Rossi - Being FORCED back on a bike?

[nickg123]

I've heard a few stories about the main reasons for Rossi getting back on a bike so soon......

I love to believe that he's just such a legend and wants to try and keep this season alive, and just wants to ride a bike but in reality i think there's actually a much bigger reason for him rushing back!

Viewing figures of MotoGP have dropped massively since his crash, as soo sooo many people only actually watch MotoGP for him alone! I think most people knew instantly that his season was over, and it's more then likely going to end up with Lorenzo.

Apparently he can hardly walk, and is literally just doing this to please all the organisers and help keep MotoGP up there in viewing figures!

I think it's a sad day if this is the case, and can't help but think he would be far better off healing properly and coming back next year with Ducati!

[IforB]

Rossi isn't being forced to do anything. He's also hamming up the injury slightly from what I understand from elsewhere. Rossi does love to play mindgames.

[nickg123]

IforB said:

Rossi isn't being forced to do anything. He's also hamming up the injury slightly from what I understand from elsewhere. Rossi does love to play mindgames.

Hamming up a broken Tib & Fib??

I'm told that the Sponsors and TV companies are all bricking it, hence the massive pressure to get Rossi back on a bike as they're losing a fortune - Think of all the companies that pay to advertise, the thought of viewing figures dropping will have a massive impact on their interest in MotoGP

[npope]

I am not sure he is being forced but the GP is not the same, I am like most a massive Rossi fan but I think the bigger issue is the small grids and no one else able to stop Lorenzo. I am not so bothered if I miss a race anymore, so the sooner he is back the better even if not 100% he will give 110% and make it a race worth watching.

[308mate]

nickg123 said:

IforB said:

Rossi isn't being forced to do anything. He's also hamming up the injury slightly from what I understand from elsewhere. Rossi does love to play mindgames.

Hamming up a broken Tib & Fib??

I'm told that the Sponsors and TV companies are all bricking it, hence the massive pressure to get Rossi back on a bike as they're losing a fortune - Think of all the companies that pay to advertise, the thought of viewing figures dropping will have a massive impact on their interest in MotoGP

How are they losing a fortune?

They agree a sponsorship deal on projected viewing figures. Given the nature of the sport, any company would factor in the risk/liability of losing 1 or more of the big named riders.

I'd like to see some actual figures for this "Rossi has gone, the sky is falling" outcry.

I suggest any decrease in attendance or viewing might be measurable, but not significant.

[DJC]

nickg123 said:

IforB said:

Rossi isn't being forced to do anything. He's also hamming up the injury slightly from what I understand from elsewhere. Rossi does love to play mindgames.

Hamming up a broken Tib & Fib??

I'm told that the Sponsors and TV companies are all bricking it, hence the massive pressure to get Rossi back on a bike as they're losing a fortune - Think of all the companies that pay to advertise, the thought of viewing figures dropping will have a massive impact on their interest in MotoGP

Oh dont be daft.

Rossi does what Rossi wants and he is a damn sight more important than anybody else in the MotoGP game. If you tried to force him to do anything he would tell you where to shove it and bugger off to go rallying.

[Rouleur]

Well said

[nickg123]

DJC said:

Rossi does what Rossi wants and he is a damn sight more important than anybody else in the MotoGP game.

I think that says it all........

The viewing figures have dropped by more then 20% in Europe alone, can you not imagine how much that affects things??

Contracts are being negotiated all year round ready for next year, or the year after - Advertising companies are going to quickly want better terms when they see less people are watching the sport - It all has an impact.

I think the basic thought here is that Rossi is nowhere near fit enough to be on a bike, but due to pressure from everyone and everything surrounding MotoGP this is one of the main reasons he's getting out on a bike when in reality it's WAY too soon - no medics would be advising him to ride now, not a chance in hell.

[telecat]

A couple of years ago with larger grids and better "customer" and Works teams they would have no problem. Rossi had to fight a bit more with the other riders to win and some of the lessor teams could compete. Today you have the three works teams and occasionally a customer Honda. The rest are looking for the lower places.

[Alfie Noakes]

This man, Claudio Costa, is responsible for getting many a bike rider back on the saddle quickly.

