The 2012 World Championship will commence on April 8th, and this day also marks the debut of CRT prototypes in MotoGP. Among the 21 bikes lining up on the grid will be the familiar names of Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró, the men set to ride the CRT motorcycles on the Aspar Team.
Sporting Director for the Valencia based team, Gino Borsoi, talked with motogp.com about the impact the Claiming Rule Teams will have on racing as well as his professional role in category…

Where are you currently at with the bike development? Are you concentrating on working a single prototype or both?
“We are already working on both motorcycles, among other things, but at least one should be ready for the test that we have scheduled later this month in Valencia. This should be the complete bike, at least with respect to chassis and swingarm, though with the fairing and other aspects it’s only a first step, not the final. For the second prototype, it’s likely that we will reuse the old chassis, among other things, to be able to compare its performance to the new one”.

What are the differences between the prototype used by De Puniet at the Valencia test held last November and this new bike?
“Like I said before, we have the chassis and swingarm, we also have carbon discs and some improvements in weight (3 to 4 kg. less than the standard model). As for the electronics and motor, however, there is nothing new. The fairing will be fully redesigned in the front, while the sides and the belly pan will remain the same.”

How are Randy (De Puniet) and Aleix (Espargaró) preparing themselves?
“Randy is resting in Australia after the operation he had shortly before the end of the year to resolve a small physical problem. The operation went well and now he is recovering and doing some training to get ready for the test at Valencia. Aleix trains in motocross often, actually he spends a lot of his time doing this type of training.”

We still have some time before the start of the Championship, but what are your goals for 2012?
“Clearly, the main objective is to debut in the best way possible in this new category. We would like a season in which we are ahead of the other CRT bikes. This is our basic idea. There aren’t many CRTs, and we’d really like to have a good campaign and prove to everyone that when starting a new bike with maximum commitment, you can produce some good results. And then, maybe on one of the slower tracks, one of the more twisty ones, if we can get be close to the factory bikes, that would be great.”

Do you personally believe in the potential of CRTs?
“I believe they are the future. Now this direction has been set and it has to be followed, also in respect to the new regulations established by Dorna. I personally believe very much in this project, and I’m convinced that teams have to start to own their bikes, working with their own strengths and experience of their own engineers.
“It’s clear that the battle with the official teams will be very difficult, because in addition to their budgets, they have the expertise to put bikes on the track that have more performance. But with bikes in the hands of teams that manage all aspects of their own prototypes, not just the motor but the chassis and electronics too, will be a fundamental step for the small teams that may well find a place alongside the big names in the World Championship. With CRT, a team is required to manage its prototype the best that it can, to learns the electronics and the ins and outs of the engine. It’s definitely a difficult step, but very exciting”

How will your role on the team now change?
“Without a doubt, we need a lot more time, because before we had a single partner, Ducati, they provided us the motorcycle and then left the task of managing it to us throughout the season, plus things like replacing parts when there was a crash, that required organization of team members and various trips. It was an important commitment, but it did have limitations. Now, with the CRTs, we have to have a more comprehensive management of the prototype, dedicated to all aspects of bike: Engine, chassis, electronics, suspension…it will be 360 degree management, and certainly more challenging.”

