MotoGP: Schumacher shocks - on a MotoGP bike!

[Rory Phoulorie]

Monday, 5th November 2007

Former seven-times Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher made a dramatic return to the racetrack at Valencia on Monday - riding a MotoGP bike!


The German legend had previously made a cautious MotoGP debut on a 990cc Ducati during a secret test at Mugello in October of 2005, but the now retired F1ace picked a much more public 'press and guest' test for his second appearance - and didn't disappoint.

Just one day after the season-ending Valencian Grand Prix, Schumacher took to the same twisty Spanish circuit on board Casey Stoner's 800cc Desmosedici, which won the 2007 MotoGP World Championship and finished second behind Honda's Dani Pedrosa in the season finale.

And, while 'Schumi' had been a distant 18 seconds a lap off MotoGP speed at Mugello, he put in an incredible performance on his 800cc debut at Valencia - charging around the Spanish track in a best lap time just five seconds off Pedrosa's race lap record of 1min 32.748secs!

Schumacher's 1min 37.9secs also put the former Ferrari driver just three seconds a lap from than the back of the MotoGP field. Michael was 'coached' by former 500GP ace Randy Mamola during his extended session, which lasted for most of the afternoon.


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