Ever since the long-lamented 990cc bikes roared into the sunset at the end of 2006 to be replaced by the 800cc machines, MotoGP has suffered a crisis of confidence. That final year of competition with the large capacity bikes produced some of the most exhilarating racing ever see...

and getting up early to go training instead of sleeping late after a night out; you didn't do all those things just to be the guy who comes in 7th. You want to clinch the title the same way you got within reach of it: by standing on the podium, and preferably

ideograms are, their boxy, convoluted nature translate very badly into race tracks.Bullet TrainAnd this year, the track layout looks like having a very profound outcome on the race indeed. Where the Ducatis had a clear advantage on the long front straight

: Passion. Without passion, it is impossible to put in the hours of tedious physical training to keep up your fitness; Without passion, it is impossible to maintain the strict riding schedule, needed to sharpen your reflexes; Without passion

motorcycle racing is all about: off-track mayhem and on-track action, all under a hot southern sun. The Phoney War is over, and battle is about to be joined in full force. Roll on Sunday.Read more of David Emmett's articles over on MotoGPMatters.com

Hollywood fame or the serenity of an Italian hilltop village - it glosses over the less attractive parts of reality. No one ever mentions the long hours of training to achieve the necessary level of fitness to be competitive, the self-denial to ensure

failed to come to terms with the new 800s. This has come as quite a surprise, as Capirossi has come up through what conventional wisdom holds to be the best training ground for the 800s, the 125 and 250 classes. His problem has been that the old 990

revitalized Nicky Hayden and the Ducati train of Stoner, Capirossi, Hofmann and Barros. He withstood Melandri's attack for a lap, falling prey to Rossi on the next. While Vermeulen's wet weather setup looked absolutely perfect, parrying Melandri's approaches

as a victory. The Spaniard looked like his old self again, to the delight of the fans. An in-form Lorenzo adds a big dollop of extra spice to MotoGP, something which has been sorely missed.Lorenzo was at the head of a train of Spanish riders. Dani

the best of conditions.Coming as the penultimate round of a long and grueling season, these were very far from the best of conditions. Most riders on the grid are carrying some kind of injury, and lacking fitness due to the ensuing inability to train