broke his leg in an ugly crash at Assen, will be replaced by Michel Fabrizio, currently riding for the DFX Extreme Honda team in World Superbikes. Fabrizio must be hoping that his outing on the Gresini Honda will be less painful than the last time he

for the 2008 MotoGP championship will be laid over the next few weeks, and it starts on Sunday, at Le Mans. There's a long hard road ahead, and what better place to take the first step than at a track so steeped in legend? Read more articles by David Emmett

While the Donington track suits the Yamahas, the Suzukis and the Kawasakis, it doesn't suit the Ducatis half as well. Donington doesn't have anywhere which will allow the Ducati to really stretch its legs, and only Casey Stoner's phenomenal drive out of corners should

, their fortunes are mixed. The Gresini Honda team has a leg problem, with both Marco Melandri and Toni Elias recovering from broken bones. Marco Melandri's broken ankle didn't stop the Italian from taking a heroic podium at Laguna Seca, though it stopped him from

legs, and ending his career. Rainey's crash ended not just his own career, but deprived his arch-rival Kevin Schwantz of much of his own motivation, the Texan having thrived on the bitter enmity between the two.So what of the track and its changes

Abe, the former Japanese GP star who died in a tragic motorcycle accident earlier this week. And the best way of honoring Abe would be to win the race.As for Dani Pedrosa, he had a nightmare here last year, finishing in 15th spot, troubled by a leg

has also been plagued by injury, with a broken leg at Assen the latest injury he's had to deal with. Now almost back to full strength, and with memories of his podium on the Suzuki here last year, he will have his eyes on a good result. On a Kawasaki

of the Suzuki into 6th place through Turn 4, in a manner all too reminiscent of Hayden's pass on Edwards a lap ago.Capirex was not to be the Italian's last victim. As the bikes entered the braking zone at end of the front straight, Rossi's wildly dangling leg

move at Estoril had been noted and understood, and in an act of penance for Portugal, Pedrosa pulled over on the short straight between turn 1 and turn 2, and waved Hayden through with his leg. Pedrosa left the door wide open into turn 2, slamming

difficult to conceal. Consistently at least a second behind the nearest competition, Ilmor's woes were made worse at Jerez, with test rider Jeremy McWilliams crashing heavily and breaking a leg. And the riders have yet to be officially named, despite