MotoGP Season Review 2006

The battle for the 2006 MotoGP championship was one of the most dramatic in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Nicky Hayden of Owensboro, Kentucky, took his epic fight with Valentino Rossi all the way to the last race of the 17-round season, and withstood towering pressure at that final showdown while his veteran rival cracked botching the start and crashing after five laps as he pushed to catch Hayden. Hollywood screenwriters could not have scripted a more exciting finale. By that last race the tension had been ratcheted up to an almost unbearable level. With seemingly unstoppable late-season momentum Rossi had relentlessly chipped away at Hayden s earlier lead of 51 points. Now add to that drama the supporting plot lines of conflicts between teammates, technical problems with bikes, and controversy over how rules were applied, and you have the story of one of the most amazing seasons in motorcycle racing, told in riveting detail with spectacular photographs. Features include: Eight-page reports on each race The full story of each race weekend Comprehensive data Two pages for each race Technical review Every bike analyzed Riders Rider of the Year The riders themselves vote