Sepang, Oct 10: One of the main threats to a satisfactory weekend for Rossi could be his perennial nemesis Max Biaggi, winner of the last round at Motegi five days ago. Biaggi streaked to victory at the Sepang circuit last season riding the YamahaM1 and is hoping for a repeat this weekend on the Honda.
"Over the last couple of races we have got the bike working well and at the moment I am very happy," said Biaggi, who lies 25 points behind Gibernau in the championship. "This is one of my favourite places and I like this track a lot - it would be fantastic to win again because I have still got a chance of finishing second in the championship." Biaggi later took the opportunity to hone his competitive edge with victory over a group of other riders at the go-kart circuit which forms part of the state-of-the-art facilities at the Sepang International Circuit. MotoGP rivals Troy Bayliss, Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden also took part in race, alongside 250cc riders Sebastian Porto and Chaz Davies and 125cc man Steve Jenkner. Whilst his MotoGP rivals got some practice on the track, John Hopkins headed for the waves as he took an early flight down to Australia. The Suzuki rider, who is banned from this race for his involvement in a first corner incident at Motegi, will spend the weekend relaxing and riding jetskis as he prepares to make his return to action at Phillip Island next week. Meanwhile, 250cc debutantes Huang Shi Zhao and He Zi Xian got their first taste of the World Championship paddock today as they prepared their challenge to become the first Chinese riders ever to qualify for a Grand Prix.


"We have seen all the races on television and it is a very exciting class," said Zhao, in reference to a stunning season which sees Manuel Poggiali, Roberto Rolfo, Toni Elias, Randy De Puniet and Fonsi Nieto all with a mathematical chance of winning the title with three rounds to go.


"It will be a dream to be out there with all these great riders but we will also be very nervous. We have to concentrate on our objective which is to qualify and be competitive."


Huang claimed the Chinese National 150cc title in 2000, and has raced overseas before thanks to competing in some rounds of the 1998 Endurance World Championship in Europe, the Asian Championship in Zhuahai during 1999. The 29 year old has also taken honours at the Macau GP. He currently leads the Chinese Supersport series.


The record of He Zi, at 27 years of age, is similar to his countryman. He also has experience of the Endurance World Championship as well as the race in Macau. He succeeded Huang as the top Chinese 150cc rider and finished as runner-up in the 125cc domestic competition a season later in 2002.


During 2003 he has been one of Huang's main rivals in the Supersport category. Japan's Akiro Ryo, who finished second behind Rossi in Japan in 2002, also gets a wildcard ride for Suzuki.

Honda could win two titles this weekend, with Dani Pedrosa primed for another assault on the top of the 125cc podium after a disappointing sixth place at Motegi last weekend.


The 18 year old needs to score eleven points more than Stefano Perugini to clinch the title on Sunday but, like Rossi, insists he is focused purely on the win.


"I think that if we work well and nothing unusual happens we will have a good chance here," said Pedrosa, who has taken four victories so far this season. "I aim to attack right from the start of the race, just like I did at Motegi, then we will see what happens for us. There is no sense in racing just for points."


Bureau Report