A lot is changing in the MotoGP. Mainly, the 2012 MotoGP motorcycles will have 1000cc engines instead of the 800cc engines that have been used for the last few years. In order to make sure that Honda, Ducati, and Yamaha can produce competitive racing bikes, the Grand Prix commission has relaxed some of the testing regulations.
MotoGP teams will now be able to use any rider as a test rider. Prior, MotoGP teams had designated test riders that handled the majority of testing on the 2012 models. Riders like Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, and Casey Stoner were given specific dates that they were allowed to test the motorcycles.
Those dates are now gone. The MotoGP grid can now test their 2012 motorcycles until they run out of tires. Seriously, that is the one limitation.
The Grand Prix commission said in a statement:
"2012 private testing of MotoGP class machines may be carried out by any rider, subject to a limit on the total number of tyres being supplied by the official MotoGP tire supplier."
This should be welcome news for the MotoGP grid as they prepare for the 2012 season. Riders like Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden should be particularly thankful as they struggled throughout 2011 to find the right settings for the Ducati.
