Vermeulen, Kurtis Roberts, de Puniet make debuts.

Monday at Valencia saw World Superbike runner-up Chris Vermeulen make his Team Suzuki MotoGP debut, while Kurtis Roberts - younger brother of outgoing Suzuki rider Kenny - also got track time on the GSV-R.

After two races on a Camel Honda, Vermeulen (top pic) has signed a two-year deal to partner John Hopkins at Paul Denning's team from next season, while Kurtis (middle pic) got what appears to have been a purely one-off outing after a request from 2000 Suzuki World Champion Kenny.

Kurtis rode for his father's Team Roberts outfit on his MotoGP return in Sunday's Valencia Grand Prix, but failed to finish due to mechanical problems. Team Roberts are aiming to secure Honda RCV engines to power their Proton KR chassis for next season, with both Kurtis and Kenny linked to the ride.

Also making a landmark appearance on track today was new Kawasaki signing Randy de Puniet (lower pic), the 250cc race winner will partner Shinya Nakano next season and got his very first taste of MotoGP power around the twisty Spanish circuit.

The 24-year-old Frenchman took to the track late in the afternoon - and had time for only 12 laps before a drop in track temperature brought an end to the test. The outing was mainly used to set-up footrest, lever and handlebar positions.

Today was officially a journalist test day, with full MotoGP testing at Valencia due to start on Wednesday...