2010 MotoGP Preview: Laguna Seca Hot

The first of two American visits for the MotoGP will take off this weekend in Monterey, California, at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca track. The Red Bull USGP will showcase the best of MotoGP racing, as well as the AMA Pro Racing circuit, to make for one great weekend of racing.

The Americans will do their best to reach the podium in front of their home crowd, but they'll have stiff competition from riders abroad. Jorge Lorenzo is the race favorite, and has been since the start of the season. Lorenzo has yet to finish below second place during the 2010 MotoGP, but has never finished in the top two at Laguna Seca.

Valentino Rossi will also be itching for a podium finish. Rossi returned to the MotoGP last weekend, and had a very competitive round at Sachsenring. Every week Rossi is going to get healthier and faster, and this weekend could be the one where he finally returns to the top.

Dani Pedrosa took the Laguna Seca win last year, and is coming off of his second MotoGP win of the season at Sachsenring. Pedrosa has the best chance of catching up with Lorenzo, and is just 47 points behind on the overall leader board.

Casey Stoner took a win at Laguna Seca in 2007, and a second place finish in 2008. The Ducati rider has been consistently toward the top during the 2010 MotoGP, but hasn't taken a win yet this season.

For the Americans, Nicky Hayden will have the best chance to break onto the podium. Hayden has two USGP wins, but hasn't won since 2006. Hayden's little brother will also get the chance to top the podium at the USGP.

Ben Spies has had a strong rookie season, and has already found the podium once in the MotoGP. Spies has plenty of success at Laguna, but never at the MotoGP level. However, Spies has had to battle unfamiliar tracks during most of the MotoGP season, a problem he won't be having at Laguna.

MotoGP Overall Standings