BOLOGNA '07

by Mark Bracks

Writing this I'm sitting in another departure lounge at Bologna Airport. In a mad dash to get here this morning after a few frosty treats at the end of the week the night before, we arrive and find out the flight has been delayed three hours -- oh the joy of travel!

"For many years I have heard about the beauty of Tuscany "

"With the thunderstorms and rain of Saturday..."

"...the carpark turned into a quagmire"

Police arrested two kids during qualifying: one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off.

But that is a slight setback for the weekend we had. Going to Mugello is one of the year's highlights not only for the GP but everything about the place. For many years I have heard about the beauty of Tuscany and after my second visit I agree with it even more.

I packed my bags thinking it was going to be a fine weekend with heaps of sunshine and high temperatures but from the time we got there it was overcast and rain. Plus not bringing many winter woollies made it a bit of a brisk weekend.

The place we stay at is straight out of movie fantasy land. We stay on a 200 hectare farm -- can you imagine how much 200 hectares is worth in Tuscany!? It has been in the family over 400 years and was first settled by...

It has been converted into a series of villas and is simply superb. Its one of those places that if you had a secret lover you could duck off for a quiet dalliance without a fear in the world of being spotted. Now I've just got to find one!

As I stated in my last article the track itself is set in a natural amphitheatre which adds to the drama and atmosphere.

The MotoGP qualifying session had to be one of the strangest on record. Commencing in drying conditions the times started to slowly come down then in a dramatic few minutes the times hit the 2 minute mark. Just when we thought it was going to end up a dry session the heavens opened drenching all and sundry. It was a case of who read the conditions better.

From the time it was obvious it would be a dry race, with Rossi sitting on the front row there was a feeling of inevitability. It was going to be a gamble with setup and tyres but with a team like Rossi's who are the best in the business and a very partisan Italian crowd you knew that something special was about to happen. He blew the start to be back in eighth -- now the rest is done.

As I stated in the broadcast, anyone in front of Rossi was going to get shoved out of the way and this he did. He was the only rider to pass anybody other than the tight turn one San Donato.

The run of Aussie victories had to come to an end sooner than later but what an opening to the 2007 season it was (and a finish to '06). Being an Aussie in a very privileged position it is something that will live long in my memory and something that I hope happens again.

Even so, not having an Aussie on the Mugello podium wasn't too bad as to see a very parochial Italian crowd to cheer the most famous name in modern day motorcycling was something special as well.

With the thunderstorms and rain of Saturday the car park turned into a quagmire by the time we left in the early evening. As I approached my car, the Michelin guys with head ganger Jean-Philipe Weber became bogged right next to me as their hire car wheelspun its way deeper into the mud. As such I gave a hand to push them out, quipping if the car was fitted with Bridgestones, Michelins or Dunlops! What do you think the answer was?

Speaking of tyres Dunlop unveiled its new generation front, following the lead of Michelin and going the 16" front tyre route. Like Michelin the rolling diameter is very similar to that of the 16.5 with both riders Sylvain Guintoli and Makoto Tamada impressed with the new tyre and keen to continue using it for the rest of the season. Dunlop had tested the new tyre at testing after the Grand Prix of Turkey in Istanbul and also after the French GP two weeks ago.

The highlight of the weekend for me was seeing the return to the 250cc grid of Roberto Locatelli. He did practice and qualifying at Le Mans but ended up last and decided to give it a rest until his home GP. To see him sitting on the grid mid-field after the devastating injuries he suffered in that horrific practice crash during the Grand Prix of Spain was inspirational. I never thought he would be the same let alone race again but he is the same down to earth fun guy as before.

If you think the alcohol laws are a tad draconian at Phillip Island how is this? On the Saturday night in the surrounding towns of Scarperia, Barberino and Borga San Marino at the request of the police, all the bars and restaurants do not serve piss -- even with a meal!

The camp grounds of Mugello remind me of the golden days of Bathurst. Perched on a hill with thousands of like minded motorcycle manic nuts the hills alive with heaps of engines revving into the wee hours. But unlike road going bikes the lads take along engines to run on stands until they shit themselves. The engines, that is.

I've given up thinking about who will be with whom next year. There are more rumours flying about than at an SP bookies meeting. It's strange that all the rumours have stated already and we are not even halfway through the season.

The latest development in tyres is the introduction of 16in rear tyres. Michelin and Bridgestone have been testing them but the Bridgies are the closest to being used in a race -- maybe even this weekend in Barcelona

Dave McCoy (father of Garry) told me of an Aussie war memorial close to the track so on Friday afternoon I headed out to look for it after being given directions by one of the locals but unfortunately he directed me to an American memorial. Not to worry as so close to the track is the point where the Allies broke through the Axis lines back in 1944. Looking down at the valley (and the track) where they achieved their aim the scope of what they accomplished hits home as the countryside is rugged and pretty steep

I think Ducati and Bridgestone were caught out at Mugello. It is Ducati's test track and is owned by Ferrari. Ducati and Vittoriano Guareschi have done countless miles there but it was to no avail as the factory team didn't make the podium. Good to see Barros get up there as I thought he would. The speed of the Ducati is not as devastating as in previous rounds as the others have come up with improved performance in all areas.

Michael Schumacher was there at the race and on the grid we had a quick chat. I asked him "Could I ask you just one question for the worldwide TV feed?"

"No," was the replay from the has-been taxi driver! He did ride to the event however and instead of heading to the corporate boxes for the race jumped the fence to watch the race trackside.

From the luxury of a resort rated as one of the best hotels in the world it's the home race at Catalunya this weekend and so much of a home race that we commute from our digs everyday!

The weekend is already a sellout so it will be mental and the weather is virtually guaranteed to be hot.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pedrosa takes out the race this weekend. The Repsol team had upgraded engine parts at Mugello and I expect the progression to continue. Add in his straw-weight stats and in front of his Catalan home crowd it's a pretty good recipe for a successful GP.

Remember last year after he was taken out in the first corner carnage, he jumped on his spare bike and led the restart for a few laps (and making a gap) before he lost the front going through a long left.

Now is the time of year where we will see if Stoner has the guts to handle the pressure. I mean "guts" in the nicest possible way as I reckon for all the front these riders put on when talking about "race-by-race" and "not thinking about the championship" or "leading the championship is nice but it means nothing" the churning guts would be something we can only imagine on doing it for the first time.

Then on the other hand you have Rossi who has been there and done that countless times. Last weekend at home he slashed the points deficit to just nine and he is coming to a track he loves just as much as Mugello. Stoner is certainly on form but when you look at Rossi's team as the added ingredient that I reckon may power him to another title. They are the best in the paddock just like Rossi is undisputedly the best on the track.

They received new updated parts from testing at Le Mans which included beefed up forks and new billeted triple clamps. These allow more flex in the front that helps with steering. It's little things like this that will make the difference in the long run and see what Ducati can come up with in response.

It's early days but logically when Rossi get the momentum he will be hard to stop.

You might have noticed there is a lack of track action this week in my pics. Well I thought you can see my ride shots anytime but I thought I would pay homage to the beautiful creatures that grace the paddock during the course of the weekend. In my humble opinion Italian and Spanish girls have to be some of the most beautiful in the world. Do you agree? And if you are really nice to me I might take some more pics of the Barcelona babes this weekend. If response is kind I might even just do a pictorial feature on girls I've seen in the last couple of years.

Until next week, hasta luego amigos!

Bracksy