The 2020 MotoGP World Championships resume this weekend after a short break, with riders keen to keep their momentum going during a COVID-19 pandemic-fractured season of racing.
A double-header at the popular Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is awaiting the riders for the San Marino and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix events, the two rounds just a week apart – round seven on September 13 and round eight on September 20 – at the same Italian circuit.
A perennial classic in the calendar, the circuit near the principality of San Marino has origins dating back to 1972 and has featured in the MotoGP season since 2007. It is known for thrilling races and enthusiastic fans, and for the first time this season a small crowd will be admitted to the grandstands.
Suzuki’s Joan Mir (pictured) has had an impressive recent run of form at the two previous rounds in Austria where he scored his first MotoGP podium, scoring a second place, and he followed it up with fourth just seven days later, making him one rider worth watching out for this weekend.
He has been feeling very confident and comfortable with the Misano circuit a favourite for the Mallorcan rider; he has always finished in the top eight.
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Leading 2020 MotoGP World Standings:
| Pos. | Rider | Bike | Nation | Points |
| 1 | Fabio QUARTARARO | Yamaha | FRA | 70 |
| 2 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati | ITA | 67 |
| 3 | Jack MILLER | Ducati | AUS | 56 |
| 4 | Brad BINDER | KTM | RSA | 49 |
| 5 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | SPA | 48 |
| 6 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | JPN | 46 |
| 7 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | ITA | 45 |
| 8 | Joan MIR | Suzuki | SPA | 44 |
| 9 | Miguel OLIVEIRA | KTM | POR | 43 |
| 10 | Pol ESPARGARO | KTM | SPA | 35 |