Fortuna riders gear up with motocross session.

Fortuna Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri took advantage of being on their 'home turf' to enjoy a short stint of extra training at the Donington Park motocross track today.

Both riders are UK residents and went out on their Yamaha YZ450F motocross machines along with British motocross rider Jamie Dobb. The group spent nearly an hour on the hilly Donington track, which is located next to the Donington Park circuit where both Fortuna riders will line up to contest the British Grand Prix this Sunday.

Checa has lived in England for several years, formerly close to London and now at Great Ayton in North Yorkshire. Whenever the Catalan-born rider's hectic schedule allows him to, he enjoys a variety of leisure pursuits in his home county, which have recently included wake-boarding and kite-surfing. Checa currently lies eighth in the MotoGP world championship, and has taken fourth place at the last two races. He is hoping to continue to improve his form this weekend with a podium finish at the track which he considers his second home.

"This motocross track was not the kind I am used to, as it is very bumpy," said the Yamaha rider, "I didn't want to push too hard this close before a race, so I took it easy. I am already thinking about the race on Sunday, but this is a good way to warm up! It's good to have Marco and Jamie living here in the UK as well, because I can come and train with them whenever I want to. Perhaps, in the winter, we can get a routine in place to ride together regularly."

Melandri is no stranger to the Donington motocross circuit, as he resides only thirty miles away in Derby. He moved here in November, encouraged by his great friend Dobb. The pair often train together at circuits in the local area when their different championship calendars do not conflict.

"It's been great fun today" beamed the 250cc world champion, "It's not so easy, as the track is quite slippery because of the hot weather, which is the opposite to MotoGP where, for me, it's easier when it's dry.

"I lived in London for almost two years and then Jamie persuaded me to move to Derby. I prefer it here, not only because it is peaceful, but because it is also easier for me to train at tracks like this. The countryside here also reminds me of my home in Italy. This weekend is like my second home grand prix, and I just hope that the weather will be as good as it was today, because I don't like wet conditions at all."