MotoGP Blog

The race was like a flashback to 2007. Stoner/Ducati dominance from lights to flag, nobody could hold a candle to Casey all weekend. Fastest in Friday Practice, Pole, and then utter destruction of the opposition in the race with hardly a tyre out of line. Reports from the Ducati press room that the new electronic package, taming the power delivery of the bike and helping with engine braking, were to result in a more rideable machine were proven true - at least for Stoner. During the race the bike looked planted, in a very Yamaha fashion, and even the gusty winds of Donington could not upset it’s balance. Think back to Assen last year - Rossi wins over the dominant Ducati due in part to side winds making the Ducati a handful. No such leeway will be allowed for the Yamaha this year in Holland.

Rossi and Pedrosa duked it out in the middle of the race, Pedrosa passing Rossi at Redgate, before Rossi retook Dani at the Old Hairpin. Pedrosa pulled the same move again, only to mess up the Esses, allowing Rossi through again, and this is how the race would end. Meanwhile Stoner simply ran away with it.

Further down the order, Dovizioso had a blinder, battling with Pedrosa early on then Edwards and Hayden later in the race. Edwards’ team mate Toseland had a nightmare, falling at the first corner of the first lap, a symptom of trying too hard and over-riding the bike much as he did in qualifying. It would have been easy for him to leave the bike in the gravel and walk back to the pits, just a few steps away. He did not, and re-mounted to ride the remainder of the race and received applause from the crowd for battling on with each lap he completed. It will not be a day he wants to remember.

Another nightmare for Melandri, who seemed to hint he was ready to concede defeat to the bike with his pre-race comments regarding being willing to step down if someone better was available. Not the attitude his sponsors or team would want. He suffered the indignity of being passed by de Angelis, who fell off in the early laps, re-mounted and led Melandri home by the chequered flag by some eight seconds. The satellite Ducatis did not fare much better limping home in 11th and 13th.

Spies had a fairly average debut, slightly disappointing after his outstanding qualifying in the wet, getting beaten up in the early laps and never quite recovering. This weekend no doubt provided him with some valuable experience for Laguna: he now knows what to expect.

One final point which was not conveyed well in the TV coverage. There was a track invasion before the end of the last lap. Stoner, Rossi and Pedrosa passed by, then the crowd invaded at Starkeys and Craner Curves. This resulted in Edwards, Dovizioso and the rest of the pack arriving at corners at racing speed with people on the track. The temporary fencing put up for the race was pitiful, and the combination this with all-day drinking and a small number of idiots could easily have led to a serious accident. Dorna need to take action, as do the Rider Safety Commission to prevent this happening again.

MotoGP Stats View
The stats viewer for the Donington race (choose Race View, Gap, Team in the settings) shows us just how strong Stoner was, the gap to second place growing almost every lap apart from the last few laps. Rossi and Pedrosa were in a race of their own once they broke free of the rest of the pack. Look also at the comparative course of Hayden and Edwards through the race. Hayden gets a better start but Edwards is faster on each lap, passing the Kentucky Kid on lap 18.

Team by Team
Marlboro Ducati
Elation for Stoner matched with despair for Melandri. Marco’s time must be limited now, but could Ducati really bring Gibernau back to replace him? Stoner is back at one with the 08 bike, and despite playing down his chances of the title, Ducati have put the recent run of bad form behind them and look strong again.

Fiat Yamaha
Rossi’s run of podiums continues, and despite never matching Casey all weekend he has his head and his bike together now. Lorenzo never looked like he was up for the fight this weekend, but still produced a staggering 6th place with his battered and bruised body from a terrible 17th place on the grid.

Repsol Honda
One air valve, one not. Pedrosa (springs) looked strong until he seemed to lose power in the last couple of laps, suspected by MotoGPBlog to be his fuel map cutting in to conserve fuel and make sure he made it to the end of the race. Gave Rossi a fight but ultimately was outclassed by the Italian. Hayden will not be a happy man, beaten by a satellite Yamaha and Honda on a bike carrying the new engine. He needs to shape up or ship out.

Rizla Suzuki
Vermeulen did well in the wet qualifying but could not match the Yamahas, Hondas and Ducati for pace in the race. Spies brought it home without trashing it and at a decent speed, so Suzuki probably deem his debut a success. Nothing to write home about for the blue team this week however.

Kawasaki
West out-qualified Hopkins in the wet, then reverted to his slow form in the dry. Hopkins retired at Schwantz Curve, and practically threw his bike against the fence in disgust. Hopper is having a tough year getting the bike to do what he wants it to do, and must be feeling the pressure.

Tech3 Yamaha
The less said about Toseland the better, but Edwards had another barnstormer, just missing out on the podium and making sure he kept the young whipper-snapper Dovizioso behind him. Edwards continues to enjoy his racing and it shows.

Honda Satellites
Did de Puniet turn up? de Angelis fell then remounted and got past the sad figure cut by Melandri, but Dovizioso was the stand-out Honda rider, beating Hayden, Vermeulen and Lorenzo to the line. Is it time for his Honda loyalty to be re-paid by giving him a works ride?

Alice Ducati
No joy for the Alice team here, other than they were not dead last. Alice must be seeing the success of Tech3 and wondering what they have to do to get a rider in 4th place.