 |  The circuit in China is so specifically drawn and designed for Formula One that I feel it doesn't necessarily suit MotoGP |
The latest round of the MotoGP season sees us head to China and I have to admit that it isn't my favourite track of the season.
The circuit is so specifically drawn and designed for Formula One that I feel it doesn't necessarily suit MotoGP.
It has very, very long corners which don't do a lot for motorcycle racing as everyone just sits and queues up behind each other.
Also, it's pretty flat and there aren't many height variations which always seems to take a little character away from a circuit.
We like tight and twisty tracks as they tend to bring better racing and the massively long straights in Shanghai simply doesn't suit a lot of the teams and riders.
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That said it's nice to travel around and experience the variations that different tracks offer; if all the tracks were the same it wouldn't be that much fun.
The Ducatis will certainly be licking their lips at the prospect of taking on the long straights.
If their display on the straights at Qatar is anything to go by they should have a significant advantage at Shanghai as it's the longest straight we've got in the whole series.
They also have the benefit of being on Bridgestone tyres, which are really setting the pace at the moment.
Michelin have got their backs to the wall and to compound their difficulties we are now going to another track that should suit Bridgestone.
The tyre war is stepping up nicely and I think Michelin will be beavering away to get everything sorted.
Their performance in Istanbul was the worst race I can ever remember them having since the 1980's.
Bridgestone have really stepped their game up.
It was always said that the people who would rock the boat for Michelin would be Bridgestone because they go about things in a very professional way.
They are a typically methodical Japanese company and they've really got it together this season.
When we get back to Europe, Michelin will come back into it but for now Bridgestone have moved the goalposts a bit.
Ducati and Bridgestone's Casey Stoner will be hoping to continue his scorching start to the season and increase his surprise Championship lead.
All the signs for him are good, he has a very good motorcycle and tyre package underneath him and combines it with youthful exuberance and a gritty determination to succeed.
He is absolutely loving it at the moment, he treats every lap as if it's a qualifying lap and is pushing himself all the time.
The more experienced guys build themselves up and wait for race day to come where as he is giving it 100% all the time.
1. Stoner 2. Rossi 3. Capirossi
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