VTRsurfer

I heard that Ben Spies is going to take Capirosi's place in next weeks MotoGP.

kevink2

Go Ben! I heard he is on for Assen as well!

VTRsurfer

Yeah, he seems like a good guy, unlike his partner, Mladin.
Just to bad he doesn't ride a Honda.

haknslash

I heard something of this as well. I like Ben Spies and yes, I wished he rode on a Honda! I've talked with him at Barber last year in the paddock and he seems like a great guy.

Go Spies Go! I wish him the best of luck!

kevink2

I actually met and spoke with Mat on a day when he wasn't racing. I was intimidated, because of what I'd heard about him. However, he turned out to be very personable, and quite willing to chat, and subsequently sign an autograph. I believe he is a very intense racer and competitor, and is not afraid to use mind games with other racers, and also speak his mind with the media. But away from the track he seemed pretty amazingly cool.

I've also heard bad personal encounter stories about Spies, DuHamel, Hodgson, etc. Not sure how true they are, but I think most top level racers are very intense, and perhaps egotistical a-holes at times. I think it goes along with going fast and the self-belief that they can beat anyone and win. What's that saying- Nice guys finish last?

VTRsurfer

Next weeks race is at Donington in England.
It will be interesting to see how the larger Spies will do on the smaller 880 against the Munchkins... Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner, etc. Since going to the smaller bikes last year, it seems the smaller riders have had the edge.

Nicky Haden, a more average size guy, has struggled on the 880.

VTRsurfer

Regardless of whether he is a nice guy or not, there is no denying Mladin's talent.

My two favorite racers personally are Nicky and Jake Zemke. Hopefully Jake will be able to advance back into a higher series after this season.

comedo

Rossi is 182 cm. or about 5' 11". A bit tall for a munchkin.

VTRsurfer

I have no love at all for Rossi. I don't care how tall he is or how well he rides. He's an arrogant little twit who looks and sounds like a marionette.

VTRsurfer

Actually that's kind of scary, like when 20 years ago I learned that Boy George was 6'4".
Yikes!

haknslash

Rossi is arrogant but given his talent level, success, age, etc... it's undertandable I guess. I will admit I felt bummed for a bit when he left Honda. But now I still enjoy seeing #46 race no matter who he rides for. The guy has skill. And yeah he talks very funny .

VTRsurfer

But he talks "very very fast".

Go Ben!

swordfish

rossi might be arrogant, and have a high voice, but so what? he's the GOAT! acknowledged by his peers. I wish he still rode for honda too, but that fact is, he could ride around in a dress and a viking helmet if he wants. like him or not he is the best the sport has ever seen. who has more of a right to be arrogant than him?

Laynout

I have watched just about every MotoGP race over the last four years. Watching these guys is part of what inspired me to get my SuperHawk. I have found Rossi to be very humble in post race interviews. He gives credit to the other riders for a good battle, compliments his team and gives his equipment praise. He doesn't seem overly arrogant, however, this is the only time I see him speak and ride is at the race track.

I always root for Nicky and Colin. Colin has quaified great this year but disappears after a few laps and the few times Nicky has ridden well he falls off the back of the lead pack. It will be great to see Ben get out there and battle with these guys, I only hope he has competititve equipment and can truely show his talent.

Moto Man

I actually met Rossi after the 2005 MotoGP at Laguna and he was anything but arrogant. He was very laid back and slow speaking actually. It's only after the race that he talks like a typical excited Italian (ehhh... berry berry fasta).

Most of the racers I have had the chance to talk to have been very cool. I talked to Spies last year at Laguna and he was a really nice guy too.

VTRsurfer

There's no denying Rossi's talent, but I'd just like to see someone else win once in a while. The same with Mladin in AMA. It seems Spies may be moving up from AMA.

As for Humble champions, there's Freddie Spencer at the top of my list.