Source: motogp.com

1 CASEY STONER AUS – HONDA TEAM, HONDA
4 ANDREA DOVIZIOSO ITA – YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA
5 COLIN EDWARDS USA – FORWARD RACING, SUTER*
6 STEFAN BRADL GER – LCR HONDA MotoGP, HONDA
8 HECTOR BARBERA SPA – PRAMAC RACING TEAM, DUCATI
9 DANILO PETRUCCI ITA – IODA RACING PROJECT, IODA*
11 BEN SPIES USA – YAMAHA FACTORY RACING, YAMAHA
13 ANTHONY WEST AUS – SPEED MASTER, ART*
14 RANDY DE PUNIET FRA – ASPAR TEAM MotoGP, ART*
17 KAREL ABRAHAM CZE – CARDION AB MOTORACING, DUCATI
19 ALVARO BAUTISTA SPA – HONDA GRESINI, HONDA
20 ALEIX ESPARGARO SPA – ASPAR TEAM MotoGP, ART*
22 IVAN SILVA SPA – BQR, BQR-FTR*
26 DANI PEDROSA SPA – HONDA TEAM, HONDA
35 CAL CRUTCHLOW GBR – YAMAHA TECH 3, YAMAHA
46 VALENTINO ROSSI ITA – DUCATI TEAM, DUCATI
51 MICHELE PIRRO ITA – HONDA GRESINI, FTR*
68 YONNY HERNANDEZ COL – BQR, BQR-FTR*
69 NICKY HAYDEN USA – DUCATI TEAM, DUCATI
77 JAMES ELLISON GBR – PAUL BIRD RACING, ART*
99 JORGE LORENZO SPA – YAMAHA FACTORY RACING, YAMAHA

Source: motogp.com

3 SIMONE CORSI ITA – IODA RACING PROJECT, IODA
4 RANDY KRUMMENACHER SWI – GP TEAM SWITZERLAND, SUTER
5 JOHANN ZARCO FRA – JIR Moto2, MOTOBI
7 ALEXANDER LUNDH SWE – MZ RACING TEAM MZ-RE, HONDA
8 GINO REA GBR – GRESINI RACING Moto2, MORIWAKI
9 KENNY NOYES USA – ARGUIÑANO RACING TEAM, TBA
12 THOMAS LUTHI SWI – INTERWETTEN-PADDOCK Moto2, SUTER
14 RATTHAPARK WILAIROT THA – GRESINI RACING Moto2, MORIWAKI
15 ALEX DE ANGELIS ITA – FORWARD RACING, SUTER
18 NICOLAS TEROL SPA – ASPAR TEAM Moto2, SUTER
19 XAVIER SIMEON BEL – TECH 3 RACING, TECH 3
24 TONI ELIAS SPA – ASPAR TEAM Moto2, SUTER
29 ANDREA IANNONE ITA – SPEED MASTER, FTR
30 TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI JAP – ITALTRANS RACING TEAM, KALEX
36 MIKA KALLIO FIN – MARC VDS RACING TEAM, KALEX
38 BRADLEY SMITH GBR – TECH 3 RACING, TECH 3
40 POL ESPARGARO SPA – PONS RACING PONS, KALEX
44 ROBERTO ROLFO ITA – TECHNOMAG-CIP, SUTER
45 SCOTT REDDING GBR – MARC VDS RACING TEAM, KALEX
47 ANGEL RODRIGUEZ SPA – SAG TEAM, FTR
49 AXEL PONS SPA – PONS RACING PONS, KALEX
57 ERIC GRANADO BRA – JIR Moto2, MOTOBI
60 JULIAN SIMON SPA – BQR, FTR
63 MIKE DI MEGLIO FRA – SPEED UP, FTR
71 CLAUDIO CORTI ITA – ITALTRANS RACING TEAM, KALEX
72 YUKI TAKAHASHI JAP – FORWARD RACING, SUTER
76 MAX NEUKIRCHNER GER – KIEFER RACING, KALEX
77 DOMINIQUE AEGERTER SWI – TECHNOMAG-CIP, SUTER
80 ESTEVE RABAT SPA – PONS RACING PONS, KALEX
82 ELENA ROSELL SPA – QMMF RACING TEAM, MORIWAKI
88 RICKY CARDUS SPA – QMMF RACING TEAM, MORIWAKI
93 MARC MARQUEZ SPA – MONLAU COMPETICION, SUTER
TO BE ANNOUNCED – SAG TEAM, FTR

