Originally Posted by
Del La Sol 1320
Thats wierd because I've only heard the exact opposite from those that have met Yates. For people that only know him from TV a lot think he's an asshole because of stuff like laying on the track to get the race red flagged and drop kicking Fania, but everyone who has spoken to him personally says he is extremely down to earth and a favorite rider.
The two times I've spoken to him he was a total cock. I'm sure talking to the media, and probably even more so the local media, isn't most riders' favorite thing to do, but it's part of the job, and most of the other guys are at least courteous and respectful. Yates just goes out of his way to let you know he'd rather be doing anything other than answering your stupid questions, and in fact is probably fantasizing about drop kicking you right after he finishes delivering his canned answer. He's a first class asshole.
BTW, probably the nicest MC racer I've interviewed by far is Steve Rapp. Really cool down to earth guy, easy to talk to, willing to give you his time, etc. He's one of those guys that after you talk to him you really just want to see him win. Great guy. The Haydens are all super nice, Tommy is a little awkward in sort of a shy way, but real nice. I liked Spies a lot when I spoke with him, but it was a long time ago. Mladin, Duhamel, John Ulrich...hell most of the guys I've talked were great, Yates not so much.