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This is something of a different Good, Bad and Ugly, as it comes ahead of a GP rather than after it. We're not waiting for any old race though, but rather Mugello, a Grand Prix that is part of history itself.
It's not just one of the world's most beautiful tracks, but also boasts some of the most passionate fans. The four day weekend can become paradise or hell for each rider, depending on the results.
Mugello is THE race, the one everyone wants to win and, if you're Italian, you must do so at least once to understand what it's like to lift the trophy in the presence of that huge home crowd.
The most highly anticipated Grand Prix will soon be getting underway, let's look at how it might pan out....
THE GOOD– Across all three classes, there's an Italian in the top three, fighting for the title. Rossi in MotoGP, Morbidelli (leading) in Moto2 and Fenati in Moto3... The Mugello battle ground requires strategy and a cool head but the ranks are ready. At least we hope so.
THE UGLY – Valentino's accident a week before his home race proves that bad luck, as opposed to luck, has 20/20 vision. The Doctor took a bit of a beating but was not seriously hurt, and should make it out on track.The best painkiller will be the support of the yellow crowd.
THE BAD – The Italian flag has red in it, but lately it has appeared a little faded. Ducati arrives from Le Mans with its head down, after 4 technical failures out of 8 bikes, a record that it won't be sharing with its friends at the bar. In France, Dovi saved the day, at Mugello it would be better if the men in red could put on a better show.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT – In Italy we also hope to see Iannone fight back, he and the Suzuki went straight from marriage to crisis. A honeymoon in Tuscany would be romantic and would perhaps calm things down, let's hope so...
THE CONFIRMATION – Regardless of category, the Italian's main rivals are still the Spaniards. Mir, Martin and Canet in Moto3, Alex Marquez in Moto2, Vinales, Pedrosa and Marquez in MotoGP. The list is incomplete, but already long enough. The blockades better have strong walls...
THE MISTAKE – The mistakes, plural, that Valentino and Marquez shared in at Le Mans. Brothers in the gravel and in defeat. The first crash of the year for Rossi, who now ties with Viñales, and the second for Marc. They need to avoid errors in Tuscany, because Maverick's thanks won't make it any less bitter.
THE HOPE – That Mugello is a party where the only noise is that of the bikes, without any booing or disrespectful behaviour. There are certain scenes that motorcycling could do without, such as those so-called fans.
THE INTERESTING FACT – The last time Italy did the triple at home was in 2008 with Corsi in 125, Simoncelli in 250 and Rossi in MotoGP. Is it time to update that statistic?
