Australian Grand Prix, Phillip Island
Date: 16-17 October
Saturday 16 October: Qualifying, 0250-0600, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday 17 October: 125cc & Moto2, 0250-0505, BBC Red Button/online, MotoGP, 0545-0700, BBC Two/online, MotoGP repeat, 1245-1400, BBC Two
 Pedrosa was going for his third win in succession before crashing at Motegi |
Dani Pedrosa will race at Sunday's Australian MotoGP after recovering from surgery to repair a broken collarbone. The 25-year-old Spaniard missed the last event in Malaysia after crashing in Japan and in his absence compatriot Jorge Lorenzo secured the title. "The championship is decided but hasn't finished yet," said Pedrosa, who is aiming to secure the runners-up spot. "Our objective is to hang on to second place in the rankings. The operation went well." Valentino Rossi won the race in Malaysia but third place was enough for Lorenzo to clinch his first MotoGP title with three races of the season remaining. Pedrosa was Lorenzo's only realistic challenger for the title but his crash in practice at Motegi ended his slim hopes of catching his countryman. However, the battle to finish second in the overall standings is still wide open, with Pedrosa 47-points ahead of third-placed Rossi. Lorenzo seals MotoGP title in Malaysia (UK only) Despite his operation being a success Pedrosa, who finished third at Phillip Island in 2009, is expecting a tough weekend. "The plate is well secured so the problem isn't the collarbone but the stiffness in my neck and shoulders," he said. "I know it will be tough because the Phillip Island circuit is very demanding and the meteorological conditions could play a major role but I think it is the moment to return." Just a single point behind Rossi sits Casey Stoner, and the Ducati rider will be desperate for a strong result on his home circuit where he has dominated in recent years. Stoner has won this race for the last three seasons and had been on a good run - having won the previous two races - before crashing in Malaysia.  | 606: DEBATE |
The Australian is only one point ahead of Andrea Dovizioso in the standings as a fantastic scrap unfolds for third - and possibly second - in the overall championship. Having become only the second Spanish premier class champion Lorenzo will want to underline his status with strong results in the final races, and victory at Phillip Island would be his first there in the elite category having twice been victorious there in the former 250cc class. Last season Lorenzo failed to finish the race in Australia and in Round 16 will be going for his eighth win of the season.
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