MotoGP action continues at Misano

The action continues to come thick and fast in MotoGP, as the field returns to the track at Misano this weekend just five days after the visit to Indianapolis.

Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo remains the rider to catch, having maintained his 100 per cent podium record for the season in the US, along with his substantial lead in the standings.

The fact that third place at Indianapolis represented Lorenzo's rider's worst result of the season to date is testament to his phenomenal form in 2010, and he has now finished on the podium for 12 successive races -- stretching back to the final race of last season in Valencia. In his two previous premier class visits to Misano Lorenzo has placed second and will be going for an eighth win of the season on Sunday.

Brimming with confidence will be his main challenger Dani Pedrosa (Honda), and the pair's intense competitiveness has continued throughout the season. Pedrosa trimmed his rival's championship lead to 68pts with victory at Indy, his third of the campaign, and edged back in front of Lorenzo in the GP victory stakes across all classes.

The score now is 34-33 to Pedrosa, with Lorenzo leading in terms of premier class wins at 12-11. Last season Pedrosa completed the podium at Misano behind Lorenzo, but will be aiming to upset his adversary's run to a first MotoGP title and become the first Spaniard to win in the premier class at the circuit.

Further back Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) and Australia's Casey Stoner (Ducati) are separated by just7pts respectively as they continue to contest third position. Dovizioso has a best premier class result of fourth which came last season in his first race on new Öhlins suspension and was disappointed with fifth last time out at Indy.

For Stoner it has been two years since he raced at Misano having missed last season due to illness, and he will want to correct his DNF at Indianapolis. A repeat of his 2007 victory from pole would be the perfect remedy for him.

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) has won for the past two years at Misano, last season from pole, and is hot on the tail of Stoner in the standings having finished fourth in round 11.

Ben Spies in turn has the Italian in his sights after a season's best result at Indianapolis of second and the Yamaha rider won one of the two world superbike races at Misano last year. Just 1pt behind him is fellow American Nicky Hayden (Ducati), who continues his search for a first podium of the season.

Randy de Puniet's (Honda) continuing recovery from his broken leg will take its next step, while rookie Marco Simoncelli and his Honda Gresini team-mate Marco Melandri will both want solid home results.

Colin Edwards (Yamaha) is closely grouped with last year's 250cc race winner Héctor Barberá (Ducati), and veteran Italian Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) is scheduled to become only the second rider in the 62-year history of GP racing to make 200 premier class starts.

Live action on ONE commences at 6.30pm Sunday, with the main MotoGP coverage from 9.30pm.