MotoGP – Valencia Preview

Well folks, this is it. The final race of the championship. This race see’s Valentino Rossi holding an 8 point lead over Nicky Hayden.

For Hayden to win the championship he must win this race and Valentino must get no higher than third place.

Early on in the season it seemed that the championship was Hayden’s after Rossi had three uncharacteristic DNFs. But like the true champion he is, Rossi never gave up. Using all the resources available to them Jeremy Burgess and the Yamaha factory team, gave Rossi the bike he needed to take it up to Hayden.

Last round saw Hayden being hit by his team mate Pedrosa, in what could be the described as decisive event of the series. But in all honesty Hayden hasn’t ‘raced’ for the majority of the season.  He has been happy to sit back and rack up points. In fact the last round was the first-time I have seen him actually seem hungry on the track.

Rossi however has never given up. When he had the three DNFs, Rossi believed (rightfully so), that he could retain his crown. He admitted freely that it was going to be hard, but it still could be done. Why can Rossi have this unrelenting confidence? Well he is simply a freak on a bike, plus he is a true racer.

This race will be down to what three riders are doing.

Firstly Hayden MUST qualify in front of Valentino. His team mate, Pedrosa, MUST also qualify in front of Rossi. Hayden MUST get a brilliant start, something he hasn’t been able to accomplish all year. Hayden MUST win, with Pedrosa (or anyone but Valentino) coming second.

Valentino only needs to finish before Hayden or second. Judging by his form in the rounds leading up to this race, his freakish ability on a motorbike plus the fact that he has Jeremy Burgess and the Yamaha team setting up the bike, this is a no brainer…

Valentino Rossi: MotoGP Champion 2006

As for Hayden he runs the risk of becoming the next victim of the juggernaut that is Valentino. He could be the next broken man of the series, just like Max Biaggi and Sete Giberneau before him.  For his sake I hope not.

Stay tuned for my race review and series wrap up on Monday

Cheers

Dave