Forget racing in the Czech Republic this weekend, like most guys do anyway with all that Eastern European gusset. The headlines are dominated by Mr Stoner’s announcement that Mrs Stoner will be popping a junior Stoner out, early in 2012 – timing of such event is essential to racers, landing the sprog in off-season. Casey was a second off the pace in free practice, just like most blokes avec kids.
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Anyway, back to racing and burning holes on the ozone layer. Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa was the runaway leader of free practice and will be looking to control his sporadic performances, and his brittle bones. Meanwhile, third-in-line Repsol rider, Andrea Dovizioso, looks certain to get the flick at the end of the season after being shunned a ride on the 2012 1000cc Honda at the Brno test.
Yamaha will be debuting their 1000cc M1 on Monday. Jorge Lorenzo, hopefully recovered after his monumental highside at Laguna Seca, needs to start taking proper points from Casey Stoner if he wants to retain the title.
In other news, John Hopkins makes his second MotoGP appearance of the year on the Rizla Suzuki. Hopper will be competing in three different championships on the bounce after his British and World Superbike escapades, and already looks settled after taking seventh in free practice this morning – beating Alvaro Bautista in the process. He’ll be eggy.
In the red and Rossi camp, Valentino has come out (not in that way) and categorically denied wanting to ride a Honda in 2012. They’ll only be two factory Hondas next year, so the rumours of Marco Simoncelli going to join his buddy on a Ducati gather pace with conviction.
Meanwhile, Toni Elias continues to ride his motorbike really slowly and struggle with tyres. And Loris Capirossi is still getting paid…
Fagan
