MotoGP Mid Season Report: Champion will be rider who wants it most

Moto GP / Trent Burton / 06 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

With riders and teams on the mid-season break before the next round in the Czech Republic, Trent Burton looks at the key protagonists and forthcoming battles for the 2008 title.

Championship Challengers

Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Currently 1st

It only took Rossi a few races to get to grips with his new Bridgestones before he was on the podium. Then he achieved a string of three wins. In the US he won the race of the year and, regardless of your views on his aggressive passing, no-one expected him to even be able to keep up with Stoner, let alone beat him. A crash on cold tyres in Assen saw an eleventh place finish which has been his only blip to date.

Grade: A Price for the Title: [1.83]

Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Team Currently 2nd

After a dominant win in the opening round, it looked like the Aussie might run away with it but a series of problems looked to have destroyed his chances. A runoff in Jerez left him eleventh, a broken GPS tracker saw him struggle to sixth in Estoril and a bike failure meant no points in France and a deficit of 50 odd points to Rossi. His response has been a breathtaking streak of three dominating wins. A mistake at Laguna cost him a fourth but he has four wins for the year, the same as Vale, and is now just 25 off the lead.

Grade: A- Price for the Title: [2.49]

Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Currently 3rd

The Spaniard has led the charge at various points this year, racking up two wins. His remarkable consistency saw him off the podium just once until Germany where out in front of the race and championship he crashed heavily resulting in a number of fractures that caused him to miss the next round, thus dropping from leading the title down to third and 41 points in the hole.

Possibly out of it for the championship but will surely nab a further race win or two this year.

Grade: B+ Price for the Title: 22.0

Pursuing Pack

Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha Currently 6th

Save for two recent shockers with tyre woes, the Texan is having his most consistent season ever. Always a threat for a podium result and possibly his first ever victory by season's end if Michelin can get their stuff sorted.
Grade: B

Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki Currently 7th

A tough year so far for the Queenslander after a strong 2007, but two back to back podiums heading into the break could see the Suzuki man turning the corner.
Grade: C

Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda Currently 8th

Form has improved after gaining the new pneumatic valve engine Honda but is still struggling to get to grips with the 800cc Honda after taking the title in 2006 on the 990. Hasn't won a GP now for two years.
Grade: C-

Rookies

Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Currently 4th

Starting with pole positions, podiums and a first win after just three races, Lorenzo looked every bit a championship challenger until his huge highside in China. Despite subsequent injuries he fought back brilliantly for a fourth and a second but further crashes in Catalunya, Mugello and Laguna Seca have left Lorenzo's championship hopes, and body, severely battered. If he can regain his confidence, and keep his cool on the bike, he could bob up for another win before the season's out.
Grade: C+

Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot Honda Currently 5th

One of the big surprises. The former 250cc runner up has impressed with a string of fantastic results on a satellite machine that could see him finish the season as top placed rookie. A first podium is on the horizon.
Grade: B+

James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha Currently 9th

Like Lorenzo, the Brit started the season well with a host of top six results. His Donington disaster may have dented his confidence with his best finish since then a 9th. Has really struggled of late and needs to regain his focus to bounce back into the top six. Grade: C

The Rest

The rest of the pack have had an up and down year. Rookie Alex de Angelis has had some good results mixed in with a few tumbles. Loris Capirossi has struggled with injuries but when fit has shown he's still quick. The Kawasaki's have struggled and it still seems that Stoner is still the only man to master the Ducati. Toni Elias and Syvain Guintoli have shown promise of late but Marco Melandri is still having more problems than the early settlers on his GP8. Expect Marco to see out the season before heading back to Honda next year where I for one hope he can return to his winning ways.

So with seven rounds to go, Rossi is a favourite in the markets but of the seven tracks remaining to visit, Stoner took victories at four of them last year, Rossi nil. Then of course we have the brand new track at Indy where anything could happen. If forced into a corner right now and made to pick who'd win the title, I'd have to say Stoner. Just. And after a lot of hesitation. Because from here I think it may be less a case of whose quickest than one of who wants it more. And after the fallout from Laguna Seca, Stoner and Rossi will be itching to get back on track to have a crack at one another once again.