Laguna Seca is different. The riders say the track is unique from anything else they ride . . . fun, but dangerous, at the same time. Laguna also seems to produce unexpected results.
Ducati’s Nicky Hayden has won here before, of course, and it is his home track. Struggling on his new red machine, Hayden can be expected to pull out all the stops (and he has already said as much) in an effort to achieve a good result, and begin to turn his year around. Despite this, Hayden is not the one to watch this weekend.
Teammate Casey Stoner also likes Laguna, and has had success there in the past. Last year, Stoner lost an epic battle with Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, but otherwise dominated the weekend with the quickest times in practice and qualifying. Stoner has been ill for a few weeks, but expect him to be strong this weekend, and battling for the win.
It is the Yamahas of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, however, that deserve to be the pre-race favorites this weekend. Despite Lorenzo’s forgettable Laguna round last year (which included a massive high side and concussion), he has been consistent this year, and seems to get a little stronger each week. Rossi is Rossi. What else needs to be said?
The Repsol Honda teammates Dani Pedrosi and Andrea Dovizioso claim their bikes are improving, and both riders are certainly capable of podium finishes (Pedrosa could win). Consistency, however, has been lacking on the factory Honda team this year, and the rider’s championship may already be out of reach for both of these riders. Nevertheless, pay attention to how the factory Hondas run in practice and qualifying. If they are strong, they will likely run near the front, or at the front, during the race itself.
Other riders to watch this weekend include American Colin Edwards (Yamaha) and Austrailan Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki). Both of these riders have found the podium at Laguna before, and it is Edwards’ home race.
Most of all, expect the unexpected. While the favorites should be strong this weekend, there always seems to be a disaster or two (Lorenzo last year, for instance). Laguna tends to have a big impact on the championship points race.
