Competition season 2011 seems to become more fierce due tothe migration of The Doctor to the Ducati team. The move iscertainly going to heat up the scent of his rivalry with riders fromSpain, Jorge Lorenzo. Do not forget also the drivers - other drivers are ready to act like Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa orAndrea Dovizioso. Intrigued by their actions in the circuit, then do not miss the races scheduled so as not to miss their exciting action


DUCATI MARLBORO

Everyone will be watching Ducati with great interest following their signing of Valentino Rossi for 2011, and with a new bike, it should be interesting. Rossi and Hayden both got to test “big bang” and “screamer” versions of the thumping V4, and it’ll probably be the “big bang” engine that makes the cut. Not the first time Rossi and Hayden have been team mates either.

46. Valentino Rossi (ITA)

Arguably the greatest motorcycle racer ever and a worth world champion in 2009, but thanks to a broken leg only managed 3rd in the 2010 season. Still, even if he hadn’t had the accident, he wouldn’t have beaten Lorenzo, and at times he didn’t look much like the Rossi of old. Hopefully his planned shoulder surgery in the off-season will go well and he will be back to his best next year. Personally, I think he might find it difficult to compete with Ducati and that he should seriously look at moving to Formula 1 before that opportunity disappears. Still, you’d never bet against him…

Valencia test position & time: 15th @ 1m 33.793s
My prediction for 2011: 5th


69. Nicky Hayden (USA)

Nicky managed a 7th in 2010 and I reckon he’ll be there or thereabouts again this year. His being more familiar with the Ducati resulted in better test times in Valencia, which give a better indication of how the Ducati will perform next year.

Valencia test position & time: 6th @ 1m 32.583s
My prediction for 2011: 8th