American
John Hopkins finished third last year for Suzuki and rode well to finish fifth in Estoril on his new-for-2008 Kawasaki. He is overcoming a groin injury and getting to grips with his new bike. Another American,
Colin Edwards is enjoying a revitalised season with Tech 3 Yamaha. He was fourth in Estoril and finished third in China two years ago.
Edwards' rookie team-mate
James Toseland has already been signed up for 2009. The 27 year old has made a superb start to his
MotoGP career and lies fifth in the championship just 11 points behind Stoner. There are six races in the next two months and Toseland has not ridden at three of the venues but he has already shown he's very capable of learning quickly.
Toseland and Edwards received the latest pneumatic-valve Yamaha engine at Estoril and so should have little to fear from the long Shanghai straights.
Despite crashing out in Estoril, Italian
Andrea Dovizioso has also made a big impression in his MotoGP debut season, while 2006 world champion
Nicky Hayden will be aiming for his first podium of the season this weekend.
The Rizla Suzuki pairing of
Loris Capirossi and
Chris Vermeulen are yet to challenge the frontrunners, but both will be eager to repeat Hopkins' form on the GSV-R of one year ago.
Finnish KTM star Mika Kallio grabbed the lead in the 250cc World Championship for the first time after finishing third in Estoril He won the 125cc race in Shanghai two years ago and will be pushed hard in the 21 lap race by Estoril winner Alvaro Bautista, Qatar winner Mattia Pasini and Hector Barbara who secured his one and only 250cc victory in China two years ago.
Italian Simone Corsi has made a tremendous start in the 125cc World Championship. He's won two of the opening three rounds and leads team-mate Nicolas Terol by 17 points with Spaniard Joan Olive in third place.
