Currently leading the World Championship standings for the second time in the 2009 season is Jorge Lorenzo with sixty-six points to his name after a smoking start to the season. Victories in Japan and, most recently, France have been the standout results for the Fiat Yamaha rider since the beginning of the season, with a further visit to the podium making up the rest of his total, the only scuff  to date this season was a crash in Jerez that blotted his copybook, something rectified at Le Mans, and the Spaniard is keen to make amends for his 2008 DNF at Mugello with another sterling result.

In second place behind his teammate Jorge Lorenzo by one point is reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi, who's record at the Mugello circuit speaks for itself. Victory at the last seven MotoGP visits to the Italian track give the reigning World Champion an incomparable pedigree at a single circuit. Valentino Rossi has won in all conditions and on a variety of machinery at the outstanding Mugello racetrack, but again a win is never a done deal with the level of high talent at the MotoGP in 2009. The six-time premier class titlist will be aiming for his ninety-ninth triumph and, most importantly, the leadership in the MotoGP standings in front of his home fans. Just incase any further motivation were needed for the Superstar, Rossi arrives in Italy following a disastrous last place finish at the Le Mans Grand Prix.

Then there is Casey Stoner the 2007 World Champion who has been adopted by a section of the Italian crowd as one of their own, Casey Stoner is also close behind Lorenzo, level on points with Rossi in a tightly-packed top three. Just as his rival did Stoner also finished off the podium in France, meaning that no rider has stepped onto the podium at every race in the 2009 season. A win at the Mugello circuit would not only be a huge psychological advantage for Stoner, but would also bring delight to the Italian giants Ducati and their fans at the Italian factory’s home race. Stoner has taken a second place and qualified on pole position with his past two trips to Mugello.

Close behind the leading trio is Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, he is building confidence and fitness with every race. Pedrosa managed to catch up with and pass teammate Andrea Dovizioso for a third consecutive podium at the last round, and has been one of the few riders to give Rossi problems at the scene of this weekend’s race in recent years.

Then we have fifth-placed Marco Melandri, the Italian has been the surprise package of 2009 to date. Melandri riding an under-developed Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR for the Hayate Racing team, Melandri took an unexpected podium at Le Mans.

The roudn at Mugelllo will have onlly seventeen riders as Sete Gibernau will sit out the event after fracturing his collarbone at Le Mans.

The race at Mugello will take place on Sunday, May 31st, with practice and qualifying on the two days prior.