500cc bikes rev up for season opener

GRAND PRIX motorcycle racing resumes for season 2001 this Sunday when the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship takes place at Japan's infamous Suzuka circuit.

The 52nd running of the world's premier two-wheeled racing championship promises to be even better than last year's epic title fight, a championship battle that produced eight separate GP winners in the 500cc class, following an influx of talent from the 250cc class.

All of last season's leading protagonists are back for another hard year of racing, including Suzuki's reigning world champion Kenny Roberts, Spanish Honda legend Alex Criville, baby-faced Italian superstars Loris Capirossi and Valentino Rossi, the factory Yamaha pair of Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, and Australia's own "Sultan of Slide" - Garry McCoy on another Yamaha.

But the supremacy of established 500cc riders will be threatened by the arrival of some extremely talented newcomers, headed by former Superbike World Championship star Noriyuki Haga of Japan, who will team up with McCoy on a Red Bull Yamaha.

Haga will be joined in the blue ribbon grand prix category by the world 250cc grand prix champion, Frenchman Olivier Jacque, along with front-running quarter-litre pilots Shinya Nakano and Tohru Ukawa from Japan.

Two other Australians will ride in the 500cc ranks this season - former 250cc GP wildcard Marcus Payten on a V-twin Honda and Superbike star Mark Willis aboard a new Pulse hybrid bike.

The technically demanding 5.864km Suzuka circuit will provide a tough start to a season, as it has not been a happy hunting ground for potential world champions. Only two Suzuka winners - Wayne Rainey in 1990 and Michael Doohan in 1997 - have gone on to clinch the world title.

Japanese riders always perform well at their home circuit and Norick Abe, who won a tremendous battle last year, will be chasing a hat-trick of 500cc wins in front of his local fans.

Honda looks set to become the first manufacturer to notch up 500 grand prix wins, with 497 already on the scoreboard. As the 125cc and 250cc classes are part of that tally, there is a chance the world's biggest motorcycle manufacturer could reach the milestone in the first round on Sunday.

In the 250cc class, Japanese rider Daijiro Katoh has dominated pre-season testing and is a clear title favourite. The Honda ace won the 250cc race at Suzuka last year and went on to finish third in his first full season.

The Japanese star will be pressured by a number of talented Aprilia riders, including countryman and former champ Tetsuya Harada, young Italian hot-shot Marco Melandri and Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams, who returns to the 250s after a year in the 500cc championship.

The 125cc class will be looking for a new star this year following the graduation of reigning world 125cc champion Roberto Locatelli and former champion Emilio Alzamora to 250s.

Last year's opening 125cc race winner, Spanish Derbi rider Youichi Ui, is expected to battle for the title with young Italians Simone Sanna and Manuel Poggiali.

Aussie fans will have to wait at least six months to see the bikes up close. Round 14 of the world two-stroke motorcycle racing championship, the Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, will be held at Phillip Island circuit on October 14.

The season ends with round 16 in Brazil in early November.