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By: Julian Ryder . # 8 in an exciting official MotoGP Review Series
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The fifth and final year of the 800cc formula in MotoGP saw Casey Stoner crowned as champion for the second time and secured his reputation as not just the best rider of recent years but one of the best the sport has seen. Only four other men have won the top title on two different makes of motorcycle and all of them are true greats: Geoff Duke, Giacomo Agostini, Eddie Lawson and Valentino Rossi.
The MotoGP Season Review chronicles Casey's domination of the season and Jorge Lorenzo's dogged defence of his title. There is also the saga of how Valentino Rossi and Ducati, Italy's dream team, suffered through their first season together. The nuts and bolts of that drama are analysed in our main technical feature.
MotoGP also had to cope with the loss of one of its rising stars, Marco Simoncelli. Thankfully, the sport has become much safer over the past 20 years, but the events in Malaysia were a stark reminder that motorsport is, and always will be, dangerous. We were in the process of putting together our regular Riders' Rider of the Year poll at that race, but in the light of events it couldn't be finalised. You'll find a tribute to Marco in its place.
This year also saw the last year of 125cc GPs, the second season of Moto2, and the retirement of Loris Capirossi after 22 years and three championships.
All the events of MotoGP in 2011 are chronicled by some of the best writers in the sport. British Eurosport's MotoGP commentator Julian Ryder provides the race reports with back-up from Neil Spalding and Mat Oxley, while the camera of Andrew Northcott supplies the stunning imagery.
Now in its eighth year, the MotoGP Season Review is a must-have for all followers of the world's most exciting and extreme motorsport.
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