MotoGP Review: Fast tracks equal close racing

Sunday was proof once more that fast, flowing racetracks provide close racing. It really isn't rocket science.

The simplicity of Phillip Island, where acres of run-off allow the configuration to survive from the 1950s, is obviously key. But, with so many circuits being built over the past decade that have over-seated and under-filled themselves, a lesson should be learned from the classic places.

The old ones are the best

Istanbul Park is a shining example of how Hermann Tilke and his Apple mouse can craft a good place, but it took a few mistakes before that one got hewn from earth with some class. The major problem with Turkey is that it's in the wrong place: like about 1500 miles too far East. Turkey and motorsport history are up their with North Korea's list of famous drivers.

There appears to be hope for the plans on Donington Park's revamp. But the world has got more pressing financial worries at the moment than whether to pump $175m into an F1 venue that needs to be built in just over 12 months from its potential planning permission date in January.

The Phillip Island circuit © DPPI

Then there are the new circuits like Algarve, which hosts this weekend's World Superbike finale and Klaas Zwart's Ascari circuit down in southern Spain, never mind those gems of little places in France or Belgium that appear for hire or even for sale in the back of posh motoring mags.

Of course, these little places can't be used for big commercial racing as no-one can really get in, but the principle of having an uphill/downdale track is a glimmer of light for good, fast racing.

Getting on the Bautista bandwagon

Alvaro Bautista had a hell of a race with Marco Simoncelli in the 250cc battle at Phillip Island, but it was the lanky Italian who got the measure of Spain's next MotoGP pocket rocket.

The pair of them are miles ahead of the rest in that class at the moment, a point proven by the race time in Australia being some 23s faster than last year's race time, set by no less than Jorge Lorenzo, and 43s faster than last year's second-placed man, again Bautista. Incredible...

Now I can sympathise with the Piaggio bosses who control the fates of these two riders. While Simoncelli is the face of Piaggio - and can help sell a million new scooters in Italy each year - surely someone can get the dosh together to put Bautista on a big bike sooner rather than later.

People bang on about Bautista needing to win the 250 title, but Andrea Dovizioso never did that and he's been one of two massive finds in MotoGP this year, Lorenzo being the other. The stuff that Dovi has done on a mutt of a Honda has been mighty this season, edging it into places where it really shouldn't have been.

Surely the ever-smiling Bautista, a sponsor's dream, could mix it up there on a fifth Ducati or another Honda, or even the Ceccinello De Puniet ride? All that Spanish money there behind him?

But no. Unfortunately we'll have to wait another 13 months before we see the pair of them up there as they're already committed to another year in the middle class. Shame that, as they're good kids who have buckets of character, quick and who don't really crash.

Can't wait for 2010, if the form of Dovizioso this season is indicative!

What's wrong with a bit of Bibendum?

Michelin tire on a Tech 3 Yamaha © Back Page Images

Oh, and here's the section where I've got to write about the single-tyre rule for 2009 and beyond, but I'm not going to as it's been done to death and quite frankly people are bored of it all.

Anyway, what's wrong with Hondas on Michelin tyres? Nicky Hayden has out-qualified Dani Pedrosa two to one - and scored 23 more points more than him over the past three races, including two podiums. All with a leg that poor Nicky can hardly walk on.

I shook his hand after the warm-up in Australia, and a vice-like grip and look in the eye said he was never going to be off that podium around Phillip Island.

Go the Nickster! At least he'll fit on the Ducati next year, rather than the over-engined 250 he's had for the past two years. I mean, can't you see he's already fired up to ride the Ducati with his current pace?

Looking for direction

A valid point was made to me over the weekend by fellow Eurosport commentator and former 125cc World Champion Dirk Raudies while we were discussing the lack of pace of the Kawasakis over a couple of stubbies on Saturday night.

At the weekend they were way off the pace, with the demotivated-as-I'm-being-replaced-next-year-so-why-should-I-risk-my-ass Antony West nearly being outpaced around Phillip Island by 250cc pole position man Simoncelli. That's a multi-million dollar motorcycle nearly being beaten by a 250cc (and I know this is cruel) oversized chainsaw engine.

John Hopkins went off the rails at Misano, with a 'light training session injury' preventing him from even turning up to work on Friday. Rumours of a drink-fuelled soiree were more accurate, but it hardly contributes to the morale of the team.

But what Raudies said might hold water in that when Harald Eckl ran the team, although they were no championship contenders, they were at least there or thereabouts.

Japanese decisions regularly grate against the European/Western way to a degree I cannot begin to comprehend, but did the Swiss out-of-the-box and can-do man Eskil Suter have a simplistic touch with that bike that just gave it another second per lap? I fancy he might have done.

The setup and professionalism of the team is one I admire in the paddock, but I can only hope for Marco Melandri, who joins the squad for 2009, that the way forward is found.