Motor Sport / Trent Burton / 05 July 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

It's the third weekend of MotoGP action in a row and Trent Burton is hoping for more excitement than last time out in Assen.

After a sadly lacklustre race in Assen last weekend, we're off to Barcelona to complete this string of three races back-to-back-to-back. Catalunya has played host to some of the best races of recent years so it's certainly one to look forward to.

Jorge Lorenzo seemed to effortlessly extend his championship lead in Assen with his fourth win of the season. Dani Pedrosa came home second but was unable to keep up with his fellow Spaniard, whilst third place man Casey Stoner, who looked throughout the weekend to be a genuine challenger to Lorenzo, suffered with arm pump during the race. Pedrosa's season has been inconsistent and Stoner's still hasn't really got going so Lorenzo has been only too happy to take win after win.

Here in Catalunya last season he was pipped to the flag on the last corner by team-mate Valentino Rossi in what I was happy to call the race of the decade. He will be keen to avenge that, albeit with Rossi absent this time, in front of his adoring home fans. But just a couple of years earlier, in 2007, this was the site of Stoner's greatest ever win in a race long six wheel battle with Pedrosa and Rossi. Just to add to the spice, in 2008, another local - Pedrosa - took one of his most dominant wins. On paper at least, this ought to be a cracker.

Lorenzo seems to have other ideas though. Quickest on Friday, his long runs of quick laps was truly terrifying for opponents to see. Stoner was just a few tenths back but it's Lorenzo's consistency that's the key. His win price of [1.63] reflects exactly that and it really is hard to see past him. If he does so he'll have won the lot in this triple header. There's nothing quite like taking advantage of a situation and he's locking up the championship already.

If Pedrosa can get away early he's always a chance but I cant believe he's as short as [5.1], home race or not. Oddly I think the biggest part Pedrosa will play this weekend will be denying Stoner. Lorenzo will be desperate to lead as soon as possible and gap the field as he's done of late. Pedrosa will get his usual rocket start which will most likely see Stoner stuck behind him. During the last two races Casey has had better pace than Pedrosa but has been unable to get past him, effectively letting Jorge off the hook. Casey, if his arm pump doesn't return, is more than likely the only guy who can run Jorge's pace come Sunday and he needs to be right with him from the first few laps.

The price of [8.0] for a Stoner win which reflects his poor run of form rather than his actual chance at a win for mine. It'll take a monster effort from the Aussie but he needs a win and he needs one soon. You'd bet your first born that he and Pedrosa will be team-mates next year so he needs to get a few up on him now to ensure he'll be top dog at Honda next year. A lot will need to go right for the Ducati rider but [9.0] really is unbelievably good value.

The podium has been a bit of a mixed bunch this year with appearances by Ben Spies and Andrea Dovizioso outside of the main four. Both Spies and Dovi were right on the pace today but it's hard to see anyone cracking the trinity of Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Stoner this weekend. As such there's some well priced lays amongst the pack at the moment. Dovi, at [3.45] to make the podium is one I'd be looking at.

Sunday has all the potential of being an absolute dog fight or another Lorenzo runaway. Here's hoping it's the former and we get something even half as good as the epic of 2009.

Recommended Bets:
Back Jorge Lorenzo to win at [1.63]
Lay Andrea Doviziozo for the Top 3 at [3.45]