Can he be beaten..? Come on boys..hes not a bloody cyborg ! - hes just another (albeit very talented) rider.
I watched Geoff a few times last year and hes a very smooth/consistent/tidy rider, who seemed to know the tracks very well (the latter being critical at this level of racing I guess).
That said - and Im not going to blow smoke up peoples backsides by naming names!!:P) - but I was also impressed by the level of riding and more importantly commitment/effort a few of the other riders showed last year.
When you factor in all important extra (DD) circuit experience you now have, then the gap should have naturally narrowed between Geoff and the 4 or 5 places behind him.
I guess the minute you start asking yourself if you could beat someone is the day to hang up your Arai...I suppose the best approach is just to consantly strive to improve on your own riding and the gap will naturally diminish ..wether you in 2nd place, or in 10th place.
So come on gwasshoppers...pull your fingers out and I look forward to watching your progress...
Nat