First Moto3 Is History.

The first running of the Moto3 GP class, 4-stroke replacement for the 125GP class is now done. Exciting racing from the buzzing hoard of small displacement racers. While 17 year old Spaniard Maverick Viñales won the race by several seconds, the story is second place, bike number 5, 16 year old Italian Romano Fenati in his plain white lid. In his first ever GP level race, Fenati battled closely with Viñales and took the lead a number of times, finally fading slightly to a solid second place. Probably the best ever finish of a GP rookie in his maiden race. This is definately a rider to watch. And then there was third place. Five bikes fighting closely for third ... somethimes three abreast into corners, followed very closely by two more. If you blinked you missed a diving pass, or out-braking to make your heart stop. Luis Salom eventually crossed the line ahead of the pack. Now that was real motorcycle racing. Twenty minutes 'til the Moto2 kick-off!

Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso In It Too.

Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso pulled the plug out in today's MotoGP warmup and now we've got six or more real podium contenders, including Hayden, top Ducati in sixth. Edwards is top CRT bike ... 2 1/2 seconds off the pace. This should be a great race, with lots of close racing at the front ... and lots of lapped traffic to really mess it up. First ever Moto3 race is about to start and 3 hours to go before the big show. Can't wait.

It's Going To Be A Good One

Jorge Lorenzo has pole for tomorrow's season opener in Qatar, with Stoner 2/10ths behind. Lorenzo's attitude looks a little more agressive than last year ... in 2011 he played the cool, calm champion and seemed to be missing something. He's looking good in practice ... believe it or not, he's never won here, so this could be the first. Stoner is, well, Stoner ... although he now has a 7 week old daughter and that has changed some other riders in the past. He looks strong but we'll see how much he's willing to push it. The most agressive looking rider in practice was Cal Crutchlow, less than 4/10 thenths behind Jorge ... he literally stomped out to his bike like he was marching into gladiatorial battle. Next on the grid is Spies, followed by Hayden. Rossi might still be having problems but Hayden has the Ducati figured out. In fact Rossi is the slowest real MotoGP bike, with only the 9 CRT bikes behind him. There's no way that's all the fault of the bike ... he's just not hungry enough. Fastest bike on the track? ... Hector Barbera at 339kph on the straight ... gotta love litre bikes. So ... Lorenzo to win? Could very well be. At the very least, it should be a close battle at the front, with Crutchlow probably running a crash or win strategy, Lorenzo determined to prove he can win in the desert and Stoner trying to show he's still the man. Gonna be a good one.

Is MotoGP Gonna Survive?

Well, last year there were 17 bikes on the MotoGP grid. This year, with the move to 1000cc bikes and the CRT teams, the grid is now up to 21. Good right? Well, not so fast. With 9 CRT bikes, that leaves 12 real MotoGP bikes. It will be interesting to see whether the CRT bikes make the race more entertaining or just get in the way. Only hours to go before we find out. Stay tuned for Qatar under the lights.

Any Guesses Yet?

Any guesses on how World SBK is going to turn out this season? Well, Carlos Checa cleaned up at Imola after Tom Sykes gave him a run for his money in both races. No matter how hard Sykes pushed, Checa reeled him in and took home the trophy. Best bet for 2012? Checa to win. Good effort by Brett McCormick, the rookie Canadian who got as high as 11th in race one before fading, finishing just outside the points in 16th place in both races. Hopper made it to 13th in race 1 and DNF'd in race 2. Final placing for race one was Checa, Sykes, Haslam and Biaggi. Race 2? Well, how about Checa, Sykes, Haslam and Biaggi. Biaggi's starts were Pedrosa-like rockets from row 2, even getting the holeshot in race 2, but to no avail. He had good pace and perfect lines, but it didn't help. Checa's Ducati and Sykes' shear determination left him in their dust with Haslam somewhere in between. Well, even if Rossi can't get his Ducati to the front, Checa has no such problem. MotoGP starts next. Bring it on.

Canadian Steps Up to WSBK

The Effenbert Liberty Racing Team has decided to withdraw from the 2012 World SuperStock championship but they're not deserting their new SuperStock rider: 2011 Canadian Superbike Champion Brett McCormick ... who has now been promoted to World SuperBike. Effernbert will consolidate their racing team budgets allowing them to run four riders in WSBK. Brett's teammates are Sylvain Guintoli, Jakub Smrz and Maxime Berger and he'll be on track with them for the next round at Imola in two weeks. The Canadian roadracing series (and tracks) are pretty lame so it's quite an accomplishment for a Canadian to make it to this level. Go Brett.

Biaggi Shows What Can Do When He Wants

A bit late with this post, but if you didn't already know, things didn't quite work out as expected for Checa at Phillip Island. With a neck-snapping, lightningbolt of a highside, Carlos was spat out of the lead in the first race. Biaggi made good use of the opportunity and rode his smooth as silk lines to finish first. In Race 2, Checa rode to first place as might be expected, but the star of the show was Biaggi again. He made contact with Tom Sykes, ran off the track on the first lap and regained the paved surface in a distant last place. He carved his way through the pack and made it all the way back to second place which is very likely where he would've finished anyway. Even if you're not a fan of the little Roman, you've got to be impressed. So, Checa didn't run away with the Championship lead in the first round ... leader on the board is Max Biaggi ... for now anyway.