The first official test for the year at the circuit in Sepang today sets into motion what is expected to be one of the most exciting seasons for MotoGP fans.
The 800cc engines will roar into action and taking top billing will be the track debuts of Valentino Rossi for Ducati and Casey Stoner for Honda.
Nine-time world champion Rossi joined Ducati after seven seasons with Yamaha and the test sessions until Thursday will mark the Italian’s first track appearance sporting the familiar red colours with partner Nicky Hayden.
Australian top rider Stoner will do the same after moving out of Ducati to join forces with Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and Italian Andrea Dovizioso. Stoner won the world title with Ducati in 2007.
Attention will also be on reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo of Spain on the new Yamaha machine carrying the No. 1 racing number.
It is the first time since Wayne Rainey defended his title in 1993 for the third consecutive time with Yamaha that a reigning champion in the premier class is astride the coveted No. 1 machine.
The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer, Datuk Ahmad Razlan Razali, said that they looked forward to again host the world’s best riders for the first official tests of the year.
“The new season looks set to be the most exciting ever.
“There is Lorenzo with the new Yamaha liveries and it will be interesting to see prospective strong rivals Rossi and Stoner with their new teams,” he said.
“Also in the challenge this season is Ben Spies, who took over from Rossi at Yamaha Racing. There is also Moto2 champion Toni Elias.
“All of them have the potential and very capable of challenging the current world champion Lorenzo.”
In conjunction with the MotoGP pre-season test session, the SIC, who will host the penultimate round from Oct 21-23, will have a special early bird ticket promotion for the Malaysian GP.
“Early bird tickets start from RM40. For more details, fans can log on to our official website (www.sepangcircuit.com) or call our ticket hotline (03-87782200),” said Razlan.
“For the tests sessions, we will be opening the Main Grandstand to fans, who can take advantage of their trip to Sepang to buy discounted tickets and also items at our merchandise shop.”
While MotoGP riders would have two three-day sessions in Sepang, the other from Feb 22-24, riders in Moto2 and 125cc would be testing in Spain, the first of a three-test session in Valencia from Feb 10-12.
MotoGP riders will have their third and final pre-season test session on March 13 and14 at Losail in Qatar before entering an 18-round world championships on March 20 at the same venue.
