VOL. 51 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 11, 2014 P41
to keep some hopes alive. But
there were several surprises.
Most astounding was the per-
formance of Aleix Espargaro on
the lease-engine FTR Yamaha.
Last year the older brother trou-
bled the slower factory guys
on an ART Aprilia; this year the
Spaniard was up among the fast-
er of them, placed fourth, ahead
of Pedrosa. It was only a test, but
impressive nonetheless.
Perhaps the other revela-
tion was less surprising, though
equally unexpected – Valentino
Rossi finished second overall.
The multi-time World Champion
was underwhelming last year,
and apparently showing his age
(he's set to turn 35 on Febru-
ary 16). But his hunger and his
ruthless streak seem as keen as
ever, shown when he dumped
long-time crew chief Jerry Bur-
gess to seek a change of direc-
tion in the pit. At his first showing
of 2014, new crew chief Silvano
Galbusera has impressed, with
Rossi talking of good progress
at last with the braking problems
that haunted him all last year.
Then there was the big jump
forward for Ducati, now under
the management of ex-Aprilia
Most predict that Dani Pedrosa will
be… well, Dani Pedrosa: Fast, but not
capable of winning the title.
Nicky Hayden has reason to be
concerned. His production Honda
has thus far proven to be slow.
Oh, and it doesn't accelerate very
quickly either.
