This weekend’s Motegi MotoGP event takes place at the home of Honda Racing. Honda owns the track, of course, and has perhaps its most important motorcycle museum on the premises. Honda is also celebrating more than one racing anniversary this year.
If the opening round at Qatar two weeks ago is any indication, Honda may have a tough time putting a rider on the podium, much less winning the race at Motegi. Dani Pedrosa is still recovering from his injuries, and the numerous, heavy braking zones Motegi is famous for won’t help him. The other Honda riders, including Pedrosa’s factory teammate Andrea Dovizioso, do not appear ready to run with Stoner, Rossi (last year’s Motegi winner) and Lorenzo (last year’s Motegi pole)
Honda will give it everything they have, however, with all of the Honda brass in attendance. Other riders to watch will be Colin Edwards (aboard another Yamaha) and the Suzuki duo of Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen.
Ducati’s Nicky Hayden is reportedly healthy after his big crash in Qatar, but we wouldn’t expect to see Hayden finish better than mid-pack based on his performance on the Ducati thus far.
Those same heavy braking zones that should bother Pedrosa will also pose a challenge for Casey Stoner, whose wrist is apparently still not 100% healed from surgery late last year.
