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Dorna defend Sepang safety

Image: Karel Abraham in action during pre-season testing at Sepang on Tuesday

MotoGP commercial rights holders Dorna Sports have defended the safety of the Sepang circuit as pre-season testing began there.

MotoGP returns to Malaysian circuit for pre-season testing

MotoGP commercial rights holders Dorna Sports have defended the safety of the Sepang circuit as pre-season testing at the Malaysian venue began. Riders took to the track on Tuesday for the first time since Marco Simoncelli died in a crash there in October last year. Safety fears were raised in the aftermath of the tragedy, including concerns over the care the Italian received trackside, with amateur footage appearing to show marshals dropping him from a stretcher. But Dorna managing director Javier Alonso says that Simoncelli's death, which occurred after he was he was hit by two other bikes, was an accident that could not be blamed on the circuit. "In terms of safety, Sepang is a very safe track. Unfortunately we had a fatal accident last year. We are really, really sad about this," he said. But he added: "Safety-wise, Sepang is one of the safest tracks we have in the championship." Three days of testing at Sepang will offer a first look at the new 1000cc bikes that will be used in MotoGP in the new season, replacing the old 800cc machines. Reigning champion Casey Stoner sat out the first day of testing after pulling a muscle in his back.

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