This Sunday, under the floodlights at Losail International Circuit in the desert-lands of
The most notable rule change in the MotoGP paddock is that each rider can use only six engines throughout the entire season; this puts pressure on builders, considering they may have to sacrifice some high-rpm power to increase the longevity. And also the spec-tire rule continues from last year, as Bridgestone is the sole supplier, allowing on two specifications of tires for each round.
Out of ten teams consisting of 17 riders, nine-time Champion Valentino Rossi is already looking like the main title contender, considering the Fiat Yamaha rider posted the fastest times in all but one pre-season test. The 31-year-old defending champion has won twice in
“I expect this season to be a big battle with many riders very strong, and I hope that we will show some good racing to the fans,” Rossi said. “
The Doctor’s teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, missed out on the second pre-season test session in Sepang due to a hand injury he sustained in a motocross accident. The Spaniard, who is still not 100-percent recovered from his injuries, was runner-up in last year’s championship.
The only rider post a faster time than Rossi during pre-season testing (1 out of 6 tests) was Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner. The Australian, who missed four races last year due to chronic fatigue, has helped Ducati Corse develop the new “big bang engine” in the GP10 Desmosedici, which has an altered firing order, allowing Stoner to run faster on worn tires. Stoner, who finished ’09 in fourth place, won last year at
“Ducati have come up with a much more manageable engine for this season, it is easier for everybody to understand and from my point of view I am finding it easier to ride fast on used tires,” Stoner said. “We have made progress with the set-up ever since the first test at Sepang and we’re happy with what we have going into the first race. I will give my maximum as always but it is only the first race of a very long season that will only start to take shape from the third or fourth round.”
His teammate, Kentuckian Nicky Hayden, had “clean-up” surgery in February to remove scar tissue resulting from his first operation for compartmental surgery, which many riders suffer from. Hayden, who enters his second year with Marlboro Ducati, is expected to be 100-percent for the opening race.
Honda Racing Corporation will continue to develop their RC212V after only taking three wins last year. With 10 podium finishes, which includes two wins, Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa finished third in the championship last year. His teammate, Andrea Dovizioso, grabbed his first MotoGP victory last year at Donington. Both riders are hoping for a more competitive bike that will keep up with the Ducati GP10s and Yamaha M1s.
Two Texans will pilot the M1s for the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha squad, Colin Edwards and Ben Spies. Edwards took fifth in the championship last year, edging out Dovizioso by one point. His teammate is creating quite a buzz this year; the three-time AMA Superbike Champion took the World Superbike title last year in his rookie season. Spies was third fastest during the first day of testing in
The Rizla Suzuki team returns this year, with refinements to the GSV-R’s chassis and teammates that share both experience and youth. Loris Capirossi returns this year with former 125cc World Champion Alvaro Bautista. Capirossi, who already holds the record for most GP starts, will be competing in his 300th GP event at
Pramac Ducati hopes to benefit from the redeveloped GP10, with the ’09 “Rookie of the Year” Mika Kallio and Aleix Espargaro riding the machine. The other Ducati team, Aspar Racing, consists of sole rider Hector Barbera, who had consistent lap times during pre-season testing.
Another sole rider is 250cc World Champion Hiroshi Aoyama, who will ride a Honda RC212V for the Interwetten MotoGP team. Randy de Puniet returns on the LCR Honda; the Frenchman scored his first podium finish last year at Donington. Honda Gresini returns this year with Marco Melandri and 250cc Champion Marco Simoncelli.
SPEED TV will broadcast
