Four-stroke rivals head-to-head next month

February 15 will be a landmark day in the future of GP racing because it’s the day when Honda’s RCV, Yamaha’s YZR-M1, Suzuki’s XRE0 and Aprilia’s RS3 will all clash on the track for the first time.

The four-strokes will be head-to-head at Valencia in advance of the opening of one of the most eagerly awaited season’s in memory.

As yet, all the new bikes have been tested in private sessions but the three-day test at Valencia will host the first of the four major International Race Teams Association tests as the traditional starting point Jerez is still undergoing a major redevelopment.

Other pre-season tests include stops at Estoril in Portugal, Catalunya, Spain and finishes at Suzuka just a week before the season starts there.