125cc and 250cc GPs

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AlexdeAngelis-Fan @ Nov 24 2008, 12:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Bradl want to be in 250cc too
but he i still looking for a sponsor
he already has the okay from the Dorna to move to 250cc class
so it isn´t official, but it looks like he will go to the 250cc class too

Bradl appears on the 125cc entry list so i guess he's not going anywhere.

Joan Olive seems to be missing from the entry lists, as does Hector Faubel (i heard running Tai Honda in 250). Does anyone know what going on?

Has anyone else been looking at 125 and 250 test times and rider/team changes this winter?

the 250 season looks to be between Batui and Marco, unsurprisingly. The field actually looks a little thin so far, and i don't usually say that so we'll see how it pans out. There seems to be more Honda teams with credible riders this year so i'll be interested to see how that goes.

The 125 championship seems as open as ever, although Simon has been consistently quick in testing, but Aspar are always at the sharp end on speed, consistency wins the championship. Having pulled out of 250 KTM should have a more focussed 125 effort now, but from what i can see they don't look like they are gonna win a lot. What do people think?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tom @ Mar 20 2009, 05:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Has anyone else been looking at 125 and 250 test times and rider/team changes this winter?

the 250 season looks to be between Batui and Marco, unsurprisingly. The field actually looks a little thin so far, and i don't usually say that so we'll see how it pans out. There seems to be more Honda teams with credible riders this year so i'll be interested to see how that goes.

The 125 championship seems as open as ever, although Simon has been consistently quick in testing, but Aspar are always at the sharp end on speed, consistency wins the championship. Having pulled out of 250 KTM should have a more focussed 125 effort now, but from what i can see they don't look like they are gonna win a lot. What do people think?

Can someone explain why Bonsey moved up to 250's? He was set for a good year on the 125's. And I think what he will learn this year will be for naught, as the 600 BS Dorna is trying to pull will be a completely different bike.

I think that is also why 250's grid is thin. Other than KTM pulling out (KTM looks like they might fold as a company in the next year), I think teams are waiting to see how Moto2 works out in Spain to invest. But you do have a new team in Racing Team Germany, but other than that, it looks bad.

Ratthapark Wilairot seems to be right up there in testing recently. I really rate the guy, but surely that Honda shouldn't be anywhere near all those Aprilia's, never mind in the top 3???

Simon is obviously the favourite for the 125's, but I'm rooting for the kid in my avatar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stevo @ Mar 20 2009, 11:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Ratthapark Wilairot seems to be right up there in testing recently. I really rate the guy, but surely that Honda shouldn't be anywhere near all those Aprilia's, never mind in the top 3???

Simon is obviously the favourite for the 125's, but I'm rooting for the kid in my avatar.

Testing is on!! Aoyama and Wilairot are both looking impressive, but i don't think the Honda is as far behind as some people seem to think. Having said that, racing will be different to testing, so lets see how it goes. The usual suspects were at the sharp end on day one, although Debon was right at the tail end, hopefully thats not permanent.

125 was dominated by Simon again, he has to be strong favorite by now. Marquez is holding KTM up, i'd love to know if they are running their KERS this season or not. Smith and Redding in the top ten!

The grid is thin because due to Moto2 coming KTM has left and Aprilia now wants to get payed beforehand, which combined with the crisis has made many teams unable to set up a team and most are just buying one bike (which will be the norm next year to cut costs).

I thought it would be interesting to show the prices of the bikes (extracted from Motociclismo)

Aprilia

RSA works 2 bikes: 1.15M € (only Simoncelli, Bautista and Lüthi have 2 bikes)
RSA works 1 bike: 550.000€
LE (basically the 2007 official bike Lorenzo used) : 350.000€
L 200.000€
RS basic: 85.000€

Honda

RSW 300.000€ + 45.000€ (Showa fork+damper kit)

Though Honda officially ceased work on the RSW that's just HRC official department. Honda works with their customers to make new parts (as long as the customers pay them).
That's why Honda's can still keep pace with Aprilia. But of course Mr. Dovizioso would rather make us (and MotoGP bosses) think he was THAT good.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teomolca @ Mar 26 2009, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That's why Honda's can still keep pace with Aprilia. But of course Mr. Dovizioso would rather make us (and MotoGP bosses) think he was THAT good.

Interesting stuff about prices there, it helps to explain why there seems to be more Hondas this year, with budgets being cut it makes some sense. Also, am i right to gather from the above quote that you aren't convinced the Honda is as bad as Dovi and his fans make out?

interesting indeed... i noticed that steve bonsey & his aprilla madrid team are absent from the test. i wonder what gives?

FIA has banned KERS in 125cc, KTM had developed a system and used it already in Valencia GP last year!

I must say I was completely unaware of this, though it pretty cool KTM did it!

Anyone know the track conditions tonite... the 125s seem off pace and widely spread out in FP1...

Anyone know why Debon's not out for 250 FP1?

Simon definitely was way out in front.

I wonder how Simoncelli is going to do with his scaphoid injury. So far he is running midpack

Welllll... Marco 3 seconds of pace - scaphoid needs to heal - at that pace he won't be in the points... so what's the point? Wilairot seems to be the real deals this year... bike's more competitive and he seems to have matured and is taking advantage of his experience ... Cluzel... WTF?

Oh yeah, Debon - 5 really late laps??

Normally in each class there are one or two riders I follow/support/especially interested in....this year however, with Kallio moving to 800s, I haven't got anyone in the 250 class...who should it be? and why? Obviously Simoncelli and Bautista will be an exciting battle to watch but they were rivals with Kallio so off the list for now at least...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pirkkalan GP @ Apr 11 2009, 06:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Normally in each class there are one or two riders I follow/support/especially interested in....this year however, with Kallio moving to 800s, I haven't got anyone in the 250 class...who should it be? and why? Obviously Simoncelli and Bautista will be an exciting battle to watch but they were rivals with Kallio so off the list for now at least...

Talmacsi is the only rider in 250 i am particularly attatched to. But the class has plenty of characters to make it a worthwhile watch.

Lol. That a windup? Talmasci is the most disliked man in the paddock (for me)....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pirkkalan GP @ Apr 11 2009, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Lol. That a windup? Talmasci is the most disliked man in the paddock (for me)....

No i've been a Talma fan for a few years i think hes brilliant to watch.

Wow - Simoncelli out, resting for Japan... FROMMOTOGP

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pirkkalan GP @ Apr 12 2009, 12:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Normally in each class there are one or two riders I follow/support/especially interested in....this year however, with Kallio moving to 800s, I haven't got anyone in the 250 class...who should it be? and why? Obviously Simoncelli and Bautista will be an exciting battle to watch but they were rivals with Kallio so off the list for now at least...

Yeah, watch Wilairot... talented underdog!

250 qualifying rained off. Thats crap