So the season start is nearly upon us and the circus descended upon Jerez for official testing at the weekend.
Various bits and pieces from the weekend caught my attention. Firstly there have been a few offs over the last couple of weeks with Hopkins fracturing his wrist and Stoner high-siding at Jerez. Both will be ok for the start of the season (Stoner put in times during the Jerez practice). Just as well, I have high hopes for Hopkins this season and some of the early winter testing looked good for his Suzuki.
Now, on to Rossi's performance at Jerez - It looks like the Doctor is back and more determined than ever. He posted a blindingly quick time of 1'38.394, 0.133 ahead of Pedrosa. This is faster than the 990ccs were lapping last year, which shows how fast the 800ccs are already; so much for slowing things down for safety's sake. Looks like the 800ccs are more prone to high-siding though which is worrying (especially if your name's Casey 'Banzai' Stoner!).
Marco Melandri has been complaining that Pedrosa's bike has all the new goodies on it and is faster than the other Hondas. He may have a point; there have been plenty of rumours about Honda putting its efforts behind Pedrosa this year, including claims that the Honda RC2112v was designed with him in mind. I wonder how Hayden feels about that idea.
He also says that the 800cc bikes have power deliveries like the old 500cc GP bikes, he never raced them but Capirossi says the same thing. Again we see potential for more high-sides.
Man I can't wait for the season to start.
On the WSBK front - well done to Toseland and Biaggi for a win and a second place each. It'd be amazing to have Toseland clean up in Superbikes this year. Go Toseland, go!