Jorge Lorenzo reduced the margin on his colleague, reigning champion and current leader Valentino Rossi, with a win at Estoril, Rossi could only manage a distant fourth placing as his lead over the Spaniard was reduced from 30 to 18 points with only three events left.

Lorenzo’s victory was the tenth for the Yamaha competitor this season, leaving the manufacturer short of the most successful season ever. Lorenzo and Rossi have swapped victories back and forth since the Italian became victorious in Brno.  A win for either of the duo in Australia will equal the longest of successive wins for Yamaha in the premier class.

In Phillip Island, Rossi will come to a track with fond memories, one of which he has claimed as a personal favourite. With 12 visits to the track, the current world champion has only been unable to place once on the podium, with five consecutive wins from 2001-2005 creating a standout record.

Rossi has not claimed victory in the past three events Down Under, and with main opponent Lorenzo adding to a strong finsih to the year, the pressure is definately on.  Two victories and a runner-up place in the last three events adds to fine form for Lorenzo, who placed fourth last season at Phillip Island in his MotoGP debut on the circuit from second on the grid, he has won twice there in the 250cc session.

Casey Stoner’s return to action in Portugal after an absence of three events adds to an interesting formula, with the Ducati Marlboro competitor placing second behind Lorenzo at Estoril. Stoner’s consistent victories on his home circuit for the last two years means he will be a proven challenger for both Yamaha factory racers, and with only three points behind third placed Dani Pedrosa in the rankings, the Aussie has a goal to achieve.

Honda Repsol competitor Pedrosa has arrived back from his smash and tenth placed finish at Indianapolis by ending up third consecutively in Misano and Estoril, with a DNF deterring his record at Phillip Island last season, he will be sure to challenge the ride that claimed him a 250cc win in 2005.

Pedrosa’s Honda Repsol colleague Andrea Dovizioso came seventh at Phillip Island in his rookie year last season. He won at 125cc level in 2004 – ahead of Lorenzo and Stoner – and will hope to build on an encouraging year in the premier class, which currently has him sitting in fifth overall, eight points in front of Colin Edwards.

Colin Edwards rounds off the top six in the rankings, with a 37-point lead over nearest rival Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki). Edwards’ best result at Phillip Island was a fourth placing in 2004, the Texan is attempting to claim his second stage appearance of the year.

The 2009 Iveco Australian Grand Prix begins from 16th-18th October.