Gavin Emmett gives an analysing discussion over the ninth round at Laguna Seca after another exciting race, which allowed Jorge Lorenzo to be victorious ahead of Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi, and a pivotal early smash for Dani Pedrosa.

“Pedrosa was pushing very hard at a pace he hadn’t kept too much during the practice sessions, and with Lorenzo closing so much he had to push and probably just didn’t have it,” says Gavin. “The front went and after the race a few riders said they had similar problems, and it’s an easy place to go down at turn five.”

“Casey is getting back there, four podiums in a row is a positive step forward, but I know he will desperate for wins. Both himself and Dani will have been disappointed not to have given Jorge a bit more of a challenge in the last stages of the race.”

On Rossi’s return to the stage, Gavin adds, “I think it’s a result a lot of people wanted to see, just seven weeks after he crashed and injured himself at Mugello. Dovizioso rode a great race but once Valentino was in front of him it was always going to be hard to get back there. But it was good to see a battle going on for the podium spots.”

On the home racers Gavin explains, “Nicky (Hayden), Ben (Spies) and Colin (Edwards) all had a great race and all three were together in those positions, and were just unable to fight for the podium. We thought at one point they may be able to. Fifth, sixth and seventh may not be exactly what they wanted, but they are decent results and they have factory bikes that finished in front of them.”