From files of the MotoGP Press Office

MotoGP competitors will be back for what will be the first official tests of 2008 starting Tuesday January 22 in Malaysia on the Sepang circuit. MotoGP was at a stand still since the start of the winter ban December 1st of 2007.

Surely, Ducati and their star driver, champion Casey Stoner, will be again the ones to be watched, along with the Australian's new colleague Marco Melandri. For Stoner, it will be the first time he will be back in the saddle after his shoulder injury which occurred after a crash in Jerez, Spain last November.

Another injured driver will also be present has five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi, who suffered a broken hand during the last event last year, will be able to see if his injury healed well during the winter break.

Ironically, the Italian will be working with Bridgestone while his team mate, 250cc World champion, Jorge Lorenzo will be riding on Michelin tires.

Honda will have to be one of the serious contenders for this year's title and runner-up Dani Pedrosa, along with Nicky Hayden, should form one of best twosome on the starting grid. American Hayden is another pilot who's also recovering from a shoulder injury.

Other drivers returning to action after going under the knives are newcomers Tony Elias (Ducati) and Anthony West (Kawasaki).