MotoGP Betting Preview: Rossi and Stoner keen to do their talking on the Czech track

Moto GP / Trent Burton / 15 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

It's hard to remember a race that has been more anticipated than this weekends eleventh round race at Brno, says Trent Burton.

For four weeks MotoGP fans have waited patiently as the summer break took its course. Now the wait is over and this weekend we arrive at Brno for the eleventh round of the MotoGP championship.

Last time out, Laguna Seca was an instant classic. The war of words between Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi after the race merely added to the drama. And the title battle. And the hype. And the build up to this weekend's resumption of war.

Brno is a very technical track, featuring some very high speeds that are enjoyed by nearly all the riders. It's worth noting that this track favours Bridgestone first and foremost, evidenced by the top 8 on Friday morning being held down by all Bridgestone shod riders.

The Czech circuit has also seen Ducati take victory for the last two years and not be off the podium for a further two years prior to that. Back in the late eighties, when the track was introduced to the calendar, championships were very often decided here. Although this time round we won't emerge with a winner, we could gain a clearer picture of who might hoist the silverware at the end of the year.

Rossi leads the title chase by 25 from Stoner and is the favourite to take his eighth world championship at [1.79], but Stoner isn't far off at [2.18]. The weekend's race is certain to be a battle between the two. At [3.18] for the Italian and [1.78] for the Aussie, I would expect those prices to come into each other as the weekend progresses. After Friday's first session Rossi heads the time sheets by just two tenths of a second from Stoner, something we haven't seen for a few rounds. It might be worth jumping on Valentino early before the prices start to move and we're all stuck with the tough task of splitting them. They may have played down the aggro at the press conference on Thursday but rest assured, both are keen to make the next big statement on the track.

Beyond the main two there's a lot to look out for. With wet weather predicted, and given his recent return to form, Chris Vermeulen is certainly one to keep an eye on for a podium position at [3.0]. Dani Pedrosa will be returning from injury and claims to be close to 100% fit. His seventeenth placing in the opening session today, already four seconds behind Rossi, suggests otherwise.

The best value, at a roughie, would be a top 3 finish from Japanese veteran Shinya Nakano on the Gresini Honda. The Honda bosses back in Japan have rewarded his consistency by giving him a 2009 spec bike for this race and he has already proved himself worthy posting the third fastest time on Friday morning. [5.0] for a shock podium for the Japanese veteran could be well worth a look.

The new Top 6 market could throw things wide open as well with almost everyone, Melandri and West excluded, capable of jumping up the pointy end. It might be hard to find some value in there amongst a returning to form Jorge Lorenzo, the keen to bounce back Colin Edwards (the fastest of the Michelin runners thus far) and the ever improving Andrea Dovizioso.

But for me it will be a race between Rossi and Stoner, miles ahead of the rest as they were in Laguna one month ago. If I had to pick one over the other, I'd say Rossi for this one. By the smallest margins. All we can ask for is a race as exciting as the last one.