AIRASIA AUSTRALIAN MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX PREVIEW

Most attention will undoubtedly be on the Repsol Honda duo of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner, with both having very good reasons for chasing a win. Pedrosa, after his dominant and first-ever wet race victory in Malaysia, now lies only 23-points off Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo, and knows that a victory is a must to cut the deficit, or capitalize on any mistakes his rival might make. For the first time in his seven years in the MotoGP class, Pedrosa looks a genuine threat for the title in 2012.

Despite any chance of defending his championship title already gone, Stoner will still be looking to extend his race-winning record at Phillip Island, but comes to the weekend still recovering from the ankle injury he sustained at Indianapolis. In addition to potentially making it six victories in succession at the Island, Stoner will no doubt draw additional motivation from the fact this will be his last MotoGP race in front of his home fans, so is sure to be looking to bow out in style.

Lorenzo missed last year's race when he severed the tip of his finger in practise, so will be looking to avoid the same fate this time around. The Mallorcan's championship lead means he doesn't have to push for the race win at Phillip Island, but at the same time can't afford a poor finish, or worse, a DNF.

Lorenzo will also lose any potential 'tail gunner' support from Ben Spies, who has been ruled out of the weekend's race following injuries, including an AC shoulder separation, a cracked rib in the upper chest area and bruising to the lung, incurred in the rain-soaked race at Sepang. Spies is currently back in the US receiving treatment. Yamaha has stated it will not field a replacement for the Texan at Phillip Island.

In the mix for a podium finish, and a chance to potentially upset the efforts of Pedrosa and Lorenzo, are the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 pair of Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow. While both crashed out at Sepang, Dovizioso scored a podium at last year's Australian round, and will no doubt be building on that experience to keep himself in contention for third spot in the championship. Crutchlow, who was a non-finisher at the Island last year, has shown tenacity to score his first podium this year, and will no doubt be fighting for a good result this time around.

Other satellite riders include Álvaro Bautista, who crashed out at Phillip Island last year, but has scored two podium finishes on the San Carlo Gresini Honda in 2012. Bautista is currently fifth in the championship. His satellite counterpart, LCR Honda MotoGP's Stefan Bradl, has had a promising rookie season in the MotoGP class. Last year's Moto2 World Champion has finished inside the top ten throughout 2012, with a best result of fourth at Monza. For this weekend's race, the German will no doubt look back on his Moto2 form from last year, where he finished second.

For the Ducati Team, the season's end probably can't come quick enough. Neither Valentino Rossi nor Nicky Hayden have been contenders for wins on the Desmosedici, which has been a disappointment again this year. However, Rossi has managed to secure a pair of second-place finishes, at Le Mans and Imola. Crowd favourite Rossi enjoys the Phillip Island circuit, and will certainly be looking for a good result, as well as the opportunity to overtake Bautista in the championship and finish the season on a good note before he returns to the factory Yamaha squad in 2013.

For the 'Kentucky Kid', the 2012 season has been a battle. Ahead of Phillip Island, Hayden's best finish was a fourth amid a depleted field in the wet at Sepang last weekend. Prior to Sepang, Hayden's best 2012 result has been sixth, with his previous best result at Phillip Island being a third place finish in 2008.

Cardion AB Racing's Karel Abraham and Pramac Racing Team's Héctor Barberá both scored respectable top-ten finishes in Malaysia, and will aim to squeeze a similar performance out of their satellite Desmosedicis in Australia, as they look to keep up with their factory counterparts.

The CRT battle is intensifying as it heads into the penultimate round of the class' maiden season. Power Electronics Aspar's Aleix Espargaro is the favourite to take CRT top honours, after his teammate Randy de Puniet has endured a difficult last few rounds. The Frenchman will however not give up without a fight, however, and brings more than a decade's worth of Phillip Island experience to this weekend's race.

Also in the CRT pack are the always-popular Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing), along with Danilo Petrucci (Came IodaRacing Project), journeyman rider Robert Rolfo (Speed Master), Michele Pirro (San Carlo), James Ellison (Paul Bird Motorsport) and Iván Silva (Avintia Blusens). Silva's teammate Yonny Hernández, who missed the last round due to a dislocated left collarbone, will also miss this race, with Avintia announcing they will field a replacement rider for Phillip Island.

MotoGP World Championship Standings - after 16 of 18 rounds

1. Jorge LORENZO (SPA) Yamaha 330
2. Dani PEDROSA (SPA) Honda 307
3. Casey STONER (AUS) Honda 213
4. Andrea DOVIZIOSO (ITA) Yamaha 195
5. Alvaro BAUTISTA (SPA) Honda 154