Spies done...

A great rider but IMO, he bit off way more than he could chew by going motogp. Shoulda stayed in wsbk and did that a couple more years and then maybe made the jump. Just my opinion.

Woulda coulda shoulda.

He did what he could do, while he could do it. Now those days are over.

Like he says, "No regrets".

double0 said:

A great rider but IMO, he bit off way more than he could chew by going motogp. Shoulda stayed in wsbk and did that a couple more years and then maybe made the jump. Just my opinion.

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I disagree. If you looked at the trajectory of his career before MotoGP, he was the next great American hope. He absolutely dominated SBK at tracks he had never seen before. Remember this video parody of how he learned the SBK tracks so quickly?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiVCbMlXxNM

After his outstanding success in SBK at his first attempt, he had nothing left to prove there so MotoGP was a natural thing. I was so disappointed when he didn't pan out as the next Wayne Rainey/Eddie Lawson. I think it shows how complicated MotoGP is and all the technology makes the racing not nearly as good as SBK. He couldn't gel with the team/bike and only got to win one race, before seemingly constant injuries from trying so hard took their toll.

I was hopeful the April Fool's joke of him making a comeback was real, but I guess he made his money and is getting on with his life. Good for him to effectively be retired before the age of 30.

I was a fan of his initially. The dude can ride for sure, but never liked how fast he thought he could move into GP like they all do. Example- Josh Herrin winning AMA Superbike last year and going to Moto GP 2 and not even being able to finish a damn race yet! They all bite off more than they can chew and not so many are able to handle it that fast.

When you see how his career is dictated by his own mother and how he's changed bikes and teams its not a good sign. I think he got a bit full of himself there at the end and just couldn't bounce back from the injuries. Wonder if he will end up in the booth calling races or something. Would sure love to see someone replace that blithering idiot Greg White and his ridiculous remarks. Scott Russell is a legend and anyone who knows him can agree is without a doubt salt of the earth in every sense!

The AMA season is a total joke with only 7 races and dying away. It would be nice to see a fight for #1 in MotoGP like in the past but MM is def kicking ass. How great was it to see Ducati on the box at COTA too! - OOHRAH!

bikenamenumber said:

Woulda coulda shoulda.

He did what he could do, while he could do it. Now those days are over.

Like he says, "No regrets".

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Edith Piaf - Non, je ne regrette rien - (original) - YouTube

I'm sad for him. I loved watching him. Anyone that says he wasn't fast or didn't deserve to be in GP is full of ..... In his rookie year he podiumed several times and almost won as many GPs as Hayden....lol.

All riders at that level are gladiators, but like on the battle field great gladiators fall, some live to become legends.....

Stw said:

Edith Piaf - Non, je ne regrette rien - (original) - YouTube

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Since I have a 4-year old, this is the version I prefer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGQqgznhKz8

bikenamenumber said:

Woulda coulda shoulda.

He did what he could do, while he could do it. Now those days are over.

Like he says, "No regrets".

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no RAGRETS...not even one letter.

I think when Marco passed it really affected him more so than the others. After he passed you started going more and more downhill.

Say what you want but what he did in WSBK was incredible. Add to fact I loved watching him put it to Mladin.

Good guy that I hope at least see in the paddock now and then.

I always thought he was much better than Hayden..

SOULRIDER said:

I think when Marco passed it really affected him more so than the others. After he passed you started going more and more downhill.

Say what you want but what he did in WSBK was incredible. Add to fact I loved watching him put it to Mladin.

Good guy that I hope at least see in the paddock now and then.

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My thoughts exactly. I am a big fan. I actually got to meet him and his mom at the 2005 MOTO GP @ Laguna. He seemed like a great guy and very humble.

He was an incredible talent but not an alien.

Good luck to him and I'm sure his finances are in order.