the best of conditions.Coming as the penultimate round of a long and grueling season, these were very far from the best of conditions. Most riders on the grid are carrying some kind of injury, and lacking fitness due to the ensuing inability to train

come, this dry, desolate landscape is a fitting backdrop for a good old-fashioned showdown. And on Sunday, that's what we'll get: two young men face off for the biggest prize in motorcycle racing: The title of MotoGP World Champion. On one side

. The Anglo-American was unlucky not to get on the podium, pushing Honda's Dani Pedrosa hard until the final lap. Now back to something approaching full fitness, he has every chance of finally getting on the podium. The Suzukis have shone throughout pre

to the new Honda 800, despite its problems, and has so far posted the best results of the Honda riders. His smooth style suits the new class, and his small size fits the Honda philosophy of mass centralization. Despite all this, Pedrosa is still nowhere near

motorcycle racing is all about: off-track mayhem and on-track action, all under a hot southern sun. The Phoney War is over, and battle is about to be joined in full force. Roll on Sunday.Read more of David Emmett's articles over on MotoGPMatters.com

, the flamboyant Spaniard backed it up with a win at the last race in Portugal, taken in deeply impressive style. In a recent interview, Lorenzo told AS.com that he wasn't yet 100% fit. The closer he is to full fitness, the higher up the podium that Porfuera

fitted with a combustion engine. From the little Piaggio Ape three-wheeler with the open megaphone exhaust (no good for horsepower on a small capacity two-stroke engine, but oh, the noise!) to brand new Honda Fireblades being bounced off the rev limiter

because we walked under a ladder, or cracked a mirror. Sometimes, we simplify events, shaping them to fit our preconceptions, preferring to attribute causation to a specific person or group, rather than investigate the details and find out what really

belongs: in the race for the world championship. Hopkins' style is already based on maximizing corner speed, as it was the only way he could keep up with the more powerful Hondas, Yamahas and Ducatis, and so he is a natural fit for the new smaller bikes

championship leader, the man who has dominated the series so far this season.A victory at Estoril would also be strangely fitting for Stoner, for last year's Portuguese Grand Prix was pivotal in the young Australian's career. On lap 2 of last year's race, Casey