Making the Bridgestones work well on his Fiat Yamaha YZR-M1 proved a tough job at the first round at Qatar, however. If Rossi can't find a seamless setup for Jerez's 13 corners, you can more or less write off his 2008 championship chances.
Jerez is the only track on the calendar (excluding the new-to-bikes Indianapolis) where Stoner has so far failed to reach the podium. Its short 0.373-mile/600-metre straight will also prevent his Marlboro Ducati from clubbing everyone else into the asphalt with sheer brute power. Stoner, however, will want to win here to silence once and for all the remaining cretins in the paddock who claim that it's only the horsepower/
Bridgestone formula that allows him to shine.
Pedrosa emerged from a winter wrecked by a hand injury and a qualifying session at Qatar marred by Repsol Honda's apparent disarray to finish a stunning third in the race. Now, another three weeks stronger, the 22-year-old Spaniard is a potential winner here at
Jerez. He's happy with the ‘old' valve-spring technology on his bike, and is not lamenting the non-arrival of Honda's pneumatic-valve motor, which will not emerge from a troubled gestation period until after the third round at Estoril.
Lorenzo, inspired by his pole position and second place at Qatar, will now seek a similar result at Jerez. The 20-year-old will not challenge for the championship this year on the Fiat Yamaha, but he will be a dangerous spoiler among the big three, and will have a major influence on the outcome of the series.
A mad Friday morning forecast? One of the two Spaniards, inspired by 100,000 screaming fans on the terraces, will win, Stoner will record his first Jerez podium, and Rossi will ride as well as anyone on this 2.75-mile track. Stoner remains the championship favourite, but Pedrosa on a rapidly-improving Honda could yet topple him.
