will be prototypes, if only by virtue of having specially made chassis. Some suggest that World Championship status will necessarily be forfeited: the series will have to become an FIM Cup.The form of the expected opposition from World Superbike promoters FG Sport

VALENTINO ROSSI'S famous crew chief Jeremy Burgess has pooh-poohed rider’s suggestions of going back to 990cc MotoGP bikes to improve safety.The switch to 800s has been blamed for higher corner speeds which have reduced safety, and led

by falling off in the race. Gibernau won it: Rossi publicly vowed it would be his last victory.A prediction that turned out to be absolutely true. Nobody should under- estimate the power of suggestion wielded by the ultimately and serially victorious Rossi

used by Honda last year when they elected to stay with Michelin) were also asked.Another journalist suggested that Honda had sacrificed honour with this capitulation, which came after Pedrosa had earlier led the championship.“We have honour and respect

. Dare one suggest it will depend on whether Rossi stays? Kawasaki, oddly, is making a new 990, for just one year, rather than concentrating on 2007.Could Suzuki spring a surprise? Its biggest problem is a lack of mid-range and top-end horsepower. And its

, but that seemed to be what he was suggesting at the final round, after yet another non-finish. This time, his Honda had blown up smokily in the early laps. The HRC technicians had insisted on an engine change after morning warm-up. Sete clearly thought they

. Having Honda horsepower, however, will make demands it has never before had to deal with, and its real strengths and weaknesses remain to be seen.All of which suggests Kenny might need another second chance, for 2007.Getting the humpCamel didn't fall out

, in a position to decide who would win and who would lose any given race. For 2005, they will have to fight hard to retain that casting vote. Nobody suggests that Michelin has ever been underhand. Supplying every team and every rider of note, they were

, and there is just one question to be answered. Is Valentino man enough to do it again? Or to ask it another way... are the new Hondas machine enough to stop him Evidence of the second round of tests, when Honda brought out their big guns, proved what I suggested

, as well as one foot. For the rest of the weekend, he was in a wheelchair, used a big box to climb onto the bike, and went very slowly. Until the race, when he finished third. Had he been bluffing?This is what Rossi seemed to suggest when he brought a chair