The August 31st race in Misano will be one of the most crucial Grand Prix events for the title as series' leader, Valentino Rossi, will be back almost in his hometown which is only 10 km away.

The Italian circuit is one of only two on the World Championship calendar at which Rossi has never taken victory, although he has only had one chance to do so. The other track is Indianapolis. A win at Misano will allow Rossi to equal Giacomo Agostini´s record of 68 premier class victories.

Ducati Marlboro´s Casey Stoner is now 50 points behinf the Italian and although it will be difficult to overhaul, it is still accessible for the 2007 MotoGP World Champion.

Repsol Honda´s Dani Pedrosa has conceded much ground in the title fight with just one point from the past three races. The Spaniard is still suffering from the after-effects of his Sachsenring crash and he has 65 points less on the board than Rossi, with Stoner 15 ahead and perhaps a more realistic target to pursue.

Fiat Yamaha´s Jorge Lorenzo was the winner of last season´s 250cc race at Misano, and currently lies in fourth place in the classification in his rookie MotoGP season. He is just ten points ahead of fellow newcomer and perennial quarter-litre rival Andrea Dovizioso, who suffered a devastating mechanical problem when leading the 250cc showdown in 2007.

Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen and Nicky Hayden also feature in the top ten, ahead of Shinya Nakano and Loris Capirossi -who will set a new appearance record for Grand Prix events when he lines up at Misano. Repsol Honda rider Hayden will return to action after missing the Brno visit with a foot injury.