2004

Oh, how the time flies! It was just x-mas, presents, trees and fat guys in red coats and now it’s already a new year and first race!
Biaggi dominates and sweeps the floor with rest. A 7.2 second lead over Gibernau. And after Gibernau, there is 11 second gap when the rest of the field rolls in. Well, Honda… move the good parts back to Biaggi who hints that he would have won even more impressively if he had a factory bike.

“We’ll see” is all that Honda says. It’s too early in the season to tell. And it is. Looking back now, it’s clear that Gibernau’s 2nd place was just a warm up. Because he goes on and wins the next 5 races. Totally dominating the field when Biaggi takes two second and two third places. That’s not the way to win championships!

True, after that 5-win charge, Gibernau is exhausted and DNF-s the next two races. Biaggi takes second place and win, and peace is restored with a 6 point lead over Gibernau. As if the race gods where looking down (up?) and saw that there’s no guy pointing finger towards them anymore, they let Biaggi down who finishes 10th and blow some good momentum to Gibernau, who takes 2nd place.

Next race: Gibernau wins, Biaggi second. Gap is getting bigger and getting “comfortable” for Biaggi and he puts the hammer down. And his bike too, unfortunately, for next two races. That spells the end to get the title with 26 point lead, last 4 races are almost mirror results to this dynamic duo: Gibernau wins, Biaggi 5th, then the other way around, then again the other way around and Gibernau celebrates the second title with win. Biaggi screams to Honda to get him the real equal equilibrium. His screams will not be in vain.

Meanwhile, Nicky Hayden had a not so good year. Managing only 7th place after stellar 4th in first year, things could be better. But still, Honda, especially US branch has a faith in him and signs him to an additional 2-year contract. Not too shabby.

Final points:

Gibernau 293
Biaggi 246
Barros 185
Edwards 179

If Valentino would have chosen motorcycle racing over drawing cartoons, he would have got 304 points. That close

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