criticism of Nicky Hayden since winning the world title. The statistic most often quoted is the fact that Troy Bayliss, who rode one race in MotoGP in 2006, led for more laps (30) than Hayden did all year. But this neat little number misses the fact

, with the winner only absolutely sure of victory once they've crossed the finish line. If the bikes are different, the riders seem all too familiar. Although the names changed at a number of teams over the winter, it was more a case of shuffling the pack than

difference was, of course, that Kenny Jr and Tamada were riders on different teams, fighting for a top 5 showing around mid-season. Pedrosa took out Hayden, ostensibly the number 1 rider on his own Repsol Honda team, in the penultimate race of the year

towards rules, regulations, and tickets-only policies.Despite the fans' unlimited capacity for improvisation, the track has limits to the numbers it can hold. The Ricardo Tormo track is built in a natural bowl near Cheste, a small town 20 miles west

to the requirements of a racetrack, which is to all intents and purposes a circle which has been deformed in any number of interesting ways.Four Wheels Good, Two Wheels BadAdded to the uncooperative nature of its basic shape was the fact that the track was designed

numbers. This regularly left half the field unable to compete, and most painfully, saw Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, key figures in Dorna's target markets, floundering and off the pace. The current tire situation could not be allowed to stand.I Know I

a number of issues, including chatter and a lack of feel at the front. Melandri has appeared on the podium twice at Catalunya, but a third time could be a very difficult prospect indeed.All of Honda's hopes rest on the slight shoulders of Dani

it that the Sachsenring does not suit the nature of the Ducati, the track being way too tight for the Ducati to stretch its legs. But we've been saying the same thing at a number of tracks now, and we keep on being proved wrong, as whether the tracks suit the Ducati

, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is even due to host a second MotoGP round in America, on its flat and featureless infield track.Fantastic FlawThis does not mean that the US does not have great tracks, for there are a number of magnificent circuits dotted around

team mate Sylvain Guintoli has done much better than most people expected in his rookie season. But Guintoli is up against Colin Edwards for the final Yamaha seat, and the Texan veteran has a number of things going for him: He is a proven development