Aside from the onslaught of bumps, Silverstone seemed to get the thumbs-up from riders across all classes. It certainly looks like a million dollar circuit, especially on the TV. But ‘selling out’ of general admission tickets two weeks prior to the event didn’t do them any favours. The MotoGP crowd is very different to the F1 gang – £130 on the day? No thanks. Our steeds are usually four-figure’s worth, not six. And a certain Mr Rossi was absent, too, ensuring a lack of real atmosphere.
MotoGP
Lorenzo made ‘em look silly, didn’t he? That Yamaha never gets too squirrelly anyway but he was just cruising, with his body language in ‘Valentino-isn’t-here’ mode. I’ll bet the Doris on him winning the title now…….but you can never forget Casey Stoner.
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Jorge Lorenzo
Stoner and Ducati reckon they’ve cured the crashing woes. Not because you were pushing super-hard then, Casey? Last in the first corner due to clutch problems, Stoner stormed through and lapped at a similar pace to Lorenzo. Expect more from the 2007 champ as the season progresses, including a contract from Honda.
Andrea Dovizioso looks like he’s doing enough to keep Honda logos on his leathers next year with another podium. Closely hounded by the best of the rest, Dovi held off some late challenges including a debut podium for Ben Spies. Were we the only peeps who sighed instead of cheered when Spies passed Nicky Hayden? Poor Nicky. He will get that rostrum soon enough. Big-up to Spies, though – that boy needed that result and will be doing more biz.
After some hefty crashes throughout the weekend, Dani Pedrosa insisted that his injuries weren’t holding him back. Lil’ Dani chose a hard rear tyre and couldn’t get it working, particularly on the left side. But running yourself over is never recommended.
Wondered why Randy De Puniet was so quick at Silverstone? The Frenchy was seen at a Focused Events trackday on a Ron Haslam School ‘Blade, learning the circuit a few weeks ago. Fair play.
And who’ll be on Rossi’s bike in the coming rounds? You have to consider the rookie rule. Cal Crutchlow was at Silverstone, claiming he was in the hunt for a Yamaha seat of some sort. Then we heard whispers of Alex De Angelis stepping up. But due to Colin Edwards’ poor season so far, it doesn’t make sense for the Texan to get on the 46 bike and leave the Tech3 seat open, so it looks like a Japanese test rider will be finishing 16th while Valentino fixes himself.
Moto2
Another quality race from the Moto2 boys and more proof that virtually anybody on the grid could win. I bet the bookies are loving the class. A debut victory for the entertaining Jules Cluzel was well deserved after he showed awesome early-season pace. Cluzel was joined on the podium by Thomas Luthi (championship darkhorse) and Julian Simon, who broke away from the rest of the pack with Scott Redding for a cracking finale. Mugello’s race winner, Andrea Iannone finished 12th with championship leader, Toni Elias in 10th. It really is Russian roulette.
Scott Redding
Scott Redding did his usual homecoming trick of kicking ass. ‘Full-Gas’ Redding has progressed steadily so far but looked good, and used his head instead of chucking down the road in a search for a podium. Under-the-radar Brit wildcard, Kev Coghlan finished 22nd.
125cc
He’s taken his time this season, but Bradley ‘Steve Davis’ Smith finally looks like he’s on the pipe with a third at Silverstone. Saying that, Pol Espargaro and Marc Marquez are carrying the raw pace to win the title, trading paint and leather patches at Silverstone. Save of the century goes to Pol for his last lap heroics. Expect the war to continue, as long as Race Control doesn’t end it beforehand.
Bradley ‘Steve Davies’ Smith
A shout has to go out to Taylor Mackenzie – son of the legendary ex-GP rider, Niall – who was spanking the wheels off of his underpowered Honda and battling against GP regulars onboard the superior Aprilias, until a late retirement. Looks like it’s in the genes.
Taylor Mac’
Alastair ‘A-Force’ Fagan
