TONI ELIAS is back in MotoGP in 2011, replacing Randy de Puniet in the LCR Honda squad.
The Spaniard, who clinched this year's inaugural Moto2 World Championship title, will return to premier class racing on a Honda, rather than for Ducati, as initially expected.
Elias was set to ride for Pramac Ducati but turned his back on the deal following ongoing talks with LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello, reports online mag GPWeek.
Elias last raced in MotoGP in 2009, finishing seventh in the final championship standings with 115 points.
De Puniet will now take the vacant seat at Pramac Ducati for the 2011 MotoGP championship.
MOTOGP organisers Dorna have announced new rule changes to the 2011 MotoGP series and incoming Moto3 championship for 2012.
This morning's press release reads as follows:
1. Practice Time schedule:
Two days for each class. - MotoGP: 4 sessions of 60 minutes. - Moto2: 4 sessions of 45 minutes. - 125cc: 2 sessions of 45 minutes (morning) and 2 sessions of 30 minutes (afternoon).
2. Grid position for each class: 3 riders per row.
3.Generator for tyre warmers are permitted on the grid for the 3 classes.
4.In MotoGP, only the GPS provided by Dorna is permitted.
Application 2012 For Moto3:
1. ECU: There will be a single supplier. Proposals must be handed to the FIM and Dorna by 28 February 2011 at the latest. The final decision will be announced by the GP Commission on 19 March 2011. See specifications below:
Requested hardware features for Engine Management:
Single-cylinder management (2 independent fuel injectors, one ignition driver)
Up to 14,500rpm
At least 10 analog inputs (0-5V 10bit resolution) for analog sensors and temperature sensors
UEGO lambda sensor input and management
At least 4 input capture for wheel speeds and crank/cam sensors
At least 4 ON/OFF inputs for switches
Fuel Pump relay driver
Stepper motor driver for throttle bypass/exhaust valve
<!--6e052d28b1806771e2d163a041d4a5d4-->paris hilton sponsors a 125 gp team - From the “now we’ve heard it all” department: In one of the most unlikely pairings ever, infamous socialite Paris Hilton will be part owner of a new team that will contest the 125cc Grand Prix Championship in MotoGP for 2011. To be officially named the “SuperMartXé VIP by Paris Hilton” team (SuperMartXé is some sort of dance party “series” based in Ibiza that Hilton has been affiliated with), it is the result of a pairing with the BQR Racing team, who have been campaigning in the 125cc GP series as well as the Spanish CIV national championship series. The squad apparently has already signed two name riders: seasoned 125/Moto2 pilot Sergio Gadea, and 15-year-old rising star Maverick Viñales, who won both the Spanish and European 125cc titles in 2010. Also on the team roster is the very experienced technical team of Rossano Brazzi (who was crew chief at Aprilia for numerous world champions, including Valentino Rossi, Marco Melandri, Manuel Poggiali, and Luca Cadalora) and Christian Lundberg (former technical director with teams such as Seedorf Racing, who have helped launch the careers of MotoGP riders Alvaro Bautista and Hector Barbera) to help with development, so this apparently isn’t some all-show/no-go team that was cobbled together at the last minute. According to the NY Times, the unusual joint venture came about when Hilton was approached by Riccard Garriga, a team partner, and Nano Barea, founder of the SuperMartXé, to gauge her interest in lending her image to the proposed team. Hilton reportedly became so enamored with the idea that she became one of the team’s owners in addition to lending her image. Hilton is also reportedly contractually obligated to attend five MotoGP races; one can only imagine the crush of paparazzi that will occur at those appearances.
A rise of political instability in Qatar may put the opening round of the MotoGP championship at risk.
The detainment of a Qatari blogger may inspire similar protests and riots that have seen dictators overthrown in Egypt, Yemen and the current civil unrest taking place in Libya.
Should the people of Qatar seek the vitriol against Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa al Thani and his regime, the MotoGP round at Losail may postponed until the political unrest has resolved.
The act of holding the Qatar round may see the opening MotoGP race brought forward or the paddock having to wait until April 3rd when the championships arrives at Jerez.
The start of the MotoGP series appears to be tainted with the troubles that the Jerez circuit is also currently facing.
If you're planning on visiting the first European MotoGP of the season at Jerez on April 3rd the news is good. It's still happening.
Rumours have abounded for the past few days that the Spanish circuit's financial difficulties might jeopardize this massive event.
To set the record straight, we spoke to MotoGP's rights holder, Dorna and they were very keen to stress that the event at the beginning of April is happening as planned. This will come as some relief for the hundreds of Brits who make the pilgrimage to Jerez every year.
However, Cirjesa, the company behind the running of the circuit has had its assets frozen by a Spanish court over €2.5m of unpaid debts. This cashflow crisis and the fact that rival circuit Aragon has signed a six year deal with Dorna doesn't bode well for the long term health of the Jerez GP. There will now be four rounds held in Spain in 2011. Will this be a more realistic three in 2012
Cal Crutchlow is going all out this weekend for the 1st race of the season in Qatar, he's even taken to removing the tip of his little pinky on the tarmac in practice to increase weight saving.
Japanese GP in April has been cancelled for obvious reasons.
I will bet a pound [sorry unemployed at the mo] that Cal Crutchlow will not finish in the top 6 in any round of moto gp this year, period.
And who wants a wager when that bloody Toby Moody starts saying "UBER" in any sentance, will he say it this Sunday or will he wait untill the European rounds.
I'll go along with that actdaft, way to early for Cal to make a mark at this level. Personaly I think Stoner will be the man to stop this year on the Honda.
although i hate to say it...i tend to agree with you DriftnSlide.... tho vale aint up to speed yet coz of his shoulder... give him time but by then maybe stoner will be too far ahead... who knows its gonna be a close one again i reckon... and i have to watch it on BBC now .. parish and the toher guy are noooo where near as good as toby and julian....
Yep. Buy up your 2 strokes now as they'll be a thing of the past soon. With no development anymore the few manufacturers still making 2 stroke road bikes will concede defeat also. They'll make a good pension plan if ya can find a nice dry space in the garage for 1 or 2.
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