Monster Energy Grand Prix de France – Le Mans

Dani Pedrosa wins in Le Mans and leaps to the top of the Championship

Wow, where to start with the French GP? Perhaps a smug ‘I told you so’, reference Dani being the one to watch for winning this race.

It used to be that, if it was raining, wet, damp; then Dani would be a dead cert for mediocrity in the race. However over the last 18-months, we have seen him focus on this major weakness and turn it into a strength – Dani Pedrosa is now a great wet-weather rider. I never thought I’d say so.

He had two great days of Free Practice leading up to the race; setting fastest times and looking, overall, confident on track – however a fall in Q2 on Saturday morning left him starting from the back of the second row, in sixth place.

Ahead of the race, most eyes were on Marquez, Lorenzo and Rossi, while the two front runners for the most part – Dani and Dovi – were, foolishly, overlooked. While Dani’s great start and prowess in the rain did not surprise me at all (okay, it surprised me a little bit. Not that he was riding well in the wet, but that he was braving manoeuvre after manoeuvre to take and retake the lead. Brave stuff, displaying just how much of a complete rider he has become, fully fit).

But Dovi was the real surprise package on Sunday. Alongside Nicky, who spent most of the race up in fifth place, the Ducati’s stayed at the pointy end of the race, throughout, to finish 4th and 5th respectively, ahead of both Factory Yamahas who, contrastingly, were all at sea in the conditions.

MotoGP Round 1: Losail, Qatar

Rossi celebrates second in Qatar

The MotoGP got off to a suitably thrilling start under the suggestively atmospheric floodlights of Qatar.

I often prefer the thrills and excitement garnered from the Moto3 – instead of a warm-up to the main MotoGP event, it is an openly exhilarating competition in its own right.

Indeed, the Moto3 race was a suitable appetite-whetter for what is to come throughout 2013/14. After finishing second in the 2012 championship, the Spaniard, Luis Salom, was looking to begin his 2013 season in similarly competitive style – and what better start than from the front of the grid, courtesy of his first career pole?

Not that he could get a Lorenzo-esque start with his fellow Moto3 competitors lurking behind. He fought off rutting competition from injured Championship favourite, Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins, Jonas Folger – Marc Marquez’s brother, Alex, displayed typical Marquez tenacity to catch up with the more experienced Moto3-ers by midway. Even heading the race in the 13th lap.

The lead was shifted and stolen between this group repeatedly throughout the race – expect the Championship table to read no different as the season gets underway.

And the best-of Moto3 was highlighted in its ability to produce yet another last-lap thriller.

A Folger fault saw him give-way to the chasing pack; he could only manage fifth in the end. Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales – worried off-season that he’d miss the start of this season, so bad was his hand injury – kept a cool head and a steady position throughout the 18 laps and managed to push across the line 0.006s ahead of Alex Rins. ‘Mini’ Marquez was .3 behind in fourth – having displayed uncanny nuances to his brother. (Apparently Marc claims Alex is even faster than he? A worrying thought indeed). Salom’s persistence and gas-on in the final lap opened up a 0.417 gap, big enough to cross the line first.

All in all, a spectacular opener and metaphor for the joy of Moto3.

Vinales, of course, has set a quiet precedent in coming second despite being dosed up on painkillers, and still in agony about his hand injured in the off-season. Just imagine how deadly he will be at full-fitness. For me, Maverick is one of the most entertaining and precocious riders in the sport – and that the sport has seen in some years.

Next followed the full-on thuggery that is Moto2 – where racers really learn their onions on bike-to-bike battling and elbow-grazing action.

Season favourite Pol had a corker of a weekend: from gravel, to pole, to podium. Big brother Aleix cheered from the side-lines, as Pol dipped no lower than third position throughout the twenty floodlit Qatari laps. The battle at the front played out between him, Italtrans’ Nakagami and England’s very own Scott Redding. Pol, though, played it perfectly. He and Redding took advantage of Nakagami’s eventual slump in race-pace halfway through. Pol stalked his way to his first win of the season, finally putting a move on Redding with five laps spare. The Brit fought ‘til the end, nearly coming wheel-to-wheel with Pol in his quest for the front – but Espagaro displayed a mature display of defensive riding and pulled away in the straights to end across the line 0.844 in front of Redding. Nakagami still managed to complete the podium, albeit an eventual 12 seconds in lieu of first place.

