Andrea Dovizioso makes his first home appearance on a
MotoGP bike, the JiR Scot Honda, in front of home fans while
John Hopkins seeks to get his season back on track after the chain broke on his Kawasaki in France. Fellow American
Colin Edwards took a well deserved third at Le Mans riding the Tech 3 Yamaha to show all that brilliant qualifying has been transferred to the actual race.
The Texan's rookie team-mate
James Toseland has never raced at Mugello, but at least knows the circuit from his time as a factory Ducati Superbike rider and will be looking to put his first grand prix DNF - following a collision with Dovizioso in France - firmly behind him.
Finnish KTM rider Mika Kallio brings a 16 point 250cc Championship lead to Italy where an Italian could be his biggest threat. Mattia Pasini won the 125cc race two years ago and is chasing Kallio for the title this year. Watch out also for former 125cc world champion Alvaro Bautista who won last year but who has crashed far too many times this season.
Frenchman Mike Di Meglio took the lead in the 125cc World Championship following his superb win in the Le Mans sprint race. The Italians will be after him on Sunday. Heading the challenge will be 18 year Nicholas Terol and his team-mate Simone Corsi who led the Championship after the first four rounds.
