OneCard, for instance, takes 7-10% from retailers and also charges customers for topping up with pre-paid cards.

ECONOMIST: Online payments

But as usual, Valentino Rossi will be the man they all have to beat - and after topping the time sheets in two of the three pre-season tests, the Italian is looking forward to the serious business of winning races.

BBC: Jorge Lorenzo has fitness doubts ahead of Qatar MotoGP

One plan is to abolish a surcharge imposed on the topping-up of a pre-paid mobile telephone card.

ECONOMIST: Italy needs to deregulate its economy