"There is no doubt Marco Simoncelli would have been right up there challenging for the MotoGP title this year.

The new MotoGP season is just a month away and we are getting a picture of what lies in store when the new 1000cc bikes hit the grid for the first time in Qatar.
Most of the riders were in Malaysia last week for testing and the situation remains the same: the Repsol Honda is looking like the best package.
They had a bit of an engine scare but I can't honestly imagine that that is a problem they can't address, and it shouldn't have any impact on the season, so reigning champion Casey Stoner appears the man to beat again .

Next up in line is Jorge Lorenzo, who will be strong, while if Dani Pedrosa can hang a season together, he can be world champion.
He is as fast as anyone, and if he can somehow keep cocooned and protected all year and not crash, then it could be his year.
Unfortunately for his hordes of fans worldwide, it's looking like Valentino Rossi will be back where he was last year. At best he will be in fifth or sixth place...more