the dawn of time. Something Old, Something NewWhile the site may be old, the track is just about brand new. The Misano circuit was closed at the end of 2006 for the track to be lengthened and completely resurfaced, while simultaneously reversing

was reversed in an attempt to improve safety - a concession to get MotoGP to return after a crash there in 1993 left Wayne Rainey in a wheelchair - the circuit has lost many of the other features that gave it its character and made it special. Before

has to admit defeat sometimes. The track being a new addition to the calendar, after an absence of 14 years and racing taking place in the reverse direction to former events, extra practice time was scheduled for Friday, to allow everyone to get

be bloody, brutal and very thrilling indeed. I can hardly wait.Get more of David Emmett's perspective on MotoGP over on his blog at www.motogpmatters.com

through 6 concertinaed together, tires nearly touching as the bikes flicked left then right up what most resembles the reverse of Laguna Seca's Corkscrew, climbing uphill steeply, rather than dropping downhill, as if off the edge of the world. The bikes

the advantage round the twistier rear section. At Jerez, the roles were reversed, with the Ducati struggling to make up for the Yamaha's agility. This weekend, at Istanbul, we are likely to see the best of both worlds, with the faster Ducatis and, to a lesser

. Last weekend, in the heat in Germany, the Michelins dominated, lasting the distance where the Bridgestones suffered with wear. Here in Laguna Seca, the roles were reversed, Bridgestone supplying perfect rubber to their riders, while it was the Michelins

wishes may yet come true.MotoGP Qatar 2008 Race ResultsChampionship standings after the 2008 MotoGP Qatar roundRead more of David Emmett's article over on MotoGPMatters.com

was as nothing compared to the wrath of Dani Pedrosa. After his rocket-propelled start, he plummeted down through the field as though fitted with thrust reversers. Still in pain from his hand injury, and determined to salvage something of his title challenge

and downwards, the top spots usually settled very rapidly indeed. But at Motegi, the situation was reversed. The battle for the podium was close and varied for much of the race, though the outcome was not in doubt after the two-thirds mark, while behind the top