2015 Sachsenring MotoGP Qualifying Practice Result: Four From Four Equals Six

The top Hondas and Yamahas have very similar race pace. As long as he doesn't get bottled up by Ducatis on the first lap Rossi has excellent podium prospects.

Expect tense times in Camp Honda after Marquez pings Dani into the cheap seats ...

the hands-down favorite to win this race, Marquez, probably isn't going to factor into the championship race by winning here. So, to me, the story of this race is going to be Lorenzo's inability to escape at the front due to the competitive Hondas here. Which means there's every opportunity that we're going to be treated to a battle for important championship points between the two Yamahas somewhere behind Marquez (and possibly Pedrosa).

If I took a swing at predicting this one, I'm going to guess that Lorenzo will leap off the line with both Hondas in Hot pursuit, followed by Iannone and Rossi. With few good passing opportunities, it's going to take several laps of chopping back and forth at the front before the Hondas establish their positions in the lead, which will keep the trailing pack closer than usual, allowing Rossi time to move forward and go toe to toe with his teammate. Could be an awesome race no matter the finishing order, with big championship implications.

Dani - welcome back.

Hernandez?! Had to read that 5th 3 times. Huh! And Smith looks able to impress. Bautista and DeAngelis put a lot of bikes behind them, solid work for Aprilia.

Honda's Open bike: can we just put license plates on those and get them on the street already? I am so much more excited about them getting headlights and turn signals than I am about them in MotoGP. Glad we have a full grid, and new rules they were a part of facilitating. But I remember 10 yrs ago having keen interest in the whole grid tip to tail. Looking fwd to that returning in 2016.

Suzuki found some set up solutions, good work is going on in their garage.

How different are temps supposed to be Sunday? Who used the assymetric front for Qual and who used the standard? Honda has not fully resolved their 2015 issues, they have much improved it for Marc w the more forgiving frame. Marc still may be over riding the bike relative to the others up front, and this track can catch a rider out that bites off too much to force a pass. I am not as sure of a Marc run away at the front as other folks.

Interesting season! We are very fortunate as fans. See you all glued to the screen Sunday, hoisting a Guinness with you.

...to Bautista hauling the Aprilia around to a decent grid position. Shame about Melandri. Aprilia really botched that one. He was reluctant from the get go to go to MotoGP. They should've kept him in WSBK instead of Haslam.

to get two races for the price of one at the moment. Going by Rossi's post race comments he also realises this: whoever wins the race is almost irrelevant, he is just focusing on beating Lorenzo and won't be too upset to see Marquez and Pedrosa run away at the front.