Moto GP

3rd November

Lorenzo is out of the final round in Valencia. He is still having issues with his hand and has decided not to race. Colin Edwards has stated that he could not have avoided Marco Simmoncelli, he has watched the footage back and can't see a how he could have done anything differently. He insists the same for Rossi. Marco Simmoncellis team San Carlo Honda will be represented in the race despite their earlier statement that they would not take part.

23rd October

Sepang Malaysia - the penultimate race of the 2011 season. Stoner already crowned champion all eyes were on the middle of the field where the action takes place. Two laps in, Super Sic goes down, slides across the track into the path of best pal in MotoGP Rossi and Colin Edwards, two of the most experience riders out on track. Even they could not avoid Marco, major collisions occured and Marcos helmet came off. Poor Marco Simmoncelli was declared dead 45 minutes after the collision. It was devastating and left me and probably everyone else who loves Moto GP feeling sick. RIP Marco Simmoncelli, great rider, great personality, you will be missed.

22nd June

Pedrosa looks like he will miss a further race due to his injury. It has been reported that Aoyama will get a ride for the factory team with Repsol Honda test rider taking Aoyamas place for Assen. I wonder why they didn't offer the ride to Simmonceli. It is looking good for the other injured rider Crutchlow. He is set to return at Assen after he broke his collarbone at Silverstone. Assen is a track that he is used to from Superbike days so hopefully he can put in a good performance. Rossi is riding a pretty much new bike based on the 2012 bike but with the current seasons engines, so if it all comes together which is a big if, things might happen for him.

2nd June

Pedrosa has ruled himself out of the Barcelona GP. He said that he has experienced enough set backs through injury in recent seasons to know that it is better to wait and heal properly. Especially as there are four races in quick succession. Simmoncelli the rider who caused Pedrosa to fall and get injured is also set to attend a further inquiry in Barcelona about the incident. Simmoncelli has admitted fault and has stated that he will try and think more before he makes a move. Anyone else get the feeling that he is being pressured by Honda to make those comments?

18th May

Pedrosa has yet another broken collar bone. The guy seems to be made of glass. The incident happened just after Pedrosa had passed Simoncelli, Simoncelli tried to retake the position by coming into the corner too hot on the outside. Pedrosa had to pull up and clipped the back wheel of Simoncelli causing himself to go flying. Simoncelli is quoted as saying "For me I haven't done anything incorrect".

15th April

Crutchlow has had surgery and it has been successful. He has suggested that it is an improvement and that he will hopefully have a better time race next time round.

It has been announced that there will be a race in Texas in future years. A ten year deal has been signed.

7th April 2011
"Dani Pedrosa has undergone successful surgery in Barcelona to remove a titanium plate from his left shoulder." Quote from the BBC website. This is good news for the championship as Pedrosa should now be back competing with the big boys for race duration.

6th April 2011
After the over zealous overtaking manoeuvre from Rossi that resulted in the end of Stoners race, they have decided to run an enquiry. The inquiry will not affect race result but could land Rossi in hot water. Stoner is quoted as saying "Your ambition outweighed your talent". Something tells me, he wasn't impressed with the little Italian.

3rd April 2011
Pedrosa will race in Jerez despite injury to his arm

Bautista is out due to broken leg. He will be replaced by Hopkins.

The opening round of the 2011 season has finished. After all of the hype, the first race didn't live up to expectations. Rossi stuttered and never really got the best out of the Ducati, limping home in a respectable seventh place.

We Brits were watching in anticipation for a good finish from debutant Crutchlow, but he failed to impress. Getting his Tech 3 Yamaha across the line in eleventh place. This is partly due to him cutting the end of his finger off, so that must have been causing him some grief. He had a better weekend then poor Bautista who is now out for the next few months with a broken leg.

You could see the surprise and delight on Lorenzo's body language when he crossed the finishing line in second place. Not what you expect from a reigning world champion but when you consider how well the Honda's had been running. I don't think he was even anticipating a podium.

