Everyone tried to be really diplomatic about it, but the early opinions on the track changes at Laguna Seca weren't positive.

The factory AMA Superbike men we surveyed complained of a bumpy surface caused by the repave of the track. Neil Hodgson said, "I think they ruined one of the best tracks in America."

Ben Bostrom agreed, adding the sealer at the Corkscrew and the diamond-grinding of some bumps made it very tough on the riders.

Mat Mladin said he thought the track surface was "terrible, unfortunately".

Aaron Yates coyly remarked, "It was not what I was expecting."

Several riders told us they felt it was poor form to bag on a track making changes in the name of safety, but that they couldn't endorse all the changes as positive, either.

Suzuki's Ben Spies said, "I hate it for Laguna because they have tried so hard to upgrade the track, but I bet they will be repaving it again and they'll have to put up with some criticism (at this race)."

The Kawasaki guys weren't as disappointed as some of the others, although Tommy Hayden felt there were waves in the pavement everywhere. "It's the same for everybody," said Roger Hayden, adding that he thought grip was increased.

Although increased run-off was billed, more than one man felt there wasn't much difference than before. "This is still a track where you just don't run wide,' said Ben Bostrom

The worst of the criticism might be yet to come, though. "Just wait until the MotoGP guys get out there," said Hodgson.