British MotoGP, Silverstone
Date: 19-20 June
Saturday BBC coverage: Qualifying - 1150-1500, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday BBC coverage: Moto2: 1100-1215, BBC Red Button/online, Race live: 1215-1415, BBC Two/online ; 125cc: 1400-1500, BBC Red Button/online

By Steve Parrish BBC MotoGP commentator

Rossi faces months on the sidelines after crashing in Italy

The British Grand Prix without Valentino Rossi will be like fish and chips with no salt and vinegar - something very important will be missing.

We are all still a bit shell-shocked after Rossi's crash at Mugello, and the organisers at Silverstone must be very disappointed because I'm sure it's going to affect the attendance.

Rossi is more than just a sportsman, he is a rockstar, but his absence will give us a glimpse of what life will be like after he has gone.

The 2010 title race has definitely lost a bit of credibility, as Rossi is the man they all want to beat, but on the other hand, it makes it slightly easier to win.

The way riders are, they will all be thinking 'that gives us more of a chance'. They may all say they want Rossi back soon, but if you put them on a lie detector test, they do not.

Everyone will be looking to Jorge Lorenzo now as championship leader, but the title certainly will not be handed to him.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the British Grand Prix

Sometimes being in the lead is harder than chasing. If Valentino, his main rival, was still there, he would be thinking about going flat out and focusing on beating him, but now he is got to think about preserving his lead - if he cannot win it without Rossi, then when will he?

As Silverstone is a blank slate for most riders, I think we could really see some surprises this weekend.

Casey Stoner and Colin Edwards have raced here before, albeit with the track in a different configuration, but that could give them a slight edge, and I think we might see some upsets.

The riders will probably find it the fastest track we go to, and it will take them a long time to learn it, but I think they will love it. And I have to say I'm pleased the race is there.

I did not have any problem with Donington, where the British Grand Prix used to be, but it was looking tired and in need of refurbishment - now with Silverstone, we have got a race track at which we can be proud to have people.

My Silverstone MotoGP race prediction:

1) Casey Stoner 2) Jorge Lorenzo 3) Dani Pedrosa

Steve Parrish was talking to BBC Sport's Julian Shea.

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