MotoReview

With Sete Gibernau and Toni Elias both returning from injury this weekend it looked as though the MotoGP paddock was back to normal and 19 bikes would line up on the grid, however a crash during Sunday's warm-up session before the race meant Casey Stoner's race was over before it started. The Aussie rider went to a local hospital so that a scan could be completed to see if he had sustained any concussion - he hadn't.

Nonetheless, the circuit doctor decided to block Casey's participation in the race, so we were down to 18 bikes and everyone who qualified in 11th to 19th was bumped up one position on the grid.

Fortunately the race itself got off to a clean start, with Dani Pedrosa, Kenny Roberts, Nicky Hayden and Makoto Tamada (yep - you read that right) leading the pack. Within a few laps Marco Melandri was also moving up the order and, surprise surprise, Valentino Rossi was heading for the front.

It soon became clear that anyone in the leading six could be in with a shot, with positions changing every lap and even Loris Capirossi and Shinya Nakano in 6th and 7th just a second or two further back looking like they could spring a surprise. 

With 20 laps completed and 10 remaining Kenny Roberts made a move up the inside of Makoto Tamada for fifth position. Unfortunately the former world champion lost the front end of his KR211V whilst on the brakes, going down instantly and collecting Tamada in the process. With Makoto putting on a rare display of good form you had to feel for him, although an apologetic Kenny was straight to his side to make sure he was alright.