Seeing as since there hasn't been a thread started on this :eek: , especially since half of this board are Aussies, I figure I will try give a bit of a preview to this round.
MotoGP
Phillip Island is a picturesque, flowing riders track that allows a lot of riders to overcome their bikes deficiencies. The racing is usually tight and fierce with the weather being a real wildcard given the track is situated on the Southern Coast of Victoria. With such a deep field in MotoGP, probably two-thirds of the grid are a realistic podium chance if things go their way. Following is a bit of a rundown on the protagonists:
The main contenders
Obviously if we're talking the main men, newly crowned World Champ and 07 season dominator, Casey Stoner, has to be first cab off the rank. Casey has been supreme all year and with the weight of the title now off his back, he is free to go for broke. Conversely, crowd favourite Valentino Rossi also now has nothing to lose and wins to gain so he can race at or past his very limit. The Hondas are becoming stronger as the season progresses and both Nicky Hayden and Marco Melandri have done well at the seaside circuit in the past and should figure up the front again. Dani Pedrosa has had a solid second season and should never be discounted but Phillip Island hasn't always been kind to him. Suzuki have been the real find of MotoGP in 07 and Chris Vermeulen has proven to be very quick, wet or dry, if he knows the circuit. His teammate, John Hopkins, has had a very impressive season to date securing his first podium positions. Will the Anglo-American be able to snare his first win this weekend at a place that hasn't seen his strongest performances.
The outsiders
Loris Capirossi and Alex Barros two are old warhorses that haven't had the best of seasons. Both are fast at the Island and on their day are still capable of springing the odd surprise. The Kawasaki Racing Team are much improved this year, earning their first podium of the year at the last round in Japan via Randy de Puniet. Randy was very fast in qualifying last year in Aus and will be keen to turn that into a fast race pace this year. Ant West is a real dark horse and will be really pumped to come to his home round on competitive machinery for the first time. Japan saw his strongest qualifying result and had it not been for a ride through penalty for a jump start, he may well have got his first podium. Colin Edwards has raced the Island on many occasions and knows all the tricks and even though his year has been less than stellar, he has a solid record there and is certainly capable of giving the top guys the hurry-up. Toni Elias could do absolutely anything this weekend. If all clicks he will really add some spice to the race and is highly entertaining to watch.
Bringing up the rear
The Tech3 Yamaha boys of Sylvain Guintoli and Makoto Tamada have had a trying year on underperforming Yamaha's and inferior, though improving, Dunlop tyres. Veteran, Carlos Checa will be keen to do well in his final Australian GP but recent form says he will struggle. Keep an eye on these three though if rain falls which is a high possibility. Chaz Davies has the opportunity of a lifetime in replacing the sacked Alex Hofmann at Pramac Ducati for the rest of the year. He will be up against it but was superb in his fill-in ride for the team at Laguna earlier this year and may surprise. Shinya Nakano has been most disappointing this year, struggling on an under-developed Honda and finding it difficult to come to terms on Michelin tires again. Unlikely to feature very high. Finally, bringing up the rear for team KR is Kurtis Roberts. KR are really struggling in every facet and Kurtis will be doing well to make the qualifying cut-off and not get lapped in the race.
Well, that's my MotoGP preview. If anyone wants to do a 250 and 125 one then feel free. I gotta go pack ready to leave tomorrow. Ciao! :)
