.jpg)
Ramsey resident James Toseland has left snowbound Britain for the heat and humidity of Malaysia, where the first official MotoGP test of the season takes place at the Sepang circuit.
The three day test starts on Thursday at the 3.4 mile circuit just outside Kuala Lumpur.
Twenty-eight year old Toseland will be riding the 2009 M1 Tech 3 Yamaha for the first time, as well as using the Bridgestone tyres that all riders will employ for the 18 round World Championship.
The former World Superbike Champion finished 11th in his MotoGP debut season last year, but has unhappy memories of the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang where he crashed early on in the race.
FC Isle of Man returning to league action at Barnoldswick Town
Hockey: Compact mixed schedule on the cards this weekend
Rugby: Busy triple-header beckons at Ballafletcher
Football: Race for Railway Cup qualification hotting up