Biaggi: Stoner is at Rossi's level - Time will tell

[BabyCow]

Former MotoGP racer Max Biaggi believes that Casey Stoner is beating Valentino Rossi due to talent rather than a bike advantage.

Rossi has dominated the sport for several years, and while Nicky Hayden won the title for Honda in 2006, Biaggi believes that only Stoner is at the same level as the Yamaha rider.

"Casey is the guy who is going to push hard and make trouble for Valentino," Biaggi told autosport.com. "At the end of the day it is going to be these two.People say that it has been all because of the Ducati, but I think Casey is making the difference. Look at what (Loris) Capirossi has done for most of this year."

The four-time 250cc world champion added that he believes having Stoner as a challenger to Rossi will benefit the sport.

"I think there is Rossi, and now there is Casey as well, so it should make it much more interesting," he said.

"Casey has already beaten Valentino many times, and it will be tough until the end of the season, if he doesn't win the championship before the end."

 

[wrestleantares]

Former MotoGP racer Max Biaggi believes that Casey Stoner is beating Valentino Rossi due to talent rather than a bike advantage.

Rossi has dominated the sport for several years, and while Nicky Hayden won the title for Honda in 2006, Biaggi believes that only Stoner is at the same level as the Yamaha rider.

"Casey is the guy who is going to push hard and make trouble for Valentino," Biaggi told autosport.com. "At the end of the day it is going to be these two.People say that it has been all because of the Ducati, but I think Casey is making the difference. Look at what (Loris) Capirossi has done for most of this year."

The four-time 250cc world champion added that he believes having Stoner as a challenger to Rossi will benefit the sport.

"I think there is Rossi, and now there is Casey as well, so it should make it much more interesting," he said.

"Casey has already beaten Valentino many times, and it will be tough until the end of the season, if he doesn't win the championship before the end."

 

 

I think Stoner has proven over the first half of the season that it is more than just the bike. Certainly, some of the tracks have allowed him to exploit a bike advantage, but there are others where the battles have been tremendous.

 

On a side note: Yay for Hayden's two podiums in a row. My goal for Hayden this year is still possible, though slowly slipping away. I want him to beat Pedrosa in the points standings.

[chrisolson]

Clearly Stoner has proved himself as a top rider, but just as clearly Ducatti held a major advantage early in the season. With Rossi's mistake in the last race, it will be very difficult for him. Its Stoner's title to loose, rather than Rossi's to win. A DNF for Stoner would even things up again.

 

As a pure rider, the edge still goes to Rossi. I'll change my mind when Stoner wins from 11th on the grid!

[EffBee]

Skill? Close.

 

Bikes? Not close.

 

Cunning? Amateur vs. Pro.

 

Biatchi? Still hates Vale.

[HexHead]

Except that when there is a long straightaway, Stoner can just blow past Rossi effortlessly.

[russell_bynum]

What we saw today in FP2 was very interesting. Casey did not just set the fastest time, he controlled the session. He moseyed out onto the track last and set the fastest time almost right away. Anytime anyone would beat it or even get close he'd throw down another scorcher. In the last 5 minutes while everyone else is trying to lay down their fastest lap of the session so they end up on top of the sheets....Casey came in, took his helmet off, put his hat on, and sat there smiling in his pit box.