Reasons why MotoGP 2010 is going to be awesome.

• The Kid versus The G.o.a.T

As if 2009s season wasn’t exciting enough with the building rivalry between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, next year looks set to be even better. With Rossi stating he won’t stay with Yamaha for 2011 if they decide to keep Lorenzo, the Spanish kid is going to be under a lot of pressure to perform and put the pressure on Vale.
If Yamaha does decide to put their money behind the rising star instead of the World No.1, however, it does give rise to the prospect of a Rossi/Ducati pairing which could prove incredibly interesting.
It’s down to Lorenzo to get his head down, relax and be consistent with his riding in order to really be in with the chance of beating Rossi to the championship next season.


• Monster Tech3 Yamaha

Yes, really, the satellite Yamaha team who I have lovingly renamed ‘Texas3 Yamaha’, due to the 2010 presence of ‘Texas Tornado’ Colin Edwards and ‘Texas Terror’ Ben Spies. As sad as I am to see James Toseland disappear back to the world of Superbikes, I’m really quite excited by the new partnership. And after Spies wildcard performance in Valencia, in which he helped Edwards snatch 5th in the championship from his rival Andrea Dovizioso, maybe that wall down the middle of the Tech3 garage will disappear too.
Spies has also taken incredibly well to the MotoGP bikes, coming in 7th at Valencia – a full five places in front of poor old JT.


• The 250cc boys make their move.

Four of the best riders from the 250cc class are moving up to the premier class next season. Spaniards Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera, Italian Marco Simoncelli and Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama will be taking up rides with Rizla Suzuki, Aspar Ducati and Gresini Honda and Interwetten Honda respectively. It’ll be interesting to see how they all fair, especially Barbera, who has to contend with one of the most notoriously skittish and difficult bikes on the grid – The Desmosidici – which has only really ever been tamed by Casey Stoner.


• Bye Bye Donington, Hello Silverstone!

MotoGP waved a fond farewell to Donington Park this season, as the British Grand Prix moves back to Silverstone – where it was held between 1977 and 1986. Silverstone has added new parts of track specially to host MotoGP, and are spending copious amounts of money improving their visitor facilities in preparation for next season.
Have a little lookie at the new circuit. Seems to have a lot of long straights, which should hopefully mean more speed. Of course, maps like that are always a little misleading on things like how severe the corners are and such. Still, I’m excited to see if Silverstone can produce as incredible a race as Donington did this year.

• Hello Moto2!

I can’t say I know a hell of a lot about Moto2 – which is replacing the 250cc class next season. The new class is comprised of 600cc four-stroke machines with only limited electronic interference from data loggers, ECU and timing transponders.
There are a few riders, including Toni Elias and Nicollo Canepa, are moving down from the premiere class to ride in Moto2, so it should be fun to see how they get on with the new bikes.