Steve Parrish's MotoGP column

By Steve Parrish BBC motorbikes commentator

Everybody in the Paddock is saying that they think Stoner is the real deal Steve Parrish

We've all finally dried out from the deluge at Donington and now we get to Assen and bad weather is forecast again.

At least unlike at Wimbledon, rain won't stop play, but it will still have a huge bearing on the race, especially on the tyres.

The Bridgestones that Casey Stoner was on at Donington simply blew the Michelins away as the Australian streaked to victory.

All season Bridgestone have been setting the pace to put Michelin into a tailspin.

They had to fly some different tyres from France to Leicestershire last weekend to try and cope with the advantage bikes have on the Bridgestone tyres.

It's not just the tyres though, Stoner has got a phenomenal all-round package, but as always we shouldn't let that detract from his racing performances.

Assen MotoGP Live: Saturday, BBC Two and BBC Sport website, 1255 BST Live: Saturday, BBCi and BBC Sport website, 125cc and 250cc races MotoGP on the BBC

Although the race at Donington wasn't brilliant, he still won by 12 seconds and he now leads by the small matter of 26 points.

Everyone in the paddock is saying they think he's the real deal and any doubts there were have gone as he is getting better and better with each race.

I think he is going to be winning championships for years - there's no way he is going to be Nicky Hayden and win one year and struggle the next.

He is most certainly a Valentino Rossi or Mick Doonan, he could win title after title.

He said after the race: "It proves to a lot of people that the Ducati doesn't just have power. We've been improving the bike's weak points and now it doesn't have any particularly."

The atmosphere is brilliant, Holland pretty much shuts down for the day Steve Parrish

And there doesn't seem to be any weaknesses with his bike either.

It might not be as agile around the tighter corners but the straight line speed more than makes up for that.

Assen's course has changed dramatically over the years and it isn't the most popular circuit for all the riders.

It is very technical and the riders certainly preferred it the way it was before the changes took place as it's a really hard course to get to grips with.

The atmosphere though is brilliant - Holland pretty much shuts down for the day.

And the crowd is swelled by the vast amounts of Brits that bring their bikes over to watch the action.

Just as a footnote - we lost Tony Elias to a broken leg this morning which is very unfortunate. There are unconfirmed reports that Neil Hodgson could take his place so watch this space......

1. Stoner 2. Rossi 3. Hayden

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