Heading into the unknown for 2017, Belgian team MtM Racing are set to take on a new challenge in the inaugural season of the World Supersport 300 class, with former Moto3 rider Scott Deroue.

The Dutch racer started his professional racing career in the now well known Red Bull Rookies Cup, and then naturally progressed into the Moto3 championship within the MotoGP series.

Moving over to the British-based Motostar class for 2015, the now 20 year old rider became champion of the feeder class in a tough field. 

Taking on a big learning curve with the Belgian team, Deroue is keen for the season to get underway: “It’s difficult to say where I have to place myself in this championship, because it’s brand new.

"I will do my best to get the best results, together with MtM. During the preseason I need to get familiar with my new bike as soon as possible, the Kawasaki Ninja300.”

San Marinease rider Alex De Angelis will take on the 2017 MOTUL FIM World Superbike championship with Team Pedercini Racing.

Former MotoGP rider, De Angelis had his first season in the WorldSBK championship this year and was able to secure one podium finish at a wet Lausitzring.

Consistently finishing in the points across the season with IODARacing team, the 32 year old will be hoping to build on his experience with the Italian team.

Thrilled to have secured his future, De Angelis explains: “I’m really happy I was able to find an agreement and become part of the Pedercini Racing Team.

"It’s a new and engaging adventure, with a bike that has shown and are still showing to be really competitive. To be the rider with a team like Pedercini  makes me really proud, but also brings loads of responsibilities to my shoulders." he added

"I know next year we are going to have to fight to always be in the first few rows due also to the new regulations."

"I feel I may have the experience and skills to make this happen and mostly I know I can count on a capable team of experts and a fast motorbike.”

Halcourier MS Racing will take on the challenge of competing in the inaugural World Supersport 300 class with Spanish youngster Dani Valle.

Starting his career in Motocross, Valle has been competing professionally in the world of racing for over four years, and will be looking to build on his experience gained so far in what will inevitably be a competitive series.

Racing in Moto3 and Moto4 classes in domestic championships in Spain over the last few seasons, Valle will now take on new circuits around Europe which himself and his team are hoping he will quickly adjust to.

Valle explains his excitement to begin 2017: "I feel fortunate to be part of this project together with HALCOURIER MS Racing and next to a manufacturer like Yamaha. The challenge is to learn as much as possible, to get to know the circuits quickly, because most of them are new to me, to be part of the group that always leads in each of the races I do and, of course, fight for the podium."

2016 MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez just lost out to AMA Pro FlatTrack rider Brad Baker at the 2015 edition of the Superprestigio, and the now 5-time World Champion is looking to get back the crown this year.

Early signs seem to suggest a showdown between the two in the Super Final to decide the winner once again - with some eyes also on the first ever Champion in the new RFME Copa de España de Flat Track, Ferran Cardus.

The superstar line up includes a host of famous faces from the paddocks of the world, with MotoGP and WorldSBK well represented. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Alex Marquez (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS) head up the MotoGP line up, with Joan Mir (Leopard Racing), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing Moto3), former 125 World Champions Julian Simon and Nico Terol, 2016 Moto2 Rookie of the Year Xavi Vierge and Moto3 podium sitter Jorge Martin just some of those who join them, with many more from the MotoGP paddock also set to line up. 2010 Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias (Yoshimura Suzuki) is another one of the Champions set to take part, also representing the MotoAmerica Championship.

The WorldSBK charge is headed by Jordi Torres (Althea BMW) and Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team), with WorldSSP also getting in on the action with multiple race winner Kyle Smith. Another of the top draw names on the entry list is former WorldSBK title challenger and race winner Ruben Xaus, as the Spaniard gears up for the special one-off event.

Brad Baker: “It’s been a great month! I’ve been to Valentino Rossi’s ranch and here in Spain to train with Marc Marquez – and I’ve also been able to help out some Spanish riders like Ferran Cardus. This is supposed to be my expertise, as a dirt tracker, so every year the expectation gets a little higher – the pressure is on!”

Marc Marquez: “It’s a pleasure to be here another year in the fourth edition. I have a lot of passion for dirt track, off-road and motorbikes. The last month has been crazy for me going to Japan and now here - but in front of all these people and champions it’s a great event. It’s a great show and we want to enjoy the atmosphere – but everybody wants to get on the podium. In these races, in the end, the guy who finishes first is the best – not just the fastest.”