MotoGP Grand Prix of Italy 2016: Race Schedule, Live Stream and Top Riders

Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo edged ahead in the MotoGP standings as he won last time out in France, and he will be eager to extend his lead at the top this weekend at the Italian Grand Prix in Mugello.

Honda's Marc Marquez sits just five points back from his fellow Spaniard, while Italian legend Valentino Rossi is 12 behind his Yamaha team-mate.

Here is the full schedule for the sixth race in the 2016 calendar and a closer examination of the riders set to battle it out in Italy:

Date	Time (BST)	Session
Friday, May 20	8:55 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.	Free Practice 1
Friday, May 20	1:05 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.	Free Practice 2
Saturday, May 21	8:55 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.	Free Practice 3
Saturday, May 21	12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.	Free Practice 4
Saturday, May 21	1:10 p.m. - 1:25 p.m.	Qualifying 1
Saturday, May 21	1:35 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.	Qualifying 2
Sunday, May 22	1 p.m.	Race

Live streaming can be found at the BT Sport website (UK) and beIN Sports CONNECT (US).

Valentino Rossi 

Between 2002 and 2008, Rossi won seven consecutive races at Mugello as he dominated his home Grand Prix in remarkable fashion.

His run was broken in 2009 by Casey Stoner, and it has since been a race monopolised by Spanish riders, with Lorenzo winning four times in Italy, while Marquez and Dani Pedrosa have one victory apiece.

JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/Getty Images

Rossi, 37, cannot allow Marquez and Lorenzo to get too far ahead in the standings and a victory in his home race would put him right back in contention at the top of the standings.

And he is confident that he can be competitive in Sunday's race, despite the distractions that come with being back in Italy, per Crash.net:

"

I love Mugello and its atmosphere. It's very difficult for me to keep my concentration here because there are always so many of my friends and fans around, but the Mugello race is also special for me for that reason.

I've had some victories here, many great battles and a lot of good memories. I think this year we can be competitive because our bike is good and I'm getting into a good shape. 

"

Rossi is in fine form having finished second at Le Mans in France last time out to follow his victory in Spain.

The veteran got agonisingly close to claiming an eighth MotoGP title last season but was just pipped by Lorenzo.

Given the tight start to the new season it is likely to go to the wire again, and another win in Italy for Rossi could prove vital in the long run.

Jorge Lorenzo

As mentioned above, the defending world champion has had some major successes at Mugello, and he could stretch his lead further by adding a fifth Italian Grand Prix win to his trophy cabinet.

Last time out he led from start to finish as Marquez took a fall, handing the Yamaha rider the initiative early in the world championship battle, per BT Sport MotoGP:

However, Marquez will surely be in the mix at Mugello, and Lorenzo will have to hold off the two-time world champion, along with the likes of Rossi, Pedrosa, Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso, if he is to prevail.

His current lead over Marquez is narrow, and the pair will be tied on points if the Honda rider beats Lorenzo into second in Italy.

But the 29-year-old will take huge confidence into Sunday's race having already won twice in five races this season.

He is unquestionably the man to beat at the moment, a position that makes his job all the harder.

But Lorenzo has proved with his brilliant form over the last two seasons that he can handle the pressure, and only a brave punter would bet against him claiming a fifth career victory in Italy on Sunday.