Repsol YPF

The moment of truth has arrived. After several months pre-season training and testing, the competition opens in Qatar this weekend. The Losail circuit will inaugurate an exciting season that starts with the new night test, the first of its kind in the history of motorcycling. This season Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden hope to recover the World Championship title for the Repsol Honda Team.

Motorcycling is synonymous with a thrilling race and this will be evident from the very start. The artificial lighting at the Losail circuit will house a special start to the season, in an historic event that will no doubt provide fans of this sport with memorable moments. The organisers have everything prepared for the big moment and the teams have ended pre-season testing on the Qatari circuit to avoid any last minute surprises.

The idea of holding a night test was hatched two years ago, although the official announcement was not made until the middle of last season. Since then, the organisation has worked hard to guarantee optimum track conditions to hold a Grand Prix. To do this, the circuit will be lit up by floodlights covering an area equivalent to 70 football pitches or 1300 basketball courts.

The Qatar Grand Prix will be the first fight among the riders aspiring to win the MotoGP World Championship. These include the Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, runner-up last season, and the US rider Nicky Hayden, World Champion in 2006. In the 250cc category, Julián Simón will try to confirm that he is one of the best riders his class. This year, young Esteve Rabat will be joined in the 125cc category by debutant Marc Marquez.

Qatar GP Schedule (CET):

Saturday the 8th of March
• 20:10. 125cc qualifying practice
• 20:55. MotoGP qualifying practice
• 22:10. 250CC qualifying practice

Sunday the 9th of March
• 18:00 125cc race
• 19:15 250cc race
• 21:00 MotoGP race

3/5/2008

Latest news

> The 2008 pre-season concludes in Qatar for the Repsol riders
> All set for the first night test