MotoGP goes back-to-back this week, directly from a nice, orderly parade in the Netherlands to what is likely to be a dogfight in the hills of coastal California. This week’s venue is the storied Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, home of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix. (We’re wondering how come Laguna gets the U.S. Grand Prix, while the IMS hosts the un- macho Indianapolis Grand Prix, but we digress.) And while Mr. Rossi is the clear favorite, and deservedly so, there’s little margin for error in Monterey, and there have been surprises here before. At the midpoint of the MotoGP season, the championship is still up for grabs – for now.
 At last year’s race, Rossi and defending champion Casey Stoner fought it out for twenty-some laps until Stoner laid his bike down, pushing too hard trying to keep up with The Doctor. By way of surprises, Chris Vermeulen placed his Rizla Suzuki on the podium in that one, despite having to pedal his underpowered ride up the 300-foot change in elevation on the hillside circuit… Details
The Tour de France is ready for another edition with Lance Armstrong, and Saturday’s opening stage may show whether he’s ready to challenge for another title.
Armstrong’s 37-year-old legs will be tested immediately when the three-week race begins with a 9.6-mile time trial. The stage will be run along the hilly streets and hairpin turns of Monaco, a Mediterranean principality better known for Formula One than for huffing two-wheelers.
The ride will likely offer an early shakeout of potential contenders who want to at least hold their own in the race against the clock.
Points leader Tony Stewart was awarded the pole for Saturday night’s race at Daytona International Speedway, getting the top spot when rain washed out Sprint Cup qualifying.
It was Stewart’s third pole—all in rainouts—in the last five races. He also started up front at Pocono last month and New Hampshire last week.
Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch and Carl Edwards rounded out the first three rows …Â Details