Rossi free to test his Yamaha at last

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi is officially a Yamaha rider from today.

The young Italian’s contract with Honda finally ended at midnight on December 31, 2003. Despite announcing his departure from Honda at the start of November, it is only now that he is free to start testing the YZR-M1 for what looks like the most exciting season in world racing ever.

He will get his first ride of his new bike at Sepang, Malaysia, on January 24. Expect first reports of his progress on this site.

The defending champion may no longer be on the dominant Honda RCV, but some of his fiercest rivals are – from Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau to former WSB champion Colin Edwards.

Biaggi was half a second under the lap record during testing at Valencia. And many commentators are already predicting that Edwards will be a serious challenger on the Honda despite a tough 2003 on the Aprilia RS3.

British fans have got plenty to get excited about. WSB champ Neil Hodgson is joining the MotoGP elite on a race-winning Ducati Desmosedici, and BSB champion Shane Byrne is coming, too. He’s joining GP veteran Jeremy McWilliams at Aprilia.

In World Superbikes, there could be cause for more British celebrations. James Toseland is favourite to land the title on the factory Fila Ducati 999. Toseland will be up against team-mate Regis Laconi and the world’s most spectacular rider, Garry McCoy, on an NCR Ducati 999. Toseland’s ex-GSE team-mate Chris Walker has much to prove on Foggy’s FP-1.

And in the British superbike series, there is a welcome return for Yukio Kagayama to the Rizla Suzuki squad alongside John Reynolds. Sean Emmett reckons this year offers his best chance of claiming the title, now he’s with the MonsterMob team. And Steve Plater will be racing the Yamaha R1. Honda’s making a serious tilt at the title, too.

Make your plans for a staggering year of racing by following our links, right. They reveal all the dates and all the confirmed riders for the 2004 season.

And go to the relevant discussion boards to make your predictions about who will take the honours in 2004.