We're midway through the third season of 800cc MotoGP racing now. The smaller displacement formula was always going to have a tough time living up to the 990cc big brother that rejuvenated Grand Prix racing, but at times the racing has been processional and lackluster since the change after the 2006 season.

First off, the 800cc bikes are technical marvels that were pretty much as fast as the 990cc GP bikes from their first test after the Valencia finale in '06. The 800cc MotoGP bikes are criticized for having one-line races where everyone is applying the throttle at the same time. As cool as they are, the formula doesn't always translate to great racing.

Former Superbike rider Nick Hayden on the MotoGP Ducati image by keyword: brian nelson

And while Rossi described Laguna Seca as being a very un-250-like circuit, once again former 250 racers are dominating. It doesn't look like there's much big success ahead for riders from different backgrounds and ones that aren't smurf sized, with the exception of Valentino Rossi. Compare that to the 990cc era that saw Superbike riders have some success.

The rumor is MotoGP will return to the class to regulations near 1000cc in a couple of years. The feeling is the power structure in MotoGP, unlike some, has realized a wrong move and is looking to make a correction when possible.

In the meantime, the control tire seems to have a positive effect. The best racing of the season has been when the tires are worn at the end of the races, like the one at Catalunya where Rossi and Lorenzo battled to the flag.