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Silver Bullet is one of only a few Websites worldwide that receive Desiree Crossman`s newsy behind the MotoGP scene column (not always PC) reporting on #21 John (Hopper) Hopkin`s MotoGP exploits and her own as they travel the globe.
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Hello,
How was today? Well it depends on which part you\'re talking about and for which rider. In the first session, Melandri crashed but it was nothing major. He was following Capirossi I believe into this left hander and hit the dirt on the side. He got up though, no dramas.
In the qualifying session, Nobu\'s bike caught on fire down the front straight. I was talking with some mechanics from WCM and then we see this bike in flames. From what it looked like, Nobu\'s right leg caught some fire as well, I think. He ran off the track and got off, but when he was examining the bike some, the fire rose up and he dropped the bike and ran. I would too!!! So a few of the corner workers put it out and Nobuy went back to the garage. Luckily, he wasn\'t injured, but I\'m sure he was pissed. Olivier and Alex Hoffman almost collided going into a turn. Luckily Alex saved it and ran a little wide, or really had no choice.
John\'s day was dissappointing. He went alright in the first session, but for qualifying it was frustrating. Half way during the session, both of his bikes had an electrical problem so they were pretty much done at that point. And the Suzukis continue to have shifting problems and no one is sure what the problems are related to. He didn\'t even have time to qualify! In fact I wouldn\'t call it qualify. I\'d call it going out there and having a look around, he finished 18th. I think he thinks people are starting to question his ability to ride, but it\'s very apparent that it\'s not him. I can only do so much too, there\'s always a fine line we chickies can walk on when the rider is frustrated. So usually, I just let John cool off before I chat with him, but I can read his mind.
Anyway, Yukio has been doing quite well for his first time. However in the qualifier, we saw him on TV pushing it on the side. After that, he told me that it broke, so he had to come back and ride his spare. Over all he qualified 17th.
Nicky did alright for his first time here, but I guess it\'s something to expect when you\'re following other riders during the session, especially if you have Rossi for a teammate/leader and a Honda. It looked like Sete was struggling a bit, but he has the ability to step it up. Colin did good, qualified 5th. After what happened in Catalunya I\'m sure he\'s got twice the amount of eagerness to get into the top.
Italians 1-2-3 for this first day again. Max snuck up there on his last lap, but we have still got tommorrow. A lot of fans are here today and it\'s the first day! Can\'t wait until Saturday.
Notice I always mention \"think\" or \"that\'s what it looks like\" or \"I\'m not sure\"? It simply means that I don\'t know everything, and most likely I will get the information wrong at times. However, I do my best to keep you informed and up to date, and I also do my best to provide the truth - without getting into trouble.
So until tommorrow, I will leave you to it.
Bye
Des
