in the pecking order. Then, a week ago, the Italian tax authorities announced that they would be charging Capirossi with tax evasion, for the years 1995 to 2000, despite Capirossi having lived in Monaco for that period, where he is theoretically not liable to pay

the front runners.Melandri's resurgence was to be short lived, and within three laps, the struggling Italian was back in 14th.Stoner crept up on Pedrosa around the first long right of Renault, lining Pedrosa up for the pass at the next long right of Repsol

rd at two-thirds distance. But the battle between the two Italians came down almost to the final corner, The Doctor snatching the race from Capirossi through the section leading on to the back straight. Capirex tried to come back again at the end

on the brakes, Stoner followed, nearly running off the edge of the track.Rossi's demotion was short lived. The Italian was already onto Edwards' tail by the final corner, and was up the inside and into 2nd as they entered Turn 1. He now had a clear run

, and be fastest all the way until the flag drops on Sunday. Though most of Stoner's revival is down to the Australian, he has certainly been helped by his main rival Valentino Rossi. In a rather neat, if unfortunate piece of symmetry, the Italian gifted Casey

turned even more manic than normal, adding an extra helping of chance into the job of securing a decent grid position.Some were luckier - and cannier - than others. Valentino Rossi looked to have timed his final run perfectly, crossing the line to start

at Donington, he can win just about anywhere.Stoner's success is in stark contrast to his team mate Loris Capirossi. The Italian veteran is sounding ever more bitter in his pronouncements on the Ducati, as Capirex is the man who helped get Ducati where

. It was a bad start to what was to be a very long day for the Italian.With his two main rivals leading the pack, Valentino Rossi knew he had to get a move on. The Doctor lined up James Toseland through Musee, before slipping his Yamaha M1 gracefully up

between winning and being forced to retire with mechanical problems. The better the job which teams and riders do at gaining control, the better their chances of success.Fortunately for those who love motorcycle racing, total control is an illusion

-breaking pole time, the Kentucky Kid had it all to do. Not only did he have to try and get past Rossi, but he had to pass a horde of red Ducatis to get there. Valentino Rossi's job, on the other hand, seemed simple: try to stay as close to the front as possible