They will be bringing a distinctly French flavor to Macao's 39th Motorcycle Grand Prix with the debut of Team of Paris(TOP), their new racing team.

With a Suzuki 1000 GSXR decked out in national colors and one of France's top riders on board in the shape of former endurance world champion Bruno Bonhuil, TOP are aiming to go wheel to wheel with the established teams- and have fun while doing it.

"I'd never even thought about running a professional racing team before May this year," admitted Pierson, a Hong Kong-based French businessman and self-confessed motorcycling fanatic.

"But I was talking about it with my friend, Luc Martinet, a Suzuki dealer in Paris, and the more we talked, the more serious we became. There was plenty to do. We had to devise a marketing and communication plan, find sponsors, build the team and prepare a racing bike- all in the space of a few months.

"We were officially invited to enter by the Macao Grand Prix Committee at the end of August- that's when it really hit home that this was for real.

"The great thing about this project is that everyone apart fromthe rider and mechanics is a volunteer. We're simply a small groupof friends from Hong Kong and Paris. Most of us are French, we like challenges and we like ambitious, yet friendly, projects.

"We've got support from companies based in France, Hong Kong and Macao. Most of our backers are French, but other companies areinvolved as well. In all, we have 28 sponsors and they're giving us wonderful support."

One man grateful for the support is Bonhuil, a rider with an impressive pedigree. He was crowned endurance world champion in 2002, has ridden in the famous Isle of Man TT races numerous timesand recently won his country's premier motorcycling championship, the Super Roadster French Cup.

At the age of 45, he brings vast knowledge to the team and alsohas the experience of two previous outings at the Macau MotorcycleGP.

"I like the circuit," said Bonhuil."It is very different to beracing in the city, rather than on a conventional circuit. Of course, it is also extremely dangerous, because if something goes wrong, you have no escape, and therefore you cannot ride flat-out,but it is also a lot of fun.

"The last time I raced in Macao(in 2000), I finished ninth, and that was on a bike that was not the best. So a top-10 finish this time is certainly possible." Enditem