Having three riders tied at the top of the MotoGP standings at this stage of the season is incredible. You might expect a tie after one or two races, but to have Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo all on 106 points going into race seven is unprecedented. It's almost like the season is starting over this weekend at Assen and as Rossi said, 'we start again'. And what a point to start from. The conclusion of the Catalunya GP was right up there with the very best in the annals of MotoGP history. The race itself wasn't that great, but it was most definitely one of the greatest finishes ever with Rossi audaciously swooping past Lorenzo on the final bend.  | ASSEN MOTOGP Friday 26 June Qualifying: 1200-1500, BBC Red Button/online Saturday 27 June 125cc and 250cc races: 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online Race live: 1240-1400, BBC Two/online |
I can't recall Rossi's body language looking more determined to force a win. It was a case of master v apprentice and an old dog showing a new pup tricks. It's not all good news though for Rossi as far from it being a psychological blow to Lorenzo, I feel he will have lapped up the experience like a sponge. He has seen the move Rossi pulled off and he now has that weapon in his armoury. Sooner or later Lorenzo will be beating Rossi on a regular basis. There has to come a point where Rossi will think, 'what am I doing making a move like that? I could be retired and relaxed on beach in Ibiza.' But his hunger is a great as ever and he is going for the 100th win of his career here in Assen. He has every chance of doing it, he is bang in form and his Yamaha is working well. It would be a great story if he could win it at the oldest track on the MotoGP circuit. The 'Cathedral' has been hosting GP's every year since the calendar began in 1949. It is a fantastic circuit that just invites battles. It's got more corners than any other track and any bike that is agile stands a great chance. It's going to be a long, tough race. I haven't mentioned Stoner yet. He is of course more than in the mix and could easily trump the Yamaha pair. He was off the pace in Catalunya due to debilitating stomach cramps, but will be back on it this weekend. It was another far from satisfactory race for James Toseland. He knows, and we know, that if he doesn't start pulling results out of the bag there are a lot of people out there ready to take his MotoGP ride next season. This column can't be published with a mention of hapless Julian Simon who comically celebrated winning the 125cc race a lap early in Catalunya.
What a lesson he will have learnt from that - always keep your head down and wait for the chequered flag! Despite that blunder he ended up fourth and still leads the rankings ahead of Great Britain's Bradley Smith.
Assen prediction:
1) Casey Stoner 2) Valentino Rossi 3) Jorge Lorenzo
Steve Parrish was talking to BBC Sport's Paul Birch.
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