Only 6 days until resumption of hostilities!

Brno has been resurfaced - meaning much of the past data for electronics and tyres has gone out the window. Brno is one of those circuits where faster laptimes each year are not a given - it's a very fast and demanding circuit, at which a rider/bike combo needs to be in peak form to gain even 0.01 in a lap.

Hopefully the following data is correct, the internet is a minefield (and the MotoGP site is useless):

Lap record (Qualifying) : 1'56.191 (Rossi)
Lap record (2006 race): 1'58.157 (Capirossi)
Fastest lap 2007 race : 1'58.301 (Stoner)

Given that this track is largely about speed, with absolute handling a distant second, it's hard to go past Stoner for pole and victory. I hope Rossi can put up a fight, both for a good championship and also to show that Stoner can withstand the pressure. In 2006 Stoner did a 1'58.1 in post-race testing on the LCR customer Honda, equaling Capirossi's new lap record set during that race, so he certainly has pace at this circuit. Yamaha for their part have reportedly been chasing power during the break, so here's to success on their part.

250cc resumes at Brno after missing the US round - Simoncelli leads the title chase but Kallio has good form at Brno and may be hard to beat.

In the 125s, Mike De Meglio is looking pretty good.