When the first day of testing or racing begins, fans and paddock pass holders are able to look into the Alstare pitboxes and see our crew ready for action in a fully-fitted garage. It's true that the design and preparation of our pitbox is not the same for the winter tests and flyaway races as it is for the European rounds, but that is more because of freight constraints rather than our own wishes.

At all European rounds, Alstare's fleet of trucks move round the continent, as if one big freight train, but for the flyway races it is not possible to use the trucks, so the bikes and all necessary equipment are sent by air. But whether or not the bikes and equipment arrive by road or air, it still means that the Alstare crew has to unload all the gear and set it all up ready for the racers. And of course, at the end of the event, all of it has to be reloaded for its journey home. So, let's say a big thank you to the mechanics who not only prepare our ultra-quick GSX-R1000 Suzukis, but also do all the donkey work of unpacking and packing of all our gear, before and after each event. Here are a few pics taken at the recent Qatar winter tests.