Simon & Elias Confirmed for Moto2

125: Julian Simon confirms Moto2 move
Newly crowned 125cc world champion Julian Simon has confirmed that he will move with his present Aspar team to the new Moto2 championship next season.

Having stepped back down to 125cc for this season, Simon stormed to five wins and ten podiums from the 14 races so far - and was crowned world champion after a final lap victory over team-mate Bradley Smith at Phillip Island last Sunday.

“Yes I will be in Moto2,” said the Spaniard. “I am happy to go to a new category again. Last year I came back to 125 and now I have the opportunity to go back up to Moto2. I hope I can stay strong, have a good bike and make the best of it. Like everybody, one day I would like to reach MotoGP.”

Whilst Simon's future has been decided, Smith is still mulling over options to remain with Aspar in 125GP or move to Moto2.

A Moto2 move would probably mean leaving the Aspar line-up, since present Aspar 250GP rider Mike di Meglio is tipped to partner Simon next season.

Moto2 will replace 250cc and feature 600cc four-stroke motorcycles with identical engines, electronics and tyres - but different chassis.


HANG-OFF KING Toni Elias has signed a one year contract with Sito Pons' new Moto2 team.

Elias was dropped along with team-mate Alex de Angelis from Team Gresini MotoGP and will be replaced by Marco Simoncelli and Marco Melandri in 2010.

Elias will ride alongside Sito Pon’s son Axel in the new Moto2 squad on the German-built Kalex Moto2 machine.

I wonder how happy elias is with this?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Marijke @ Oct 22 2009, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I wonder how happy elias is with this?
400,000 Euro's a year and a favorite for the first Moto2 championship? I'm guessing he's pleased.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Oct 22 2009, 07:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>400,000 Euro's a year and a favorite for the first Moto2 championship? I'm guessing he's pleased.
http://racesport.nl/nieuwsbericht.php?id=20995

its an older post, its from after the brno race. it says he is/was hoping for a ride in motogp and that he was quite frustrated that teams didnt want him. he thinks he is a top 5 rider, sometimes worthy of getting podiums every season, and no one would give him a motogp ride. he says that he is curious how riders who dont get podiumplaces still can get a motogpride every year

he sounded quite bitter. hence why I wondered how he would feel about the move

Yet D'Angelis smoked him at PI. I think he's come to terms with the politics and his lack of consistency.

I think all the teams know Elias is nothing more than your average run of the mill rider, not saying he isn't a good rider... just not spectacular in any ways. And like clarkjw said, he's too damn inconsistent.

I wonder how those 2 Marco's will get along at Gresini? Both big headed Italians and former 250cc champions. Should be an interesting team to look at next year, I've got Simoncelli coming out on top at Team Gresini.

Elias is a top rider. I hope he proves it 'again' in Moto2.

Kropotkin says the Elias deal isn't done and dusted yet. Supposedly there is an agreement in place for Elias to join the Pons Moto2 team but he may yet land at Scot Honda. Scot Honda want the sponsorship money De Angelis bring from the tourism department of San Marino. Sounds like the tourism department of San Marino are getting cold feet and may not bring truckloads of money like Scot want. Scot have asked Elias to delay his signing for Pons by two days should San Marino back out of the sponsorship deal. If they do pull out, Elias should go to Scot Honda and De Angelis would likely end up at Aprilia in WSBK.