Since Rossi's arrival in the Grand Prix in 2000, the championship has experienced particularly dark times in terms of spectacle. There is Italian, and the others. 2001 to 2003 are years masterfully mastered by “Valentinik”. However, the 2004 season suggested a good season in perspective.
Valentino Rossi had decided to take on the Yamaha challenge. The Hamamatsu firm had not won the world title since 1992 with Wayne Rainey's coronation. A historic dark series that Max Biaggi, “Vale’s” best enemy, was unable to reverse.
But neither Gibernau nor Biaggi could do anything against the Rossi steamroller. The year was once again crushed with nine victories in sixteen races. 2005 was similar, if not worse, for the competitors of No. 46. 147 points difference over a lonely Marco Melandri.
Rossi seemed to have become even more powerful with Yamaha than with Honda. On paper, nothing should change for 2006 except the tobacco company flocking to the factory Yams. No need to draw it for you : Rossi is the ultra-favorite.
The young Dani Pedrosa arrives among the big guys. His impressive background – three titles – and his special relationship with Honda allowed him to land a Repsol handlebar for his first year. Photo: Box Repsol.
Next to him is Colin Edwards, double world Superbike champion. He had difficulty acclimatizing to the world of Grands Prix but remained the perfect second driver. Indeed, he could help score points when it counted, get on the podium and not be a threat to the Yamaha star. It was a bonus.
The old guard seems decimated. For Capirossi at Ducati, the time seems to have passed. At 33, the Italian no longer seems able to compete, especially since the factory for which he works has been going in the wrong direction for two years. His teammate Sete Gibernau, at the same age, arrives with the reds for his first year and seems to be able to bounce back after a disappointing 2005.
The threat cannot come from the Hopkins/Vermeulen duo at Suzuki: a bike that is too low undermines the title hopes of the friendly tandem. Then Honda. Since Rossi's departure, the brand has never been restructured. Nicky Hayden is the leading driver, but his poor performances since his arrival in the big leagues have left him hungry.
The latter still had a good 2005 season, finishing in third place overall with a legendary victory in the United States. His ally will be a young rookie named Dani Pedrosa. Future “crack” spotted by everyone, the already three-time world champion arrives in the premier category through the biggest of doors.
Suzuki delights with a friendly Vermeulen/Hopkins duo, which has not finished making people talk about it. Photo: Raghava.
All these beautiful people, without forgetting the Kawasaki of Nakano/De Puniet as well as the Honda LCR of young Casey Stoner met in Jerez for the launch of the championship. An astonishing start.
Indeed, it is Capirossi who will start from pole position after having dried up the rest of the field. While no one expected it, it was nothing compared to what was to come. Unlike usual, Rossi leaves in the pack. A complicated place at the entrance to the Curva Expo 92' which is detrimental to it: a pileup involving three motorcycles causes him to fall from his yellow Yamaha.
After getting up instantly, he can't help but curse even if the fault in a messy start like this is difficult to assign a name. Without suspense, it was a Capirossi that no one expected who crossed the finish line in the lead, with the fastest lap in the race. “The Doctor” cannot do better than fourth.
Stormy start to the season, but the highest waves had not yet struck.
Cover photos: Tamas
