Strange that some love racing at the top level

[faffi]

Tell me, does this video raise or diminish your interest in racing at the highest level? Interview with American former MotoGP racer John Hopkins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu4YRro2WOY

[SIR REAL ED]

That looks excellent.  Thanks for posting.

The documentary FASTER or FASTEST (I forget which) had a fair amount of footage about young John Hopkins.  Great documentaries about 500 GP and MOTOGP.

[Clifton]

How they described GP racing was pretty much as I assumed it was, that is unbelievably competitive, grueling, dealing with injuries, and stressful both mentally and physically. What I hadn't fully considered was how intense the all important the set-up track runs were or just living in airplanes and hotels most of the year. They're all truly amazing athletes and competitors.

[yrunvs]

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!

Hunter S. Thompson

[faffi]

The risk is not bothering at all, but the travel is torture. Also, all the training and the time spent looking for the best setup would wear me out. I would be far more keen on real road racing, like the Isle of Man. These lads do not train for hours every day, nor do they need to fine tune their bikes to the n'th degree. Kind of like jeweler vs blacksmith.

[SIR REAL ED]

The best of the best in every sport today have led lifestyles that I could not have even imagined during my time here on planet Earth.  The grooming, the dedication & training, the unending support of parents and other adults, the massive pools of $ and resources.... 

In many cases, due to the fact that the competitors are already training by the age of 5, any participant who is not second or third generation will never be a front runner at the highest levels!  Max Biaggi was truly a phenomena.  Supposedly he did not get into motorcycles at all until age 17.

I guess that is why I like the movie On Any Sunday.  The featured riders were much more common blue collar people, pursuing the hobby of motorcycle racing who just happened to be able earn a living racing motorcycles.

They are much more relatable as human beings.  That may be why I have lost interest in being a spectator of almost all forms of high level competition.

A bit off topic, but perhaps an explanation for some top level performers, check out the book "the Boy Who knew Too Much."

https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Knew-Too-Much/dp/1401953425

[PJPR01]

It was great to see these athletes on full display at COTA last weekend...managed to see all of Moto 2 and Moto GP, missed the Moto 3 race.

Incredible dedication to fitness, mental training and riding...to be the best, it's all consuming, but with a great support system around them.

If it's your passion, it will be work, but the passion drives discipline as well.

Great day at the track to see the races!

[bad Chad]

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!

Hunter S. Thompson

Or you can do as Hunter did, not what he said, and blow your own brains out via suicide.   Although, I have little knowledge of his condition in 2005, except he was 67, and may very well been worn totally out.