EXPECT blistering lap times, the unveiling of new liveries and the resumption of old rivalries as the official MotoGP testing returns to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on the 28th February until the 1st of March.

World champion, Casey Stoner, who recently became a father with the arrival of baby daughter, Alessanda Maria, showed that he was still the man to beat during the first test session at Sepang on the 31st January till the 2nd February when he set a new milestone as the first rider to dip below the 2 minute mark after 3 days of official MotoGP testing after blazing through in 1 minute 59.607s.

Stoner’s lap time was faster than Valentino Rossi’s, 2:00.518 set 3 years ago, it won’t be counted as the fastest ever as only lap times set during race week will only be taken into consideration.

Still it was a magnificent effort by the Australian, helped by the faster 1000 cc machines, replacing the 800 cc bikes with lap times falling like dominoes at each session. Even more impressive was the fact that Stoner had only just got back on the saddle of his Honda after missing the first day due to a back injury.

There will also be a return for 2006 world champion, Nicky Hayden who did not go all out for the first test after sustaining a shoulder injury in late December.

"It’s a setback, but all things considered, I’m pretty happy with how things went," said Hayden who is in recovery following his successful arthroscopic surgery on the 5th of February.

"It’s good that it was possible to do everything by ’scope, and the pain’s not too bad. The problem should be fixed now, and I look forward to being able to help out the team as soon as possible."

Another draw for the fans will be the expected unveiling of new liveries of the MotoGP teams as they adorn their bikes with colors that will hopefully spur them on to greater success in 2012.

After the exciting performances displayed by the riders during the first test at the end of January, Sepang International Circuit Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Razlan Razali is expecting more of the same for the second test this 28th February.

“All the riders and machines have set impressive times during the first MotoGP tests and I foresee them setting even faster lap times for the second test.

“It’s certainly shaping up to be a very exciting and competitive season ahead. There will be more riders and teams in the fray due to the current rule changes and this is something that will draw in the fans this season.

“Besides that, I would also like to see the CRT (Claiming Rule Team) bikes close the gap on the more established MotoGP factory bikes,” added Razlan.

MotoGP Racing Director, Mike Webb in a recent interview expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming season, declaring that it would be the most ‘spectacular’ in terms of racing.

“This year, we will be seeing more spectacular racing. There will be bigger with more power and more overtaking.

“A lot more riders will be on the grid. This year there will be more bikes due to the new rules which allow engines from any manufacturer to be fitted into a grand prix chassis.

“It doesn’t have to be a strictly prototype engine, it means we allow engines from many private builders. Whereas in the past, we strictly allow only a few factories producing prototype engines,” added Webb.

MotoGP 2012 season will start from 8th April at Qatar. Please refer to the full listing for 2012 here.