The UnRace

Next week is the last MotoGP practice session before the season starts. The Jerez circuit is more technical than Qatar and is a good indicator of relative performance between the 2009 teams. While it's not a race, it is the last chance they get to show their stuff before the real racing starts. The fastest rider wins a BMW ... so there's also a little motivation in the air. Last year Stoner won it, with Rossi second. This year could be a repeat performance. Rossi might like to win, just to make a point, but he's an intelligent rider (compared to many), understands that testing and dialing-in the bike is more important and won't do anything to risk the beginning of the season. If he happens to be faster than anyone else, then fine, but I think he'd rather come second at Jerez and win the Qatar opener on Easter weekend.