Mark Lloyd is one of Respol Honda's top mechanics, working with 2006 MotoGP champion Nicky Hayden. Newsbeat went to see him to get the inside track on the MotoGP season, the bike's speed capability and why being number one in the world means everything.
What happens to the bikes between seasons?
End of the season, after Valencia - the last Grand Prix - we'll probably do a bit of testing with the old bike, train evolution parts for the next season on those machines and then come January it starts again. We build new machines, ready to be shipped out for the first test.
In pictures: See preparations for this season's MotoGP championship
Up until now at the start of the year we have probably done 5-6,000 miles before we even turn a wheel in anger. It is amazing really; a hell of a lot goes in for those 18 races.
Tell us a bit more about the bike?
The engine is pulling over 220 horsepower, I'd say 40-50 more horsepower than a road bike. The weight of the thing, say a road-going fire blade would be 200kg; these are 148kg, so 52kg in weight is massive.
What sort of speeds are we talking about?
Shanghai, the long straight there, over 200mph. The bikes are very advanced - transaction control, anti-wheelie, engine braking into corners. There is so much you can do and every year it is getting more and more.
Recent testing has gone very well for us. Also Nicky, when it comes to races, he has got that half a second up his sleeve, so things are looking good.
What would you be satisfied with at the end of the Championship?
It has got to be number one, that is why everybody is here. We've got to be world champions again. I've been watching the DVD from 2006. All the memories come back and everyone wants that feeling again - you can't beat it.
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