MotoGP 2011: The new season

In less than one month’s time the first representative MotoGP Test of the year takes place at Sepang as the clash for the final 800cc title gets underway.

The 2010 crusade is still fresh in the memory but already the focus has turned to 2011. With the first Official Test in training for the new season coming right away after the final round of the year in Valencia back in November, the enthusiasm at the final 800cc season before the opening of a 1000c engine capacity limit in 2012 is merely adding to the expectation that the 2011 season will be one to savour.

Looking at the foremost contenders for the 2011 MotoGP title the defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will be at the front position, as he aims to underline his status as the new dominant force. Having been so consistent in 2010 and finishing 16 of the 18 rounds on the podium on his M1, the factory Yamaha rider displayed a level of adulthood that was very much improved in contrast to his previous premier class campaigns.

As Lorenzo opts for stability with Yamaha two of his chief rivals ride with new teams in 2011. Casey Stoner becomes a factory HRC rider and his show in the Valencia Test hinted at what was an instant similarity with the RC212V, whilst Valentino Rossi has filled the Australian’s seat at Ducati as an all-Italian match-up adds to the charming grid. Rossi may not have enjoyed as contented an introduction to his new machine as Stoner did to the Honda, but such is the nine-time World Champion’s established track record he can be predictable to be pushing hard on the Desmosedici come March 20th at Losail.

Along with Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa will hope to benefit from the constancy of residual with the same set-up in 2011, and for the 2010 runner-up it will be his sixth season on the factory Honda team. Having been Lorenzo’s longest contestant until injury struck towards the end of 2010, Pedrosa’s sights will be resolutely set on a first premier class title.

As much as the ‘top four’ carry on to be spoken of in one bracket, the gap at the back them is being closed all the time and there are a number of riders who will not only be sure of breaking into that elite, but who have proven they have the aptitude to run at the front.