Gavin Emmett ponders Sunday’s potential winners

motogp.com commentator Gavin Emmett witnessed a thrilling qualifying practice on Saturday at the Le Mans circuit, and then discussed his ideas on who could be enjoying the podium at the end of the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France on Sunday.

Valentino Rossi took his first pole of 2010, but Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner were also fast, as was Dani Pedrosa, and if the quartet carry that form into the race Gavin believes it could be another battle to the very end.

“It is the first pole of the season for Rossi, but I think he is slightly down on race pace even though he says he is right up there, but I suppose he would know better than me! I think Lorenzo looks quick consistently, as does Stoner as well. Pedrosa’s always great at these one-off laps, and if he can get out in front he may be able to hold those three up and create a really good race for us here,” explained Gavin.

“There is nothing to choose between the top four, they’ll all be using the harder tyre considering the conditions here, and even then they are not that much harder. Towards the end of the race who knows how the tyres are going to fair, when they have 27 laps out of 28 on them, and we could have another thrilling final lap.”

Pushed to make his prediction for the 1-2-3, Gavin stated: “I think the order will be something like Lorenzo, Stoner and Rossi.”

Whether you agree or disagree with Gavin’s view, make sure you enter your prediction at the Fantasy MotoGP 2010 section of the site, where there are great prizes to be won!