By Steve Parrish BBC motorbikes commentator

Rossi (46) edged out Stoner in a thrilling contest at Laguna Seca

The battle between Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner at Laguna Seca was the race we had all been waiting for - but I think we all felt robbed of the last five or six laps by Casey's mistake.

Casey is still a young lad and he was cross because he did not win, but he overreacted at the end.

He was stomping around, didn't want to shake Rossi's hand and gave out some weird vibes, saying Rossi was over the top.

I didn't think he was, and no-one else I have spoken to thought he was.

Rossi has never been a dirty rider. He is a hard rider and that is what it is about.

Casey has been a hard rider himself and he has got to remember he is in the toughest class. So, my advice to him is don't get mad, get even and do your talking on the track in the Czech Republic this weekend.

The biggest problem he has is that he is up against the most popular rider of all time. So, don't go around bitching about him or straight away 99% of people are against you.

When you have a bad race, the best thing about it is that usually you can go out the next weekend and try to put it right.

CZECH MOTOGP Saturday 16 August: Qualifying 1245-1400, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website Sunday 17 August: 125cc & 250cc races 0945-1215, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website Race live: 1245-1400, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website Coverage on the BBC Sport website is available for UK users only MotoGP on the BBC

But the championship is not just down to those two.

Dani Pedrosa should still be in the mix, provided he comes back from his crash reasonably fit.

I thought Jorge Lorenzo had calmed down but it seems he hasn't yet.

He needs a lighter fuse fitting and needs to ride with his head not his heart - the same sort of thing we said about Casey two years ago.

I still think he is a race winner this year, but as far as the championship goes, he is too far out.

One person missing at Brno will be Nicky Hayden, after he injured himself in the mid-season break.

What a kick in the pants to injure yourself mucking around on holiday.

He will also miss a two-day test after Brno which will mess him up for the rest of the season.

He has already been told if he wants to ride a Honda next year it will be with a satellite team and he looks like he has got his heart set on Ducati.

Craig Jones's accident was just one of those very sad things that happens, but it's a very tough sport that we love

Brno is a lovely circuit but it has been totally resurfaced since last year, so no-one will know quite what to expect.

My prediction for the weekend is Rossi, Stoner and Pedrosa.

Rossi is on a roll, Stoner could be so cross with himself he will not be at his best and hopefully Pedrosa will be rested and fit again.

We want that battle from Laguna Seca to finish, with one more person thrown in. If that happens, we will all be very happy.

Sadly, there have been two tragic losses for British motorcycling since the last race - World Supersports rider Craig Jones and Franco Sheene, Barry's father.

I was watching the race live on TV when Jones crashed at Brands Hatch.

It was a real shock to the biking community and has taken away the breath of everyone I know.

I had known him since he was 14, he'd had some ups and downs but had just made it to the top of World Supersports and the world was his oyster. It was very sad.

Barry Sheene receives his OBE, with parents Franco and Iris

Normally, you would expect him to slide off and walk away with nothing worse than a broken collarbone, but it was a freak accident as he was hit by Andrew Pitt's bike.

There was absolutely nothing Andrew could do - you can't just swerve a bike like a car, it was an absolute nightmare and he was lucky to stay on himself.

It is just one of those very sad things that happens, but it is a very tough sport that we love.

I used to go and see Franco whenever I was in Australia. He had been unwell and in a home for a while but he used to smoke, eat bacon and eggs every day and he didn't really care.

He was hugely important for Barry, but he was also an integral part in the career of many other riders.

In the 1960s, he was the best engine tuner in the country and he used to sponsor riders and get people going. A sad loss, but 96 - not a bad innings.

Brno prediction 1. Rossi 2. Stoner 3. Pedrosa

Steve Parrish was talking to Julian Shea

Live coverage of the Czech MotoGP on BBC Two and this website, Sunday 17 August