Gearing up for MotoGP

Note: this is a post from my (Paul's) other site, MotoWise.  If you like what you see and are interested in more from the motorcycle world, check out www.motowise.com!

MotoGP season is getting closer and closer, and we sure are excited. Folks, if you haven't followed it too much up to this point, this season is the time to start watching. It's going to be amazing for several reasons:

ROSSI

If you don't know the name, you should. Valentino Rossi is a 7-time World Champion in the premier class alone, the best-liked personality in MotoGP, and a serious contender for "greatest racer of all time."  Even his enemies admit that his racecraft and skills on a motorcycle are impeccable.  He'll be on a Ducati this year, a new bike for him and the makings of an Italian dream team.

But the Duc is finicky, and Rossi's recovering from a bad shoulder injury. So far in testing he's been slow. Can he regain his legendary mojo and show the world once again that he's simply the king?

LORENZO

Jorge Lorenzo, last year's champ, will be showcasing his aggressiveness and skill once again on the Yamaha M1. It's a bike he knows and loves, and is one of the strongest on the grid. Jorge is a young, hungry, and incredibly talented Spaniard who will be eager to prove that the #1 plate in 2010 wasn't just a fluke.

The big unknown about Lorenzo, though, is whether or not he can develop a bike as well as he can ride one. To win both skills are crucial, and until this year the M1 has been developed by the incomparable Rossi - some say that Lorenzo benefited greatly from this. Will he be able to step up and do it on his own?

STONER

Casey Stoner, the Australian wunderkind who's nearly untouchable when he's "on," is moving from a temperamental Duc to the very refined, and brutally fast, Honda. Many say the Honda is the fastest bike on the grid, and without the front-end issues that plagued him at Ducati, Stoner may absolutely dominate when he gets on the RC212V. He's already been extremely fast in practice, and looked comfortable on the new bike right away.

But Casey has also been accurately described as a temperamental, high strung race horse. Others have beaten him in the past by getting into his head a bit, like when Rossi passed him in the dirt at Laguna. If you haven't seen that legendary pass, check it out:


Can Casey take the pressure and get another World Championship? Or will he crack?

PEDROSA

Dani Pedrosa's the last of the "Aliens" - the four riders who seemingly perform on a level above the rest of the normal humans on the grid, for the past few years at least. Dani's a 5'2", 112-lb Spanish guy who physically looks about as formidable as a Pomeranian. But he's a racer to the core and has the cojones to twist the throttle and battle it out on the track like few others. Dani's a perennial Honda guy and will stay on the RC212V this season; it's been developed specifically for him and will add to his advantage. A former champion of the lower classes, Dani has gotten 2nds and 3rds in the MotoGP Championship, and will be hungry to win it. There's really not much holding him back, other than a formerly-broken-and-operated-on collarbone that didn't appear to be slowing him down in testing.

The problem with Dani is really just one of personality - he's not the most likeable guy.  Nicknamed "the Pedrobot," he often comes across as cold, dull, and like he takes himself a little too seriously.  He always seems to have a nasty look on his face - even when he's "smiling."

THE OTHERS

Rossi, Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa are just the favorites...this season's MotoGP grid may not be large, but it's deep. The field includes several others who are fast, hungry, experienced in the lower classes, and if all goes their way just might be mixing it up for some wins. Guys like the fastest afro in Italy, Marco Simoncelli:

One-time world champ and Kentucky Kid Nick Hayden:

Or, possibly even French prettyboy Randy DePuniet:

FINALLY....SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!

There's someone we've missed, though, because we saved the best for last. A good ole 'merican, Texas Terror Ben Spies (speez)! Ben forged his reputation battling it out with, and beating, legendary Superbike racer Mat Mladin in the American class. Moved up to World Superbikes and won the Championship in his rookie year, on tracks he'd never seen before. Came to MotoGP the following season and was on the podium as high as second place, picking up Rookie of the Year along the way. Again, on tracks he'd never seen before.

Oh, and that was on a satellite bike.

This year he'll be on the factory M1, and starting from a level playing field as he'll have seen the tracks. Ben's used to conquering giants, and is already fast in practice. We'll be rooting for him all year!

So, that's the preview. The first race of the sure-to-be-spectacular 2011 MotoGP season will be in Qatar on March 20th, just under a month from now. Don't miss it!