Meanwhile, two new manufacturers will join the MX1 class in 2007: Aprilia has entrusted its twin-cylinder MXV 4.5 to former triple world champion Alessio Chiodi and former grand prix winner Cedric Melotte. WRM has entered only one bike, to be ridden by 2004 MX3 class runner-up Cristian Beggi.
In the MX2 class, defending champion Christophe Pourcel underlined his talent by winning an AMA Supercross Lites race during the off-season and, despite a subsequent injury, is expected to be back to his best this weekend.
But it was Yamaha de Carli’s former world champion Antonio Cairoli who took the most moto wins last year and the Italian will be targeting a little more consistency to land his second world crown in 2007.
Another pre-season favourite is KTM's Tyla Rattray, who will be aiming to finally land the #1 plate after seeing his past title hopes end in injury. Young Briton Tommy Searle will line-up alongside the South African and aim to take his first grand prix win.
With GP winner Stephen Sword out, the Molson Kawasaki team will also field a Briton and South African in the form of Tom Church and Gareth Swanepoel.
There will be a lot of attention on Martin Honda’s American young gun Ryan Mills, who is very excited about racing his first Motocross World Championship season while last year’s 125cc European Motocross Champion, Belgian Dennis Verbruggen, will start his first full GP season with team Yamaha Van Beers - as will 2006 European runner-up, Frenchman Steven Frossard, riding for CLS Kawasaki.
Former triple grand prix winner Erik Eggens will be hoping to thrill the home fans, while fellow Suzuki rider Sean Hamblin will be hoping for a strong debut with the Suzuki Swift Motocross team.
The first race of the 2007 grand prix season will start at 12.05 on Sunday.
