Although Donington Park this weekend is my home grand prix I'm more relaxed than normal because there is not much spare time and so much to do. I'm actually more excited than nervous about riding at home for the only time this season

Of course it's a special race because it's the only time loads of my family and friends see me race but it's also special because I really enjoy racing at Donington. It's a proper circuit that follows the contours of the hills and so much more exciting than many of the modern day formula one style circuits. It also got a bit of everything from the fast Craner curves to the slow Melbourne hairpin. It's a proper test for a rider and you have to race from curve to curve.

It's important to have the experience of riding at your home grand prix and I know exactly what to expect after riding there for the last two years. There is a lot of attention on you from fans and the media and you learn to cope with it all while concentrating on practice and racing. I picked up my very first World Championship points at Donington when I finished 12th a couple of years ago, so what about my chances this year?

A few times this season I've been in the situation after qualifying on a Saturday with a good chance of winning the race the next day. It depends on how everything goes but I could be back in that situation on Saturday night this week.

Without a doubt I have the best possible opportunity in my three British Grand Prix appearances and I arrive for the first practice on Friday morning with a chance rather than just the hope I had in those first two years.

My left ankle is still very sore but getting better every day. It's not certain to be perfect by the weekend but I rode with it in Barcelona just 24 hours after my crash in qualifying and so it should not be a problem. I'm still walking with crutches to keep the pressure off the bruised bones and ligaments in the left ankle and I will use the scooter a lot for transport round the Donington paddock rather walking.
I'm swimming and also working out on the bike turbo but I'm keeping the pressure off the ankle as much as I can. I want to keep the blood flowing to the ankle but I also don't want to hamper the heeling process. It's all about finding the middle course which is frustrating but so important not to over do it because two days of grand prix practice and qualifying followed by a grand prix race certainly test your strength to the limit.

I had an engine problem in Barcelona during the race and so just to finish with some points in 14th place was not the end of the world. That's what happens when the rider crashes and does not leave the team enough time to work on the engine. They have been working flat out since Barcelona and we are well prepared for this weekend. It's a very busy time for the team who rush to the ferry immediately after Donington to reach Assen in the North of Holland where practice starts for the Dutch TT on Thursday morning.

Look out for a special helmet design which has been done just for Donington this weekend and I hope the weather is dry especially for the fans and all the people that camp at the track over the weekend.

I never look ahead at the weather forecast because I've learnt there is nothing you can do to change it but I hope it's dry. Not only do I prefer racing in the dry but also to shut up the other teams and riders especially from Italy and Spain, who always moan to me about the rain in Britain and Donington in particular.

I'm looking for plenty of sunshine both on and off the track this weekend.

Finally, thanks to everybody who entered the Donington ticket competition and congratulations to the winners. I promise you I will be doing my very best to give you something cheer about.

Bradley


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