Before the British Grand Prix TNT Sports We gathered former MotoGP riders Cal Crutchlow, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland to talk about the evolution of riding styles in the premier class.
Among the riding styles analyzed were the MotoGP icons Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. That technique bridged the gap between the previous 500cc two-stroke and the extreme cornering style used today…
Valentino Rossi 2009
Valentino Rossi: Doctor’s Hanging
The purpose of the leg under hard brakes, pioneered by Rossi and still used throughout top-level motorcycle races, was raised by host Gavin Emmett.
“After Valentino started it, then a few more people started it, and everyone did it now,” Hodgson said. “Really, I know it sounds old, but I still don’t really understand what the benefits are.
“Cal, you’ve been hanging your legs for 10 years now. Tell me why it’s better.”
Crutchlow replied. “I really believe it’s like panic. When you’re a kid on a bike and you don’t stop, the first thing you do is for you to put your feet on the floor.
“I think motorcycle riders today are at their limits. The first thing they do is they put their brakes on and then put their feet out and think this won’t work!”
World champion Torthland, who is currently commenting on the world superbike championship, offered a different perspective from talking to Toprak Razgatlioglu.
“I never did it, I was old school, but I was talking to Toprak about it. Toprak is one of the tall young guys like Valentino and he said it would be more comfortable if he lets out that leg a little.
“It’s always the inner leg too, so the wind that bumps into the legs pulls the bike into the corner, and he said that when I brake, it puts a lot of weight on my arms.
“But the biggest thing for him is that the wheels are never on the floor of the hard brakes afterwards.
“If he has that leg there, it’s like a cat’s tail. As soon as he comes down and it snaps, he has that leg to support the bike and counteract movement and balance. You have that leverage.”
Hodgson: “One thing we can agree on is that Valentino has changed the way people ride motorcycles.”
Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner
Casey Stoner: “Incredible. Pure motorcycle animals.”
The conversation then moved to Ducati’s first MotoGP champion in 2007, Stoner, one of the most naturally talented riders of the present day.
Toseland: “We’re talking about braking so (stoner) was braking with just his middle finger! I couldn’t do that.
“No, never,” Hodgson said. “There was a lot of stuff Stoner did.
“When he won his first world championship at Ducati in 2007, he made a difference. It’s rare for riders to make such a difference.
“He destroyed a teammate, like Marquez moving forward in his riding style.
“But Stoner was very confident in the rear slide. He seemed to have an offensive style of turning the bike on the throttle, like (Kevin) Schwantz, a loose bike, but he paired it with his new school riding style.
“He was able to turn it (Ducati) with his riding style.”
He competed with Rossi and Stoner in his 10-year MotoGP career, and talked about some of his riding techniques while rapping Silverstone on his superbike.
“Casey was always a very neutral rider in the middle of the bike, but he leaned against the bike so close to the floor compared to the other riders,” the British said.
“Valentino and Casey back then – and I think that has something to do with the tires – in the middle of the style of (now) riders like Mark Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Jorge Martin and more.
The Yamaha MotoGP test rider then joked. “It’s been about 15 years since I rode a superbike. I’m trying to emulate the riding style of these champions. It looked more like Mike Heilwood than Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner!”
