'Lavilla will do fine in Oz because...'

Man, PB should be aiming for more than top tens with a rider like Gregorio and good support from HOnda ...

Lavilla was far from a regular front runner during his WSB years, ands the team is in its first season at world level and with Crapellis (I know you liked it ChuChu) and his bike is a year-old blade prepped by Phil Borley without any input from HRC, so top-tens would already be a major achievement, with 6 factory 1098s, and 11 factory 2008 jap bikes plus 4 other 2007 ex-TenKate Blades on the grid...

I saw the Qatar round and i could have sworn Lavilla was on the 08 bike and not last years 07. I know all the Ten Kate boys were on the 08.

But your right with the grid staked with factory bikes all he can really hope for are top 10 finishes and maybe an occasional 3rd on the podium. After Bayliss retires i believe its going to be either Lavilla or Biaggi that will step up and be the new #1 factory Ducati pilot in 09.

While some may not like Biaggi for his antics you definitely have to give him credit for being a great rider. His first time on a Ducati twin and he's competing for wins straight out of the box. It looks like his arrival has also elevated Xaus's game as well. If the races continue to be as exciting as the first two it's going to be a great year for WSB fans.