Too early to say, see how the next race goes with a warmer track temp before you can make a judgement.

As was said, if it was the bike, why is the second placed ducati only 12th or so???

Bridgestones are more consistent, however Yamaha and Rossi don't know how to get the best out of them yet. The reason everyone doubted Stoner was because the year before he couldn't stay on the bloody bike, he had more crashes than Microsoft Windows. Due to the rule changes the bikes were less even too, it was the digs he took at Rossi that was annoying. Rossi made a few comments about the tyres and bike performance, and the rule changes, then Stoner came back saying it wasn't a problem for him so they should stop complaining. Well its common knowledge that last years Yamaha was awful, other riders commented on how much work Rossi was doing just to stay on the bloody thing. It seems though that Stoner is happier now he has proven its not just the bike, I don't think anyone ever thought it was, but everyone knows it was helpful to him.

Oh and Melandri has always been bad at adapting to new machinery, and the Ducati is meant to be very peaky and you need a totally different style to ride it. I think Stoners style always matched the new Ducatis, the season before he crashed all the time, so its clear his style was not working then. I also suspect Ducati have a firm number 1 and number 2, they dumped Caparossi after he gave them so much, and Melandri has said he doesn't feel totally comfortable in the team yet. Melandri is a top rider, give him a few more races and he will be up there, probably not near Stoner but I don't think anyone can touch him on that Ducati of his, its like the bike was build around him and isnt compatable with anyone else.

Quote from sidi :

but the pick for me tonight for the UK riders was Scott Redding with a very impressive first race in the 125 class, i think we may just have a future world champ there although don't hold me to that statement.

i must agree where has this kid come from ( i was screaming at my TV screen cheering him on )

great 1st race to the 2008 season and nice to see the rookies are gonna make it hard for the regulars.