Is Rossi the world’s best sportsman?
Columnist
Few athletes have dominated their sports, enthralled fans worldwide, and attained cult status like Valentino Rossi. Having sown up his eighth world title a week ago in Japan, his sixth premier class crown, there are few within the sport that question his right to the title of world’s greatest ever rider.
But can he also be considered the best sportsman currently competing worldwide?
Here at Phillip Island, Rossi is free of concerns over wrapping up the title and he can concentrate on what he does best – having fun by winning races, playing to the fans and hanging with his entourage.
His fall during qualifying yesterday demonstrated there is no backing off with him. Rossi rides to put on a show for the fans, despite the championship being his already.
After losing the crown that once seemed reserved for him in 2006, and again in 2007, Rossi overcame bike issues, got himself onto the right tyres, and dominated once again, proving too strong for the opposition this season.
He now owns the majority of records of any real significance, and at only 29 years of age, he has years left to rack up more wins and championships.
But the Rossi story is so much more than just on track achievements.
Despite being the home ground of main rival Casey Stoner, the crowd waiting outside Rossi’s garage after each session far outnumbered those waiting for Stoner.
It is his personality that endears him to millions worldwide, his post race celebrations almost as famous as his victories – from running into a trackside side toilet after a victory, and carrying a blow up doll, to getting on the podium in boxer shorts.
Few, if any, sports star at that level take it on themselves to entertain the masses in that way.
Like Michael Jordan or Ali, Rossi also transcends the popularity of his own sport, to the point where there is a genuine concern about how MotoGP will continue its worldwide popularity without ‘the Doctor.’
Little wonder then that his yellow ‘46’ merchandise far outnumbers other riders and teams combined.
His name, even racing number, has recognition beyond just motorsport fans.
He has been winning at the Grand Prix level consistently for eleven years now. In a sport known for its brutality, Rossi has brilliantly combined self-preservation with his blinding speed, rarely succumbing to injury.
So who are his main challenges for the title of world’s best?
Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, the stars of the Beijing Games?
Perhaps contenders, but since they can only compete in front of a global audience every four years, they cannot command the spotlight as often.
Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal?
While they continue to battle each other for supremacy within their own game, until one emerges as the clear victor in their civil war, there is no clear candidate here at present.
Tiger Woods?
His knee injury and subsequent lay off rules him out for the time being.
While such exercises can seem futile, when you consider sporting records, fan adoration and worldwide notoriety, at moment at least, Valentino Rossi is deserving of the title of best current sportsman.
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James Ward said | October 5th 2008 @ 11:32am | Report comment
There aren’t too many contenders at the minute but rossi has to be up there especially if you consider entertainment value. Some of those antics are brilliant. Imagine tiger woods carrying around a blow up doll after winning the us open
Rabbitz said | October 5th 2008 @ 11:57am | Report comment
Kelly Slater has nine world championships, Layne Beachley eight. I would contend either of these are as good if not better.
Or maybe Phillip Adams (no not the journo) the farmer from Forbes. The most successful Commonwealth Games athlete with 17 medals? He competed in the very demanding Air Pistol event. I will admit he ended his career in controversy, cleared of a positive drug test – it turned out to be his blood pressure medication was a diuretic.
Rabz
spiro zavos said | October 6th 2008 @ 7:21am | Report comment
Michael Phelps surely must be a candidate.
Adrian Musolino said | October 6th 2008 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Should media exposure be a determining factor in such a debate?
For example while Phelps was a star of the Olympics, he has fallen off the radar and will not be competing on the global stage for another four years.
Same with Slater and Beachley – surfing just doesn’t have a big enough profile.
David said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
It’s near impossible to compare achievements in different sports.
I reckon Rossi’s media exposure puts him way ahead of Phelps and the like in terms of marketability, popularity, earning power, and influence. I mean, what VR does on the track has huge implications for Yamaha, Bridgestone, all his sponsors (helmets, leathers etc)…the flow-on effect in dollars is enormous. So his commercial influence is worldwide and unmatched.
But look at his achievements. The only rider to win world titles on all classes of machinery: 125cc, 250cc, 500cc, 990cc and now 800cc. Most top class wins. Only rider to change bike manufacturer and win at first attempt (?); wins 2008 title in first year with Bridgestone rubber.
People who aren’t interested in bikes may not think these last two are a big deal, but believe me they are huge.
His technical understanding, physical skill and mental strength are simply amazing.
One by one his rivals have their 15 minutes of fame, then fall away, yet Rossi is still there.
Finishing 2nd from 12th on the grid yesterday after that heavy fall in qualifying says it all.
James Ward said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
The more popular the sport the easier for the star to get attention. But Rossi has gone the other way by lifting his sport with his talent and flair
Adrian Musolino said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Longevity is an often underrated achievement of his – winning races for a decade now in all classes. Especially in a sport that has killed off not just careers but also lives.
At the track yesterday I spotted some Aussie fans wearing a shirt that said – “Better an hour with Rossi than a lifetime with Stoner”
For an athlete to turn some Australians against one of their own says a lot in my opinion.
Greg Russell said | October 7th 2008 @ 11:19am | Report comment
I am not even convinced that Rossi is the best motorsportsman, let alone the best sportsman. Can anyone convince me why I should regard Rossi more highly than Sèbastien Loeb? As far as I am aware there is not a significant rallying record that he either does not own or will not soon own (when he wins his record 5th world title). During Loeb’s era of dominance he has not been headed by another driver (ditto Mick Doohan), whereas Rossi’s record is blighted by Stoner being clearly better than him in 2007, and actually being faster than him for most of 2008.
I find it difficult to compare across different motorsports, let alone to compare motorsports with other sports. So I’m not saying that Loeb is better than Rossi. But what I am saying is that I can’t see any reason to regard Rossi as being better than Loeb.
And for the record I am not a rallying nut, in fact I don’t have any allegiance to any particular motorsport.
Andrew Logan said | October 7th 2008 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
I’m with Rabbitz…….it is Slater for sure.
He has 9 World Titles, and is both the youngest and oldest to win a title. The WCT demands a level of consistency and courage that few other sports can match. Every wave is different, and every competitor surfs differently in each wave. Add to this the incredible levels of courage required to surf 10 foot Pipeline, and 15 foot Teahupoo, where death is a very real risk, and you have the most challenging environment in world sport.
To win 9 World Titles in this arena against surfers like Andy and Bruce Irons, Mick Fanning, Mark Occhilupo, Sunny Garcia and Taj Burrow is beyond amazing.
Adrian Musolino said | October 7th 2008 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Greg, while I don’t deny Loeb is one of the greats of rallying, his success has come at a time when the World Rally Championship lacks depth in terms of manufacturer support and therefore drivers with the right equipment.
It’s a shame he missed out on the McRae, Burns era of the late nineties.