By Steve Parrish BBC motorbikes commentator

Rossi looks to be on his way to winning a sixth title

Valentino Rossi goes into the San Marino GP at Misano with a 50-point lead in the championship after he clinched victory last time out as a result of Casey Stoner's crash.

And Stoner, who had been comfortably leading the race before he fell, pretty much conceded the title afterwards.

But while it may be Rossi's championship to lose, I still feel there is a bit to do before it is all wrapped up - in motorcycle racing, as we see time and again, anything can happen.

However, I expect Rossi will adopt a more conservative strategy - although he loves to go out and win races - for the rest of the season because he is aware that it is so easy to break a collarbone, a wrist or an ankle and blow the title when you're pushing as hard as you can.

The Italian now has a fabulous cushion and he knows he really needs only to finish on the podium for the remaining rounds and he will win his sixth championship.

I also suspect his Yamaha team will build him a more conservative motorcycle; there's no need to push it to its limits. If something breaks in the motorcycle then straight away you can blow 25 points, and that's half Rossi's lead gone in an instant.

Rossi and his team are smart enough and wise enough to be conservative in order to get the job done.

In 2006, Rossi made a big mistake when he fell off in the last race when he could have won the championship that year.

I think that led to him approaching this season differently - he knew there were some formidable competitors out there this year - some proved to be stronger than he probably imagined - and he has been very solid rather than spectacular.

He did make a big mistake at Assen, falling off during the first lap, but otherwise he has been consistent and it looks like he is going to win the championship as a result of that.

SAN MARINO MOTOGP Saturday 30 August: Qualifying 1245-1405, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website Sunday 31 August: 125cc & 250cc races 0945-1215, BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website Race live: 1230-1415, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website Coverage on the BBC Sport website is available for UK users only MotoGP on the BBC

All Stoner can do is hang in there and try to win as many races as he can and I can see him doing just that this weekend - just as he did last year.

Should it come down to a last-lap duel between Stoner and Rossi, I think Rossi would happily settle for second place, because that is the smart strategy that will take him to the title.

Last year, Suzuki did really well here, getting two riders on the podium and I fancy the in-form Chris Vermeulen to sneak third place.

But what I would really love to see is Michelin get their act together, because that would put Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo right up there in the mix.

It could be disastrous for Michelin if they are once again way off the pace as I believe it could lead to MotoGP becoming a one-tyre championship, with Bridgestone the sole supplier.

Michelin have been such a disappointment this year. I thought they had got themselves together and they started the season well, but since then they have been the poor performers and ruined some races.

Bridgestone have kicked on, while Michelin have stayed where they are. And the sad thing is, at this rate no-one will want a Michelin tyre next year, everyone will want a Bridgestone - but will they be able to supply everyone?

Michelin need to turn it around in the next race or two otherwise I suspect some riders will switch even before the end of the season.

Top factory riders like Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Nicky Hayden cannot start a race in the knowledge they have absolutely no chance of winning it because of the tyres they are using.

I think there has been maybe a little complacency from Michelin, who have been the dominant force for the last 20 years, and they just haven't stepped up to the plate.

All my life I have been against the adoption of a one-tyre rule, but I can see it being announced soon.

But at the moment, I would rather that than see the disparity between Michelin and Bridgestone that means it is like having two separate classes in the one race.

Misano prediction 1. Stoner 2. Rossi 3. Vermuelen

Steve Parrish was talking to Ian Hughes

Live coverage of the San Marino MotoGP on BBC Two and this website, Sunday 31 August