Mind those Bollocks Wosi
You were up late Wosi - tiredness does funny things to your sense of perspective...
The hysteria, as you call it, comes from people like Buel who will claim not be a fan of Rossi but go to any lengths to try and demonstrate that he surpasses everyone, from any discipline, in ability. The F1 references being an example. The circumstances conveniently overlooked, just the bare headline - Rossi breaks lap record. When the true circumstances are pointed out, the usual accusations fly about Rossi hating, no respect etc etc etc.
Same as the claims over the 2004 Yamaha. When the truth is voiced to put it in perspective, the tantrums and accusations fly again.
Fact is, Rossi is a top drawer racer who is capable of going very quickly on a capable bike. The Ducati period however, has shown that he does not possess the all round ability that he has been lauded for throughout his Yamaha and Honda days. It has shown he needs a bike just how he likes it in order to go quickly. If it isn't he can't adapt. It has also shown that he and JB are not able to administer 'magic fixes' with set-up, as has been relentlessly purveyed by pundits and fans alike over the years, as no matter what they tried, there was no improvement. Proof in itself. It has also shown that he does not give anything extra in terms of feedback that other riders give. Like any of them, he is reliant upon the factory responding to the feedback and as with previous riders, Ducati so far haven't done so (obviously subjective point) 18 months of Rossi feedback and only a few weeks ago he denounced the current bike as no different from the GP11. As usual though, when the bike is good it is Rossi's doing, when the bike isn't it is the factory's doing.
The above will no doubt be regarded as a lack of respect and 'detracting' and 'hating' again, but it is simply a statement of fact.
You mention Wosi, that his popularity trancends the sport (so what) and ask why there are so many supporters in the crowd and where did they come from - 'are they imported know-nothing race fans that will disappear when he's finished'. Weren't you one of those who said he has brought the sport to thousands of new fans because of his status outside the sport by raising the profile of Motogp? So yes, in all probablity, they will disappear when he's finished, just as they disappeared from Misano last year when they realised he wasn't going to win.
People can accept what a good rider he is without liking him or being a fan. What they don't like is the ego and the falseness of the persona, the myth that was created which he also bought into. The bigger than the sport attitude. The crap peddled about how he alone created winning bikes. The 'we found a good set-up in morning warm up' line when it was Michelin delivering special tyres that found the extra speed. Dishonesty.
The hysetria you mention is from his more radical fans desperately trying to cling to his glory days with constant references to records and achievements. The here and now is the reality and that is what hurts most. The fact that he went to Ducati believing he could set the bike up better than Stoner and win the championship. He believed he was better and he wasn't. That is what really bites into the nerves of his fanatics and those nerves will stay raw for a long time, especially if the hated Stoner achieves more success.
If he had been a little more gracious towards his competitors and employers over the years, this discussion would never have taken place.
