With just a short space of time having passed to allow the MotoGP riders to catch their breath after a furious schedule of successive races, the World Championship picked back up the rhythm today as it arrived at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany to begin the second half of their 18 round season. Practice for the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland begins tomorrow, but there was no shortage of activity for the early arrivals at the track, as the likes of World Championship leader Casey Stoner were put through their paces at a nearby kart track, testing their four-wheel skills ahead of the serious two-wheel action ahead. Stoner was on double duty this afternoon, also participating in the customary pre-event press conference for the gathered media. The 21 year-old Australian was joined by last year’s race winner Valentino Rossi, third placed rider in the MotoGP World Championship Dani Pedrosa, local rider Alex Hofmann and Kawasaki high-flyer Randy de Puniet. Whilst the current series leader commented on what he hopes will be his first chance to race at the Sachsenring circuit, having been unable to start last year’s event due to a crash in the Sunday warm-up, Rossi and Pedrosa turned their attention to the role that tyre choice will play at the twisty circuit. Both noted that the edge of their respective tyres will take a lot of punishment over the 30 lap race, wondering out loud what Sunday may hold. Hofmann took the opportunity to reveal that he will be riding injured at his home Grand Prix, having suffered a hand injury last Saturday which required immediate surgery. ‘The Hoff’, as he is affectionately known by his fans, will find out tomorrow if the metal plate and seven screws he had inserted will make life tough for him when he gets on track tomorrow, alongside Frenchman de Puniet who announced that his big goal for the remaining nine races will be a perfect finishing record. The opening practice session for the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland will take place at 9am tomorrow, with MotoGP teams on track from 10am. There will also be the added spectacle of qualifying for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race, to be held on Saturday afternoon. Casey Stoner “I’m looking forward to this race more than I was last year. The track itself seems to have improved; I noticed that the surface looks to be in a lot better condition when I went round with the scooter.” I can’t really complain about this season, whatever happens in the last nine races. We’re all doing the best job that we can.”