MotoGP, Round 1, Qatar

MrJoeSoap

The 2007 MotoGP season was full of surprises: Casey Stoner replaced Valentino Rossi as the king of MotoGP, Bridgestone pummeled Michelin in the tire war and the new 800cc machinery turned faster laps than their 990cc predecessors. Now it's 2008 and another season is set to begin this weekend under the lights at Qatar. So, what surprises are in store for 2008?

Well, the first big surprise of the 2008 season was what didn't happen, with MotoGP abandoning a rumored spec-tire proposal. The spec-tire brouhaha erupted after top Michelin riders, Rossi and Dani Pedrosa, expressed desires to run the more competitive Bridgestones for 2008. When the dust all settled, Rossi got his '08 'Stones and purists kept the spec-tire specter away, for now.

The second notable change to the 2008 MotoGP field is the influx of young riding talent. This year's class of rookies is four-riders deep. Most of the newcomers are sourced from the talented 250GP class, with two-time champion Jorge Lorenzo joining his two lead rivals, Andrea Dovizioso and Alex de Angelis. Also arriving is Englishman James Toseland, who enters the world's premier series fresh off his 2007 World Superbike title run.

The new crop of riding talent replaces departing GP vets like Alex Barros and Carlos Checa. Riders over the age of 30 are now difficult to find on the MotoGP roster, with Loris Capirossi the oldest competitor at 35, followed by Colin Edwards (34), Shinya Nakano (30) and, believe it or not, Valentino Rossi who at the ripe old age of 29 is one of the elder statesmen of the youthful GP realm.

Also new for 2008 is a second U.S. stop on the schedule, as MotoGP will hit Indianapolis in September. Another first for the series is the season opener at Qatar. Yes, MotoGP has made the Losail circuit a regular stop on the schedule, but this year the opening round will be held at night. Riders have already sampled the lights with a night test in preparation for the March 9th opener.

The following are more detailed previews of the teams and riders for 2008:

Ducati

Ducati enters the 2008 season with a four-rider lineup, with both the factory Marlboro and satellite Alice teams running Bridgestone tires. Defending the Rider's and Constructor's titles, Ducati have high expectations heading into the season. The Desmosedici seemed to have a leg up on the competition starting 2007, with the Bologna firm also benefiting by casting its lot with Bridgestone, which dominated the '07 tire war.

This year the V-Four Desmosedici GP8 returns poised to continue its success. The competition must be displeased to hear the defending champ, Casey Stoner, believes the GP8 has only improved over the offseason.

"The Ducati engineers have made a few small changes to the bike over the winter that have produced a notable general improvement," promised Stoner.

Expect at least one of the favored GP8s to be on the podium every round this season.

Casey Stoner
2007 Result: MotoGP Champion
Age: 22
Nationality: Australian
Team: Marlboro Ducati
Tires: Bridgestone

During our 2007 MotoGP season preview we said of Casey Stoner: "If a year's worth of experience turns the right switch under the helmet, Stoner might make the jump to contender status in 2007." Well, we can safely say that "switch" has been turned. Forget contender, Stoner is nothing less than the 2008 title favorite.

The Australian rider is, without question, the ace in Ducati's four-rider lineup. MotorcycleUSA's pick for Rider of the Year in 2007, Stoner turned around a crash-filled rookie MotoGP campaign into one of the best sophomore seasons in Grand Pix history. Winner of 11 GPs in 2007, Stoner grabbed the checkers in dominating, Rossi-like fashion, with some proclaiming the young speedster to be the second-coming of former Aussie GP great Mick Doohan.

In 2008, Stoner will be motivated to live up to these lofty comparisons and repeat his title-winning success. In the process, he can squelch stirrings that his '07 crown and meteoric rise are due more to the superior Ducati/Bridgestone package than his inherent talent.

Marco Melandri
2007 Result: 5th MotoGP
Age: 25
Nationality: Italian
Team: Marlboro Ducati
Tires: Bridgestone

It's difficult to believe that a rider who has finished inside the Top 5 in the championship the past three years, including a runner-up in 2005, has never had the opportunity to compete on a full factory machine. But 2008 is Marco Melandri's chance, and the 25-year-old couldn't have asked for a better ride with the Ducati Marlboro GP8.

