MotoGP News - Motegi FP1 and a dirty rumor

I entertained myself in the wee hours of the morning this morning by watching the Kings zip around the Twin Rings for their first free practice. I know what you're thinking.... "Kristen, how do you do it? With your schedule rivaling that of the social elite.... where do you find the time?" It's just one of those sacrifices that are made for the love of the sport - the good of the regime, if you will. But I digress... (mostly because we all know that I only do it because I am that much of a dork).

I love the airing of the FP's!! This morning was no disappointment. Casey Stoner lit out of the paddock and laid down some unbelievable lap times. Each time he tripped the lights he was a little faster - as was Rossi. Stoner made a few mistakes which were evident in his wide turns and one trip to the gravel pit. That's what FP is for though. Jorge Lorenzo snuck in to the top 3 by the end of the 45 minute play-date. He was definitely on his game - solid riding indeed. The top 5 was rounded out by Chris Vermeulen and Colin Edwards.... nice to see them back at the top of the time sheets.

Surprisingly absent from the leaderboard was Honda. The best showing from them was Dovizioso who struggled into 7th - the closest runner-up was Toni Elias, in 9th. What's happening Honda? For years they have been one of the top rides in the paddock. It appears lately that they are slipping, while Suzuki has rifled up the boards, keeping company with the Yams and Ducs.

Marco Melandri did a splendid job with his Kaw finishing up in the top 10 (eighth) - I can't help but to smile for him after all the crap he's been through. Dani Pedrosa - well, Dani, I understand there are still some unhealed wounds there - further aggravated by your little brush with de Angelis in Qatar, so we'll consider 11th a small victory. Nicky, your still riding with stitches in your chest after your righteous bin in Qatar, so there's your free pass for your 12th place spot. Even though you seem to be struggling with your Duc (holy typo!! If not for the backspace key and proofreading that little statement could have been a disaster!).

Mika Kallio - I like this kid!! - wiped out hard during practice. The camera didn't catch the entire episode, but it was a wicked high side, and almost looked as if his legs got tangled in the wheel. He refused the stretcher and walked (limped) off on his own and was back on track by the end of practice... scuffed leathers and all. There is a certain quiet confidence about Mika that I like. I'm keeping my eye on him this season.

James Toseland just eeked into the top ten aboard his Monster Tech3 machine. I have not followed James' career up until he made his appearance in MotoGP, so this is purely off-the-cuff (in other words, no throwing rotten fruit) but his riding style appears to be a bit scattered. He is very twitchy on the bike - almost like high-speed ADD.

As for the rumor, it was whispered that Repsol is winking at Jorge Lorenzo from a dark corner, looking to him as a possible replacement for Dani Pedrosa. I personally think that Jorge has a pretty solid seat and a world of opportunity with Fiat Yamaha (even with the pit wall in place). Who knows? The "Shifting of the Contracts" is just another one of those things that keeps this sport interesting.

Okay, enough of my yammering.... below are the results of FP1. I will once again shift my chaotic social schedule around so that I can feast my eyes upon qualifying around 1 tomorrow morning. I just made me laugh.

1	V. Rossi	Yamaha
2	C. Stoner	Ducati
3	J. Lorenzo	Yamaha
4	C. Vermeulen	Suzuki
5	C. Edwards	Yamaha
6	L. Capirossi	Suzuki
7	A. Dovizioso	Honda
8	M. Melandri	Kawasaki
9	T. Elias	Honda
10	J. Toseland	Yamaha
11	D. Pedrosa	Honda
12	N. Hayden	Ducati
13	Y. Takahashi	Honda
14	S. Gibernau	Ducati
15	A. de Angelis	Honda
16	R. De Puniet	Honda
17	M. Kallio	Ducati
18	N. Canepa	Ducati

Until next time....

Rubb'er Down

Kristen