California sunshine welcomes MotoGP stateside

Thursday, 17 July 2008

MotoGP has arrived at Laguna Seca for the World Championship´s first 2008 visit to the United States, with some typically beautiful Californian weather greeting the premier class riders and teams to the Pacific coast.

On the eve of Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix on Thursday the participants in this weekend´s action have arrived at Laguna Seca for the last date on the calendar before the summer break, making the quick dash across the Atlantic Ocean from Germany.

The Thursday afternoon press conference will see championship leader Valentino Rossi joined by World Champion Casey Stoner, Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards, 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden and current AMA U.S. champion Ben Spies – who will make another guest appearance for Suzuki at round eleven.

Injured rider Dani Pedrosa has made the journey from Europe despite hand and ankle blows sustained in the crash which saw him surrender the World Championship lead at the Sachsenring - and the Catalan Repsol Honda star will test his condition in free practice on Friday.