from ... Tom Hobbs

This weekend's GP of Fermo, Italy marks the final round of the MX1 World Championship and what an interesting season it has been for all of those aboard the Honda CRF450R.

Honda Racing MX Martin rider Jimmy Albertson has been competing in his rookie year in the World Championship. The likeable Missourian has found it tough coming to terms with the variety of different challenges a rider can face on European soil, the soil itself being one of them. Sand tracks like Lierop and Lommel are one of a kind and even catch out the most seasoned of operators. Mix in fast flowing hard pack and tight, technical hybrids and it begins to illustrate the scale of challenge that is the MX1 World Championship.

It has been a season of ups and downs for the young American but one thing for sure is that ‘Albee' has not lacked heart throughout, taking on challenges head on (and sometimes coming off worse for it). He will be looking for a strong result in Fermo to prove that he has what it takes to cut it at World Championship level and sign-off the season in style. His young Australian guest team mate, Dean Ferris will also have similar ambitions.

LS Motors rider Tanel Leok has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, the ride to victory in the first moto in Loket and the overall victory in Bellpuig have been an exhibition of the talent possessed by the experienced Estonian. However, his season has been marred by bad luck that has cost him podium positions on several occasions, the second moto in Loket being the perfect example of this. Leok will be looking to prove his pace once and for all in Fermo and fight for the win that on his day he is certainly good for.

His LS team mate Davide Guarneri has been a consistent performer in his first year in MX1, rarely outside of the top 10, and has been constantly learning both how to improve himself and to master 450cc machinery. The smooth Italian has proved on many occasions that he has got the skills to hang with the best and will be looking to make a point of this once again this weekend.

And what about CAS Monster Honda?...the unknown quantity that was Evgeny Bobryshev has proved one of the finds of the season and the CAS team can be commended on helping the young Russian develop into a serious threat for race wins. Unlikely to race this weekend as still in recovery from a serious rib injury sustained in Campo Grande, Brazil, ‘Bobby' can take comfort in the fact that he has more than shown his talent this year. A moto victory has eluded him this season but he will know that if he is patient, his time will come.

On the flip side, his CAS team mate, Gareth Swanepoel has struggled for consistency and results throughout the season. Recently the CAS Monster Honda team and Gareth parted company. Honda Pro Racing wishes Gareth the best of luck with his next challenge.

That's the story so far...but it is not over yet. There is one chapter left entitled GP of Italy, Fermo. Just how will it all end?

Tanel Leok, LS Motors Honda:  "Of course I hope to finish the season on a high note in Fermo. Clearly, the 2010 World Championship was full of mixed emotions for me. On one hand I'm sixth in the championship which is pretty good. Especially if you consider the high level in MX1 and I won a Grand Prix as well. On the other hand I can honestly say that I never had so much bad luck in one year. I guess I got off on the wrong foot with my concussion in the Bulgarian GP! On the positive side: the speed was always there, still I think that I could have achieved more. However as a team we were pretty successful with two riders in the top ten, an Italian MX1 title for Davide (Guarneri), second and third in the Belgian championship and two selected riders for the MX of Nations.”

Davide Guarneri, LS Motors Honda:  "In Fermo we don't know what to expect because it's new on the GP calendar and has been modified a lot! It's my home GP and that always adds a bit of pressure. That can go two ways really! My first year in MX1 has been a learning year with decent performances, but I have the feeling that my speed didn't translate enough into results. I know that physically I need to improve in order to fight consistently for top-five places. Luckily I now have a good base to start from. So staying in Belgium, working with the LS Motors team and Marnicq Bervoets has been really good for me.”

Jimmy Albertson, Honda Racing MX Martin  "I'm looking forward to this weekend in Italy. Being the last round of the championship I hope to have a good race to end the year on! I would like to thank all of Honda Racing MX Martin for the support they have given me this year.”

Dean Ferris, Honda Racing MX Martin:  "I am looking forward to Fermo this weekend. I believe the track is hard base so I think it will suit me better as last weekend was very tough in the heavy sand. I will use this race as good preparation for the MXoN in two weeks time. I would really like to thank all the guys at Honda Martin for giving me this opportunity. Everyone in the team is so helpful and I really enjoy working with them."