Source: motogp.com

3 LUIGI MORCIANO ITA – IODA RACING PROJECT, IODA
5 ROMANO FENATI ITA – TEAM ITALIA FMI, IODA
7 EFREN VAZQUEZ SPA – TEAM LAGLISSE, HONDA
8 JACK MILLER AUS – TECHNO RACING, HONDA
9 TONI FINSTERBUSCH GER – RACING TEAM GERMANY, HONDA
10 ALEXIS MASBOU FRA – TECHNO RACING, HONDA
11 SANDRO CORTESE GER – RED BULL KTM AJO, KTM
14 BRAD BINDER RSA – RW RACING GP KALEX, KTM
19 ALESSANDRO TONUCCI ITA – TEAM ITALIA FMI, IODA
23 ALBERTO MONCAYO SPA – ASPAR TEAM, KALEX KTM
25 MAVERICK VIÑALES SPA – BQR, FTR HONDA
26 ADRIAN MARTIN SPA – TEAM LAGLISSE, HONDA
27 NICCOLO ANTONELLI ITA – GRESINI RACING, HONDA
30 GIULIAN PEDONE SWI – PHONICA RACING, ORAL
31 NIKLAS AJO FIN – TT MOTION EVENTS RACING, KTM
32 ISAAC VIÑALES SPA – ONGETTA-CENTRO SETA, HONDA
39 LUIS SALOM SPA – RW RACING GP KALEX, KTM
42 ALEX RINS SPA – MONLAU COMPETICION, HONDA
44 MIGUEL OLIVEIRA POR – MONLAU COMPETICION, HONDA
51 KENTA FUJII JAP – TECHNOMAG-CIP, HONDA
52 DANNY KENT GBR – RED BULL KTM AJO, KTM
53 JASPER IWEMA HOL – MOTO FGR, FGR HONDA
55 HECTOR FAUBEL SPA – ASPAR TEAM, KALEX KTM
61 ARTHUR SISSIS AUS – RED BULL KTM AJO, KTM
63 ZULFAHMI KHAIRUDDIN MAL – AIRASIA-SIC-AJO, KTM
77 MARCEL SCHROTTER GER – MAHINDRA RACING, MAHINDRA
84 JAKUB KORNFEIL CZE – REDOX-ONGETTA-CENTRO SETA, HONDA
89 ALAN TECHER FRA – TECHNOMAG-CIP, HONDA
94 JONAS FOLGER GER – MZ RACING TEAM, MZ
95 MIROSLAV POPOV CZE – PHONICA RACING, ORAL
96 LOUIS ROSSI FRA – RACING TEAM GERY, HONDA
99 DANNY WEBB GBR – MAHINDRA RACING, MAHINDRA

Source: motogp.com

The world championship season begins in Qatar on April 8th and concludes in Valencia on November 11th with 16 rounds in between. The series travels the globe and includes stops throughout Europe, including France, Italy and Spain. Stops also include Japan and Australia as well as 2 events in the United States this summer.

For the 2012 racing season, Team Aspar will consist of Hector Faubel and Alberto Moncayo in the Moto3 competition, Toni Elias and Nicolas Terol in the Moto2 competition and Aleix Espargaro and Randy DuPuniet in the MotoGP competition.

The team will be using Bel-Ray’s complete line of performance lubricants including the popular EXS Synthetic Ester 4T Engine Oil, MotoChill Racing Coolant, Blue Tac Chain Lube and 6 in 1 Multipurpose Lubricants during the 2012 season in all of their racing.

Jennifer Liquori, Bel-Ray Chief Operating Officer: “Bel-Ray has a long history in the Spanish market, supplying the most technically advanced lubricants throughout the Powersports industry. We are thrilled to align with Team Aspar, and their similar history of performance, integrity and winning. We look forward to a long partnership, filled with success.”

Jorge Martínez: “It is very important for us to have the collaboration of a sponsor as prestigious as Bel-Ray. I am sure that this union will be mutually beneficial. Team Aspar will continue to be the biggest private team in the World Championship next season, with a presence in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP classes. Bel Ray will support us in all three classes. The fact that the Team Aspar has international sponsors shows that we are doing a good job, that our hard work is of interest outside of our homeland and that allying oneself with Team Aspar is synonymous with success.”

