Kathmandu, January 6:

The current Moto GP World champion is USA’s Nicky Hayden, who won his first title in the final race of last season following an epic battle to wrestle the premier class crown from five-time winner Italian Valentino Rossi.

It was the first World Championship in its 14-year history to be decided in the final race that saw Rossi starting the last Grand Prix of the season with an eight-point lead, having clawed back in front from 50 points behind the American earlier in the year.

Hayden finished third at the Valencia circuit, with Rossi ending up 13th following a crash on lap five, to secure the ‘Kentucky Kid’ his maiden Championship title.

The Italian is desperate to win back the title this season but there is plenty of competition for Hayden and Rossi from a vastly talented Moto GP grid including illustrious names such as Loris Clapirossi, Marco Melandri, Dani Pedrosa, Colin Edwards, Casey Stoner, John Hopkins and Alex Barros.

Riders from around the globe take part in the championships including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and USA.