As the 2008 season takes shape, MotoGP heads to Shanghai for round four of the World Championship, the Pramac Grand Prix of China, on May 4th. Whilst every rider has picked up points over the past three races, two riders have stood out from the crowd with podium finishes at every round so far. Currently tied at the top of the MotoGP standings, Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa take their rivalry to China with a mirror image of each other’s results thus far in 2008. Both have 61 points to their name, although Lorenzo is officially the leader of the series owing to his victory in Portugal being the most recent. The Fiat Yamaha rider has experienced a dream start to his MotoGP career. A 100% record of pole positions in the premier class has brought high returns for the Spaniard, and any doubts over whether he could hold his own in the premier class were put to rest with an amazing ride in Estoril. The reigning 250cc World Champion has won before in China, namely in last year’s quarter-litre category race, although he will undertake his maiden MotoGP outing of the track fresh from the operating table, having undergone surgery to rectify compartmental syndrome in his right arm the day after his debut victory. His arch-rival Pedrosa also has a winning pedigree at the Shanghai circuit, with his first triumph on a four-stroke coming at the 2006 Chinese visit. The Repsol Honda rider will once again be without the pneumatic-valve engine still in development in Japan, although it remains to be seen what difference this will make when his RC212V lines up on the longest straight of the year. Behind the Spanish duo, five-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi remains within easy reach of the top spot in the overall classification. The Italian is still getting to grips with Bridgestone tyres new to his Fiat Yamaha M1 this season, but can be expected to challenge for victory in China. The Italian is now on his longest winless streak since his first MotoGP victory in 2000 but, as at the majority of tracks present on the calendar, has been on the top step of the rostrum in Shanghai before. Experiencing his first dip in form since arriving at Ducati Marlboro, 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner has been off the podium for the past two races. The Desmosedici GP8 has proved a different beast to last season’s version, although the Italian machine will undoubtedly be back in its element at the sweeping Shanghai track. The Australian is unlikely to be too far from the action at round four, aiming to repeat his victory from last year. The highest placing satellite rider, Tech 3 Yamaha’s James Toseland lies in fifth place in the standings, although he has a difficult task ahead of him in China. As in Portugal, the Briton will be facing a completely new track without the benefit of either prior races or test visits. Still in the early stages of the season, the top ten could be turned on its head with a good result from any number of riders. Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi, Kawasaki’s John Hopkins, veteran Colin Edwards, rookie Andrea Dovizioso and 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden all have the chance to significantly improve their position in Shanghai with their varied experience and machines. The Pramac Grand Prix of China takes place on Sunday May 4th, with practice sessions beginning the preceding Friday. 250cc In the 250cc class, Mika Kallio leads the way after a superb start to the season. The Finn has not been off the podium in any of the three races to date, and such consistency gives him a twelve point advantage over Polaris World’s Mattia Pasini in the standings. Spanish rider Hector Barbera took his first and only 250cc victory at Shanghai in 2006, a repeat of which would put him firmly in the title picture. The Team Toth rider is currently ahead of JiR Team Scot’s sole 250cc representative Yuki Takahashi and expected championship challenger Alvaro Bautista by a narrow margin. The top ten at present also includes Kallio’s Red Bull KTM teammate Hiroshi Aoyama, Lotus Aprilia’s Alex Debon, Spaniard Julian Simon on the Repsol KTM machine, Gilera’s impressive Marco Simoncelli and the second Lotus Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro. 125cc Simone Corsi leads the 125cc category classification, having taken two wins from the past pair of races. The Jack&Jones WRB man is on sensational form at present, with a new-found consistency to match his undoubted talents. Seventeen points separate Corsi from teammate Nico Terol, second in the standings in what is one of the most surprising aspects of the 2008 season. The Spaniard stepped onto the podium at both Jerez and Estoril for his first rostrum appearances in the World Championship, under the guidance of former rider Sito Pons. Joan Olive lies just two points behind compatriot Terol, with Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing’s Stefan Bradl also emerging as a title candidate after some fearless rides. Expected contender Sergio Gadea has to date been unable to follow up on his win at the opening race of the year, riding for the Mapfre Aspar team that has dominated the category over the past two years. Mike di Meglio, Stevie Bonsey, Danny Webb, Scott Redding and Sandro Cortese complete the top ten in the 125cc class. Circuit Info The Shanghai International circuit, situated outside China’s prosperous metropolitan port city, hosted its first MotoGP race in 2005, but is already acknowledged as one of the most impressive race venues on earth. Vast grandstands overlook an equally impressive pits and paddock complex adjacent to the high-speed 5.281km/3.281 mile circuit. The track includes two very fast straights where bikes exceed 320kmh/199mph and a series of tight corners, including two long right-handers that almost takes the riders through 360 degrees. Shanghai is one of the most modern and technologically advanced cities in the world, and now it has an impressive race circuit to match. In 2006, Makoto Tamada clocked the fastest top speed ever recorded in MotoGP at the track, an astounding 343.7 km/h.