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STEVE PARRISH ON THE BRITISH MOTOGP
Casey Stoner goes into the British MotoGP at Donington Park with a lead of 14 points over the legendary Valentino Rossi.
Rossi is chasing his eighth career victory at the Leicestershire track, but that won't faze Stoner.
Despite being only 21 years old, the Australian from Kurri Kurri in New South Wales is showing the MotoGP world that he is made of stern stuff.
He proved beyond any doubt in the last race in Catalunya that he is a proper threat to Rossi.
The Italian has been known to screw with people's heads in a bid to unsettle them, but Stoner seems to be well ahead of all that.
In fact, in terms of psychology, Stoner has got the upper hand after he won that stunning duel in Spain.
A couple of the laps during that race were as good as you are ever likely to see in motor racing.
Stoner told me that it was the first time he really got stuck in and thought, "a podium would be nice, but I want to win this one.".
Rossi calls Donington his second home, but Stoner pointed out that everywhere seems to be his second home and he thinks he says it to try and unnerve the other riders.
What isn't in doubt is the popularity the charismatic Rossi will enjoy from the British crowd and that will be a big boost for him.
The track generally produces some good races.
What I also love about it is how family and spectator friendly it is and there are some great vantage points to watch the action.
This is in marked contrast to somewhere like Silverstone which seems very wide open, expansive and a little clinical.
That takes away a lot of its atmosphere, which is something Donington certainly doesn't lack.
In fact, the only thing missing for the public on Sunday is a British rider.
Enjoy the race,
Steve
Steve Parrish commentates on the British MotoGP on the BBC on Sunday. During his racing career he won the 1978 and 1979 British Motor Cycle Championships |
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