Mind Games in Moto GP?

Question

To Quote Casey Stoner: "Last year Valentino Rossi didn't finish second but third. Therefore I should fear Pedrosa more. Anyway it is better to be chased than to chase."

This seems to me like a blatant ploy to beat Valentino at his own game. Namely "Mind Games". Vale seemed to mentally destroy Biaggi and Gibernau. And I'm sure that was a usefull tool to help him beat them on the track.

So my question is, do you think Casey will be the first to out-do Vale in this department. He certainly managed to handle all the pressure out on the track. And do you think we might see some animosity between the two? Up till now it's always seemed quite amicable between them.

Its interesting that its Casey is the one looking for a bite. Vale so far has not taken the bait. Will it stay this way?

Your thoughts please.

Answer 1

I would be very surprised if anything that Stoner could say would have any effect on the likes of Valentino Rossi.  Rossi would not be where he is today if he let mind games get the better of him and quite often those that can put that part of sport aside are the ones who do well.  All sporting competitors use the mind game advantage and some better than others and Casey is very much on a high at the moment.

Aside from the actual racing the competition begins long before they hit the track and the chest puffing is just part of it.

Rossi will have his say when he is ready and has something to crow about.

Answer 2

I think Vale is too smart now to worry too much about it. I read it with interest too and I actually do wonder if Casey is playing mind games more with Pedrobot than with Rossi. He is putting attention on to Dani now in saying that quite cleverly.

You are quite correct that Rossi did play the games with Sete and Max but then again they were a  couple of egos that would react and take notice of it. I think Vale knew that plus the fact that he was also those few years younger. Is it possible that he is getting a bit thicker skinned now?

I don't know if Vale will respoond or not but I won't be surprised if he doesn't bother too much and lets the two pups try to toy with each other.

How strange it is to be thinking of Valentino Rossi as the elder statesman, his is not even 30 yet ! Just shows how good he is that he has been at the top of the game for such a long time and it feels like he has always been around. That is why no matter what happens in 08 with Casey, Dani etc Vale is still the top draw and the man with the biggest target on his back.

Answer 3

Hi neil, I have just read that article and was going to ask the same question!

I agree with the other guys. I think it was a silly mistake for Casey to make and I dont think Vale will fall for it. After all, Vale said the same at the beginning of last season - that Dani would be the man to beat.

Answer 4

hey there neil

  casey has certainly started early with his pscology but i think vale is too experienced to let this bother him, the question is will casey be able to still play the mind games when vale is over 25 points ahead in championship only time will tell. at one point last year i thought casey had got to vale and vales response was to win the next race, for the past few years the yam has been way below the standard expected from them by rossi and i cant see them wanting to fail him again or he will be off the mans a born winner. as for destroying gibernau ive never seen anything like that every time he went ahead he always seem to f**k up now that was pressure,  so maybe vale has to find the right buttons to press on casey and then who knows?

Answer 5

Not a real smart move on Stoner's part. Rossi is a winner and now he has more reasons than ever to prove that. I would never bet against Valentino period. Stoner was on superior bike last year and he deserved to be champion. I would still bet the house on Rossi if he was on the same bike. This is a new season and talking down a rider like Rossi is just plain dumb. Let's hope Yamaha and Honda resolved their issues with fuel consumption and ready to go.

Answer 6

Vale break ? Never !!

Its not the best move Casey has made. Vale will not crack, if anything he will just laugh about it !!

Answer 7

Rossi will not crack, he is a master of mind game, when he and Gibernau had a coming together, all rossi did was laugh about it, and rossi's approach to motorcycling is second to none, as they say when the flag drops the bullshit stops, its gonna be a cracking season......roll on

Answer 8

i think you're making too much of the comment, but if you must...

Stoner not only kicked Vale's butt at racing, but he didn't succumb to the pressure, under pressure, but Rossi did!!!

How many times did Rossi run wide, or even crash out when there was no need to, sure there were bike failures, but still....

Also, Rossi has a history of getting put out, when 'subordinate's' actually beat him, just ask Melandri, or have  the Rossiphiles conveniently forgotten details like that????