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As the 2008 season takes shape, MotoGP heads
to Shanghai for round four of the World Championship, the Pramac Grand Prix of
China, on May 4th.
Whilst every rider has picked up points over
the past three races, two riders have stood out from the crowd with podium
finishes at every round so far. Currently tied at the top of the MotoGP
standings, Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa take their rivalry to China
with a mirror image of each other’s results thus far in 2008. Both have 61
points to their name, although Lorenzo is officially the leader of the series
owing to his victory in Portugal being the most recent.
The Fiat Yamaha rider has experienced a
dream start to his MotoGP career. A 100% record of pole positions in the premier
class has brought high returns for the Spaniard, and any doubts over whether he
could hold his own in the premier class were put to rest with an amazing ride in
Estoril. The reigning 250cc World Champion has won before in China, namely in
last year’s quarter-litre category race, although he will undertake his maiden
MotoGP outing of the track fresh from the operating table, having undergone
surgery to rectify compartmental syndrome in his right arm the day after his
debut victory.
His arch-rival Pedrosa also has a winning
pedigree at the Shanghai circuit, with his first triumph on a four-stroke coming
at the 2006 Chinese visit. The Repsol Honda rider will once again be without the
pneumatic-valve engine still in development in Japan, although it remains to be
seen what difference this will make when his RC212V lines up on the longest
straight of the year.
Behind the Spanish duo, five-time MotoGP
World Champion Valentino Rossi remains within easy reach of the top spot in the
overall classification. The Italian is still getting to grips with Bridgestone
tyres new to his Fiat Yamaha M1 this season, but can be expected to challenge
for victory in China. The Italian is now on his longest winless streak since his
first MotoGP victory in 2000 but, as at the majority of tracks present on the
calendar, has been on the top step of the rostrum in Shanghai before.
Experiencing his first dip in form since
arriving at Ducati Marlboro, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner has been off the
podium for the past two races. The Desmosedici GP8 has proved a different beast
to last season’s version, although the Italian machine will undoubtedly be back
in its element at the sweeping Shanghai track. The Australian is unlikely to be
too far from the action at round four, aiming to repeat his victory from last
year.
The highest placing satellite rider, Tech 3
Yamaha’s James Toseland lies in fifth place in the standings, although he has a
difficult task ahead of him in China. As in Portugal, the Briton will be facing
a completely new track without the benefit of either prior races or test visits.
Still in the early stages of the season, the
top ten could be turned on its head with a good result from any number of
riders. Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi, Kawasaki’s John Hopkins, veteran Colin
Edwards, rookie Andrea Dovizioso and 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden all have
the chance to significantly improve their position in Shanghai with their varied
experience and machines.
The Pramac Grand Prix of China takes
place on Sunday May 4th, with practice sessions beginning the
preceding Friday.
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