I jut got the 2004 MotoGP DVD (they are not easy to come by in California), and it is interesting to watch the entire season in a condensed format, thus I was wondering whether anyone else was doing that. As of now, I just saw Biaggi look brilliant in the Welkom, only Rossi was more aggressive and forced Boaggi to concede the line a few turns into the finish. For one, no, I do not think Honda is making a blatant mistake backing Biaggi. When it comes to Biaggi vs Gibernau, you could flip a coin for the decision if you're HRC, because the results are basically even. But Biaggi showed flexibility, Gibernau decided his bread was safer buttered by Telefonica Movistar. Meaning - Biaggi took the risk of change, Gibernau didn't, which might indicate their own confidence in themselves to beat Rossi on equal terms: perhaps Gibernau knows he can't beat Rossi over a season even on direct HRC machinery (and perhaps he *really* knows because he got direct HRC support last year, who knows), perhaps Biaggi thinks he can beat Rossi with slightly better access to official HRC machinery, and that's why he took the gamble. Welkom 2004 certainly was a showcase for Biaggi's ability to give Rossi *hell*. I'll watch the rest of the DVD over the next couple of days, when I am not riding myself, that is, we're having great weather here in California and it'd be a crime not to be out there riding myself. ....pablo