Suprinsingly, Supermarco's preseason testing has done nothing to indicate immediate success on the Duc. There have been moments in the past two years, however, when it looked like no one but Melandri had the moxie to tussle with Rossi. He may not even be the best rider on his own team, but with five career GP wins to his credit, expect Melandri to be a dark horse title contender.

Toni Elias
2007 Result: 12th MotoGP
Age: 24
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Alice Ducati
Tires: Bridgestone

Toni Elias returns for more surprises in 2008, the 24-year-old riding for the D'antin satellite team, which is now dubbed Alice Ducati. The wreckless Spaniard is difficult to define. Just when you forget about him, Elias comes crashing out of nowhere to claim a podium. Or just comes crashing out of nowhere. Having switched from Honda to Ducati, just like his former Gresini Honda teammate Melandri, Elias will be trying to build off the '07 success of the satellite Ducati team. The permanent backmarkers of MotoGP a couple years ago, last year Alex Barros proved at Mugello that with comparable bikes and tires the satellite Ducs can run a podium pace. Now it's up to Elias to prove that wasn't a fluke.

Sylvain Guintoli
2007 Result: 16th MotoGP
Age: 25
Nationality: French
Team: Alice Ducati
Tires: Bridgestone

Having contested 2007 aboard the ill-fated Dunlop-shod Tech 3 Yamaha, Sylvain Guintoli inherits a much better situation this year with the Alice Ducati squad. The French rider showed some promise in '07, outperforming his Tech 3 paddock-mate Makoto Tamada on most Sundays. The 25-year-old even notched a surprising fourth-place result at Motegi in 2007. A former scooter racer, Guintoli may have a few surprises up his sleeve when the 2008 lights go green.

Yamaha

Since 2005 Yamaha's prestige in Grand Prix has wilted, with the Tuning Fork logo finishing third in the 2007 Constructor's title. Even worse for Yamaha was that its unquestioned ace, Valentino Rossi, was visibly inhibited by the on-track failures of the M1 during 2006 and 2007. Last year the Yamaha's Michelin tires received much of the blame, but with Rossi getting his Bridgestone rubber in 2008 the pressure is on Yamaha to provide a competitive machine right off the bat.

In the media, Rossi maintains confidence in the Inline-Four M1, but we shall see what happens on the track.

"Yamaha have worked very hard over the winter and our new bike is very good; of course there are some things still to work on and we did have some issues to contend with at the last test, but I am confident that we are in good shape overall," promised Rossi. "I am very happy with my tires as well and now I just want to get started. We have a big task ahead of us but I know that my team and everyone at Yamaha are up to the job."

Yamaha continues with a four-man lineup for 2008. Rossi is joined on the Fiat squad by 250GP champion Jorge Lorenzo, but the teammates will not share any tech as the Spaniard is running Michelin rubber. Also running Michelins is the Tech 3 satellite squad, which must be pleased to be done with its ineffective Dunlop partnership. The Tech 3 team will be represented by former World Superbike champions Colin Edwards and James Toseland.

Valentino Rossi
2007 Result: 3rd MotoGP
Age: 29
Nationality: Italian
Team: Fiat Yamaha
Tires: Bridgestone

How the mighty have fallen. Two years ago it seemed that nothing could withstand Valentino Rossi and his trusty Yamaha M1. But then The Doctor started to appear mortal, tossing away the 2006 title to Nicky Hayden at the Valencia finale and then crashing out of second place in the 2007 title hunt, also at the Valencia finale. Rossi's disappointments have been surprising, to say the least, after his five-year streak of absolute dominance. Rossi has been gracious in defeat, but was the center of controversy when he demanded Bridgestones in the offseason. Now that he has his wish, Rossi has no excuses in putting Stoner in his place on the 2008 grid.

No one doubts that The Doctor can regain his title, but as the fourth-oldest rider in the talent-packed paddock, Rossi will have to slap some of the young whippersnappers around to show them he's still boss. Rossi isn't an underdog by any means, but this may be the first season in memory where he is not the clear favorite. Expect #46 to be on the steps once the season begins.

