Mapfre Aspar quit RSV and will field Suter prototypes immediately
May 11th
Jorge Aspar Martinez has taken the dramatic decision to scrap his Moto2 project with the Italian chassis supplier RSV, switching instead to the Swiss made Suter MMX. It is an immediate decision and the two Suter prototype 600’s are in transit from Switzerland to Spain as of this moment. Taking advantage of the two weekend break between Jerez and Le Mans, the Spanish team hopes be prepared to run the new Suter chassis in France, with Friday practice beginning May 21. Martinez’ choice to ditch the RSV chassis for the Suter is no doubt quite costly, as he has to More >
2011, the end of two-stroke racing?
Apr 22nd
It appears that the 125cc World Championship class will continue with two-stroke motors until the end of the 2011 season. In Qatar, Carmelo Ezpeleta said that after this season and into the next, there will be discussions on the matter. It is expected that in 2012 the 125cc category will change to a four-stroke engine category with technology that is derived from dirt bikes. Most top-level motocross bikes have moved to a four-stroke 450cc motor that is much more eco-friendly than their two-stroke counterparts and are quickly becoming the normal in dirt bike races around the world. The other probable More >
The 125cc Championship Contenders Preview
Apr 8th
With one day before official free practice begins for the 2010 125cc world championship begins, the only two-stroke category remaining in the championship looks set to be a stunning battle between top runners. Unlike last year, when Julito Simon went into the season the main title favorite, after showing dominating form in winter testing, this year there are four legitimate contenders to take home the 2010 world championship. For each grand prix, minus Laguna Seca where only the MotoGP class races, the 125cc category should provide an intense and exciting opening to the day, before the Moto2 and MotoGP classes More >
The Mapfre Aspar team reveal Moto2 RSV bike
Mar 22nd
Today in Madrid, Jorge Aspar Martinez officially launched his Moto2 team that he will try to win the first ever 600cc world championship with. Riders Mike Di Meglio and Julito Simon were both present with Aspar as they pulled back the covers on the Italian made RSV chassis the duo will use in the 2010 Moto2 season after the shock withdraw of long term partner Aprilia. Once again, Spanish insurance giant Mapfre will be the title sponsor of the team. Along with being the main sponsor of Aspar’s Moto2 team, Mapfre will also have a sponsorship presence on Aspar’s 125cc More >
Two new 125cc riders join the grid
Mar 22nd
There has been an addition of two more riders to the 125cc grid this season, which should bring the total number of riders in the category to 26. The first of these is the reigning 2009 (CIV) Italian 125cc national champion, Riccardo Moretti. The Italian has signed for the Fontana Racing team and is a bit older than most others in the class at 25. Fontana is hoping with his age and experience on a 125 machine, he will be able to impress in his debut season at the world championship level. From Ravenna, the same city in Italy as More >
Lorenzo lands Garmin GPS sponsorship
Mar 22nd
Jorge Lorenzo will sport Garmin sponsorship on the front of his helmet for the 2010 season. One of the world’s leaders in GPS navigation systems, Garmin has taken its first foray into motorsport sponsorship with the FIAT Yamaha rider. The company founded in the United States and based essentially out of the Cayman Islands for tax purposes is trying to expand more into the Spanish market. They see Lorenzo as a young and intelligent way to gain some market share in his home country. With Jorge being prevalent on the social networking sites of Twitter and Facebook, his fan base More >
Notes from Qatar
Mar 22nd
The 17 riders competing in the 2010 MotoGP World Championship
The two day Qatar test is done and dusted and for the first time in the 2010 offseason, Valentino Rossi was not the quickest rider in attendance. His quickest time around the Losail International Circuit on night one was eclipsed by the Ducati Marlboro of Casey Stoner. The Australian improved his time enough from the first night to beat Rossi, who had been quickest in five straight sessions of testing this year.
1. Casey Stoner-AUS-Ducati Marlboro-1:55.353: It is known throughout the paddock that Stoner loves the Qatar circuit, dominating the race three More >
Ant West will race Moto2 this season
Mar 16th
It looks like there will be one more ex-MotoGP rider on the 2010 Moto2 grid. Ant West, the former Kawasaki pilot in the premier class and the German MZ squad look set to land an entry in the inaugural 600cc Moto2 championship. This scenario appears likely to happen due to the fact the Australian’s MZ team was listed on the provisional grid as a replacement squad if for any reason, another team informed Dorna they would be unable to show up in Qatar. The Spanish based Kino Racing has taken the regrettable decision to do just that and will not More >
