Can MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner continue faultless form for third grand prix in succession?

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner heads to this weekend's German Grand Prix on the back of two crushing victories, but looking to banish memories of an unfortunate race last season.

Stoner has been in unstoppable form ever since an engine management breakthrough, winning convincingly at both Donington Park and Assen to close to within 29 points of Dani Pedrosa and the world championship lead.

The young Australian's recent displays have been reminiscent of his 2007 form, although Sachsenring saw a rare chink in the Stoner/Ducati/Bridgestone armour when severe tyre endurance problems left Stoner to salvage fifth position.

"We feel quite confident for Sachsenring, where we were already competitive last year and it was only an issue with tyre life that prevented us from fighting for victory," said Stoner. "I'm sure this problem won't happen again this year because Bridgestone have not stopped working and they continually bring us great new material.

"The bike has been perfect for the last two races and I expect it to go well at Sachsenring too," he warned. "The track is a little different to most of the others because there are such long corners, which I don't like too much, but there are also some fun points and I'm happy to go racing there.

"It's been nice to have a few days' rest after such a demanding month - a weekend off isn't exactly a holiday but it's just enough to get your breath back and prepare for the next races."

Stoner has taken just one podium at Sachsenring - a second-place finish in the 250cc race in 2003 - but team-mate Marco Melandri has taken victory on three occasions in the small classes; winning the 125cc race in 1999 and the 250cc race in 2001 and 2002.

Melandri also finished second in the MotoGP race two years ago, but such results seem a distant dream for a man openly linked with a mid-season switch to Kawasaki, after scoring just one top ten finish from the first nine rounds.

"Now we go to Sachsenring, which is one of my favourite tracks because of the good results I've had there," said Marco. "When you've done well at a track you usually like it! It is unusual because the first three corners are very, very slow and you virtually turn back on yourself but then there's a nicer, much faster section. In general it's a technical track and you need to improvise a little bit because there are some blind sections where you can't see the next bend. I've always had fun there and I hope I do again because that would mean to say that things are improving."

Despite the rumours, Melandri will remain a factory Desmosedici rider for at least the next two races, leading up to the start of the summer break on July 20.

"Sachsenring and Laguna will be two important races both for Casey and for Marco," said Ducati MotoGP project director Livio Suppo. "Last year in Germany Casey dominated practice for the whole weekend but his performance was limited in the race by an unexpected tyre problem.

"I'm sure that the great work done by Bridgestone this year will ensure he's in the right shape to attack in the race as only he knows how. He travels on the back of two fantastic performances and we can't wait to see him in action again.

"Marco also had a good race at Sachsenring last year and was only denied a podium finish by the same problem. It is a track he has always gone well at so we all hope that Germany can be the turning point in a truly difficult season."