Jorge Lorenzo
2007 Result: 250GP Champion
Age: 20
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Fiat Yamaha
Tires: Michelin

Jorge Lorenzo, like Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi, arrives in the premier series heralded as the next big thing. The 20-year-old has met with success in both the 125 and 250 classes, with two consecutive 250 titles to his credit. Lorenzo shares his new teammate's flair for post-race dramatics and it has been rumored that the two do not get along. Whether rumor or not, two strong personalities sharing a divided garage makes Lorenzo an interesting addition to the MotoGP paddock. What will really be interesting, however, is where the youthful Spaniard finishes on Sundays.

Colin Edwards
2007 Result: 9th MotoGP
Age: 34
Nationality: American
Team: Fiat Yamaha
Tires: Michelin

Edwards has had some hard luck in MotoGP, which included a frustrating season last year on the factory Yamaha. Now demoted to the Tech 3 squad, the 34-year-old Texan will be trying to gather points with a satellite ride. Even with the diminished status, having your name constantly associated with Rossi had to get old for the laid-back Texan. Perhaps not having to ride in the shadow of The Doctor will allow Edwards spread his MotoGP wings. At the very least, it would be nice to see the Texas Tornado win his first career GP before making tracks back to the States, where it is rumored the Yamaha rider is keen to contest the AMA Superbike series.

James Toseland
2007 Result: World Superbike Champion
Age: 27
Nationality: English
Team: Tech 3 Yamaha
Tires: Michelin

Toseland arrives in MotoGP as the great British hope. English fans haven't had a rider raise the Union Jack for quite some time, so expect King James to have a rabid fan base right from the get go. The 27-year-old has proven he has the riding talent, evidenced by his pair of WSB crowns, but this is MotoGP. Toseland only need to look at his paddock-mate Edwards to see that SBK titles are no guarantee of GP success. Still, Toseland makes for an intriguing addition and certainly worth watching in 2008.

Honda

Honda saw it preeminence on the MotoGP grid fall with the change to 800cc machinery last season. The V-Four RC212V didn't get on track like the Ducati, even though it did manage to hold second-place in the 2007 Constructor's title. One problem is turmoil in the Honda team over development, as 2006 champ Nicky Hayden and teammate Dani Pedrosa are both very different riders, with Pedrosa the more successful of the two in the 2007 championship.

Honda is still the bike of choice on the GP grid, with four teams and six riders the most in 2008. Once again Pedrosa and Hayden campaign on the factory Repsol team, with the squad still retaining Michelin rubber. Also on Michelins are satellite riders Andrea Dovizioso with JiR Team Scot and Randy de Puniet with LCR. The only RC212Vs to source Bridgestones are the San Carlo Gresini Hondas of Shinya Nakano and Alex de Angelis.

Dani Pedrosa
2007 Result: 2nd MotoGP
Age: 22
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Repsol Honda
Tires: Michelin

In 2007 Pedrosa stepped forward to claim his mantle as the top Honda rider, but saw his expected championship wither under the dominance of Stoner, his old 250GP rival. Pedrosa was supposed to be the one to step out after his Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 and dominate the new 800 era, but it didn't quite work out that way. Some consolation for the Spaniard came when he pushed Rossi out of runner-up status with a victory at the Valencia finale.

Pedrosa was the other big name alongside Rossi during the offseason tire controversy. Rossi got his Bridgestones but Pedrosa is stuck with Michelins. The '08 tire war may not be as one-sided as last year's, so Pedrosa's tire fate may prove the better as the season progresses. Either way, it would seem that Pedrosa is Honda's best hope for reclaiming the title.

Nicky Hayden
2007 Result: 8th MotoGP
Age: 26
Nationality: American
Team: Repsol Honda
Tires: Michelin

The Kentucky Kid had a dismal title defense in 2007. Actually, dismal is putting it mildly. Hayden went from podium regular to podium no show in the blink of an eye, managing only three rostrum appearances in 2007 compared to 10 in 2006. At every turn it seemed as if the Owensboro, Kentucky rider was catching a bad break. The real kicker came when Hayden got wrecked in the first turn of his home GP at Laguna Seca. Instead of earning a three-peat Hayden was forced to retire from the USGP and stew over the result for a year. Now with a second USGP on the docket, located near his stomping grounds at Indy, Hayden has a second shot to woo his American supporters. While he may be down and far away from his title-winning form, many Americans will be rooting for Nick the Quick when the light turns green on Sunday.

