THE SPANISH INQUISITION

Does Nicky have a chance at a repeat? A snowball's chance in hell maybe. With the new 800cc bikes made especially for former 250cc riders like Pedrosa and Stoner on the track (and in Honda's case they went to extremes to make this bike as small as possible, since Hayden looks like he's riding around on a pocket bike) and with the Spanish sponsors Repsol funding the project heavily, it doesn't look good. Throw in the fact that Dorna is a Spanish corporation and one can't imagine the results being good for Hayden. He'll be lucky if he sees a podium before mid-season.

Cynically speaking, it's a sound business decision really. Spain is crazy about motorcycles. Pedrosa is a national hero, as is any Spaniard on two wheels. And a lot of money and advertising is at stake all throughout Europe.

Back in the States young Hayden couldn't get a good seat at The Olive Garden.

As far as the other factories go, Yamaha kept the ergos reasonably roomy to accomodate Rossi's height, which in turn helps Edwards, and has resulted in a very competitive package. Will anyone touch Rossi this year? I doubt it.

The Ducati's are fast but it seems as Capirossi is no where to be found. What's his story? Stoner can be magnificent when he stays upright but he's up against Rossi who makes very few mistakes (except when the championship is on the line).

Hopkins has his chance this year but he threw away a golden opportunity at Jerez. Maybe the hand caused it. Maybe not. What happened to Vermeullion? Is he trying to get back into World Superbike the hard way?

MAN, THAT DUCATI IS FAST!

The opening round of the 2007 MotoGP season at Qatar is complete and we now know who was ready to play. The Desmosedici GP7 kicked everybody's ass in straight-line speed and from the looks of it aren't too bad in the corners either. Stoner who's had a crash prone beginning to his premier class career looked absolutely flawless first time out on the Duc. Rossi was up against it this time, with Stoner making no mistakes, no matter what pressure he attempted to apply. Hopefully Casey will keep the rubber side down this season and emerge as a title contender. Capirossi will be up there as well, no doubt.

As far as the current world champion goes, Hayden seemed at a loss all weekend on the new RC212V. Hopefully he and the bike can come together to mount a title defense. Even though the Yamahas weren't the fastest, they seem to handle pretty darn well in the corners and they weren't the slowest bikes out there. Pedrosa has no intention of waiting around for Hayden this year either, so look for a massive uphill climb for the Kentucky Kid. Massive.

IS THIS THE BEST WE CAN DO?

While watching coverage of the AMA Supersport race at Daytona I began to realize just how crappy that course is. I know people talk, talk, talk about the banking but who really gives a damn? The track looks like an MSF course set up in the parking lot of a local high school. You can see the tar filled cracks all over the place, the cones directing the racers, and the guardrails at every corner. It's simply nothing short of HALF-ASSED. Why can't the motorcycle establishment in this country just get it together and help create or at least renovate a group of road course tracks worthy of having an AMA National event? Did anyone watch the corner workers' mad dash to get Danny Eslick's bike off the tarmac as the second wave of Supersport bikes rounded the corner? Did you see the guy drop the bike and then tumble to the ground like a drunken fool? It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Daytona is a joke. It's a mere skidmark of what it used to be. A great part of the world takes motorcycle racing seriously and is willing and able to build safe, beautiful and interesting road courses. At least the AMA boys are off to a purpose built racetrack at Barber (albeit a track without an actual straightaway). Then off to Fontana for another parking lot event, California style. And yes, they have banking too! BFD.

After that we're off to Sears point which consists of another ridiculous go-kart track layout with lots of useless turns and no straight. Thank god for Road America.