Everything else seems to staying constant. The only new equipment are improved clutches on the satellite team Hondas and Bridgestone's new colder-weather tyre. Both Honda and Yamaha have decided to postpone Monday's scheduled tests of new engine parts until the post-Barcelona test in three weeks time. So still no pneumatic valves for the Repsol Hondas while Yamaha are happy to persevere with what won in China.

Four races gone, four different winners, and four different bike/tyre combinations on top of the rostrum. The four winners, Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo and Pedrosa, are already clear of the pack at the top of the table, so can anyone break the quartet's domination in France? Judging by today's two free-practice sessions, Colin Edwards is the man most likely to, although last year's winner Chris Vermeulen is also going well. There were also signs from Marco Melandri that he may be able to carry over some of the improvements from China - don't hold your breath over that one though.

There is much talk of Rossi closing in onAngel Nieto's total of wins and therefore edging closer to Ago's all-time record, and the focus on the past is amplified by a paddock full of classic racers here as a tribute to Jack Findlay, the Prince of Privateers, who died on the eve of last year's race.

Everything else seems to be staying constant. The only new equipment are improved clutches on the satellite team Hondas and Bridgestone's new colder-weather tyre. Both Honda and Yamaha have decided to postpone Monday's scheduled tests of new engine parts until the post-Barcelona test in three weeks time. So still no pneumatic valves for the Repsol Hondas while Yamaha are happy to persevere with what won in China. Valentino is already looking ahead to the most important race of his year--Mugello in two weeks time. He hasn't been beaten there on a MotoGP bike.

All of which meant today's proceedings a slightly unreal air, exacerbated by the weather forecast which, last time I looked, predicted rain on Sunday with a certainty of 80-90%. I'm not sure even that would ensure a fifth different winner.