Bye Bye Donington

Well, last week's MotoGP race at Donington was the last race for MotoGP at that venue. It never looked like much of a track from the circuit map, but all the rider's seemed to like it. I think they just loved the big swoopy downhill sweepers through Craner's Curves, with a clear view of the hard right and uphill curves to follow. The circuit will undergo massive redevelopment in preparation for a 10 year deal with the F1 four-wheelers starting in 2010. The MotoGP-Donington contract was up for bids, and with F1 moving to Donington, Silverstone (now F1-less) simply dumped all they had into it and outbid Donington by a wide margin. So, Silverstone it is. Silverstone will have to make its own major safety modifications to be able to host a premier motorcycle event.

So what happened back on the 26th? Well, you must already know by now, but weather played a major role again. The race was declared wet, with light rain falling just as the race started. Ducati made a big booboo ... Stoner and Hayden were the only riders to start on full wets but the light rain never turned heavy enough to make it worthwhile. Ducati thought it would. Big gamble and very bad decision. How bad? Um well ... how about ... they were lapped by the leaders at mid-race! While the track surface remained damp it provided reasonable traction ... except on the painted lines. One of several painted-line casualties was Lorenzo. Rossi also had a fall but remounted quickly and continued to finish 5th, just ahead of Toseland. The riders able to deal with the conditions were Dovizioso first, Edwards second, dePuniet third and deAngelis fourth. With Lorenzo down and Stoner trailing way behind. Rossi now has a good grip on the championship with a 25 point lead. I'd say it's time to call it: if Rossi stays on his bike and finishes all remaining races, he'll take it for 2009. Lorenzo and Stoner will finish in their current order: second and third.