Pedrosa was first off the grid as always but gradually dropped down the pack for a third place finish, the large bike and the injuries still taking there toll. Stoner had a spectacular ride and never looked in trouble, taking the first stage with ease.

Elias the reigning Moto GP2 champion, failed to take control in his return to the top class. He crashed out after a torrid race and rumoured arguments within the team. He has such potential but it never seems to come to fruition in this class.

Pre-Race
Pedrosa will be trying to improve on his third place in Qatar, but he is carrying an injury.

Crowds of 150,000 are expecting, so expect the Spanish riders to feel the atmosphere and perform better then normal.

Don't expect much from Rossi as he is still not fully fit, same goes for Cruchlow.

It will be a straight shoot out between Stoner on the better bike and Lorenzo with the Spanish crowd behind him.

Post-Race

Jerez was a very strange old race, as soon as you thought things were settling down the whole race got turned upside down. Pedrosa did his normal rocket start but then shot backwards. Stoner looked on form and Lorenzo looked like he might have a go at it. Then after months of anticipation Rossi looked like he was back to his old form. He was hurtling around the track moving up into a promising position. He just had to pass Stoner, Rossi had the speed and he managed to get the line, he was through on the inside, then disaster struck. The bike slid out from under him taking Stoner out with him. All the marshals rushed to help him, leaving poor old Stoner on his own. As he couldn't get going he was out and he was livid.

Simoncelli hadn't read the script and he was up challenging, he was now the fasted Honda on the track and he wasn't even on a Works machine. He took the lead and created a huge gap, then he overcooked it and went crashing out. Crutchlow looked to be getting his first top sixth finish but he crashed out too, but got back on. Spies was going to get a podium but his bike conked out. Elias had a torrid time on an underperforming bike but he managed to finish so still got points for the effort.

The only consistent ride throughout was from Lorenzo and that is what secured him the win.

Simoncelli was expected to have a good ride but highsided on the first lap ended his race. Lorenzo looked strong but Pedrosa had a game plan and patiently waited until he could make a move and took victory. Stoner put in a solid performance to finish third behind Lorenzo. The highlight of the race was the battle for fourth with Dovi battling the legend that is Rossi. Everyones money was on Rossi, but Dovi done him on right at the end.

The Honda boys were expected to have a good run at Le Mans, they have the superior bikes this season. Stoner proved that he is starting to come good this season and getting used to the bike leading the race all the way through to an easy victory. He is starting to show what I predicted that he will be a championship contender. Lorenzo rolled in to second place but didn't look like he could compete with the power of the Honda. Rossi managed to get a podium which would normally suggest that the Ducati is getting better. However the main talking point of the race was a clash between Simoncelli and Pedrosa. They were having a battle for position, Simoncelli went passed Pedrosa but the superior power of the Factory Honda meant that Pedrosa just took the position straight back. Simoncelli tried to go round the outside and Pedrosa stood the bike up clipping the back of Simoncelli and crashed, breaking his collar bone. Simoncelli received a drive through penalty for reckless riding which meant Rossi moved up two positions and took the final podium. The consensus was that the decision was correct but it seems harsh considering that Rossi didn't get penalised like that for a move that took out Stoner and Stoner only received a fine for punching someone. The fact is Pedrosa wasn't going to make the corner, he stood the bike up. If he had kept his line he would not have caught Simoncelli, it was his fault in my opinion. Pedrosa caused the accident Simoncelli should have been praised for making such a bold move and making it stick.

Everyone is looking forward to the Catalunya GP as there has been a couple of weeks gap since the last race. With Pedrosa out it leaves the door wide open for Stoner to take the victory as he has the pace at the moment. Lorenzo being Mr Consistent should get a second place and extend his lead over the vacant Pedrosa. Rossi seems to get better every race, but cant see more then a top 6 finish for him. Hopefully Simmoncelli will manage to stay on his bike and prove to everyone that he has what it takes to be a good (non crazy) rider. Dovi will be his normal self and finish around 4th without really challenging or making use of the power of his Honda. The riders hit the track on the 3rd of June so will keep you posted.