Raise your hand if you had predicted that after the Irta tests in Jerez and Barcelona so absolutely dominated by the Yamaha M1, such an uncertain World Motorcycle Racing Championship without one real leader would ever have developed. As Valentino Rossi falls prey to problems with chattering and a bit of misfortune (such as the tire that flayed just a few laps away from the finish line), here's a Championship season that offers fertile terrain for the exploits of other racers. And so it goes, four different races produced have four different winners. In addition to Valentino, we also have Melandri, Capirossi and, on Sunday, May 14 in Shanghai, the young Spaniard, Daniel Pedrosa, the season's one real surprise who rode a simply fantastic race by gradually passing his adversaries one by one until finally taking the lead and then never letting go until the finish line, showing impeccable riding skills and textbook-savvy race management. This Dainese flag-bearer looks more and more like one of the season's real contenders in the 500 Class.
In 250 cc racing, Jorge Lorenzo reached the foot of the winners' stand sand is now close on the heels of both Dovizioso and Barbera in the overall standings. Marco Simoncelli also turned in a fine performance by finishing 6th and he just keeps getting stronger.
The next race scheduled for Sunday, May 21st brings the riders back to Europe, on the world-renowned Le Mans track in France, to be precise: with the scent of his home paddock in the air, will the Doctor feel inspired to give one and all a real lesson in riding?

Our D-Challenge, compliments go to MultiR in Trento who named all five top finishers in a race that was certainly not easy to pick. Bravo, MultiR!