Now what better set-up for the MotoGP? In recent past, the main class has left a little to be desired in terms of comparable predictability and excitement – Stoner vs Lorenzo vs Pedrosa was about your lot.

But 2013 sees all change – and change for the better because, boy, it could go any way this year! First things first, we all drop to our knees in gratitude that Valentino Rossi is back on a competitive bike. He seemed as joyous to finish second in Qatar as he did winning his last Championship, so much has he missed truly competing in this sport – and giving the fans the man-v-machine artistry that only he can perform. With Rossi a decade older than many of the new MotoGP competitors, his time at Ducati was a disservice to his legacy, his talent and the sport overall – and this was no better proved than in his cheek-to-cheek battle with Repsol Honda debutant Marc Marquez in the last four laps.

The 20-year-old Spaniard is the next reason to keep in tune with the top class this season. He called on his ballsy Moto2 experience to finish second; after trailing team-mate Dani until the 16th lap, he overtook Pedrosa’s problematic Honda but couldn’t make his moves on Rossi stick for second place. It was certainly an impressive performance and a great inaugural display for BBC viewers less accustomed to the talents of Moto2/3 graduates. (All hail the commentary genius of Julian Rider and Toby Moody – nobody does it better).

The fact Marquez held off Rossi’s imposing presence and even dared to cut back ahead of the veteran – albeit temporarily – proved the young Spaniard (well, one of many young Spaniards!) is going to be as fearless as ever this year, which is something for viewers to really relish, if he can draw on his battle-scarred Moto2 style.

Then there is dear Dani – a lackluster weekend for the man deemed as an early favourite before the competitive racing began. He ended the 2012 season on such a high that, if the season were to have perpetuated for another few weeks, he’d have been a safe bet for usurping Lorenzo’s title. Alas, the season ended with him second and at an unfulfilled peak. Most imagined (and, certainly in my case, hoped) that he could start off with this same form and confidence this season. Certainly testing sessions suggested he was likely to – and the Repsol finally looked like the bike to be on.

Unfortunately for Dani and his fans, this was not the start we’d dreamed of; his whole weekend lacked presence and, in the end, he couldn’t keep up with the Yamahas – or, most frustratingly, his rookie teammate. It was ultimately down to poor grip in the rears; he seemingly failed to set up right and that cost him as the laps drew to a close, as he could no longer hold off the pressure from his teammate to overtake, nor two laps later the prowling Rossi, eager to regain a footing on the winner’s podium.

Not to worry. It’s not ideal, but Losail is by no means a favourite venue of Dani’s – he didn’t sound overly troubled to skip the podium and, after all, this is just race one of 18. My faith is shaken, but intact.

Jorge Lorenzo is apparently the same machine he was last season, looking to win a consecutive championship and setting up for it in perfect style: a comfortable pole that ensured he led from start to finish in Qatar. There is no ruling this guy out, much to the regret of the rest of MotoGP!

Notable mention for Alvaro’s sixth place on the Gresini!! I’d have loved for Dovi to have pulled that Ducati up further than 7th, to support his great quali, but there’s plenty of time for that. Predict he’ll get more out of the machine than Vale managed last year…

Anyway, until Texas in two weeks’ time!

Burgess carries burden of success to Ducati

Rossi and Burgess will be expected to bring winning-ways to Ducati

Finding out Valentino Rossi was moving to Ducati was so exciting – it’s a move that completely encapsulates what Rossi is all about. He is mounting another new challenge, with a manufacturer he has always dreamed to represent, on a bike that is still, for the most part, inferior to the pack leaders – most notably Yamaha, where he will be moving from.

Now this was not the case when Vale first agreed to board the M1 – it was being far outclassed by Rossi’s then-ride, the RC211V Honda. As soon as Rossi et al arrived in the Yamaha garage, it was clear there was a lot of work to be done – but not just with the M1, with the Yamaha mentality too.

