The final three rounds of the 2009 Motocross World Championships begin with this weekend's Grand Prix of the Czech Republic at Loket.

In MX1, Red Bull Yamaha's Antonio Cairoli is firmly in the driving seat, holding a 51 point lead over 2010 KTM team-mate Max Nagl, who gained just two points on the Italian 'rookie' last time out at Lommel.

Nevertheless, Nagl is pulling away from third placed reigning champion David Philippaerts, who is now 27 points behind the young German, and Max will aim to gain further ground this weekend, at a track where he took a moto victory last year.

Philippaerts won last year's event and a repeat would be more than welcome as he seeks to fend off Teka Suzuk's Ken de Dycker, just five points behind him after his first win of 2009 at Lommel.

Honda's Clement Desalle and Philippaerts' Monster Yamaha team-mate Josh Coppins round off the top six in the championship, with the Kiwi being just 13 points away from Philippaerts.

Taking fourth overall in his comeback from a neck injury, former world champion Steve Ramon will be looking for a podium this weekend.

With Aigar Leok due to miss this Grand Prix because of a leg injury, the TM Racing Factory Team will enter Enduro star Rodrig Thain of France.

Meanwhile the Martin Honda squad will miss this GP as Kevin Strijbos, who came back at Lommel, is still suffering from a right collarbone injury which he picked up before his home GP. He will come back at Lierop alongside team-mate Marc de Reuver.

In the MX2 class, Marvin Musquin made a perfect return, after legal issues related to his mid-season team change forced him to miss a round, with a double victory at Lommel.

Red Bull KTM team-mate Rui Goncalves moved up to second in the series in Belgium, but is 38 points from Musquin. Early title leader Gautier Paulin is now third, a further eleven points back.