he argument begins: Is five-time World Champion
Valentino Rossi the best eve r? Has he usurped th e
honor most often bestowed on the late Mike Hailwood?
Those are quest ions for ano ther day or a "boozy
even ing," as former Team Suzuki ma nager Garry Taylor
says. But what does make him special? Wha t makes him unbeatable? What is it going to take to beat him? Th ese quest ions and
more were put to an esteemed panel. Included we re his MotoGP
competitor and former teammate Nicky Hayden , competitor and
current team mate Colin Edwards, co mpet itor Ku rt is Roberts, former World Champion and Pro ton KR team owner Kenny Roberts
Sr., former World Champions Freddie Spencer and Kevin
Schwa ntz , and Suzuki's Gar ry Taylo r.
Nicky Hayden
I said it last year, I said he still had the number-one plate. I said it last year here. Until
someone stepped up to beat him, then, yeah , I thought for sure he would be the guy. I
guess I still believe that the rider makes a big difference. Yeah, he had to switch bikes,
but he had a lot of testing this winter. It wasn't like he switched at round
o ne. He did a lot of laps before the first race . I just really be lieve that
a rider still can make a difference .
Colin Edwards
Win the title? No , I thought I'd win the title. That's
just the way it was . Michelin threw a surprise at
us and they were on it two months before
we were. They got it sorted out.
