The former MotoGP star, who has completed almost 50 jumps since the mid-1990s, took off from nearby Castellon Airport in a Cessna light aircraft and then jumped out at an altitude of 4000 metres together with three other colleagues.

Checa then made a perfect landing in the centre of the Ricardo Tormo ci♔rcuit.

"Since it's the first race for me in Valencia and I thought it would be a good idea to do something special and arrive to the track in a different way," said Che𓂃ca. "Some friends of mine own a skydiving centre near Valencia so we came up with the idea of making a jump onto the circuit.

"Its great to see the track from above and find that little mark wher꧃e you'll have to land. It's a lot easier hitting the gravel coming out of the sky then when a𝔍 lot better then coming off a bike! I'm all buzzing now and ready to start the preparations for Sunday's race," he added.

Having taken his first WSBK podium last ti👍me out at Phillip Island, the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda star will be hoping to continue his 'flying' start to the Valencia weekend during opening practice on Friday morning.