bMoto

Welcome back! I don’t know about you, but the summer break felt a lot longer than the four weeks. From here, to the end of the 2006 season, promises to be some hardcore racing as Valentino endeavors to hunt down Nicky and stay the only man to have won a 1000cc MotoGP championship class. 6 Races, 51 points.

Valentino says - “I don’t know what to say about the championship to be honest. We only have six races left which is maybe not enough to make up the difference but anyway I want to try to have some fun and win as much as possible. Right now I’m not even thinking about the championship. I want to take it race by race and try to find a better way forward with this bike and these tyres so I can have some fun and try to win some more races.”

A podium every weekend by Hayden will just about wrap out the title, and in the form he is in, that is very likely. Realistically and with all riders form considered, only really Dani Pedrosa could stall Haydens push for the title. For Honda, who are very keen to put the shadow of Rossi brilliance behind them, the riders, constructors and team trophies are all obtainable goals.

While never satisfied with anything by success, Pedrosa and mentor Alberto Puig should be thrilled with season up to the summer break. There is much talk of how the 800cc Honda will be designed with Dani in mind, just how much smaller can they make the bike?

The Suzuki squad will be pressing very hard to capitalize on the progress they have been making in their mid season run. Surely a result is due for the team soon.

Paul Denning - “The whole team is looking forward to the Brno race and we are all refreshed from the summer break. John and Chris have both been training hard and are eager to get back in the thick of the action - they are both looking to continue from where they left off before the break. Suzuki has had a far more successful season than we have had in recent years but it is refreshing that the factory is pushing for much more - we have a multitude of new engine and chassis components to use in Brno, some for the race and some for the test afterwards.”

“We are still chasing for podium places and some of the upcoming tracks should suit the Rizla Suzuki - so we will be looking to take advantage of those - starting with Brno this weekend. It isn’t an out-and-out power circuit, although the riders need good torque to accelerate up the steep elevation changes, and the track certainly favours a well balanced bike.”

“We are all very motivated to deliver on the potential shown so far this year and we’re hoping for a great Grand Prix.”

Picture courtesy of Yamaha

Current championship standings -

1. Hayden, 194
2. Pedrosa, 160
3. Melandri, 150
4. Rossi, 143
5. Capriossi, 126
6. Stoner, 91
7. Edwards, 84
8. Roberts, 79
9. Hopkins, 74
10. Nakano, 67