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Indianapolis GP: Honda men revved-up for american challenge

In MotoGP

11 settembre 2008

Both Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda RC212V) and domestic hope Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC212V) will ride with pneumatic-valve engines this weekend. Both factory riders are now equipped with this potent power-plant for the first time. And after a turbulent month, Pedrosa and Hayden are ready to perform.

Dani tested the engine after the San Marino Grand Prix, appreciated its enhanced performance, and the Spanish star now joins the American former World Champion in employing Honda's latest power unit in his RC212V.

Honda's main men have had it hard over recent weeks. Hayden sidelined himself with a broken heel sustained while riding in the Los Angeles X Games. He missed two races while recovering and now rides again in America having last competed at Laguna Seca in July.

Dani fell while leading the German Grand Prix in mid-July. He injured his left wrist and had to miss the Laguna Seca round. He came back at the Czech Republic Grand Prix in mid-August but endured a troubled race, finishing a lowly 15th.

After testing Bridgestone rubber at San Marino after the race, the Spanish ace has made a late-season switch to the Japanese tyres. Nicky still rides on Michelin rubber and the pair will now see out this season riding for different tyre suppliers.

A revitalised Dani now has the chance to chase second place overall in the World Championship. The title, barring disaster for series leader Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), effectively now belongs to the Italian. Rossi currently enjoys a 75 point lead over second-placed Casey Stoner (Ducati), but Dani is only two points behind Stoner in the race for a significant second prize.

With five races, including this one, left to run, former 250cc class rivals Pedrosa and Stoner will now fight it out for runner-up spot in the premier class unless the Rossi bandwagon somehow grinds to a halt with the biggest prize in motorcycle sport now well within grasp.

If the big prize eludes Honda this season there have at least been welcome signs of encouragement among the recruits to the class. Andrea Dovizioso (JiR Scot Honda RC212V) currently lies fifth overall in his rookie season with three fourth-place finishes to his name.

Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) too has notched two fourth places while not quite displaying the consistency of Dovizioso. Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda RC212V) has shone sporadically while Shinya Nakano (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) has set about RC212V development work with typical verve scoring a fourth in the Czech Republic.

All six Honda MotoGP men will be fresh to this track although Nicky has had the small 'advantage' of riding some demonstration laps here prior to the Indy 500 car race this year. A Honda test team was also here in July to evaluate the new track for the first ever visit of the MotoGP roadshow.

The Indy track is a compact 'anti-clockwise' 4.216km circuit built within the confines of the world famous 'Brickyard' oval. The all-new venue features 16 turns, six rights and ten lefts, many of them tight and slow. The topography is flat and early reports suggest grip might not be abundant here.

When the track 'rubbers up' the grip situation should improve, and machine set-up will have to major on providing a bike that is stable on the brakes and under brutal acceleration as riders power their machines from turn to turn.

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