I am a fan but isn't Valentino being just a bit arrogant at present ?

Question

I refer to comments regarding considering a move to Ducati or Honda if the 2008 Yamaha isn't competitive.

After all it could be that Ducati and Honda are content with the riders they have.

Answer 1

No I don't feel it is arrogant as such. He is still the number one rider in the world and he is bringing everything to the party as far as a rider can. Listen to Jerry Burgess when it comes to that and he is a man who does not suffer fools or prima donnas. Vale is meeting his end of the deal and he is quite entitled to ask he same from Yamaha. However it is also a bit of publicity and gamesmanship I think on his behalf.

As for Honda and Ducati being happy with their riders that is more or less true I am sure BUT there is not a single team in the world who would not snap up Valentino Rossi if they could. A manufacturer can make more bikes, the world can not provide another Rossi right now. That is no disrespect to Casey Stoner and the others but they all have a long way to go before they can even get close to equalling Vale's achievements and he still not 30.

Answer 2

Arrogant? No... Everything else but not this. If you have watched the last season you would have noticed that Yamaha didn't do a good job. They often had problems with the bike. So Rossi is right to want a better bike! As for he moving to Ducati or Honda, I don't think he would do that. Not the Repsol Honda team. I have read his book and in many places he said that one of the reasons to move to Yamaha is because of the attitude and the atmosphere in his old team. He choose Yamaha because the people there were different. He had the chance to be in Ducati too but he saw the same situation as the one in the Honda team...

Vale wants a better bike and he wants to win! How can you blame him for making this type of comment? And if we have to be honest both teams would do anything to have him on board!

Answer 3

All sportsmen are arrogant, but according to most people, Vale is a gentleman and also a bit of a clown!

Saying that, I dont think the facts that you have are right - what I have heard him say is that he would like to finish his career at Suzuki, like his hero Schwanz. He would never go back to Honda, and I dont think Honda would have him back. He may go to Ducati if Casey or Marco dont do well this season (which I think they will) - but I can honestly see him go to Suzuki in 09 and I think Suzuki are thinking along those lines as they have only offered Loris Capirossi a 12 month contract.

Yes - but the facts come from Gazzetta in Italy - which is the equivilent to the daily star lol - I think hes been asked a question about where he would like to go after Yamaha and they've beefed it up a bit to make interesting reading - dont believe everything you read in the press.

Saying that I would like to see him go to Ducati and win the championship there!

Answer 4

A lot of sportsmen can be a little arrogant, I think that's what makes them what they are.

Answer 5

Honda would fall over there feet, arm , head and ar$e to have Vale back.

Rossi is not out there to loose.

He is the 9th highest paid sports man on the planet for a very good reason.

Yamaha WILL come good for 08. They now have 2 of the [ nearly ] most greatest living 250 champs on there side. Also, Vale is so close to beating Ago as the most wins on a 500 / MotoGP bike.

I for one would not be surprised if Vale goes out in 2008, kicks butt & then retires.

" Leave on a  high " [ Wayne Gardner, 1993 Donnington Park ! ]

Answer 6

Ducati has already approached him on a number of occaissions. He has had a great deal of difficulty getting Yamaha to dial the bike in for him. He also was having trouble with the tires washing out on him. He actually was going to sign with Ducati, before the offer from Yamaha. He really is an excellent racer...most teams would be happy to have him. He is a bit arrogant though. You should read his book it's very insightful. It's called, "What if I had Never tried it." You really get a feel for what he's really like.

Answer 7

Hey Mickey boy

I think if anyone has the right to be arrogant (though he isn't) it's Valentino Rossi.

He seems to me to just be stating the obvious, which is "who wouldn't want him on their team?"  I don't know why  recognising your own talents and value is perceived as arrogant? False humility would be more annoying I think!

Answer 8

Would Honda want him back?

Yamaha treat him well enough.

He has not been performing too well since being on their team, though. Whether that is due to technical problems, or lack of competiveness or him simply getting older, I do not know.

Those are the questions Honda and Ducati will also be asking, and you are right, also they have their own good riders now.