Gino Borsoi, sport director: “We are thrilled to have Bel-Ray as a sponsor of Team Aspar for the 2012 season and beyond. Bel-Ray’s leading lubrication technology makes them the number one choice for Team Aspar and the extreme racing conditions of MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto 3 Racing”

Source: Bel-Ray Press Release

Now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, this comprehensive application offers an interactive and intensive look into the first ten years of the MotoGP era. Experience everything from the rise and fall of the World Champions to the greatest races of the decade through exclusive photos and video coverage of every race weekend within the 2002-2011 seasons. Navigate the era by season, rider or machine and encounter the MotoGP era like never before.

Experience the elite motorcycling class through the riders that defined the era, from the World Champions of the decade to fan favorites and underdogs, through exclusive images, videos and special features.

Explore each rider profile season by season, or browse all MotoGP riders of the decade at once. Photos of each rider and their corresponding statistics for each season raced provide a comprehensive view of the talent that has formed the category.

Review technical details and zoom in on the high resolution images of each motorbike to have appeared in the category, including the Aprilia RS3 Cube, Ducati’s Desmosedici, Team KR’s Proton, the Harris WCM and Kawasaki’s ZX-RR, and of course each iteration from the powerhouses of Honda and Yamaha.

From the 500cc two-strokes, the ground breaking 990cc four-stoke to the 800cc super machines introduced in 2007, the MotoGP™ History app brings together the big picture of the changes the class has seen over the last decade.

Available now for download to iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad from iTunes, MotoGP™ History is a must have app for the true MotoGP aficionado. Click here for info and download….

Source: motogp.com

The bwin brand will be prominent at each circuit with banners on the track, the pit lane and starting line. Branding will also be included on the podium, in the press conference areas and on interview backdrops, with special LED advertising reinforcing the brand’s image the Grands Prix where it is the title sponsor and underlining the importance of innovation and technology to the bwin philosophy.

Norbert Teufelberger, Co-CEO at bwin.party digital entertainment plc, said: “We are proud to announce the extension of our partnership with MotoGP for another two seasons. MotoGP has become one of the most exciting sports events over the years and fits perfectly with the bwin brand. Hundreds of millions of television viewers follow the thrilling MotoGP races every year.”

Dorna’s Managing Director Pau Serracanta added: “The partnership between bwin and MotoGP over the past seven years has always been associated with reliability, innovation and growth. We are looking forward to racing on together in the upcoming seasons.”

Source: motogp.com

Minister of Tourism, Enrique Meyer, made an offical announcement on Tuesday that the Gran Premio de la República Argentina will be held at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit in the province of Santiago del Estero, starting in 2013.

The presentation was held at the Museo del Bicentenario de Buenos Aires and was attended by various national authorities, representatives of Dorna and other special guests including MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso, former World Championship contender from Argentina Sebastian Porto, professional drivers René Zanatta and Orly Terranova, along with several young Argentine riders such as Leandro Mercado, among others.

Yesterday’s announcement follows the signing of the agreement which took place last September in Paris between the Argentine government, the governor of the province of Santiago del Estero, the company OSD and Dorna to host a MotoGP round in the country beginning in 2013. The Grand Prix will be held at the aforementioned Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo and the agreement lasts for three years.

Source: motogp.com

The Aspar Team remains faithful to its ideals of developing, expanding and embracing new technologies, which is why they will be moving with the times next season and embarking on a new adventure for MotoGP as a Claiming Rules Team (CRT). Not only that but the team will be expanding from one rider, as they have had for the past two seasons, to two with Aleix Espargaró and Randy de Puniet providing a combination of youth and experience. Both have previous experience with the team, the Spaniard in 2009 and the Frenchman in 2005, and just as they did in the 250cc class class they will be powered next season by Aprilia. The Spanish team has enjoyed a relationship with the Italian factory since 1996 and together they have won four world titles as well as finishing runners-up no fewer than seven times. The Noale-based manufacturer will provide engines for the new CRT project, which is already underway with De Puniet having begun testing duties.

Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’:
“We are really happy because we find ourselves with a brand new challenge ahead of us and we have full faith that CRT is the future of MotoGP, which is why we are amongst the first to join this initiative. As a team we continue to grow and after having a single rider for our first two seasons in MotoGP we will now have two in Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaró. I am pleased to welcome Randy back to the team; he was already with us back in 2005 and we have good memories. Aleix was also with us in 2009 although it was only for two races. We are sure that this will be a successful project with the riders we have but also with the engine supplier, which will be Aprilia. We always wanted to stick with them for this project because of the fabulous relationship we have with them and their pedigree in the smaller classes. Our objective this season is to be the best CRT team and to prepare for another step forward in 2013″.

Randy de Puniet:
“I am very happy to return to the Aspar Team, having already raced with them in 2005 during my 250cc career. I have very fond memories of that time and now we are taking on a new challenge together in the shape of CRT. I know that this is a very competitive team and they will be fighting to have the best material available. We have already tested and gathered a lot of good feedback. CRT is the future of MotoGP and even though we have a lot of work ahead of us it will be enjoyable. The objective for next season will be to adapt as soon as possible to this new prototype and gradually close the gap to the factory bikes. Testing at Jerez was very productive, we had good weather and managed to gather a lot of good data. The lap times were interesting even though we are obviously a long way off the motorcycle we will start the season with so I am very pleased with how everything is coming together.”

Aleix Espargaró:
“First of all I am very excited to join the Aspar Team and especially to be returning to MotoGP, which is a huge source of motivation for me. In 2010 I had a pretty positive season and I would have liked to continue for another year. I think that with my height and weight I should be more suited to the category and I am sure we’ll have a good year and get some great results for the Aspar Team. CRT is a totally new concept and we will have a lot of work to do at the start but I have joined the Aspar Team because they comes with certain guarantees and I know they won’t take this challenge lightly. They are very professional and I am sure they will develop a great motorcycle. I am delighted to be involved with this new project.”

Source: Aspar Media

Terol was crowned 2011 125cc World Champion in Valencia less than two weeks ago, whilst Elías won the inaugural Moto2 title in 2010 and returns to the category having ridden in MotoGP this season.

Both riders were present at the private Test held in Valencia this week, riding on Thursday and Friday as they began preparations for the 2012 season.

Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’, Team Owner:
“I’m extremely happy to welcome Toni Elías to the Aspar Team. We still have great memories of his time in the team in 2002 and 2003. With regards to Nico, it’s fantastic that he makes the step up to Moto2. It’s a completely new category for him, and as such all he has to do is enjoy every moment and work hard so that he learns and moves forward. I’m convinced he’ll do well because he’s a World Champion, irrespective of what category he is in. We have a really strong line-up, and the Aspar team will continue to be at the highest level next season.”

Toni Elías:
“I’m really delighted to return to the Aspar Team which is like a family to me because I was there in 2002 and 2003. Many years have passed since then but I’ll work with the same technical team, and I know they have great potential. Added to that is the fact the bike is very strong. We’ll work extremely hard throughout the winter to be ready for next season, and I think we can have a very good campaign. We fought for the title together in 2003 and in the end we weren’t able to get it, so we have unfinished business there. This is an added motivation to fight for the title in 2012.”

Nico Terol:
“It was a fantastic achievement to take the last-ever 125cc title and it was something that had been a dream since I was a child. It’s also helped me to make the step up to Moto2 with much more motivation. I knew if I won the title it’d help raise my confidence in myself. I’ll approach the season with great patience, without rushing but at the same time without slowing down, and always working hard to improve. Next week we’ll test at Jerez and during the winter I’ll work hard to be ready for when I get back on the bike. I feel privileged to have a team-mate like Toni, and I think the Aspar team has formed a great team which can achieve huge success.”

Source: motogp.com