Well, here we are. Colin versus Troy. Honda versus Ducati. Castrol versus Infostrada. Blondes versus Brunettes. America versus Australia. A Twin versus a Twin. Michelin versus Michelin. America versus Iraq. America versus the whole rest of the damn planet. America against the planet itself. And my sanity versus a very tenuous grip on what passes for reality these days.

As much as I'd like to comment on various domestic/international issues at the moment, the blue antennae at the top of my Tick headgear are focused abroad, on a racetrack in a land far away.

For the first time is as long as I can remember (and please don't push me on how long that is), the World Superbike Championship will be definitively decided at the final round. In my strange little world, there really isn't any clear favorite. So high is my opinion of both the riders and their mounts I think this could easily go either way.

Truly.

Now, here's the part where, usually, I would contradict myself and tell you why I think either Colin or Troy will be the 2002 WSC Champion. But this time I won't, because I really do think it's too close to call. Colin has the momentum, the new motor, and apparently some new oil that was crafted by elves that work in Elrond's garage (see: The Lord of the Rings). Mr. Edwards is in excellent form, and looking good to win.

But Troy Bayliss is Troy Bayliss. The Ducati 998 is the Ducati 998, and there you go. If you doubt this man's determination, just rewind your VCR to Silverstone's race one earlier in the year. Watch Troy go down in the rain, and keep the clutch in (in one of his two get-offs) to keep the engine running so his day isn't done. C'mon, I know you have the tape. You are a Speed TV devotee, and the work by the camera boys at that track so far away from my New England home captured a moment of extraordinary determination.

Which brings me to the title of this diatribe. Smooth eh? Hey, I'm always here for you, even when I'm far away.

Troy's bike kept on goin', even though the rules of moto-physics as dictated by a certain electronic safety device say it shouldn't have. It was on its side, twice, one time for over 20 seconds, and yet the electronic magic that is supposed to quiet the bike's mighty fuel pump so we don't all blow up didn't do its magic. Read about it in Soup's coverage here.

So, Troy got back on both times and ended up finishing fifth. He got eleven points for his heroic efforts, and as a result, Colin Edwards now leads the Championship by one point instead of 12.

Am I saying there was cheating involved? Skullduggery? Chicanery in the chicane?

No. I'm not. They tested the bike right after, and as I understand it the resilient red rocket shut off just like it's supposed to when leaned over a certain amount.

But this incident has bothered me all year.

Truly.

You see, my dear friends, facts are facts. I know, they rarely get listened to these days. But, they are still out there if you bother to pursue them. During race one at Silverstone, the engine cutoff on Troy's bike flat didn't work. I refer you to the tape if you don't believe me. If it was working right, clutch in or no, the bike would have stopped running. And with no starter like Colin Edward's Honda, Troy's day would have been done.

I don't know what happened or why, but in my heart of hearts Troy has to win this thing by more than 11 points or I think the whole mess will be tainted. There will always be a big question mark over the Silverstone race because of this strange lack of supine cylinder cessation. Like that? Hey, I don't spend so much time staring off into space for nothing. There's amazing alliteration at work here.

If Troy comes out of Italy ahead by just a few points, what at the time was a mildly controversial event on an unusually rainy outing earlier in the year will become a very big deal. This sucks in a way, because Troy is an awesome rider and, I'm told, an awesome dude. He doesn't deserve to have his season tainted.

Of course, if Colin wins then all this will be moot anyway.

And he just might. His run this year has been nothing short of inspired, and he has been a poster child for perseverance. He never gave even up after having to breathe Troy's exhaust fumes for so long, and now he's in front. If he wins the Championship he has certainly earned it and then some. Even if he doesn't win in Italy, I still think his comeback has been downright heroic. He's a credit to the sport, and a man of rare mettle.

As is Troy. He's been phenomenal all year, no question. A master of consistency is he, and a wizard of Ducati control. He is the poster child for class, confidence, and a certain invincibility. He's suffered some setbacks of late, true, but I feel it will just serve to further focus his determination. Regardless of the final outcome at Imola, he will ride in Moto GP next year as he deserves to.

And Colin? At this writing, I have no idea what lies ahead for the Conroe Crusader (other than fatherhood). The wind says he will ride a Ducati 999 in World Superbike next year, but who knows? The concept of Honda leaving WSC is too weird to really contemplate, and I don't get it. I don't know why Colin didn't get a RCV ride, but then I don't know how aspirin works, either.

But that is soon and this is now. All will be settled (at least for this year) at the track on the 29th. Colin Edwards will be World Champion, or Troy Bayliss will retain his title.

As long as he wins by more than 11 points.

In my opinion.

Safe Journey, lads. And may the best man win. I think the world of you both, and thank you for making this year's WSC show one of the best I can remember.

But then, my memory can't be trusted. Didn't I mention that already?