After an eventful weekend in Indianapolis, USA the MotoGP roadshow rolls straight into Misano, Italy for the Sammarinese Grand Prix. Get the lowdown on the six riders we reckon can get the (Italian) job done...
Dani Pedrosa (Spain) – Honda
Dani made a piece of personal history last weekend as he won the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix to reach three wins in a season for the first time in his premier class career. That win closed the gap to championship leader Jorge Lorenzo but it still stands at a massive 68 points. The Spaniard is therefore determined to notch a fourth win in Misano – where he finished third last year – as he tries to put pressure on his fellow countryman.
Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) – Yamaha
To say that Lorenzo has been on form in 2010 would be the understatement of the year. The Spaniard has finished on the podium in all 11 rounds of the championship so far, enjoys a 68-point lead at the top of the standings and finished outside of the top two for the first time last weekend in Indianapolis. He has form in Misano too having won the 250cc event in 2007 before two second-places in his premier class outings in 2008 and 2009.
Gold & Goose/Red Bull Photofiles
Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) – Honda
Dovizioso reclaimed third place in the overall standings – from Casey Stoner – with a fifth place finish in Indy last time out. However, the Italian left America feeling his bike hadn’t been consistent enough and bemoaning the fact he finished off the podium. Misano offers an immediate chance to put that right and the 24-year-old is confident he can do just that on his home race. It is a track he knows well too, having begun his racing career at the circuit.
Casey Stoner (Australia) – Ducati
Stoner is hoping to bounce back from a DNF in Indianapolis as he continues his battle with Dovizioso for third in the overall standings. That result dropped the Aussie rider below the Italian but he is confident he can challenge on Ducati’s home circuit – where he won the 2007 MotoGP race from pole, and crashed out of the 2008 race while leading.
GEPA Pictures/Red Bull Photofiles
Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) – Honda
Aoyama made his comeback from the fractured vertebra he suffered at the British Grand Prix at Indy last weekend. As he admits it was a battle just to finish the 28 laps in America and the Japanese rider had to wear a specially designed corset in order to compete. However, a 12th place was encouraging and with a week of racing under his belt he will be hoping to challenge for points as he heads to Italy.
Valentino Rossi (Italy) – Yamaha
Despite still not being fully fit, Rossi is determined to put on a show for his home fans. The Italian has won the previous two races in Misano, however even he admits that circumstances will be different this time around. The 31-year-old was encouraged by the performance of his bike in America where he finished just off the podium in fourth, although the three falls he suffered over the weekend made him realise he is not yet back to full fitness.
Keep up-to-date with events in Misano over the weekend with our dedicated event page.
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