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Mugello circuit (Autodromo Internazionale di Mugello) is a racetrack located in the Mugello region of Italy, just a stone’s throw away from the Ducati factory. The Mugello track which hosts Moto GP, SBK, A1 GP, F3 races all year long, also serves as a stage for the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) and is used for Formula 1 testing, especially by the Italian team Scuderia Ferrari. And thanks to Ferrari, the track speed record is still in the name of Rubens Barrichello since 2004 clocking 1:18.704 on the time sheet.

That said, Mugello is one hell of a circuit with 15 turns and a single long straight measuring 5.24 km, moreover, the quick successive left-right corners from turn 1 till turn 7 make it one of the most physically demanding circuits in Moto GP. So there is a lot of room for overtaking and also for committing mistakes, that’s what makes it the favorites circuit for most riders. I’m not even thinking about rain at the moment and let’s hope there is none, considering the havoc wreaked by rain Gods at all the previous races.

Mugello is where the fans will rather confused between the legendary Italian Constructors and the finest Italian rider ever to grace the Moto GP. With the Italian Ducati’s of Casey Stone (Australian) & Nicky Hayden (American) pitted against Italy’s favourite driver, Valentino Rossi riding in his state of the art Yamaha M1 (Japanese), it will be interesting to see if Ducati riders can break the “the doctor’s” hoodoo this season.

The Ducati team, with Casey Stoner & Nicky Hayden, are no less determined to try and get a 1-2 finish and what a spectacle that will be for the fans in the Correntaio corner in Ducati red. And come race-day the Correntaio corner with a stand reserved for the Ducati fans, will look as if red paint has been showered over it and trust me every rider will want that kind of following for his team. These Italian fans are very passionate and the way I see it, one way or the other there will always be something to make them happy - either Rossi or Ducati or even Dovizioso who will be racing for the first time at home on the Repsol Honda.

Winning the last 7 races at Mugello, in a row, Valentino Rossi has had the best track record at his home GP! If only, he had finished 1st at Le Mans, and assuming he wins the 8th successive time at Mugello we could have witnessed his 100th Moto GP victory at home! And that would have been one for the Headlines - a rider winning his 100th GP in the premier class on his home soil.

Ironically, Valentino Rossi who was leading the rider championship after his success at Spain finished last at Le Mans (for the first time in his career) and is now 2nd to teammate Lorenzo on the table trailing by just one point. A win at Mugello is necessary to regain his championship lead along with a chance to extend his record to make it 8 wins in a row. But, bad performances from somebody like Rossi are always followed by high expectations and thus bring a lot of pressure with them. Rossi committed a blunder at Spain by switching to slick tyres too soon; it was an error that’s not expected even from a rookie rider. The Italian weather should not allow room for such mistakes, as it would largely remain sunny or cloudy as Google has predicted. However one cannot be too sure and if it can rain in Qatar, of all the places, I will not be surprised to see rains in Italy too