Australian GP. Preview

Australia receives the 2003 World Championship Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa
Toni Elias, after his victory in Malaysia will continue putting pressure on Poggiali in Phillip Island
 The 2003 World Championship is reaching its end and the penultimate round will be held next weekend in Australia, with two Championship titles out of three already decided: Valentino Rossi in MotoGP and Dani Pedrosa in the 125cc. They not only won their races at the Malaysian Grand Prix but also the world championship title in their respective classes. With only the Australian round and the final round on the Spanish track in Valencia to go, there is only one class with the title yet to be decided: the 250cc. Current leader is Poggiali with an advantage of 25 points over the second classified, Repsol rider Toni Elias. A title for Elias in the 250cc would mean three crowns for Repsol in the 2003 World Championship, with three of its riders clinching the World Champion title. A real challenge with two episodes yet to be written. In the MotoGP class, Valentino Rossi will arrive in Australia with the hangover of the recently clinched title, but he already warned, that he loves the Phillip Island track and that he wants to continue to be on the highest step of the podium. Figures give him as favourite for Australia with two wins in the 250cc (1998 and 1999), a third place in the 500cc in 2000, victory in the 500cc in 2001, and another victory last season in the MotoGP class. His teammate Nicky Hayden, encouraged by his latest results and excited to be at the Australian track, may give rise to more than a surprise this weekend in Phillip Island. His optimism and confidence are good proof of it. The strongest man in the 250cc right now is Toni Elias. The Repsol rider has set four poles in a row and clinched three victories in the last four races. He is 25 points behind the leader in the overall standings, but there are 50 still at stake, and the maturity and consistency shown by Elias in the last races show that there are still mathematic possibilities to get the title, and Aspars pupil is eager to fight until the end. His teammate Fonsi Nieto, far from the title chase, became in Malaysia Elias most loyal ally. In the two remaining races, which will be held on circuits where Nieto has always proven to be very fast, Elias teammate may take away important points from Poggiali if he manages to finish in front of the San Marino rider. And whilst Elias and Nieto join their strength to get the title, Sebastián Porto will keep on fighting for his first podium finish of the season, and both Héctor Faubel and Joan Olivé will try to finish among the top ten. In the minor category, a rejoicing Dani Pedrosa arrives in Australia relaxed after clinching the world championship in Malaysia, but he has already declared that he does not want to relax on the track and that he still wants to enjoy new victories. Héctor Barberá and Pablo Nieto, with technical and setting problems in Malaysia, will have in Australia one of their last chances to get back on the podium.