Pre Race Report: MotoGP at Misano Italy

This weekend will be a motorcycle induced triple header at the track with MotoGP at Misano Italy, World Superbike at Nurburgring in the Eiffel Mts in Germany and AMA Pro Racers doing another round at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in the good ole U-S of A!

American fans might have a bit of a struggle fitting all this racing in while celebrating the holiday Labor Day Weekend, barbequing hotdogs and burgers with family and friends at the local park. But hey, isn’t that what Tevo is all about?

MotoGP ~

The action continues on to Misano Italy with a short 5 day break after the tenacious experiences at Indianapolis by the majority of the riders. The flat track seems to be gaining a bad reputation for the rugged tarmac which prompted Champion riders Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner to make a formal complaint at last Sunday’s Inianapolis press conference.

Both Rossi and Stoner complained about the state of the track after encounters with falls and misplaced drainage covers. Turn 6 seemed to be the worst with a killer bump that downed several riders. Casey Stoner and Marlboro Ducati teammate, Nicky Hayden ironically both hit drainage covers knocking their knee sliders off, ultimately causing damage to their leathers, not to mention pace!

To quote Rossi: “This track is very bumpy and I really think something needs to be done in some parts.”

This will be a wait and see situation, being that the bump that was singled out in turn 6 was brought to the Safety Commission’s attention 2 years ago!

Even with Jorge Lorenzo’s 3 rd place finish at Indy, he will be the one rider to catch. Maintaining a 100% success rate on the podium with a record of 12 consecutive podium finishes for this year, which includes the last race of the season at Valencia, in case you were counting!

After a 1^st place win at last weeks Indianapolis circuit, the dauntless Dani Pedrosa will continue his competitiveness with Lorenzo, the score now is 34 -33 to Pedrosa, with Lorenzo leading in wins.

Andrea Dovizioso and Casey Stoner are just separated by 7 points, vying for third position; they both have their work cut out for them this weekend. With Dovizioso looking to beat 5^th place from Indy and Stoner not racing Misano in two years due to an illness and the need to correct his DNF from Indianapolis. A repeat of the 2007 victory from pole would probably remedy the Ducati team riders’ woes nicely.

World Champion Valentino Rossi has won the past two years near his home town in Misano, but Ben Spies has the Italian in his sights after having the best results of the season at Indianapolis. Spies also won two WSBK races at Misano last year and just one point behind fellow American Nicky Hayden, its clear Spies has a mission to accomplish!

The Fiat Yamaha Team felt confident in making progress with the race settings while at Indy, but with no break from the weekend and Rossi’s lack of fitness it will certainly increase the challenge for the local boy and his team. Under the circumstances, Rossi still remains confident and wants to deliver the goods for his fans!

While Honda’s Randy de Puniets continue to recover from his broken leg, Marco Simoncelli and Honda Gresini teammate, Marco Melandri will be shooting for a win with a home field advantage.

Colin Edwards, Hector Barbera and Loris Capirossi are being closely grouped together. The Rizla Suzuki’s Capirossi will become the 2^nd rider in the 62 year GP history to make 200 premier starts.

Misano is also a flat track like Indianapolis, but the similarity ends there. The Europeon anchor shaped track is chocked full of the tight twisties with no long straits and a good balance of left and right turns. Making it a must for an agile bike!