Ben Spies Wins the 2011 MotoGP Championship

[actionace]

Originally Posted by Darling Ninja

I vote for Simoncelli winning the championship. LOL.
I heard he knows how to party.

Just to stir the pot a bit.. He smoked Ben Spies when he wild-carded in WSBK

[Kurosaki]

Originally Posted by actionace

Just to stir the pot a bit.. He smoked Ben Spies when he wild-carded in WSBK

And Ben smoked him all season last year on a lesser bike.

[Terrytori]

The first string Factory equipment will continue to dominate.
Long term, i like Spies a great deal... he might be the next Rossi.
This Year, i think it's going to look like this:

Rossi
Lorenzo
Spies
Hayden
Stoner

This is pretty much Rossi's last kick at the can.
I think he's motivated to be world champion on 3 different marques.
That would pretty much cement him as the greatest ever.

Most of all, i think he would truly love to spank Lorenzo's ass.

Now, if he brings out his grandmother's bad ju ju curse like he laid
on Sete Gibernau a few years back... well... it'll be over for Lorenzo.
Forever.

[tiggen]

Originally Posted by wyckedflesh

Rossi already won 2 world Championships with an Italian Bike, and Italian Team. Now if he pulls it off in MotoGP, he will be the FIRST to win on an Italian Bike, with an Italian Team in all 3 divisions.

Originally Posted by EuphCW1

Greatest Italian ever to ride a motorcycle? Greatest Italian motorcycle brand? Try Giacomo Agostini on MV Agusta... 13 grand prix titles together! He is the all time leader in victories in GP history.

But yeah, with this precedent, I can see why the Italians are ecstatic!

Originally Posted by Alex

All true, but it was a different era. His factory bikes were so far ahead of the competition that he would often win by minutes, not seconds. In many years and in many classes, there wasn't a single viable rival to his dominance. Skill was of course a key part of it, but sheer superiority of equipment was present throughout.

Rossi has been on the best bikes available for much of his GP career, but by no means was he the only one on good bikes, and he has had to fight much harder for his X victories compared to what Agostini needed to.

But these differences are why it's always challenging to compare champions from era to era, things are never equal and can be debated ad nauseum.

I agree with everything said here, except that I would not discount Giaco's championships. As far as the all time victories, Rossi's career ain't over yet!

More predictions:

Hayden will beat Rossi this year.

Simoncelli will die in a tragic terrorist attack at a late night gay disco in Rimini.

John Hopkins will a win a dry race on the Suzuki.

[Yasko]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

He goes to Ferrari!

I think Rossi could pull that off...It would be fun to see...


Ben will get a second look at the tracks this year...Don't forget last year was his 1st look at some of the events...


Stoner will be a man on a mission this year...He'll be super tough to beat...

[Kurosaki]

Originally Posted by tiggen

More predictions:

Hayden will beat Rossi this year.

This won't happen...

[actionace]

Originally Posted by tiggen

More predictions:

Hayden will beat Rossi this year.

Simoncelli will die in a tragic terrorist attack at a late night gay disco in Rimini.

John Hopkins will a win a dry race on the Suzuki.

HAHAHA!!!

This is pretty much Rossi's last kick at the can.

Not by a long shot. They've got the 1000cc bike and championship to look forward to

[pugs24]

I wish more of the riders stayed healthy this year. It seemed like Lorenzo cruised in because everyone was out hurt or DNF'd. I'd like to see one of the Americans do well in 2011, but I'm also rooting for Rossi on Team Ducati now. He's so much fun to watch.

[camaroz1985]

Originally Posted by actionace

Just to stir the pot a bit.. He smoked Ben Spies when he wild-carded in WSBK

If by smoked you mean finished two places better after he drove him off the track. I know people think it is exciting when riders do stuff like that, but in my eyes it shows a lack of skill and racecraft.

[Yasko]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

If by smoked you mean finished two places better after he drove him off the track. I know people think it is exciting when riders do stuff like that, but in my eyes it shows a lack of skill and racecraft.

+1...

[actionace]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

If by smoked you mean finished two places better after he drove him off the track. I know people think it is exciting when riders do stuff like that, but in my eyes it shows a lack of skill and racecraft.

And yet so many people love the the way Vale rides and believe him to be the GOAT..
Remember SuperSic won a 250cc title and has been doing way better than Aoyama <--Totally rooting for the guy though

[actionace]

Originally Posted by pugs24

I wish more of the riders stayed healthy this year. It seemed like Lorenzo cruised in because everyone was out hurt or DNF'd. I'd like to see one of the Americans do well in 2011, but I'm also rooting for Rossi on Team Ducati now. He's so much fun to watch.

Now there's a +1

[tiggen]

Originally Posted by tiggen

Every Italian on the face of the Earth has been waiting for this season, when the greatest Italian ever to ride a motorcycle teams up with the greatest Italian motorcycle brand. They all have finally got what they have dreamed about for years.

Here's my question: what happens when Vale doesn't produce?

Any thoughts?

[camaroz1985]

The world goes on. There is always next year. I'm excited for the next season to start, but let's not forget there are still 2 rounds left. Shame the championship ended the way it did

[Indy250r]

Originally Posted by rockNroll

Hayden is my favorite by far but i predict
stoner
lorenzo
rossi
spies
hayden

Good picks!