Running on Fumes

Coming into the 2009 road-racing season, odds were the World Superbike series would be the most competitive. Yet as we enter the summer, it’s MotoGP that seems to offer the most parity on the track. Granted the World Superbike series has had some magnificent racing, with Ben Spies stealing the show, in spite of Noriyuki Haga’s domineering points advantage. Still, it’s MotoGP which can boast the tightest title fight, with three riders, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner – all within a point of the other.

A solid argument could be made that it’s not really as close as it seems, that Rossi would be ahead by a comfortable 20-point gap if it weren’t for his recent misfortunes at the Le Mans round. Yet, that sounds strangely familiar to the argument throughout the 2006 season, in which Nicky Hayden managed to hold a slim points advantage, due to Rossi’s bad luck – which included the Doctor squandering the title at the Valencia finale…

For 2009, there is Rossi – the seasoned veteran and default favorite amidst the new generation of MotoGP stars: The mercurial Lorenzo, who battles consistency but finds himself in the lead; Stoner, seemingly always poised to regain his unbeatable 2007 form; and then Dani Pedrosa, who has battled through injury in the opening rounds to rest just 9 points behind the leader.

Add into the GP mix Marco Melandri, who is enjoying a career resurgence aboard the renegade Hayate/Kawasaki – riding without the overbearing expectations of the factory Ducati. The same Desmosedici burdens that seem to be burying the Kentucky Kid, Nicky Hayden… MotoGP paddock is rife with drama and gripping story lines!

But is the MotoGP title as close as it looks?

I certainly hope so!