MotoGP – Preview Sepang – The Final Countdown!

Five races at the end of the season, a trio of non-European away games with Sepang, Phillip Island and Motegi in 20 days. This is the final countdown of MotoGP, the decisive moment that can lead to an unprecedented sprint for the awarding of the world title. Five riders still theoretically in the running, three motorcycle manufacturers to climb to the top of the world. Honestly, how long has it been since we had such an exhilarating moment in the premier class? It is difficult to make comparisons with the past, it is better to focus on the present: in seven days at the Sepang International Circuit, created by the inimitable and at the same time highly criticized Hermann Tilke, the 19 protagonists of the top class will battle on one of the "home" tracks, accomplices the winter tests that have always seen the modern plant near Kuala Lumpur. We arrive at Sepang with important references in terms of set-up, with the fear of terrible heat which however changes with the January/February tests.

Sepang is the complete track par excellence, a favorite for technicians: if you're good here, you're good (almost) everywhere. In this anomalous 2006 season, however, everything compared to the winter tests could turn upside down. In February we parted ways with an unbeatable Yamaha, Hayden in deep crisis with the RCV Brno Type, Ducati in difficulty. The only real point of connection in this seven-month space of time is the competitiveness of Daniel Pedrosa: as fast now as he was then.

So what race awaits us at the Malaysian Grand Prix? All the predictions seem to put Loris Capirossi as super-favourite, thanks to the success in Brno and the triumph in the 2005 edition, of a Ducati rediscovered thanks to, in turn... resurrected Bridgestone competitiveness. In these three weeks of break Capirex had the opportunity to renew with Borgo Panigale for 2007 as well and to think about last season, where in Malaysia Ducati finished 1st-3rd on Valentino Rossi's day as world champion.

Yes, the Doctor, who between holidays in Formentera and appearances at the Venice Film Festival saw his world championship reopen in Brno. Thirty-eight, we repeat, thirty-eight points from Nicky Hayden are an important but not decisive gap, recoverable and not reassuring for the “Kentucky Kid”. Mother HRC's top driver (are you sure?) is the one who tested more than anyone else this winter in Sepang: doing a calculation, 1357 kilometers were traveled with the Brno Type in the last months of January/February in Malaysia. An incredible figure, but not enough to give certainty to #69. The pressure of the opponents, the unknown of some controversial choices (see the new chassis), the words said in Kuala Lumpur seven months ago (“This bike has great potential, but here we weren't able to bring it out”) are alarm bells that cannot be underestimated. It will be up to the good Nicky, making his race debut with the new chassis which failed at Donington Park, to confirm his theory “I don't feel the pressure, it's the others who have to chase”: making a mistake in Sepang can really mark what could be a title won deservedly.

Hayden will also have to deal with it at home, with HRC definitely taking the path of a predilection towards Daniel Pedrosa, who is so pampered that he is satisfied with a new tail and, above all, with engine developments that should favor his "two hundred and fifty" driving . Dani can really break the bank in Sepang, and his hypothetical world triumph would immediately place him among the greats of this sport (undefeated for four years now, world winner on his debut in 250 and MotoGP, sorry if that's not enough).

However, Honda is also and above all Marco Melandri, definitely the most consistent in his performance among its rider fleet. The lack of direct support from the parent company, which left some of his requests in the background, pays a lot: it is not possible that the man from Ravenna, best Honda in 2005, finds himself with a motorbike with extremely different sensations on every race day. Friday goes one way, Saturday a tragedy, Sunday is an ordeal.

Right here in February Marco began to have doubts about the material provided to him by Michelin, at the time definitely on the ball with Yamaha and without having achieved the right feeling with Honda. The tires will play a fundamental role in Sepang: the heat, the humidity, unbearable asphalt temperatures. Ideal situation for Bridgestone, but will they hold up over the distance?

We'll find out in seven days, but in the meantime there will be a lot of talk about the transfer market, who will win the championship, the usual "blah blah blah". Luckily we'll be back on track for the final countdown.

Alessio Piana