In 2012 the 800cc MotoGP class will finally be put out to pasture and we’ll see the long awaited return of the 1000’s and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport Dorna has already organized the first testing dates for the new litre bikes.
Monday July 4th at the Mugello (which is being asphalted on request by the riders), immediately after the Gran Premio d’Italia, the new bikes will hit the race track and it won’t be the usual test riders putting the first official spin on them, but the official MotoGP contracted riders.
It seems that Dorna has decided to waiver the testing ban that prohibits riders from testing outside regular testing schedules in order to allow the teams to get a head start on development with rider feedback.
The Italian sports daily is also reporting that a second test will probably be organized after the Brno GP, when teams stay over on Monday for official testing, but as it’s improbable that the manufacturers will be wasting money in bringing in big developments on the current machines, the riders will have more one on one time with their new bikes.
It will be also be interesting to see if Suter’s BMW S1000RR, Inmotec or even Norton will be showing up for any of these tests.