SMALL TALK : Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi (right) having a chat with Honda’s Carlos Checa during a news conference at Sepang International Circuit, 18 October 2007. GLENN GUAN/The Star

MotoGP riders (from left) Honda’s Carlos Checa,  Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi, Ducati’s Casey Stonner and Kawasaki’s De Puniet pose during a news conference at Sepang International Circuit, 18 October 2007. GLENN GUAN/The Star