was perhaps the most monstrous of all. Never short of horsepower, in a straight line, the Duck was virtually unbeatable. And we now know that in the new 800 cc era, things are no different. In an awe-inspiring display of straight-line speed, Stoner

year of genuine contention. Both Hopkins and Vermeulen are highly rated as riders, both have excellent corner speed, thought to be the key to 800 cc success, and both will be hungry. On current form, Suzuki looks like a real threat.The other big

to reduce the capacity of the MotoGP bikes from 990cc to 800cc. The intention was to make the bikes slower - and therefore safer - in the hope of preventing a similar accident from happening again.It didn't work, of course. As soon as the 800cc Ducati GP7

owns Team KR, originally planned to run two riders next season, but was only promised enough of the new 800cc V4 Honda engines to be able to run a single bike next year. If Kenny Jr, who's having his best season since the demise of the two-strokes, can

with an existing record. So much for being slower.More Winners In 2007The switch to 800cc will reduce the disparity between the bikes. It will be easier for good riders to stay close to the front, and harder for good riders to drop other good riders just on sheer

the V5 990 cc RC 211V into the V4 800 cc RC212V seems to have completely destroyed the balance of the bike. Where previously, the Honda was the bike to be on to have a chance at winning, now it seems as if the only person capable of getting anywhere

is that this year, the MotoGP circus has yet to visit the Montmelo circuit, having done all their pre-season testing down in Jerez instead. So neither the 800 cc bikes, nor the new tire regulations, have been tested at Barcelona, and frankly, that's making some

.Toseland's other option was Gresini Honda, but despite being the odds on favorite to dominate the new 800 cc era of MotoGP prior to the start of the season, Honda spectacularly underestimated what would be needed to win. Only the genius of Dani Pedrosa, many long

power from the top end. This has made the bikes peakier, and combined with better grip from tires designed to deal with 40+ more horsepower, and less gyroscopic effects from smaller and lighter moving parts in the engine, the new 800 cc bikes

.SlowhandHow ironic, then, that the German MotoGP round should take place at the Sachsenring, a circuit at which the world's fastest racing motorcycles never reach anywhere near their maximum speed - even after last year's capacity reduction to 800cc. Indeed, so