As MotoGP heads to Mugello for what is always one of the most anticipated rounds on the calendar, Valentino Rossi is all set for his 300th Grand Prix appearance – having achieved his 150th premier class podium last time out at Le Mans. Following the race in France, in which Rossi finished second to the victorious Marc Marquez, he was already looking forward to the Gran Premio d’Italia and another chance to battle with the in-form World Champion and standings leader, this time in front of the passionate Italian crowd.

With his victory at the French GP, Marquez became first rider to win the opening five races of the year, all from pole position, since Giacomo Agostini in the 500 class in 1971. Marquez leads the standings by 42 points from Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa and will aim to extend his winning run at round six – at a venue where he crashed out last year. Marquez will know, however, that Pedrosa will be hungry for his first win since Malaysia last year and that Rossi will be doing everything in his power to add to his nine victories at Mugello, seven of which have come in the premier class. It is fair to say that a win for Rossi in his 300th GP would certainly be popular with the home crowd.

This weekend’s Gran Premio d’Italia is the 29th occasion that a GP has been held at the Mugello circuit, including 24 times in the consecutive years from 1991.

via MotoGP