NEWS

LONE WOLF'S NEW YEAR BLOG

29/12/2009

By Lone Wolf

First off, it looks like Dorna might be bringing the 1000cc rule change in for 2011 instead of 2012 to further reduce costs which must point towards a production-based engine instead of prototype. And that will have Mr Flammini's lawyers hopping and reaching for the contract small print.

It might also mean they are trying to hang on to Rossi for as long as possible before the series is sold on by its owners, the private equity firm Bridgepoint.

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New Year always looks inviting because you never know what is going to happen and how it will turn out. There are those who just can't wait to get started because it offers new opportunities and you can put Jorge Lorenzo
and Stuart Easton in that group.

There are also those who want to get into 2010 as soon as possible because they can't wait to see the back of 2009. They're probably the large majority. But they include Noriyuki Haga who saw his chance of a world title disappear when he threw his Ducati down the road at Portimao; the owners of Donington Park - the Wheatcroft family - who saw their circuit being ruined by the crazy ambition of the chancers to whom they had made the mistake of leasing it; and Paul Bird, probably the most flambuoyant and controversial of the team owners.

The latter because of a tragic personal event just before Christmas when his home near Penrith was broken into, his wife Lyndsey savagely assaulted and valuables stolen. And there is something in law which protects burglars from on the spot retribution because of their human rights. At the time of writing they had not been apprehended but perhaps they ought to be hoping that the police get to them before Paul does!

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But to 2010. This is a look at what might be in a year when money might be tight but competition will be even more fierce. It promises to be exciting.

First up - Valentino Rossi will lose his crown. The three other members of the Aliens will be too strong because they are desperate to win. First up and favourite is Casey Stoner. He may be moody but he is magnificent and he
desperately resents Rossi being given star treatment. And he has the fastest bike.

Jorge Lorenzo is equally motivated by being treated with contempt by Rossi. The past year, when he fully expected to win the title, was very disappointing. The great Bob McIntyre once said: "If you don't fall off every now and again, you aren't trying hard enough." Lorenzo fell off too often and was trying too hard!

But they, and Pedrosa, are too often beaten on †he start line. Rossi is master of mind games - not to mention a series of fantastic overtaking manoeuvres which put them in their place.

He is, indeed, a man among boys. But this year will be their time.

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World Superbikes is incredibly open and surely we can crown another Brit. Step forward Jonathan Rea and Ten Kate Honda. He had an excellent end to the year and should be able to carry it on.

And the other Brits. James Toseland will be there but he is not Ben Spies and may have enough on his plate fending off team-mate Cal Crutchlow. Leon Camier is an outstanding rider as is Leon Haslam, so we could see some all-Brit podiums in 2010.

Two riders who should be up there - Shakey Byrne because he has a bit of star quality and, of course, Haga. Always the bridesmaid, he may still be second in line again.

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My spies tell me there is every chance of racing being resumed at Donington Park next season. The legalities have ended, the right result has been achieved and it is in good hands. All that is required is a couple of million to repair the track and put the circuit back to where it was before.
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What makes a great champion - mostly being utterly selfish! And Valentino Rossi is just such a person. Witness his rant about his "team-mate" Lorenzo and how he might not ride for Yamaha again if they don't ditch Lorenzo after next season. Valentino loves people he is in control of. Lorenzo is obviously not one of them!

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RIP GSE Racing - or so it seems. What a tragedy that one of the most successful teams in British racing history should have to close its doors. While other teams can struggle by on quarter of a million, it is not their style and one must respect them for that. But you always feel that so long as there is blood coursing round Colin Wright's body - and that goes for team owner Darrell Healy too - there may still be a chance. All racing fans hope so.