I almost fell off at Doohan corner to give some excitement!”
We stirred up a bit of criticism recently with our assertation that the 800cc era has produced the most boring MotoGP racing in at least a decade - but it seems we’ve got some high profile support in our conclusions.
Eight time world champ Valentino Rossi unleashed a very direct salvo to reporters after the season curtain closer at Valencia:
“I sincerely believe today has been the most boring race of the year. Unfortunately each of us had his pace and instead of closing up we just got farther apart. It has been two years now since there has been a last-lap overtaking for the lead and that is worrying for our championship and for motorcycle racing.
“I can speak now that I am World Champion again, because if I had spoken out about this last year people would have said that I was saying this because I had lost. The difference is this year we whipped them all good. Look, I don’t know if the single tire rule is the correct answer to resolve this problem. Maybe there are other ways. I believe the electronics on our bikes are too sophisticated; development goes on and on and this means that the situation can get even worse.
“But it is evident that since the arrival of the 800cc bikes the races are more boring than with the 990s, although it is also true that this circuit (Valencia) does not contribute to close racing. I hope future circuits are not designed like this one.”
Rossi also praised the rough-and-tumble World Superbike series for the exciting racing it produces: “I really like to watch Superbike a lot because they’re battling and I love a good fight. But this is the F1 of motorcycle racing where they work more in new technology, and so it is normal that we have it like this. With the Superbikes you have to ride another way — it doesn’t work to be smooth like here, what counts is control of the bike…courage!”
Catch the full interview on SpeedTV.com
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November 3rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I thought Laguna Seca was a very good race. But I agree with Rossi’s comment that WSB is fun to watch. They have the most exciting races anywhere. Living here in the United States our AMA Superbike has been so boring. Only one brand win’s and it’s a coin toss for either Maladin or Spees. Next year I will skip Daytona and fly to Utah for the Miller speedway WSB race.