His theory is that, very basicly, doing what you love helps you heal.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/85025

[nickg123]

Some figures etc, regarding the loss of viewing figures:

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/motogp-televi...

[Trabant]

I was at the British MotoGP a couple of weeks back. It was good but I can't help wondering how much better it would have been with Rossi there.

[nickg123]

Trabant said:

I was at the British MotoGP a couple of weeks back. It was good but I can't help wondering how much better it would have been with Rossi there.

Yeah i bet a lot of people were like that, i expect loads of people already booked tickets hoping to get to see him - You have to wonder how many more years he'll do it, there's always so much speculation...

I personally hope he goes to Ducati as it seems to be about time he had a new challenge, and ending his career with them would surely be a nice end in a few years, especially if he wins :-)

[Johno]

Rossi won't be forced into anything. . . Not least he's gotta pass a fitness test to get on the grid which will be quite rigorous as no one will want to be the man that signed him off unfit. Also, if he's sooo unfit to ride a bike how come he's quicker round Brno this week than the fastest lap time set on the same bike by Crutchlow, you can debate tyres and bike configuration set up all you like, he's very close to returning and he's as keen to make his return as competitive as it can be.

There's no doubt Rossi leaving/retiring from MotoGP will have a huge impact on viewing figures, both on and off track. For those of us who've been at MGP with a crowd of 20k people and seen it grow, we recognise it's down to Rossi's popularity. However, when he goes there'll be an element of those people who attend that many of us won't be sad to see the back of.

Dorna are currently trying to offload MGP and the conspiracy theorists will summise it is due to Rossi only racing for a few more seasons, potential F1 move etc. If he goes to Ducati they'll never have as good a chance to sell for reasonable money than now.

Small grids, poor racing (sorry, but MGP races are not good currently when compared to Moto2, 125's or WSB or even BSB) are much more of a concern to the long term health of our sport.

[unpc]

Gaz. said:

Imo the tiny grids are a much bigger problem than losing one superstar.

I agree with this. I used to love Moto GP but I stopped watching it this year because a grid of 14 bikes, or whatever they got at the Le Mans round, is pathetic. It needs 30-40 bikes minimum. Obviously there are a lot of Rossi fans, me not being one of them, but it's just not a spectacle any more. WSB still is.

[IforB]

nickg123 said:

IforB said:

Rossi isn't being forced to do anything. He's also hamming up the injury slightly from what I understand from elsewhere. Rossi does love to play mindgames.

Hamming up a broken Tib & Fib??

I'm told that the Sponsors and TV companies are all bricking it, hence the massive pressure to get Rossi back on a bike as they're losing a fortune - Think of all the companies that pay to advertise, the thought of viewing figures dropping will have a massive impact on their interest in MotoGP

Yep. Hamming up a broken tib and fib. This has come from a road racing Doc who knows a bit about this sort of injury. If he says he's hamming it up, then I trust his word.

[kusee pee]

I've stopped watching because there's no Rossi and I can understand others doing the same. Can't wait for him to return.

[IainT]

kusee pee said:

I've stopped watching because there's no Rossi and I can understand others doing the same. Can't wait for him to return.

I still watch it but sky+ and watch when I have time rather than make time to watch... Definately a rossi fanboy but the racing's still good without him.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I've stopped because there's no one to challenge Lorenzo, it's been a bit dull this season anyway.

But most off all, I stopped watching because I think Lorenzo's a grade A dick.

[btdk5]

nickg123 said:

DJC said:

Rossi does what Rossi wants and he is a damn sight more important than anybody else in the MotoGP game.

I think that says it all........

The viewing figures have dropped by more then 20% in Europe alone, can you not imagine how much that affects things??

Contracts are being negotiated all year round ready for next year, or the year after - Advertising companies are going to quickly want better terms when they see less people are watching the sport - It all has an impact.

I think the basic thought here is that Rossi is nowhere near fit enough to be on a bike, but due to pressure from everyone and everything surrounding MotoGP this is one of the main reasons he's getting out on a bike when in reality it's WAY too soon - no medics would be advising him to ride now, not a chance in hell.

Erm have you forgotten that the world cup was on?? Of course viewing figures would of dropped.