Valentino Rossi forgot to read the script for the Dutch TT. It was expected to be another follow-my-leader race with Aussie Casey Stoner leading the procession and the rest making up the numbers. For a thrilling change, it didn't work out that way.

Stoner, on his Ducati, blasted away at the start and created a big lead. Was this to be another runaway win for the championship leader? Not on your life. Little Italian firebrand Rossi got to work, cut Casey down, and reasserted his presence in the MotoGP paddock.

The Ducati team had obviously made a softer choice of front tyres, with the Yamaha set up going for a medium compound, and this was a telling fact at the end of the race. It took Rossi quite a number of laps to get comfortable on the bike and that was when he began to shine.

'Little Italian firebrand Rossi got to work, cut Casey down, and reasserted his presence in the MotoGP paddock'

Stoner lead for 22 of the 26 lap race, but he freely admitted after the race that he was able to see the Italian's surging run through the pack on the large TV screens around the track. Rossi was on a mission and deserved the victory. After the race he referred to a confidence problem, an admission I would have never expected Rossi to make. He stated that he had to convince himself that he could beat the young Australian.

Once again, the pole sitter did not win the race, creating something of a hoodoo for superstitious racers in the field. Unfortunately for Vermeulen he was collected by Kawasaki’s De Puniet whilst in 7th place. He recovered to claim 16th. Good news, however, for Kawasaki’s other rider, Ant West, who claimed a top 10 finish. This result hopefully bodes well for his dream of getting a full time MotoGP ride in 2008.

Good news also for Honda’s Nicky Hayden. The 2007 champion recovered from a poor final qualifying to claim a podium place, in third position. It was a great result for the American and I for one was glad to see him get a result he thoroughly deserved. Unbelievably it was his first podium for 2008. All weekend he hadn’t been lower than third in the results and was bitterly disappointed to qualify in 13th.