SEPANG TO HOST ANOTHER ROUND OF MOTOGP PRE-SEASON TESTING

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will
host another round of the pre-season testing for the Motorcycle Grand Prix
(MotoGP) from Feb 22 to 24.

After a two-month break, the MotoGP riders mounted back their mean machines
for the first official pre-season test at the Sepang Circuit last week.

Italian Marco Simoncelli of San Carlo Honda Gresini stunned his more
celebrated rivals by setting the fastest time, clocking two minutes 0.757s
seconds on the final day on Feb 3.

"Everything about the MotoGP world championship was good at the season's
first test of 2011 in Sepang last week. It's going to be a fantastic season this
year and an extraordinary Malaysian GP this year," said SIC chief executive
officer Razlan Razali.

He added that the feedback received from the MotoGP teams and riders were
very positive.

"MotoGP riders and teams are always happy to test in Malaysia for the
circuit's technicality and of course the local weather.

"It is a favourite circuit to most riders, especially, Velentino Rossi. He
is the rider all Malaysians like to see on his new Desmocedici Ducati," said
Razlan.

He noted that the pre-season testing had attracted a bigger crowd to the
Sepang Circuit although it clashed with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

"It shows the increase in awareness of MotoGP, compared with previous
years," said Razlan, adding that he was happy with the response for the special
Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix early bird packages, offered at the first test.

Razlan said he was expecting another good crowd at the Malaysian MotoGP from
Oct 21 to 23 with the appearance of Malaysian rider, Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin in
the 125cc category.

The AirAsia SIC AJO Racing rider, will be facing his first test session in
Valencia, Spain this Thursday.

-- BERNAMA