“His dogged defense of the dignity of the # 1 plate makes Hayden a worthy champion indeed”… is a perfectly formed rebuttal for all those that belittled his achievements of last year.

While the championship for 2007 has in my mind been decided several rounds ago this has still been a facinating year of racing, just that all the interest has been further down the ladder. The rise of Vermuleen being particularly gratifying.
While Caseys dominance has been reminiscent of Doohans brillant but stupefying domination in the 90’s and taking nothing away from Stoner or Ducati; both Rossi and Pedrossa/HRC have had bad luck and planning sniping at their heels all season. For the doomsayers to expect this to continue into 2008; too repeat the 2007 season in 2008 would be ridiculous. Next years racing will be nothing like this years. It will be faster, closer and more competitive. Not just because Honda will be closer too sorting out their bike or Yamaha will have time too perfect the top end of their race bike but also that the once unconquerable Rossi has been shown to be human and beatable and that there is a raft of young blood that have cut their teeth in motogp for a season or two and are hungry for the crown.
So 07 is Caseys year, well thats just the way it is! But this push to redress percieved inequities by rejigging the tyre regulations is pointless scapegoating. As for going too Control tyres, well i can buy phenomanlly stick dual compound tyres for my ROAD bike as a direct result of the competition that motogp fosters in the manufacturers.
And on a final note, exciting as Hopper is too watch he needs too start delivering very soon. I can’t help thinking of Randy Mamola when i seee him on the grid preceding each race; “Fastest rider to never win the title” It may be that this year was his one window of oppurtunity!
Cheers,
Brett.