http://motogp.tiscali.com/en/motogp/popup_800/popup_800_127452.htm
must be nice to be the king!!!
http://motogp.tiscali.com/en/motogp/popup_800/popup_800_127448.htm
Basketball legend Michael Jordan fulfilled a lifetime ambition in Valencia, Spain, on Saturday when he completed several laps of the Ricardo Tormo circuit aboard a MotoGP bike, the fastest motorcycle in the world.
The former Chicago Bulls star has been a keen motorcyclist since the age of five and today got the opportunity of a lifetime, riding the 230bhp Ducati Desmosedici prototype normally taken to speeds up over 210mph by Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss in MotoGP World Championship – the most prestigious and technologically advanced series in motorcycle racing.
Jordan was joined on track by a selection of the world's best riders, with Sete Gibernau, Colin Edwards, Kurtis Roberts and Kenny Roberts Jr showing him around the 4,005m track, before getting an extra treat from MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, who took him for a lap in the new BMW M5.
"It was Sete who talked me into it!" laughed Jordan. "That was fun, but I only got it up to fourth gear, I can't imagine what these things are like wide open in sixth! The straightaways were no problem, but I was trying to find the markers for the corners, then I had these other guys riding alongside tapping me on the leg!
"These things have so much power, I was trying to pull a wheelie, but in the end I was a bit too afraid, so I just started waving! I guess you could say I need a bit more time to get used to all that power.
"I've been into bikes pretty much all my life, I started riding dirt bikes when I was five. And I really like this whole MotoGP thing. Maybe I'd like to have a team one day, but I'm only learning this whole deal right now. The lap in the car with Rossi was amazing – that guy is nuts!"
Jordan was welcomed to the Gran Premio Marlboro de la Comunitat Valenciana by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, the rights holders to the series. "The visit of a world sport star with the profile and prestige of Michael Jordan is fantastic for MotoGP," said Mr Ezpeleta, who enjoyed a round of golf with Jordan on Friday.
"We had heard that he was interested in visiting MotoGP and that he was a big fan, but we were surprised by his knowledge of the championship and the riders. He was here on a private trip with friends but he showed what a nice guy he is with his patience and humility... even though he beat me at golf!"
Did you see Rossi getting the BMW M5 sideways with Jordan in the car? :o ;D
that one man is going to put our sport on the map here in the US
Quotethat one man is going to put our sport on the map here in the US
you sure? the US media just notices him and screws everything else up.
Check out the headline: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6369179/
OMG Is that as stupid as it looks??
I guess we have to keep correcting people when they assume that if you race motorcycles, it must be MOTOCROSS >:( ;)
I'll bet his life insurance guy is hyperventalating along with his heart attack.
Well, my first thought when I read that article was...
I guess we now know what brand of motorcycles Team Jordan will be racing next year! ;)
Quoteyou sure? the US media just notices him and screws everything else up.
Check out the headline: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6369179/
but hey..its an article referring to our sport on msnbc, that wasnt there before
http://motogp.tiscali.com/ppv_multimedia2/319/319087_16974.wmv
he seemed more excited after riding with rossi
The Chicago Sun Times has 1/2 a page in the sports section devoted to MJ on the Ducati. There is a pic of him with Sete, Kurtis, Mamola and Tez's arm. as well as a pic of him on the machine. Thank you MJ for getting the sport we all love a little long overdue press!!
Tobias
How cool would a 230 horsepower Ducati motoross bike be? :o
Sent an e-mail to the Editor of the MSNBC website asking that they correct their headline.......
letters@msnbc.com
Dear Editor,
Let me add my concerns to the others you have probably heard from on your Michael Jordan story. Please correct the headline on the story regarding Michael Jordan's interest in professional motorcycle racing (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6369179/).
You state that he has his eyes set on a Motocross team. This is incorrect. To anyone who would read this article who knows anything about either Motocross or MotoGP racing they know there is a vast difference between the two sports. Yes, they both have the word Moto in their names - but that is about as far as the similarities go. To give you an analogy as to how ridiculous this sounds - it would be as if someone stated that Michael Jordan had been named as one of the all time greats in Pro Football. We all know that is not true. But Football and Basketball do both share 'ball' in their names.
Not trying to be overly critical here - just hoping to save you some credibility in the eyes of your readers whose interests extend beyond that of professional American sports.
Thanks!
Rick Weaver
No reply or change as of yet....... oh well, I guess they don't mind looking like fools!