BBC Sportmotorsport

By Ian Hughes

606: DEBATE Who will win at San Marino?

Lap 28: Rossi takes the chequered flag to claim his first ever victory at San Marino. Lorenzo comes home in second, with Elias clinching the final podium place. Toseland manages to hang on to sixth to equal his best finish.

Lap 27: It is a huge battle for sixth position, with Toseland hanging on but being pushed hard by Capirossi.

Lap 26: No change in the top six places. But Capirossi makes it up into seventh as he overtakes Dovizioso.

Lap 25: If he achieves the win, Rossi will draw level with Italian great Giacomo Agostini's 68 record of victories in the top class in Moto GP.

Lap 24: Rossi glances at his pit board, and sees that the gap between himself and Lorenzo has dropped to 2.7 seconds - but it should be more than enough to see him clinch victory.

Lap 23: The podium places look like they may be all wrapped up. Rossi, Lorenzo and Elias should finish in that order.

Lap 22: Despite some defensive riding from Toseland, he is powerless to stop Vermeulen coming through, and the Briton drops back into sxith.

Lap 21: Vermeulen passes Dovizioso to move up to sixth. Toseland's place could soon come under threat.

Lap 20: As it stands:

1. Rossi
2. Lorenzo
3. Elias
4. Pedrosa
5. Toseland

Lap 19: Back in eighth, Loris Capirossi is looking strong, and he could possibly make a charge up the field.

Lap 18: Yamaha's Toseland does it , putting a nice move on Dovizioso to clinch fifth place - this would be his best finish in MotoGP.

Lap 17: Toseland is catching Dovizioso and it looks like he might be able to move up a place if he can keep up this form.

Lap 16: Rossi is still out in front, eeking out an extra couple of tenths lead over Lorenzo.

Lap 15: Chris Vermeulen is well-placed to make a charge - it seems he has agreed a new deal with Suzuki, and he'll be eager to push on.

Lap 14: And as a result, not much change in the order of things. But there is plenty of time for lots to happen yet.

Lap 13: Lap times have dropped - tactics are coming into play here with riders maybe saving energy and their tryes.

Lap 12: No news yet as to what happened with Stoner. He must be devastated. Another rider likley to be feeling disappointed today is Colin Edwdards - what is he doing down in 12th?

Lap 11: Rossi is maintaining his lead, but - as you might expect - not pushing too hard. I bet he cannot believe his luck after Stoner's crash.

Lap 10: There is a rumour going around the garages that Pedrosa is set to test on Bridgestone tyres. Seems we're headed for a one-make championship next year. What has happened to Michelin? Meanwhile, Pedrosa is just off the podium places - a second-and-a-half behind third-placed Elias.

Lap 9: Will there be team orders that prevent Lorenzo from overtaking Rossi? The pair are matching each other for lap times.

Lap 8: However, Lorenzo is piling on the pace and he might have something to say about the order of things. He is closing the gap on Rossi. Toseland is now up to sixth, with Andrea Dovizioso in fifth in his sights.

Lap 7: Even at this early stage Rossi appears to have this race sewn up - as he long as he can stay on the bike. But the Italian very rarely falls off.

Lap 6: Massive drama. Seemingly under no pressure, Stoner crashes out of the race. The Australian looks to have low-sided, and it virtually now means the end of his title challenge.

Lap 5: And Spaniard Elias is able to make his move on Pedrosa, who was lost two places in as many laps. As things stand it is:

1. Stoner
2. Rossi
3. Lorenzo
4. Elias
5. Pedrosa

Lap 4: 'Gorgeous George' Lorenzo outbrakes Pedrosa to slip by and snatch third place. Also looking threatening is Toni Elias.

Lap 3: Jorge Lorenzo, eager to get himself a place on the podium, is chasing bitter rival Pedrosa to try to take third place. Britain's James Toseland is back in eighth.

Lap 2: Rossi passes Pedrosa - but he is already three seconds behind Stoner. Alex de Angelis becomes the second casualty and is out of the race.

Lap 1: Randy de Puniet crashes out before the end of the opening lap. Rossi is desperate to get past Pedrosa and is all over the back of him. Meanwhile, Stoner is already putting distance between himself at the front and the chasing pack.

1300: And we're off! Stoner gets a stormer, Dani Pedrosa slips past Rossi.

1258: Argentine football legend Diego Maradona is in attendance today - and he gave Rossi a hug before the race. It's clear who he wants to win then.

1255: Yamaha's Jerry Burgess admits they are not as strong today as they would like to be, and are continuing to struggle in the final sector. "But we have Valentino, so you never know", he adds.

"This race promises pressure for all for those wanting a race win. Hoping for a good scrap."
Ian on 606

1247: Nicky Hayden has withdrawn from the race. Two cracked bones have made it too painful for him to compete today.

1245: Only 15 minutes to go now until we're off at Misano. Predictions please - text or use 606.

"I've got a bad feeling that Casey will be 5 seconds up the road within a few laps, he was so much faster in quali; it all depends on how the first lap or 2 go."
mpv2409 on 606

1240: Earlier in the day, Spaniard Alvaro Bautista, a former world champion at 125cc, won the 250cc race ahead of Japan's Yuki Takahashi with compatriot Hector Barbera in third.

And Britain's Bradley Smith came a superb second in the 125cc race behind Hungary's Gabor Talmacsi, with Italy's Simone Corsi third.

1230: The track at San Marino is only 12km from Rossi's house. I guess that meant a lie-in and an amble to work for The Doctor.

1220: Afternoon all. Ready for another round of what is proving to be a superb MotoGP season? I'm hardly sticking my neck out here, but I'm expecting another titanic battle between Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

Stoner starts on pole for the seventh consecutive time, despite fracturing his hand in practice and riding with it bandaged in qualifying.

But it will be interesting to see how he copes with the injury in race conditions, and with championship leader Rossi hot on his back wheel.

Rossi was half a second off the Australian's pace in qualifying and starts from second on the grid - but he has won the last two grands prix from that position.

The Italian also has the advantage of a 50-point championship lead over Stoner, so a podium finish - rather than a win - may be his goal.