Your favourite racers and why you follow them?

Question

What is it about Valentino Rossi that has struck such global appeal? Of course amazing talent on a bike but I think it is so much more than that. The persona behind the rider, man and boy, that so many have latched on to. His genuine passion, sense of fun and openness in an age of security obsessed celebrity is refreshing.

But why do you all follow the riders you like? I personally will not follow one just because they share my nationality. Indeed they have to impress me more perhaps. Hence why I could never stand Fogarty - great rider but the rest of the package was awful. Niall Mackenzie was a very good rider and a great guy who always had time for others and why I always shouted for him. I will be rooting for James Toseland because he too backs up his riding with being a decent human being.

Current others I like - Capirossi, Edwards, Bayliss, Hayden, Haga, Dovisioso, Haslam. As much as I admire Stoner he leaves me indifferent but I am in awe of the talent.

Answer 1

joey dunlop

because he was so different from the rest ,just a great guy

Answer 2

Coming from N.Ireland we all grew up with road racing and my hero use to be Tom Herron as he was a real gentleman off the track and besides being good on our roads over here he went and got some great results on the Grand Prix tracks all over the world.Then came Joey Dunlop who was so down to earth and always had time for his fan,s and the Charity work he done for others will always be remembered.Now I like to see Haga,Capirossi,Edwards,and am going to miss Barros and will be watching how J.Rea goes  as use to watch his dad race.

Answer 3

2 racers that I've been following closely since 2003/2004 are both Australian (I'm a Brit). I predicted that both would be future World Champions, and one of them has proved me right. (So has the other, but not in the premier class).

The first is obviously Casey Stoner. You could see his amazing talent back in his 125 days. Unfortunately, he had a habit of crashing a little too often. I can remember saying to the missus (not that she was interested) that if this kid can keep it rubber side down, he's gonna be a World Champion one day. In 2006 I was beginning to doubt my predictions, coz he was still a bit of a crasher. But he sorted his act out (or got a package that was suited to him) and the rest is history.

The next is Chris Vermeulen. I'm positive that we haven't seen anything like his true potential. In WSS he was head and shoulders above the rest, and he was up against some stiff competition. When he moved to WSBK  he took a new under developed bike to 2nd in the Championship. He's shown glimpses of his raw talent in Moto GP. Le Mans this season and Laguna seca in 2006 where he was let down in the late stages by tyres. If Chris can get the hang of qualifying and first few laps of a race, he'll be up there with the best of em. When it came to pure racing, ie mixing it with other racers, passing etc...he was certainly better than his team mate Hopper.

Both those two have immense talent, and seem to me like genuinely nice blokes, who I could quite happily share a drink or two with.

Answer 4

Hey Shuggie

As miss whiplash said - It was No. 7 Barry Sheene that made me want a bike as a kid, and he still makes me smile whenever I see old footage of him - on or off his bike! Which is, I guess the dividing line between someone you admire as a pro, and someone you would actually spend time with.

Other riders I like to see (off their machines - or on) are  Kiyonari [big grinner] Toseland {gives it big beans every second of every race - says what he thinks} Edwards [ ditto the free speech - what a cracking pit that will be next year] and  you mentioned Bayliss - he split the "Atom", lost half a finger, didn't miss a session! He proves that Aussie adage 'go hard or go home'

For all that people say all sport is too commercial and sponsorship oriented, there will always be some who break the mould, Thank god!

Answer 5

I really only follow KRJR and that is only because I grew up with him and his brother.

Answer 6

Could never follow them,too fast.

Answer 7

blast from the past but Barry Sheen i have watched lots a footage of him when he was into bikes but after a number of bad falls he then moved to racing trucks

regards x kitti x

Answer 8

My favourite N Ireland road racer is Ray McCullough because he had fantastic skill, has an excellent mechanical head and is such a quiet modest man.

Valentino Rossi is the reason I started to get into MotoGP, such passion, skill, likeability etc

James Toseland, same reason as your good self!

Ditto Edwards, Capirossi, Melandri, Vermulen, Dovi, De Angelis, Kiyo, Rea, Haga, Smith & Pasini.

Answer 9

No disrespect.... Racing is more exciting when your not a fanatic about it. I cheer for the local rider that win's his first race all the way to the pro rider that is dominating the series.



Never really cared about stats or drama. But, this is a really great question.