3 Week Break Until Mugello, Thoughts and Feelings.

We have 3 weeks until the next race which is the Italian GP at Mugello. I wanted to get everyone's reactions to the frist four races of this 2005 season, I mean what else do we have to talk about? First of all I am disappointed to see Gibernau's start to the season, some thought it was his year to finally take the title and he is a bit further down the standings than I'm sure he would have liked. If there is one thing I hate to see in racing it is a runaway, so it is a bummer to not see anyone keeping Rossi honest in the points. Secondly I am disappointed in Nicky Hayden thusfar, I don't know how much of the problem is chatter, or how much confidence he has lost in his crash and lack of resuluts, or if he has a lot of pressure on himself to destroy the other man in the garage, there is a decent rivalry between Biaggi and Hayden. Either way I am holding out hope he can turn his season around. I'm also bummed about Tamada's injury, he seemed to be making progress on the Micehlins and that is what he needed because those tires will offer the consistancy he requires to take the crown. Also bummed about the Suzuki project. Last year we were promised an improvement in the machine, although stability and predictability did improve it was still more of the same, a lack of power. In '05 we again were promised great improvements and I think we are starting to see it in the two rider's qualifying efforts and when the bike is running properly they have shown good performances. However the machine has experienced many mechanical failures and the reliability must be questioned. I am extremely impressed with Melandri's improvement in coming to the Gresini squad. Elias isn't setting the world on fire but he is developing nicely and I think he could come to challenge for podiums at the end of the season. Hopkins is showing the form that Peter Clifford saw in him when he was signed to the Red Bull Yamaha team in 2002. If the bike and tires develop more he will be a podium contender at the end of the year, or ask yourself the million dollar question... what if he were riding a Honda? Anyways I look froward to Mugello and hopes of a Tamada recovery, Gibernau reeling in Rossi, Hayden proving his worth to HRC and the world, Suzuki stepping up, Melandri, Elias, and Hopkins continuing their impressive progress, and of course as an American the return of MotoGP to America in the Red Bull USGP at Laguna Seca.

Realistically it doesn't matter whether the track suits what bikes, we know Rossi will be there. But I am excited to get to a big horsepower track and see some high speeds and heavy braking. For sure I'm looking for Hayden to come good because of the speed and he likes the track. Tamada goes very well there and as long as he is fully recovered I would look for him to fight for a podium and I am not sure how his bike stacks up to those of the other 3 teams. I'm always cheering for Hopper but the Suzuki again is down on power so I will be surprised if he has a phenomenal weekend. But I'm behind him. Yes Mladin was on typical form and reportedly suffering from flu like symptoms as well. He still outqualified the field by just under a second. He is really hitting stride. A name I'm not sure if you all are familiar with is Jason DiSalvo, he rides supersport and superstock for Yamaha. Although he didn't win this weekend he took home a podium place in each race and qualified his R1 at a time that would have put him second on the superbike grid. This kid is for real and I hope Yamaha will race superbike next year because he will be a competitor. It was heavily rumored in the off season that he threatened Yamaha to race superbike or leave for a WSB ride... oddly enough neither happened. I guess you don't have much leverage as a 21 year old support class rider... even if you are a stud.