2016 MotoGP season gets underway

The 2015 MotoGP season may have only finished on Sunday with the final race of the year at Valencia, but the 2016 campaign is already underway, with bikes back on track this morning at the Spanish circuit.

The main change that riders will be encountering is the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tyres, with the racers finally allowed to comment on the new rubber they’ve been testing for most of the season.

And with most teams taking one major change as enough, many of the squads will delay the switch from full-factory electronics to the new control system in a move to limit variables as riders adapt.

In terms of new bikes, Scott Redding will be the most interesting switch as he moves from the MarcVDS Honda to a Pramac Ducati for the first time. He’ll be replaced by former Moto2 champion Tito Rabat, joined by Jack Miller’s first outing on a ‘proper’ Honda as the squad expands to two bikes.

Eugene Laverty will also make his Ducati debut, as the Aspar team switch from the open class Hondas, with Yonny Hernandez joining him to replace Nicky Hayden, off to World Superbikes.