Sébastien Loeb invited by Louis Rossi to test Moto2™ bike

Unbeaten WRC title winner between 2004 and 2012, Loeb may be more accustomed to tracks off the beaten path but was delighted to sample Moto2 machinery.

The Citroën driver, who has retired from full-time rallying but is still competing in selected World Championship events this year, was invited by French countryman Rossi to visit the Castellet venue, where he exchanged his four wheels for two.

"I contacted him through a mutual friend and immediately offered a test ride on my Moto2 bike, which he accepted immediately!" Rossi told motogp.com. "We brought in the Tech3 bike that Xavier (Simeon) rode in 2012 and that’s the one Sébastien tried out. It was great because he was actually able to ride a real Moto2 motorcycle!

"The team were also great because they also lent me an R6 so I could ride on-track with him, so it was all set up nicely and we had a fun day. We actually did 50 laps."

Following on from this somewhat unique outing, Rossi will now continue his pre-season in more conventional fashion as Moto2™ tests in Jerez next week.