Having arrived from the strict and exacting quarters of HRC, the disorder in the Yamaha garage was quite a shock. Working with the garage in this previous style is, seemingly, something that could have been the difference between Rossi winning and losing; being a legend and throwing his career away… So who do we – and Valentino (but probably not the rest of the paddock) – have to thank?… That would be crew chief Jeremy Burgess et al.

As soon as Rossi had made up his mind to join Yamaha, he was adamant that he needed Jeremy and his HRC mechanic team to join him there. While initially hesitant – Burgess told Rossi that the Yamaha would never catch-up, as they lacked the means and engineers of Honda – it was not long after Rossi’s declaration to join Yamaha that Jeremy ironed out a contract of his own and, just like that, he and his HRC crew were on board with Rossi.

While a large point of the move was to prove his wins were as much to do with his rider ability as it was the superiority of the RC211V – Rossi owes a lot of credit and thanks to the remarkable work Burgess and the team did for the M1. Prior to their arrival, the adjustments were made seemingly haphazardly – certainly without the strict trial-and-error, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, tactics of the HRC garage. And it carried a tainted reputation with the riders who boarded it.

Rossi and his Yamaha team celebrate another victory

Well, we all know how the story goes… The hard work, great ability and determination of Jeremy’s crew not only allowed Rossi to prosper, but they are now leaving behind a legacy. The Yamaha is the best bike on the track, not just because Jorge Lorenzo is 2010 Champion, but because Yamaha are also topping both the Team and Constructors Championships.

Because there are such mirrors with Rossi’s move to Ducati; continuing his relationship with Jeremy and mechanics like Alex Briggs, seemed crucial. Prior to discovering the team were moving with him, rumours were suggesting Jeremy could be wooed back to Honda, to lead the garage and Casey Stoner’s new title-bid, as Burgess’ history is moving to teams where a talented young rider is making a push for the Championship.

Thankfully, he is continuing his long success with Rossi and hopefully, they can make it another, 8th, joint title. Seeing if they can bring the same magic to Ducati as they brought to Yamaha is what we are apprehending. Can they make Ducati a winner for the first time since Casey Stoner in 2007, and further than that, can they make the Ducati dominate the grid, and the Desmosedici the bike to fear?

Part of the challenge is not that the Ducati needs work from the experienced engineering crew – but the burden of success that Rossi and his Yamaha team will have to carry with them to the Italian manufacturer.

Burgess seems his usual positive and calm self when speaking of the challenge of adjusting the Ducati for Valentino to succeed on. He believes ‘racing is cyclic,’ predicting – (perhaps a mind-game?) – that Yamaha could be coming towards the end of their ‘so-called dominance’. Though, he is not underestimating the hunger of Honda, who have been upstaged for far too long – bringing Casey Stoner over to the Repsol team, alongside some of the Yamaha engineers that are not joining Rossi.

Repsol Honda will look to succeed with Pedrosa and Dovizioso - and Stoner

With Lorenzo looking to prove his first Championship was no fluke, Stoner making the step up to Repsol Honda, Pedrosa looking to complete an injury-free season and win his first Championship, also on the Repsol Honda which he has four-years experience on… 2011 will be a big challenge, especially with Honda who are desperate to have a resurgence of dominance.*

Jeremy will be giving the same speeches to Valentino as he did in 2003/04, warning him to reset his expectations of the bike – do not expect it to act like the Yamaha and do not pre-empt what changes the Ducati will need. Despite having spent seven seasons on the Yamaha, Rossi is, with it, so much more experienced and so the adjustment from Yamaha to Ducati should be less of a shock than Honda to Yamaha.

It is, however, still unspecified as to when Jeremy and the team of mechanics will be able to get their magic hands onto the GP10. Rossi’s mechanic, Alex Briggs explained on his Twitter: “I’m contracted to Yamaha ’til after the [Valencia] test & will honor that. So unless there is a change, no,” in reply to if he will be able to work on the Ducati during the post-Valencia test.

