MotoGP returns to Silverstone for the first time in 24 years this weekend for the British Grand Prix, get the lowdown on the runners and riders right here...
Dani Pedrosa (Spain) – Honda
Pedrosa showed his class with a flag-to-flag victory last time out in Mugello, which moved him up to second in the standings. The Spaniard’s RC212V bike has already displayed a speed advantage over other bikes on the faster tracks this season and he will be hoping that continues at Silverstone. With Valentino Rossi missing through injury, a win in Britain would really strengthen his title challenge.
Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) – Yamaha
Championship leader Lorenzo heads to Silverstone with a 25-point lead over Pedrosa at the top of the standings. However, as the sole Fiat Yamaha rider on the grid this weekend the pressure is on the Spaniard to perform and after finishing second to his fellow countryman in Mugello, he will have to be on top form if he wants to stretch that lead.
Repsol Media Service/Red Bull Photofiles
Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) – Honda
Dovizioso is having a year to remember. The Italian has enjoyed his best ever start to a MotoGP season, finishing on the podium in three of the four races so far, including two weeks ago in Mugello when he enjoyed a close battle with Lorenzo. A tussle that helped team-mate Pedrosa clinch an impressive victory. He also has fond memories of Britain having won his first premier class race at Donington last year.
Nicky Hayden (USA) – Ducati
Still looking for his first podium of 2010, Hayden comes into the British GP on the back of a disappointing performance in Italy. The American rider’s crash at Mugello highlighted a front-end issue with his bike, but he is confident that improvements have been made ahead of this weekend. He needs a good performance at Silverstone to keep pace with the top four riders.
Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) – Honda
The Japanese rookie enjoyed a steady weekend in Italy, qualifying in 10th before finishing the race one place down in 11th. All in all it has been a very consistent start to life in MotoGP for Aoyama, as he’s scored in every race so far. Silverstone offers a level playing field as Aoyama is not the only rider experiencing the track for the first time – he will hope this fact can catapult him back into the top 10.
Marco Melandri (Italy) – Honda Gresini
Melandri rode like a man possessed in Mugello as he made his way from 14th on the grid to finish fifth in his home grand prix. He will hope he can carry that momentum into this weekend, and with a better performance in qualifying grab a place on the podium. However, that remains a big if as the Italian has struggled to get his tyres working during qualifying this season.
GEPA pictures/Red Bull Photofiles
Mika Kallio (Finland) – Pramac
Kallio was hampered by a shoulder injury as he crashed out in Italy two weeks ago. However, he has now fully recovered and is confident he can kick-start his season at Silverstone. Despite a disappointing start to the current campaign, the Finn has fond memories of Britain having won in the 250cc class at Donington in 2008.
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