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 theꦡ centre of the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

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

"Its great to see the track from above and find that little mark where you'll have to land. It's a lot easier hitting the gravel coming out of the sky then when a 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 W😼SBK podium last time out at Phillip Island, the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda star will beಌ hoping to continue his 'flying' start to the Valencia weekend during opening practice on Friday morning.