Not sure we did then 'cos in the one I watched Stoner had 1.142 lead after the first lap and 1.2 after two, that grew on every lap reaching a shade over 1.3 until lap 6 when Rossi closed by a around 0.2 My point was there were plenty of laps left, hardly 'panic stations'.

My remarks where merely answering the question poised, is Stoner caving in mentally similar to how Gibernau used to? I don't think he did. Yes he was obviously pushing but he'd already set the fastest lap on lap 5 so I accept he lost it pushing but I think he pushes himself rather than fretting about anyone else. The situation with Gibernau was totally different, Gibernau never really thought he could beat Rossi who was always up his chuff, whereas Stoner already knows he can, so I don't think he feels the same as Gibernau did.

Seeing as the Ducati rides itself, it obviously wasn't Stoner's fault anyway but the bikes

I think it's a real shame for the championship though, had he stayed on the championship would have still had some life in it but now it's gone the same way as the other two, WSB and BSB, foregone conclusions barring disasters of course. Great if you happen to be a 'fan' of either Rossi, Bayliss, or Shakey but if you're a fan of close exciting championships rather boring.

I'm afraid I still don't get this whole 'fan of one rider' bit. What happens when that rider retires? Do his fans stop watching? A football team fan I can understand as the team is a continuous entity but a rider no matter how good is eventually going to stop. I just love to watch good close racing and championships, I think they're all heroes, even tossers like Biaggi and Foggy I'd never describe as crap, 'cos they quite obviously aren't.