Czech MotoGP, Brno
Date: 14-15 August
Saturday 14 August Qualifying: 1150-1500, BBC Red Button and Online
Sunday 15 August: Race live: 1230-1400, BBC Two

World championship leader Lorenzo is getting used to the view from the top of the podium

By Steve Parrish BBC MotoGP commentator

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo is still the man to beat after the summer break but he will find it harder in the second half of the season.

His rivals have nothing to lose as they seek to make up ground and will be going all out for victory in the remaining nine races, starting with this weekend's race at Brno in the Czech Republic.

I do not think we will see many tactical battles: it will be a case of riders giving 100% and seeing what happens.

As for Lorenzo, his 72-point lead is big but not insurmountable. The Yamaha star just has to keep his cool and ride well.

I fancy Rossi to do it as he will be desperate for a win

As he burnt out one of his engines in Germany, the six-engine rule might rear its head and cause problems for him at some point.

The Spaniard has not had any bad luck yet, so the law of averages suggests he will have a tumble at some stage.

In many ways, this weekend will feel like the first day back at school.

But with teams prevented from testing during the break, do not expect to see too much radically different on the track. Having said that, those riders nursing bumps and bruises - Valentino Rossi, for example - will have had the chance to heal their injuries.

The big talking point of the weekend is likely to be Rossi's potential move from Fiat Yamaha to Ducati.

It all seems to have been arranged - I hear it will be Sunday evening that something is finally announced.

With Rossi off to Ducati, it is likely Ben Spies will move up from Tech 3 Yamaha to the factory team - and that could mean Britain's Cal Crutchlow getting a chance at Tech 3.

Crutchlow could be one to benefit from Rossi's possible move

It will be a very fast progression for the World Superbikes rider - he won the World Supersport title last year, giving him a Superbikes ride, won the last two rounds at Silverstone and has been fast all year with five or six poles.

If a deal can be done, he might even be able to get some runs at the end of the season as the Superbikes campaign finishes earlier than MotoGP

Switching the focus to Brno, it is a big, long track and one of the most hilly ones we go to. There is quite a bit of variation and I think most of the riders like it.

Last year, Lorenzo was leading here until he crashed trying to fend off Rossi, so the Spaniard will be desperate to avoid doing that again.

I do not think there is any one rider the track will particularly suit - it will be a case of whoever has the right setting, tyres and frame of mind on the day.

I fancy Rossi to do it, though, as he will be desperate for a win - and a Rossi victory would set things up perfectly for the expected announcement on Sunday evening.

My Brno race prediction:

1) Valentino Rossi 2) Casey Stoner 3) Jorge Lorenzo

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

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