powered into last October's Brands Hatch finale having the title within their grasp, only for Kiyonari to deny them, are both back for more. The Airwaves Ducati duo have already begun their intensive testing programme and are certain to again

Bridgestone GP Briefing - Round 11: USAThe final race before MotoGP's traditional summer break takes Bridgestone Motorsport to Laguna Seca for the United States GP, the eleventh round of this year's championship. Ducati's Casey Stoner extended his

to withdraw on the sixth lap. Today's race, round 32 laps of the 3.610 km Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, was won by championship leader Casey Stoner (Ducati) from Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) and Marco Melandri (Honda).KURTIS ROBERTS - DNFThe problem started probably

sometimes because there will always be someone faster than you. Know how rubbish your mirrors are though, I can only quote Ducati Pete here on the subject of sportsbike mirrors: he could have a elephant with a hard on about to rape him with minimal lube

and change every frickin' thing. The latter option is what most are expecting. I'd like to see him get on the thing and fly, but I don't see anyone beating Troy with the form he's in. It'd take a better bike than the Ducati to do it, not the rider. And people

... ' when they realise. But it's me who can comfortably get to the motorhome, I don't have to scrap my way back.As to next year, it's still hard to think of someone who can beat Rossi. Nicky's got the taste for it now. Stoner could be strong on the Ducati

. Edwards still has a little time left to show he can pick up the pace every weekend rather than just now and then, but Bayliss's good results were on the Ducati in 2003. On the supposedly easier to ride Honda, he is struggling.It's not just two riders

Melandri, and enough bad luck to mean he is not even top Honda rider any more.A Spanish passport and a modicum of talent still attracts big money - look at Carlos Checa, creaming it with Marlboro Ducati, and even Ruben Xaus, 17 crashes so far this year

Hardship awaits those who challenge the Japanese motorcycle industry's might in MotoGP. While KTM, Aprilia, Derbi and Gilera may flourish in the little classes, even bold Ducati struggles in the big one. Aprilia gave up and left. Pity the smaller fish

tossed him out of a massive lead in the wet at Estoril when a new slipper clutch malfunctioned. And so on and on...This year alone, after one almost unheard-of Ducati engine failure, and losing a toe-slider in the heat of a battle, both times near