Alex de Angelis
2007 Result: 3rd 250GP
Age: 24
Nationality: Italian
Team: San Carlo Gresini Honda
Tires: Bridgestone

De Angelis is one of the three 250GP imports for 2008. The San Marino rider is arriving on the scene after two consecutive third-place results in the 250 class. The bad news is the two riders he finished behind, Lorenzo and Dovizioso, are both entering the MotoGP class alongside him. Still, your place in the 250 pecking order isn't a clear indication of your fate in MotoGP, just ask Stoner and Pedrosa. De Angelis will campaign the RC212V on Bridgestones for the Gresini Honda team.

Shinya Nakano
2007 Result: 17th MotoGP
Age: 30
Nationality: Japanese
Team: San Carlo Gresini Honda
Tires: Bridgestone

Entering his seventh season in the MotoGP class, Shinya Nakano is one of the more experienced riders in the championship. Unfortunately, Nakano has little to show for his efforts, with a grand total of two career podiums. Last year the Japanese rider made the jump from long-time employer Kawasaki to the Konica Minolta team. Switching to Honda/Michelin from Kawasaki/Bridgestone proved difficult and Nakano had only two top-10 finishes. Now Nakano is back on 'stones and ready to roll with the Gresini squad.

Randy de Puniet
2007 Result: 11th MotoGP
Age: 27
Nationality: French
Team: LCR Honda
Tires: Michelin

The 2008 season is the first for De Puniet on the Honda. The third-year rider has tallied some up and down seasons for Kawasaki his first two years in the premier class, the highlight being a surprising second-place podium finish last season in Japan. Interestingly, De Puniet has been impressive in preseason testing, running consistently strong laps on race rubber. Will a change of scenery show a improvement in the Frenchman's finishes? We will find out this Sunday.

Andrea Dovizioso
2007 Result: 2nd 250GP
Age: 21
Nationality: Italian
Team: JiR Team Scot Honda
Tires: Michelin

The third 250 rider to vault into MotoGP this season, Dovizioso will try and get the better of Lorenzo for Rookie of the Year honors. The situation reminds us of Stoner and Pedrosa entering the premier class in 2006, but can Dovizioso upstage his rival the way Stoner bested his? The 21-year-old will certainly do his best aboard the Michelin-shod JiR Team Scot Honda and is a young talent to watch in 2008.

Suzuki

The biggest winners in the 800cc switch, aside from the obvious success of Ducati, was Suzuki. Although the V-Four GSV-R was still fourth in the Constructor's title, the Suzuki was a consistent threat for the podium last season. Another beneficiary of the Bridgestone ascension, John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen bagged four podiums apiece, with the Aussie snagging a win in the rain at Le Mans. Now Hopkins is gone, replaced by GP veteran Loris Capirossi. The two-man Rizla team will go it alone, as usual, with AMA Superbike champion Ben Spies planned to make a pair of appearances aboard the GSV-R at the USGP rounds.

Chris Vermeulen
2007 Result: 6th MotoGP
Age: 25
Nationality: Australian
Team: Rizla Suzuki
Tires: Bridgestone

Chris Vermeulen is entering his third year of full-time service in the MotoGP ranks. The former World Supersport champion has carved out a home in the Rizla Suzuki paddock and tallied five career podium finishes, including an impressive victory last year at Le Mans. Having won the double at Laguna Seca during his World Superbike days, Vermeulen has made it his personal goal to double-up with a pair of wins in the 2008 USGPs at Laguna and Indy. A likeable fan favorite here in the U.S., the Australian rider is also penning a monthly column for a fantastic online magazine by the name of MotorcycleUSA.com, so you'll forgive us if we root a little extra hard for Chris V in 2008.

