German MotoGP outsider MZ launched its 2002 campaign over the weekend, unveiling the already confirmed Jose Luis Cardoso and racing return💯ee Ralf Waldmann as its line-up for the first four-stroke grand prix championship.

Whilst Cardoso's place in the team ha𝄹d been known for some time, Waldmann's inclusion was something of a shock, as the former 250cc runner-up appeared to have turned his back on bike racing at the end of the 2000 season. Both riders will campaign MZ's four-stroke machine this year.

After proving to be a thorn in the side of multiple 250cc champion Max Biaggi, and eventually graduating to the 500cc class with Modenas, 'Waldy' grew disillusioned with two-wheel 💧racing, despite winning the Donington GP in atrocious conditions during his final season. Enticed by a possible switch to cars, the temperamental German turned his back on GP offers, although nothing came of his move to four-wheels.

In touch with the MotoGP scene through a national search to find a successor in Germany, Waldmann became involved with MZ by launching one of its road bikes, a link t๊hat has now led to a return to racing.

MZ sporting director Jurgen Zurn confirmed that the team expects to be testing by May, and preparing for its return to the grand prix sce🔴ne at Assen two months after that. The bike is currently undergoing static tests at the company's German base.