Carlos Checa - 2006 Rider Profile

Spanish star Carlos Checa, the most experienced rider on the MotoGP grid, returns to Yamaha in 2006 after a one-year absence. The 34-year-old will contest his 12th Premier-Class World Championship on-board Yamaha's YZR-M1, this time with the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha Team alongside James Ellison.

'El Toro' comes from the bike-mad Barcelona area and made his debut in the premier 500cc class midway through '95, when substituting for an injured team-mate. He had worked his way to the top class via short spells in 125 and 250cc GPs with Honda, but adapted quickly to the premier class and secured a permanent 500cc berth, and an impressive first victory, the following year.

shared the garage with Max Biaggi, Marco Melandri and finally Valentino Rossi in 2004. He scored 13 podiums with Yamaha, with a highest championship finish of 5th in 2002. In 2005 he left Yamaha to race with Ducati, finishing on the podium twice in Sepang and Valencia.

Off the bike Checa is easy-going and friendly; a popular rider with a broad fan-base both in Spain and abroad. Away from the circuit he enjoys a quiet life, and takes every opportunity to exercise in the great outdoors. A UK resident for some time now, in early 2004 Carlos moved from the remote countryside of Yorkshire to the centre of London. In between races he lives in the area of Westminster, near the famous landmarks of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Profile* - Career highlights;

* correct as of 25.01.2006