Loris Capirossi
2007 Result: 7th MotoGP
Age: 35
Nationality: Italian
Team: Rizla Suzuki
Tires: Bridgestone

It's official, Loris Capirossi is old. Not older-than-dirt old, but old enough to be the last man standing from the old guard in MotoGP. Capirex is the only rider in the paddock, aside from Rossi, to notch a win on the 500cc two-strokes. The 35-year-old has raced everything in GP: 125, 250, 500, 990 and the now 800s. A serious contender for the title back in 2006, Capirossi fell off the pace last season on the Ducati GP7. When the disappointing campaign was over, Capirex found himself out of work from long-time employer Ducati and rustled up a spot on the Suzuki. The 2008 season will tell if Capirossi's time in the majors is over, or if the wily vet still has some zip in the throttle.

Kawasaki

The only other Inline-Four in the series besides Yamaha, the Kawasaki ZX-RR has not found race-winning results. With just two riders, Kawasaki had a subpar 2007, finishing way back in fifth in the Constructor's title. Kawasaki's list of recent riders: Jacque, Nakano and De Puniet; hint that it may not be all the bike's fault. To that end, Kawi secured the services of John Hopkins for 2008 with the aim at riding its way out of the GP basement.

John Hopkins
2007 Result: 4th MotoGP
Age: 24
Nationality: American
Team: Kawasaki Racing
Tires: Bridgestone

Although just 24 years old, John Hopkins has six years of MotoGP experience under his belt. After five up and down seasons with Suzuki, Hopper had a breakout year in 2007, with his first career podium finish growing to four total rostrum appearances by the end of the year. The American rider also tallied his best points results, finishing fourth in the championship behind Rossi. So after finally finding success on the Suzuki Hopper is back for more with the Rizla squad, right? Wrong, Hopkins has swapped blue for green, jumping ship to the Kawasaki Racing team. Now campaigning the ZX-RR, Hopkins is looking to improve even further and still eyeing that first career GP win.

Anthony West
2007 Result: 11th MotoGP
Age: 26
Nationality: Australian
Team: Kawasaki Racing
Tires: Bridgestone

Teamed alongside Hopkins is Australian Anthony West. A replacement rider in 2007 for Olivier Jacque, West scored some top-10 finishes during the second half of the season. The 26-year-old has had a scattered career in the 250 series, with his best season back in 2003 when he scored one victory and seventh-place overall. Although the scoresheets don't reflect it, West did tally some impressive rides in 2007. Perhaps a full season at the helm of the ZX-RR will earn him some more consistent single-digit finishes.

Edwardius

Hmmm, Pretty sure the usual suspects will be up at the front. I'd be lookin' out for de puniet though, He's been fast in testing and hasn't crashed all that much... The satellite ducatis will do pants. Melandri should do well when he figures out how to ride the other factory Duke. There's a lot of fast rookies this year as well but I reckon the final result will be the same as last year. It'd be nice to see rossi up front again especially with the amount of work the man does, most of all, I'd like to see some close racing and paint swappin'!

MrJoeSoap

Will be interesting to see how Toseland performs in the first few races. Any betting men out there, I got odds of 1.25 on Stoner finishing Top 3 in Qatar.

andyman

I can see Jorge Lorenzo doing a Lewis Hamilton this season. He's far more talented then Dani Pedrosa imo. Will be looking out for De Angelis and Toseland as well but I can see another Stoner victory with Melandri/Jorge in 2nd. Rossi and Pedrosa to disappoint.

In the 250cc class I can't see past Alvaro Bautista. His 3 threats are all gone up to MotoGP and he was pretty damn impressive last season. He'll run away with it. Mika Kallio and Hector Barbera will battle for 2nd.

In the 125's it's between Bradley Smith, Gabor Talmasci and Sergio Gadea. This should be Talmasci's year though.

Grim.

all very good races felt sorry for poor aul Bradley Smith hope the curse of the Polaris world 125cc bike don't repeat them selves this year. also what a win from Passini amazing ride his pass for the lead was great and am hoping he can win the 250 season this year.

moto gp race was class imo. but stoner just taking the piss again what a great showing by him. not sure what happend with Rossi after the strong start but at the end of the race i heard randy mamola saying that his front tyre was completely shot hope his choice of bridgestone doesn't come back to haunt him