Suzuki boss expects brutal racing in MotoGP

 Factory Suzuki boss Paul Denning reckons MotoGP fans will be treated to some ‘brutal’ racing in 2011, with competition in the 17-rider field stronger than it has ever been.

Many expect a seven-rider fight for the title this season with Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner and current world champion Jorge Lorenzo among the hot favourites.

Valentino Rossi’s move to Ducati has also captivated fans with anticipation building ahead of the first race in Qatar on March 20.

Denning told MCN: “If you go first to last now, it is going to be brutal racing. There is a lot of talk about grid size but when you look back to when there was 30 500s or more, look at the lap times of Mick Doohan at the front and eighth backwards.

Eighth was three seconds away or more. It was still a fight between five or six guys. This year you’ve got ten guys or maybe even 12 who have the capability to be at the front every weekend. The Hondas are flying and Dani (Pedrosa) and Casey are obviously pushing each other. But I think the best characteristics of the Yamaha will come to the fore at tracks where there is less grip and where the smooth nature of that bike helps those guys out. But I think the group of three or four we’ve seen in some races could become a group of eight a few times in 2011.”