No, we do not like to see anyone crash. Certainly not Valentino Rossi. Nevertheless, a circumstance that leaves Rossi with just two points after the opening round of the 2006 MotoGP championship, 23 points behind winner Loris Capirossi (Ducati), means this championship series will be more interesting than usual.
The unhurt Rossi mounted his Yamaha shortly after being knocked to the ground in the first corner of Sunday’s Jerez MotoGP opener, but could only manage 14th place (and two points) at the end. In a series that finds Rossi with perhaps more competition than ever (and the surge in performance of the Bridgestone-shod teams — Rossi and Yamaha ride on Michelins) means that fans will be entertained with an interesting points race, at least for a while. Rossi likes to win the opening round of the series, and he has done so many, many times before. This has often led to a points run-away.
We also know that the Ducatis are very, very strong early this MotoGP series, and that the Hondas faired better than expected (taking positions 2 through 5 at Jerez). Starting with this points deficit, and his Yamaha still “chattering”, Rossi may have his toughest test yet at the MotoGP level in 2006.
