WSB, Nobby Ueda and my KTM RC8R

WSB last weekend at Donington Park, once again delivered some amazing racing but I'm not sure what Leon Haslam has to do to get that first victory on the BMW. He looked the strongest prospect for the win in race one until Marco Melandri appeared to brake a tad early at the Esses sending the Pocket Rocket across the gravel.

I really believe it was a case of innocent victims though at the last corner on the last lap in race two. Melandri tried a reasonably safe pass that didn't work then ran wide pushing Leon off line, but giving Jonathan Rea a chance to put himself in the gap that appeared. Leon was then on the edge of his tyres trying hard to get back on line when the slightest of nudges from Rea floored him but skittling Melandri in the process.

Max Biaggi (why does he he dislike James Whitham?!) was the big winner though, as he once again had a steady weekend (by his standards) but went home leading the championship.

I caught up with my old mate Nobby Ueda at the last MotoGP in Estoril and found he has now turned mentor for Japanese female racer, young Yui Watanabe. Nobby-san filled me in: "I spotted Yui riding in the 125 Japanese Championship two years ago and she was incredibly fast in the wet so decided to help her as I think she is quite special. She is now riding in some Spanish Championship Moto3 races and also in the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup.

"Testing went well but she struggled with confidence at the first round (Jerez), however, she is improving here in Estoril." I had to smile when he finished by saying, "But you can see Niall, she is the wrong shape, too many snacks and chocolates. She has plenty talent so now I am working on some serious training!." Everybody loves the ever grinning, hard working Nobby so I wish him all the very best. 

Still on Estoril, I mentioned in my last blog that MotoGP ticket prices had been seriously reduced. As it turned out you could actually spend the weekend in a grandstand for ten euros or for three euros, have an entry ticket on the day, and the result... a packed house with a fantastic atmosphere, well done Portugal!

And I finally got to ride my newly acquired KTM RC8R last week. There's more to come when I get in some miles on the big Austrian V-twin.

By Niall Mackenzie