Established as a World Championship by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) in 1949, MotoGP is now into its 63rd year. It is the oldest motorsports championship in the world and the premier class of three racing classes that take to the track on a typical Grand Prix weekend. Formerly labelled ‘500cc’, the championship underwent a change in 2002 with new technical regulations permitting the introduction of four-stroke machinery and increasing the engine capacity to 990cc, thus becoming MotoGP. From 2007 the rules were again altered, limiting engine capacity to 800cc. MotoGP has been administrated by commercial rights owners Dorna Sports under the supervision of the FIM since 1992.
MotoGP has a rich history with Grand Prix events having taken place in every corner of the world throughout the last 62 years. More than 2.2 million people came through the gates of the circuits to watch MotoGP in 2010. Italy, Great Britain, Spain, the USA and Australia are just some of the nationalities that have all totalled high numbers in terms of race victories and world titles, the details of which can be found in the Results & Statistics section.
As well as the premier class there are also two ultra-competitive World Championship Grand Prix categories which form part of ‘MotoGP’. The 125cc and Moto2 (formerly 250cc) World Championships have their own races at each Grand Prix, meaning that by the end of the season three new champions are crowned.
RACE WEEKENDS
On a Grand Prix weekend there is a race in each of MotoGP’s three categories:- 125cc – Is the first step for young riders into World Championship competition. Maximum engine displacement is 125cc (single-cylinder units). The maximum age for riders is 28 years (25 for wild-card riders or those newly contracted and competing in a 125cc GP for the first time) and the minimum age is 16 years.
- Moto2 – This new 4-stroke class was announced in December 2008 and replaced the 250cc category from 2010. Moto2 is aimed as being a prestigious yet cost-effective accompaniment to the premier class of MotoGP. Honda is the sole engine supplier, and Dunlop provide the tyres. The bikes are powered by a 600cc 4-stroke engine, producing around 140hp, and the Moto2 class continues the 250cc series’ pursuit of developmental excellence with the running of a prototype chassis which is free from limitation. The design and construction of the chassis is free within the constraints of the FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations. The main frame, swingarm, fuel tank, seat and fairing/bodywork from a non-prototype (ie. series production road-homologated) motorcycle may not be used. The minimum age for riders is 16.
- MotoGP – The ultimate test for the finest talents in motorcycle racing, in which the maximum engine capacity is the aforementioned 800cc (4-stroke engines) and the minimum age for riders is 18. Motorcycles competing in the MotoGP class must be prototypes.
A Grand Prix event takes place over three days, with the first two of those for practice and qualification for each class. The third day is race-day. There are free practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, and a single qualification practice on Saturday afternoon then determines grid order for Sunday's race, with the fastest riders taking the front slots. In each category the three fastest riders take positions on the first row of the grid, with the rest lining up in rows of three behind.
After warm-up sessions for each category on race-day, traditionally the 125cc contest begins the programme, with the Moto2 class following and then finally the blue riband MotoGP event. This can be subject to change however. Races vary in length between 95-130km and normally last between 40-45 minutes, conforming to a set number of laps which differs at each track. Pit-stops are rare but permitted, and are especially applicable in changeable weather conditions when riders can enter the pit-lane and switch machines to one fitted with different spec tyres (only MotoGP).
RIDERS
The current MotoGP World Champion is factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, who in 2010 claimed his first premier class title. The Championship saw Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) finish runner-up behind him after some fantastic battles along the way, with nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi placing third.Meanwhile, the likes of Honda rider Casey Stoner (2007 MotoGP World Champion) and Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso are also stars of the show, with riders such as Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden and Ben Spies all challenging for top-five finishes. In 2011 they will be joined by a selection of new riders – known as Rookies – who will ensure that the level of competition and racing ability remains at an exceptionally high level. Czech rider Karel Abraham moves up from the Moto2 class and Brit Cal Crutchlow arrives from World Superbike, with 2010 Moto2 Champion Toni Elías making a return to the elite category.
The list of participants in each Grand Prix is composed of the permanent riders, contracted and nominated by their teams for the whole season, and wildcard entries – who are often local riders. Approximately 18 participants enter each MotoGP race, about 40 take part in each Moto2 race and the 125cc races usually involve around 30 riders.
Riders from around the globe take part in the World Championships including the following countries: Australia, Austria, Colombia, Portugal, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA and Venezuela..
For profiles of every rider from all three Grand Prix categories visit our dedicated Riders & Teams section.
MotoGP also has close links with the Riders for Health charity, which helps health workers in Africa have access to reliable transportation so they can reach the most isolated people with regular and predictable health care
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