Pablo Nieto preparing for 2008 KTM ride

Experienced quarter litre category rider Pablo Nieto was in Jerez in his native Spain this week, at the lower cylinder class winter test, preparing for his tenth full 125cc World Championship season in 2008.

The 27 year-old from Madrid who rode for Blusens Aprilia in 2007 and has participated in 142 Grand Prix races onboard Derbi and Aprilia machinery since his debut in 1998, will next season be part of a new satellite KTM outfit, managed by his father Angel – a MotoGP Legend – and his brother Gelete (Angel Jnr), also a former 125cc World Championship rider.

Referring to his first experiences of riding a KTM, the Spaniard said: "I tried it and it surprised me with the power. To be honest, it's a difficult change after so many years with Aprilia; it's never worked out when I've tried to change my riding style before, so I hope that I shouldn't have to do that, even though the Aprilia is different to this bike."

Although his sponsorship arrangements and the full details of his 2008 package are yet to be announced, Nieto explained: "My brother and dad have created this new team, and we have KTM machinery which is a great factory and one of the strongest."