however, I missed a gear downshifting into a reasonably fast, third gear left-hander, found a false neutral, overloaded the front tyre and down I went, wrecking my leathers and ending my day somewhat prematurely. In the three sessions I had though, my

.Niall Mackenzie had given him a guided scooter tour of the track, and he’d had advice also from Kevin Schwantz, and from fellow-Americans Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards. All had warned him of the notorious downhill Craner Curves, the first left-hander on the lap

! The first bit is quite technical, then you´ve got that fifth-gear drop-off round the back which is really good, definitely one of the best. “The key for going down that hill is getting the bike so you´re confident in the front. The next right-hander (Turn 12

Pedrosa's previous record, which was set on a Honda 990cc RCV211. But despite his blistering form Stoner crashed in the final few minutes, losing the front of his bike on the downhill right hander at the twisty track.As Stoner and his Ducati parted company

the Ballacraine right-hander only a few moments after another leading contender, seven-times MGP classics victor Bill Swallow, had gone through. Swallow, whose Aermacchi was reportedly spewing out a lot of oil, pulled in when his machine finally expired about a

It was my best lap of the day, no question. I came flying into the Catalunya circuit's stadium section, sliced through the final four right handers with Yamaha's exotic new YZF-R1 feeling as sharp as a Barcelona's butcher's knife, and held

on rough circuits because the exhaust tends to kiss the tarmac through big lean right-handers. Brembos do the stopping, with 320mm front discs and a 245mm rear delivering a faultless performance. In 1972 stoppies weren't so popular, but they're achievable

it was evident there was much more complex electronic trickery at work. This uphill left-hander normally needs delicate throttle control but you could see Troy keeping the throttle open while sensors decided how much rear traction was available. Leon Haslam

were right behind him, poised to take advantage of any mistake The Doctor might make.As the bikes all peeled right for the Haarbocht, then lifted again briefly before heeling over once again for Madijk, and the long series of right handers which lead

mph braking, walking pace corners, tight left-right chicanes, on and off-camber, fast 100mph plus knee-down and even a long, long right-hander that tightens on the exit to really put a bike through its paces. And the Benelli passed with flying colours