Indianapolis all set for first MotoGP test

Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) is set to host its first MotoGP test today, with all five of the current manufacturers participating in the premier class represented by nominated test riders in the American visit.

The sessions will primarily give the new track a test ahead of its debut on the MotoGP calendar in the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on the 12th-14th September weekend, and to allow tyre manufacturers Bridgestone and Michelin to gather data at the new World Championship venue.

Niccolo Canepa (Ducati – Bridgestone), Ben Spies (Suzuki – Bridgestone), Nobuatsu Aoki (Suzuki – Bridgestone), Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki – Bridgestone), Wataru Yoshikawa (Yamaha – Bridgestone), William Costes (Yamaha – Michelin) and Erwan Nigon (Honda – Michelin) will undertake two days of testing today (Tuesday 1st July) and tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd July).

Thursday will see the Red Bull AMA US Rookies Cup participants also getting a test outing at the new track.

The 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden visited IMS earlier this year to inaugurate the track in April on a vintage 1909 Indian motorcycle, before returning at the end of May to ride a demonstration lap on a 2007 RC212V in front 250,000 fans, ahead of the famous Indy 500 car race.