Prior to the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Wednesday, four representatives including Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki), Hiroshi Aoyama (Scot Racing), Héctor Barberá (Pepe World Team) and Nico Terol (Jack & Jones Team), paid a visit to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary.

The competitors arrived at the Bukit Rengit Biodiversity Institute where they then made a short journey to the Kuala Gandah sanctuary and were welcomed by the staff.

The racers enjoyed feeding the elephants and able to take rides on the elephants themselves, having an opportunity interact with the native Malaysian beasts, only Terol was courageous enough to join the elephants in the water.

On the experience and comparing it to a Grand Prix, Terol comments, “Well obviously you are so much higher up and things are a lot calmer, but you know if there is a crash there is a much bigger distance to fall!”

Capirossi added, “It was just amazing, it was a really nice feeling and when you see a place like this you realise how important it is that they are trying to save this beautiful animal. Riding the elephant was a bit like riding my Suzuki as they are both quite crazy! Being on top of the elephant is incredible, they are so powerful and strong and you feel how much bigger they are than us!”

Barberá states, “It is the first time I have been so close to an elephant and I really loved it. It was a nice experience for us, in fact elephants are my favourite animals and I even have an elephant tattoo!”