MotoGP was making its much anticipated return to the Italian circuit after an absence of 14 years and, with
Valentino Rossi growing up just ten kilometres from the track, the event was packed with fans.
But the race didn't live up to expectations. A turn two accident eliminated Dani Pedrosa,
Nicky Hayden and
Randy de Puniet - then Rossi retired on lap five, following an engine failure, leaving
Casey Stoner to lead from start to finish. The race produced hardly any overtaking.
"I would like to apologise to all the fans that turned up as, after the incident on the first lap and with Valentino retiring so early in the race, it wasn't much of a spectacle when so much was expected of this race on its return to Misano," said the Frenchman, who will hope that his 2008 line-up of
James Toseland and
Colin Edwards can help inject excitement back into the sport.