Not since the days of the duels between Roberts and Spencer or Rayney and Schwantz had motorcycle racing fans witnessed a spectacle of the kind: the two fastest pilots in the world engaged in breathless battle from the first to the final lap with all the best the sport has to offer in a spirit of fair-play and combat chivalry worthy of ancient knights in armour.
A race destined to go down in history was sealed after the engines cooled off when the two champs who'd never expressed much sympathy for the other grudgingly acknowledged the rival's prowess with a firm shake of the hand.
The day will be remembered as one in which motorcycle racing gave a lesson to one and all in both sport and life.

In the 250 Class, Spanish lion cub Dani Pedrosa put on a show of character that will leave a mark of its own. Following his serious injury at the end of the 2003 season, Dani roared back to win his next first race in a new racing category. Passing De Puniet on the final curve proved Dani's coming of age as a mature racer perfectly aware of both his own power and that of his new steed.
It's going to be a great season, no doubt at all.