 Lorenzo will aim to punish any Rossi mistake again on Sunday |
After last week's results at Indianapolis, we most definitely have a championship race back on. Jorge Lorenzo took full advantage of Valentino Rossi's crash to really ramp up the pressure on the Italian world champion. Now there are only 25 points between the two of them in first and second place overall - but I'd still rather be Rossi in the lead than Lorenzo trying to close the gap. But it does now give Lorenzo a sniff of the championship, when only a couple of weeks ago he had been written off. The young Spaniard is going to have to ride the wheels of his bike to stay in contention, but I think his victory at Indianapolis has put Rossi on the back foot. That Rossi took a tumble and did not finish - and Dani Pedrosa suffered the same fate, skidding out of the race when he was in front - shows just how hard the leaders are pushing. The level of competition is incredibly intense and if Ducati's Casey Stoner was racing as well we would have some titanic battles.  | SAN MARINO MOTOGP Saturday 5 September Qualifying: Qualifying: 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online Sunday September 125cc and 250cc races: 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online Race live: 1230-1400, BBC One/online ; MotoGP Extra, 1400-1430, BBC Red Button/online |
I think we are in a period of time now where we have four truly great riders in Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa all pushing it to the limit. We are in a halcyon era, with four of the very best riders all on equal machines. And with the single-make trye rule as well, it is close, hard racing, and all down to talent. Australian Stoner, who has been out of action because of illness, is due back after Sunday's race and will be on the track for the Portugal grand prix. Stoner's return - providing he can come back fit, strong and positive - could actually make life a little easier for Rossi, who would benefit from having another guy in the race who can challenge Lorenzo. The Yamaha rider is on the limit all the time and his team-mate Rossi will be happy if the likes of Stoner and Pedrosa can also challenge Lorenzo. If Lorenzo wins the final five races of the season, he will clinch the championship title - regardless of what Rossi does. It would be by the smallest of margins, with Lorenzo coming out on top because he would have a greater number of race victories. | I do think Rossi will be under a lot of pressure - he is not immune to it |
And that's why Rossi would love to see someone - if it is not himself - get in front of Lorenzo. Yes, I am speculating over the outcomes of the next five races, and everything can change with one mistake - and there have been a few this season. But Rossi is still facing a balancing act. He has to be really careful and analyse each situation race by race. However, there is no-one better at it than him. I am so excited about Sunday's race. It is going to be fascinating to see how each riders plays it out. The Misano circuit is Rossi's home track and there are going to be thousands of his fans there, cheering him on. But I do think he will be under a lot of pressure - he is not immune to it. He has got a lot on his plate and I am sure he would love to take a way a win away from this weekend and that would likely seal the championship for him. But Lorenzo will give it everything he can and I think he will nail it. And Pedrosa has nothing to lose as he is out of the championship race - it's win or bin for him and he could be a spanner in the works.
San Marino prediction:
1) Jorge Lorenzo 2) Valentino Rossi 3) Dani Pedrosa Steve Parrish was talking to BBC Sport's Ian Hughes
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