In the MX2 class Marvin Musquin (Honda) now leads the championship by three points ahead of long time red plate holder Gautier Paulin (Kawasaki), with Davide Guarneri (Yamaha) a steady third and Rui Goncalves (KTM) working his way up the order courtesy of back to back podiums.

Xavier Boog rounds off the top five while Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 team mate Ken Roczen, who debuted in Portugal eleven days after his 15th birthday, has already shown he is capable of victory by fighting tooth and nail with winner Antony Boissiere in heat two at Bellpuig.

Riding for British-based team Utag-Yamaha, Turkish GP winner Zach Osborne will try to take part in his team's home round despite breaking his left wrist in Portugal.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Shaun Simpson, still the highest home rider in the rankings, will attend the event as a spectator after breaking his left leg in a training accident at the end of April - just three days after winning his maiden heat at Valkenswaard.

The second best home rider is fellow KTM fellow rider Stephen Sword, who was a positive fifth overall last year at Mallory but he is now 17th in the Championship.

The FIM Veterans' World Cup will also join the grand prix series this weekend, for round three of five. Peter Iven currently leads ahead of Mats Nilsson and Alex Puzar.