of the timesheets the next. The grid was given a final shake during a qualifying session which saw both rain and sunshine, leaving both a Ducati and an Italian on the front row, though disappointingly for the Italian fans, the Italian was not on the Ducati

Of FailureItalian MotoGP racers taking part in their home race at Mugello face all three of these burdens combined. First, there is the baying crowd. In a land where the motorcycle is king, and motorcycle racing vies with soccer as the national sport, nearly

tracks in the world. The Italian track seems to bring out the poetical in even the most hard-nosed and cynical of journalists and press officers, and before you know it, you are awash with press releases and previews sounding more like paeans

the front runners.Melandri's resurgence was to be short lived, and within three laps, the struggling Italian was back in 14th.Stoner crept up on Pedrosa around the first long right of Renault, lining Pedrosa up for the pass at the next long right of Repsol

tales, the character at the heart of the story was Valentino Rossi. Rossi's story, already embroidered so broadly across the rich tapestry of MotoGP, was poised to see more chapters added at Misano. For Misano was the very first track that the Italian

the richness of reality down to a simple, lucid portrait of the underlying truth of what played out before us.Heart And HeadLast week's race at Mugello was a case in point. The Italian press had accused Valentino Rossi of not having his heart in MotoGP any more

energy. Instead of striking a gap and pulling away, the Repsol Honda man looked stuck, caught in the gravitational field of the two Italians chasing from behind. The lead Pedrosa had pulled at the start of the lap was gone, and by the time they hit

in the pecking order. Then, a week ago, the Italian tax authorities announced that they would be charging Capirossi with tax evasion, for the years 1995 to 2000, despite Capirossi having lived in Monaco for that period, where he is theoretically not liable to pay

on the brakes, Stoner followed, nearly running off the edge of the track.Rossi's demotion was short lived. The Italian was already onto Edwards' tail by the final corner, and was up the inside and into 2nd as they entered Turn 1. He now had a clear run

.But not in Italy. To say that Italians are keen on motorsports is like saying squirrels are not averse to the odd nut or two. Take a trip around Italy and you won't be able to avoid the sights and sounds of motorized racing of one form or another. Posters