The first official test for the year at the circuit in Sepang today sets into motion what is predictable to be one of the most exciting seasons for MotoGP fans.
The 800cc engines will roar into achievement 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 form generous 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 protected his title in 1993 for the third successive time with Yamaha that a reigning champion in the premier class is spanning the coveted No. 1 machine.
The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer, Datuk Ahmad Razlan Razali, said that they looked onward to again host the world’s best riders for the first executive tests of the year.
“The new season looks set to be the most thrilling ever.
“There is Lorenzo with the new Yamaha liveries and it will be interesting to see potential strong rivals Rossi and Stoner with their new teams,” he said
