Hollow MotoGP Championship

I'm sure most roadracing fans know by now that roadracing Legend Valentino Rossi  seriously hurt his leg in a practice accident which will cause him to miss much of the remaining season. To some extent his adverseries probably sighed in relief at some level now that the multi-time champion is out of the hunt for the championship that giving others a chance for victory. That said, the championship will count just the same without VR there however is it fair to say the winner may feel it just a bit hollow of a win? I know if I were in their shoes I'd be happy to win no matter what but would feel it less glorious because of his injury. Agree or not?  

On one hand, any competitor wants to go head-to-head against the best, so to not have that measuring stick always leaves some sort of an empty feeling at the end.

On the other, people are quickly forgetting that Rossi was the one who put himself in this position, by not wanting to let rookie Hector Barbera follow him around at Mugello and letting the left side of his hard compound rear tire cool off too much. It was his mistake, not the rest of the MotoGP field's error or some sort of mechanical situation beyond his control. If for example Rossi had made this mistake while dicing for the lead in the race with Lorenzo and the MotoGP title on the line, would it be fair to say that Lorenzo's race win and title were hollow just because Rossi crashed out of the race?  

Kento agreed that it was Rossi's fault for the accident as I believe he's admitted to it already. But while I'm sure that whoever wins the championship be it Lorenzo, Pedrosa or anyone else they'll no doubt be happy but still feel they haven't beat the "measuring stick" as you put it. I think it would be a different story if Rossi mistakingly crashed during a title deciding race as long as it wasn't the mistake of another rider that caused it. Case in point Rossi did a bonehead mistake to lose the '06 championship against Hayden. While Hayden deserved that championship for being more consistent but many still do not give him credit for it.  

You just proved my point. In some people's eyes, it's not going to matter what any of Rossi's opponents do...there's always going to be some sort of excuse as to why Rossi didn't win...not why someone else won.

Note that if Pedrosa hadn't torpedoed his then-teammate Hayden at the Portugal race prior to the season-ending event at Valencia in '06, Rossi would not have been in such an easy position to make a "bonehead mistake" and "lose" the championship. See what I'm getting at?  

Interesting when talking about "hollow" championships that I have rarely heard complaints about Schwantz's '93 500cc championship.  But Schwantz was already a constant frontrunner/multiple winner who impressed with his ferocity, tenacity, and willingness to do anything to win.  I suppose it all depends upon the individual.  

I don't see "hollow" in that MotoGP competition.

Lets say Lorenzo takes the title..He was the only one that could skirmish with Rossi.  

Whatever, who ever wins it, wins by how many points they out do the others gathering points.

And along the way...we get to see Ben Spies buckle our knees.  I mean, that pass he made on Nicky, the speed differental was just un-freakin-believable.  

Lorenzo has the best shot at the IMHO. He's diced with Rossi and on a few occasions has gotten the best of him. Racing is racing and whoever wins the championship earned it. My 2 cents.  

I don't believe that the loss of Rossi creates a hollow championship.
Rossi crashed on his own and has taken responsibility for it.
If Lorenzo had crashed in practice and not Rossi would the championship be hollow also, what if it was Pedrosa, or Spies, or Stoner, or Hayden or ......

In order to win a racing championship you have to be both consistent and
fast - this year Rossi was not consistent because of his crash.

Rossi's departure also creates the opportunity for others to shine and gain
confidence - next year the championship should be even more interesting.  
Ride Proud, Ride Safe, Have Fun.