大象传媒

Suzi Perry presents coverage of the Italian Grand Prix, the third race of the European leg of the 2009 season. Mugello is known as one of the most technical circuits of the calendar thanks to its testing chicane, plethora of s-bends and the 0.7 mile long straight.

Valentino Rossi was cheered on to victory by 96,000 fellow Italians in 2008, the seventh straight year he has won the race in front of his adoring compatriots. The patriotic five-time Moto GP champion has described winning his home GP as the 'next best thing to winning the championship'. Traditionally Rossi also brings out a new colourful crash helmet design especially for the race.

The 2007 champion, Casey Stoner, finished second 12 months ago with a typical fighting display, despite running wide on lap 10. Britain's James Toseland enjoyed his first taste of the Mugello circuit: some aggressive overtaking in the final laps saw him come home in sixth position.

With commentary from Charlie Cox and Steve Parrish.