The 2007 season will see a few changes within the
MotoGP paddock. The biggest change of course is the reduction to 800cc engines, following that is the increase in race events and finally the running of the number one plate after a five year absence.
The reduction in the capacity of the
MotoGP machines from 990cc to 800cc will make no difference to the lap times if the late season testing by the teams is a true indication of what to expect.
Already the riders testing at Sepang in Malaysia and
Jerez in Spain were lapping at record speeds. They may have lost out on the ultimate top speed but later braking and increased speed through the corners has already brought lap record times.
The teams and riders are now enjoying a well earned break with a blanket testing ban until the end of January.
The 2007
MotoGP World Championship has been increased to eighteen rounds making it the biggest ever grand prix schedule in the 58-year history of World Championship racing.
The extra round is at Misano in Italy which stages the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix on September 2. The British Grand Prix is earlier next year and will be staged at
Donington Park on June 24.
And finally, the number one plate returns to the
MotoGP class for the first time in five years next season. World Champion Nicky Hayden's Repsol Honda will proudly carry the number one plate next year in the 18 round Championship.
Italian World Champion
Valentino Rossi who has won the premier class for the previous five years always rode with the familiar number 46 plate which was his father's racing number.
