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2009 MotoGP Season Preview |
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by Damon Spencer, 8th April 2009
 Who will be crowned 2009 MotoGP Champion? You’d be crazy to bet against Rossi or Stoner walking away with it, but what about the others? Well most of the high profile teams and riders remain settled for the new season. The big exception is Dovizioso, who impressed so much on a satellite Honda in his rookie season. He’s been rewarded with the Repsol Honda ride which was departed by 2006 Champion, Nickey Hayden. Dovizioso finished ahead of the American last year, on an inferior bike, and pushed Lorenzo all the way for the unofficial ‘rookie of the year’ title. Expect to see him challenging for race wins now he has factory backing.
For Dovizioso’s team mate, Pedrosa, it could be a pivotal year. He burst into MotoGP in 2006 with a record in the lower classes that rivaled Rossi’s. In the three seasons since he has shown glimpses on the skill that won him a 125cc and two 250cc world titles, but they have been just that; glimpses. Six wins in three years is not what Repsol Honda expects, especially when they designed the latest incarnation of the RVC212 around his tiny frame. Added pressure comes in the form of his prolonged recovery from arm and leg surgery, which leaves him heading into the first race with a big question mark over his fitness and lack of testing.
The aforementioned Hayden finds himself alongside the man who took his MotoGP crown, at Ducati. Predicting how he will fare about the Italian machine is a difficult one. Many thought that with his offroading background he’d be able to tame the wayward machine but he hasn’t exactly been producing lap records in testing. Meanwhile Stoner has been consistently posting laptimes that leave the rest of the field scratching their heads. No-one but Stoner appears able to get the best from the Duke and Hayden’s move could backfire on him. Just ask Marco Melandri.
Alongside current Champion, Rossi, is the equally charismatic Lorenzo. Fourth place (and leading rookie) last year was impressive. Pole position in three first races, with victory in his third, was nothing less than stunning. However, a series of big crashes dented his confidence, if not his body, and he proved unable to maintain the form. If he has his head right this year he will push Stoner and Rossi all the way.
 Across the way in the ‘semi-factory’ Tech 3 Yamaha garage things have got messy. Edwards has accused Toseland of ‘stealing’ his crew chief and has vowed to never talk to the Englishman again. Things got so bad that the Texan requested a wall in their garage and took great delight in pointing out how much faster he was than his team mate in pre-season testing – a little harsh when Toseland managed two massive highsides in successive tests. It’s unlikely the two will share any data and can’t have much more than an outside chance of podium finishes.
Finally I expect to see the Rizla Suzuki riders chasing podiums, and (potential) wins. It’s a settled, well run team but they won’t have the might to battle Repsol Honda or Fiat Yamaha over the course of the season. If things get soggy (sorry, when things get soggy…) you can never rule out Vermulen and Capirossi proved last year that he didn’t join the team just for a final fat pay packet.
Having said all that, I fully expect it to be a two way fight between Stoner and Rossi – with Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Pedrosa snapping at their heels. I think it’ll be the others mentioned above who will fight it out for the occasional podium but I can’t see any shock in store for us this year.
What do you think? Have your say at the forums.
See all MotoGP articles and reviews.
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