MotoGP - The Chicane Chicanery

Imagine you are a rider, fighting for first. Your machine is the fastest thing on two wheels, asphalt flashes by at speeds over 300 km/h and there's no sound but the roaring winds and the scream of an engine tweaked to the peak of its abilities.
 
 It's the perfect moment.
 
 And then you hit the brakes, bleeding away all that hard-won speed and momentum,  because there's another bloody chicane coming up.
 
 Chicanes, we all know and hate them. Ugly little corner-snakes designed to steal away speed, annoy riders and save lives. They are often necessary, and frequently annoying. But what is the difference between a 'good' and a 'bad' chicane? Why are they notorious for making or breaking track times? And is your favourite track in danger of sprouting a chicane? Mat and Peter are on the case, and the answers might surprise you!
 
  With big thanks as always to Brad Baloo from The Next Men and Gentleman's Dub Club, who wrote our theme song. Check out The Nextmen for more great music!