While Burgess is typically unflustered by this – suggesting Rossi’s lack of fitness would not provide an accurate test – the point still stands that the reduced winter testing schedule compels the teams to get familiar with the bike sooner, and suggests opportunity to learn from the Valencia test would be advantageous.

*Incidentally, there are so many Honda sub-plots. While everyone was anticipating the Repsol Honda team for 2011 to be strongly favoured, Dani Pedrosa, and new signing, Casey Stoner… We forgot about Dovizioso, who was contracted to still have a factory ride for next season – and thus, we will be witnessing a three-way Repsol Honda garage next season. With pressure on all, but mostly Dovi, to prove their rightful place as a Repsol ‘lead-rider’.

Can Simoncelli mature and improve enough to impress HRC?

BUT then, we are of course still forgetting to mention Marco Simoncelli’s role in all of this – the erratic MotoGP debutant has made a good case for his abilities this season on the Honda Gresini, and will be looking to gain a better ride, if not prove he is the better bet for Honda’s successful future.

Downpour puts dampener on first Estoril practice

Rain halts first Estoril test

Initial practice sessions for the Portuguese Grand Prix have been curbed by heavy rain – and the stormy skies are not looking to subside, as the tumultous weather is predicted to last the whole weekend.

Only four riders attempted to set some times on the hazardously flooded Estoril track. Brave rookie Hiroshi Aoyama was the only one in the 45-minute practice session to complete a lap and set an official, serious, lap time – though he did one lap a full 46-seconds off Jorge Lorenzo’s pole of 2008.

Aoyama managed to paddle his Honda through to a 2min 21.217sec lap time, comparing rather unfavourably with the 1min 36.937sec dry lap record – although I repeat, the fact only four riders braved the conditions reflects how waterlogged the track was, and how little could be ascertained from taking this free lap time.

Carlos Checa returns to MotoGP

One of the other riders to be credited with a couple of slow laps was familiar face, Carlos Checa, who left Superbike testing in Aragon early in order to make his MotoGP return – his first MotoGP race since 2007. Checa was officially registered with a 37min 47.795sec time for the first test.

But it is pouring, full heavens, onto the Portuguese track… Which, given that it is not predicted to wane, does not give me much hope for Dani’s return this weekend. He is notoriously uncomfortable riding in the wet and, while he has got a lot better, that burden of his shoulder injury worries me greatly. The same for Valentino, really… While I do have more faith in him on a wet track – he will be pushing so hard to secure these final victories.

Rossi is already scheduled to have his shoulder operated on after the post-race test in Valencia – where he will be making his Ducati MotoGP debut – and he did of course break his leg in a fall this season. He can ill afford to hurt himself or exacerbate these injuries, with his debut Ducati tests so anticipated and crucial.

The second 45-minute Friday practice session is taking place mid-afternoon, on a slightly dryer track.

Mourning MotoGP 2010

Jorge Lorenzo: 2010 Champion

With the Championship already tied up for Jorge, I have already started my Moto GP mourning for the end of this season… I can’t help but get ahead of myself with anticipation for 2011; caught in a limbo where I don’t want the MotoGP to end – but, boy, I can’t wait for the new challenges and variables 2011 is due to bring!

There are of course still two races left this season – and actually still a lot of drama left to be resolved. Just because Lorenzo has sped away with the title, with an especially dominent end to the season, does not mean that all the loose ends have been tied.

We have this weekend, a Hallowe’en trip to Estoril, and at the start of November we bid a final farewell to the 2010 season at the traditional Valencia circuit.

Estoril is famed for thrilling overtaking manouvres, with riders making daring cuts – unfortunately the heavy rain of this weekend could limit the bravery of the riders, as risk of a fall multiplies in the unpredictable and greasy conditions. While there are no titles to lose – points, and pride, still remain to be won.

