unruly and bikerish, way back in 1987. Through thick and (sometimes very) thin, Donington has been the race’s unchanging home ever since.“Unchanging” is the problem. While newer racetracks with government money strive to set ever-higher standards

-grade Hondas slower. Everyone is asking whether the laid-back but loose-riding Hayden is the right guy to lead development. Quote of the weekend came from satellite rider Marco Melandri, a double winner last year, now languishing 12th-fastest. "We know exactly

reason is clearly the switch to his preferred Michelins (he has been their chief tester for several years, and amazed me last year when he told me he had covered around 12,000 miles at racing speeds in one year at the Michelin test circuit). Another

coinciding for one year only in favour of the Ducati man?Now the tests are well under way, and both have started much as they left off. Stoner has been fast everywhere, and blindingly so in Australia – almost a full second ahead of second man Hayden. Rossi

coinciding for one year only in favour of the Ducati man?Now the tests are well under way, and both have started much as they left off. Stoner has been fast everywhere, and blindingly so in Australia – almost a full second ahead of second man Hayden. Rossi

enough to work.Profuse apologies were forthcoming, and a long-awaited promise to listen more to riders and teams in future.Those with wider horizons remembered the car GP at Indianapolis in 2005, when all 14 Michelin drivers were advised to withdraw

The 117,000 fans who packed the stands at Valencia should have asked for their money back, after a dismal drear-fest procession of a MotoGP race. Asked afterwards, none of the top three riders - Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa - thought control tyres would

in Hayden’s pit as ‘Thumbelina’) has not gained much popularity through his sundry exploits, ranging from occasional runaway wins to general petulance, and an extraordinary hissy fit when he dumped Michelin mid-season. I’ve lost count of the number of times

even won at Catalunya by a country mile, although the satellite team riders with an older version are suffering. Pedrosa would rather stick with it than try anything new. But factory team-mate Nicky Hayden is really hurting for horsepower. He wants

after the Italian race. No wonder, when HRC managing director had unequivocally pledged loyalty to long-time partner Michelin at the end of last year, when similar demands to switch came from Pedrosa and Hayden as well.Hayden was left out of the switch