[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by VtecMini

That's what I thought, too. I believe a few years ago the regs favoured the twin cylinders, hence Honda's decision to "out-Ducati" Ducati with the development of their V-twins. The irony of Ducati taking the championship with a V4 this year seems to be lost on many folk, though.

Not at all.
Ducati are outspending on engines by a order of magnitude
An engine lasts one race ... not after a race needs stripped ... but after a race the running gear is worn out and replaced -- FULLY

They're all 800cc 4 cylinders, where the desmodromic system seems to be working rather nicely in Stoner's bike...

No, the engine isnt' the most powerful.
The problem others are having is Ducati run their engines in big-bang mode and it reacts like a twin and they've more experience on running electronics to control the wheel pulses.
Other teams are producing much mroe power and torque but can't get a tyre to handle it.
On top of that Stoner is a great rider and ROssi has been hampered by a poor chassis and his injuries.
But most of it goes to Stoner imho ... check out where Capirossi's Ducati ended up