The Spanish East Coast is a place where Jorge will want to end his first Championship season with a win in front of his home fans; Dani will be back from his latest injury – a multiply fractured collarbone – looking to claw back those lost points while he was away, prove he is not so far behind title rival and compatriot, Jorge Lorenzo, and set a statement for how he is looking to begin 2011. Pedrosa is still second in the Championship, just 23 points ahead of last race’s victor, Casey Stoner, and 31 more ahead of Valentino Rossi.

Yes, The Doctor. Not one to ever shirk the limelight – and with these being his final two races for Yamaha, you can bet Vale will be desperate to end his season – and Yamaha career – with a victory, or two. Just as he did when he left Honda in 2003.

This is a large reason I am excited for 2011 – Rossi, 46, on the Ducati.

We have no more superlatives left to describe Valentino, he has set such a huge precedent and changed the face of MotoGP. He proved the importance of the rider, how having a ‘fast bike’ was not all that ensured victory. His, as seen, ‘step down’ to Yamaha seemed a folly move that would be suicidal to his career. The bike was so far behind Honda; the dominant force, the best and the beast in the paddock. No one could understand the motives or logic of such a move – and certainly did not expect him to be so immediately successful (a first race victory and first season championship).

Valentino enjoying his Yamaha success

I digress, we all know Valentino’s success story. This is why we should not be alarmed that he has chosen to move to his dream team, Italian manufacturers, Ducati.

While his motives for leaving perhaps this time involve less animosity and apathy, most certainly the ones he had about needing a new challenge have resurfaced. Somehow, seven years have flown by. It was such a personal shock to realise he had been at Yamaha so long – as it meant I had been watching MotoGP for over a decade, and at 22, I thought that was quite excessive, in that I had no idea I had been following since my childhood – but the numbers don’t lie! It’s even crazy to realise he was at Yamaha – risky, deficient, unpredictable Yamaha – for nearly twice the time he was with Honda (from 500’s to MotoGP). A fair reflection of where Rossi’s happiest years have been.

At 31, with six MotoGP titles and a Championship in each 125cc, 250cc and 500cc, nobody can begrudge a move to the Italian manufacturer – and even fewer can question his “balls” (as he refers to so often in his autobiography), for making this move now.

I will admit to not being a fan of the Ducati – I blame this, in part, to being a female and preferring a less muscular-looking bike. I feel even worse about the street BMW’s… I can only blame it on wanting a sexier aesthetic.

But it’s not just that – the bike is so different; so idiosyncratic and disobedient. It seems a real wrestle, and like the sort of bike that embodies the idea that victory can only come when the rider is 100% in-tune with his bike; the sort of bike where success can only come via a harmonious relationship between man and machine.

It’s such a romanticised notion: the compatriot manufacturer, another challenge, a new beginning – and all the time in a league that has some of the best young riders currently competing, and some of the toughest challengers Rossi has had for years: Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Marco Simoncelli, Ben Spies…

The move-up from Moto 2 to MotoGP ‘proper’ is a, reletively, easier adjustment to make than from 250cc to the former 500cc series. The four-stroke MotoGP bikes are easier to control and have less attitude than the 500’s.

Dani Pedrosa celebrates a victory

I have split loyalties now, for who I want to succeed next year. For the brave and exciting reasons I have stated above, seeing Valentino do it again and prove his dominance in MotoGP would be immeasurably rewarding.

But it cannot be ignored that I have invested a lot of time and emotion into the success of Dani Pedrosa. I was already into my MotoGP when a fresh-faced, teeny-tiny, Dani climbed upon his first Honda in the 125 class. He became a quick, and firm, favourite of mine – especially when he was racing 125 alongside Rossi’s 500 season.

And because I have championed him, ached for him to win and despaired everytime he fell off – usually for just seeming too tiny for the bike! – something I want more than anything, and I think that he deserves, is for him to win a MotoGP Title.

I still love the Repsol Honda’s – after carrying Rossi and Nicky to victories. I hope still for the same for Dani. Though I fear the competiton, with the garage switchovers, will be tougher than ever.

I’m anticipating a positive, and emotional, end to this season – but more than that, cannot wait for 2011’s to start. Another exciting chapter in the life of Valentino Rossi, and hopefully a rightly memorable one for Dani Pedrosa too…