I have been anticipating Sunday’s race, since the season ended, last year. The first race of the season did not disappoint. First of all, MotoGP, for the first time ever was broadcast in HD. Second, the first race of the season, under the lights of Qatar is the only night race of the season, which makes it that much more dramatic.  All of the big players from last year were back to represent. Stoner crashed out and handed Rossi a podium. Lorenzo came from behind to land a second place finish, with a broken hand. Hayden rode in second and third position, most of the race. He ended up finishing 4th by a fraction of a second, when his Ducati couldn’t quite out-muscle Dovizioso’s Respol Honda on the last straight. Also, Ben Spies made the jump from Superbike, this season, and is racing as a privateer. He finished 5th position. Super impressive. I hope that the rest of the season continues to be as good.

[photo by motogp.com]

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t totally freaking excited for this year’s round of MotoGP action. The season hasn’t even started yet, and there has already been drama. Pedrosa, who took a nasty tumble during pre-season testing, underwent surgery last week, but is still shooting to open the season next month in Qatar.

American, and former world champion, Nicky Hayden, will be back in the mix, after leaving Honda/Repsol. He claims to be feeling confident on his new Ducati. Stoner, also former world champion, and Hayden’s new teammate, has been putting up some impressive numbers during testing. Stoner will be coming into 2009 with a chip on his shoulder, after blowing a huge lead in last year’s world championship, letting Rossi run away with it.

Speaking of drama and chips on shoulders, Sete Gibernau is back in action this year. It would be an understatement to say that there is some bad blood between Gibernau and the Yamaha Fiat team, principally Valentino Rossi. It stems from an incident that occured at the same track hosting the 2009 opener.

Finally, the Losail circuit in Qatar is the only race currently in the GP lineup, which is held at night, under the lights. 2009 will be the second season for the night race.

I am also excited for this season, because Reagan and I are tentatively planning on travelling to see the Indianapolis race this year, in August. That is only if I can’t talk her into going to Laguna for the July 4th weekend.

Who knows, in a month we may even have a new sofa. Either way, I will be taking reservations for those who would like to join me in watching the season opener on April 12, which also happens to be Easter. Hahahah.

I know that this may be a little bit premature, but this morning I was reading about Hayden’s move to Ducati and I really started to get excited. In a pre-season interview, Hayden talked about looking forward to the 2009 season, and having Casey Stoner as a team mate. Hayden also addressed the fact that the Ducati GP9 is a very difficult bike. He admitted that he was a bit nervous when he signed with Ducati, because of this aspect, but followed up by stating that testing has been going better than he expected. I feel like, with this move, and Gibernau returning, Rossi is going to have his work cut out for him this year.