Capirossi’s first test scheduled

Loris Capirossi’s works Honda 500 team have confirmed five pre-season tests for the Italian despite rumours that he is poised to make a surprise switch to Aprilia’s four-stroke effort.

Capirossi, who was third in the 2001 world championship, is due to test his new factory NSR for the first time in Malaysia starting on January 21, with West team-mate Alex Barros.