Ian Wheeler assesses Mugello round

motogp.com Pit Lane reporter Ian Wheeler admitted he was both surprised and hugely impressed with Dani Pedrosa’s start-to-finish win at the Gran Premio d’Italia TIM on Sunday, and with the Repsol Honda rider’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso finishing third Ian thinks a Honda one-two could be on the cards in the next round at Silverstone.

“A lot of people, including me, thought Jorge Lorenzo would win it well but pole man Pedrosa made his usual great start,” said Ian. “I don’t think we really expected him to string so many fast laps together but he was inch perfect and made no mistakes in the whole race. Honda almost had a one-two because Lorenzo didn’t look comfortable on his bike, and Silverstone – which is a very fast circuit – should suit the Hondas and maybe we’ll see the first Honda one-two for a very long time.”

The Moto2 race provided a home victory for Andrea Iannone, who was dominant on his Fimmco Speed Up bike to also win from pole.

“It was a fantastic ride from Iannone,” commented Ian. “It’s so easy in that position to make a mistake, lose your lead and get swallowed by the pack, and what a fantastic battle for the other podium positions behind. Even as they crossed the line we didn’t know who would finish second because there was nothing between Sergio Gadea and Simone Corsi.”

Marc Márquez’s first World Championship victory in the 125cc race was a sign of things to come Ian believes, and he added: “Marc Márquez held the others off on the final lap and took his first win, and I think it’s going to be the first of many. I think we’ll see Bradley Smith and Sandro Cortese challenge the Spanish riders as well as it only takes a few races for it to change, and I’m sure no one has given up on the Championship yet.”

Already think you know how the fifth round at Silverstone will go? Test your expertise against Ian’s by placing your predictions in the Official Fantasy MotoGP 2010 game.