Racing on two wheels requires loads of talent and dedication, acquired by riders at a very tender age. Riders get to get their first taste of riding a motorbike when they're as young as 4 years.
MotoGP riders are the fastest men on two wheels on the planet. Not only in a straight line but also on the twisty sections of the track where corner entry techniques and body posture are crucial. Handling a 160 kilogram 240+ HP machine around the twisties requires a lot of practice and physical strength which are achieved by the riders by being a part of the lower classes of the GP Paddock. The lightweight class is where Rookies and young talents get their first taste in the highly competitive world of two wheeled motorsports. Ultra-lightweight bikes, lower complexity in machinery and the high level of competition in the Moto3 class makes it the best place to watch out for young mercurial talents bashing fairings and elbows to snatch their share of points and stay in contention for the championship.
Moto3 machines are small and light machines built around 250cc four stroke single cylinder engines. These engines are DOHC liquid cooled ones cranking upto 50 horsepower and weigh approximately 90 Kilograms without the rider. The engines have hard limiters at 13,500 RPM and are controlled by the spec ECU provided by the FIM and Dorna. Slipper Clutches and Quickshifters are the only aftermarket equipment that can be used on a Moto3 machine, making things easy and simple for the teams and the riders piloting them.
Price caps and strict rules regarding mid season development means the manufacturers are under the knife during the preseason to produce the best package without compromising on any parameter of the motorcycle. The machines run on 17 inch wheels with rubber provided by Dunlop, Total fuels the thirty odd bikes on the grid and Electronic brains (ECU's) are exclusively supplied by Dell'orto systems.
The lesser complicated structure in Moto3 often result in grid sizes surpassing thirty two riders of all shapes and sizes. Right from Fabio Quartararo to Alexis Masbou, there is a mixture of young rookies and experienced veterans in the class, which help the rookies to learn and improve their riding skills and evolve as the "Next big thing".
Competition to land a ride in the Moto3 class is fierce, as the FIM CEV (Junior Spanish championship) and CIV (Junior Italian championship) riders fight their way through the masses and land a competitive contract which helps in the development of the riders' potential. Major Moto3 teams Like Sky Italia VR46, Kiefer (Leopard racing), Red Bull Ajo (Under the Ajo motorsport academy) and Estrella Galicia Honda run bikes in the European championships to have direct intervention with the championships. Many new talents like Niccolo Bulega, Enea Bastianini, Fabio Quartararo stole the show in the Feeder classes with their incredible talent.
Manufacturers Like KTM, Honda and Mahindra line up on the grid for the 2016 season. Husqvarna and Peugeot too will be present on the grid albeit being rebranded versions of the KTM RC250 and the Mahindra MGP3O. Mahindra is the only Indian manufacturer to mark its presence in all the lightweight class championships including the CEV and CIV. Peugeot Branded MGP3O's will be run by the Saxoprint RTG team for the 2016 season.
By: Suraj
*** This is a common sight in the lightweight class! (Mugello 2015)
MotoGP riders are the fastest men on two wheels on the planet. Not only in a straight line but also on the twisty sections of the track where corner entry techniques and body posture are crucial. Handling a 160 kilogram 240+ HP machine around the twisties requires a lot of practice and physical strength which are achieved by the riders by being a part of the lower classes of the GP Paddock. The lightweight class is where Rookies and young talents get their first taste in the highly competitive world of two wheeled motorsports. Ultra-lightweight bikes, lower complexity in machinery and the high level of competition in the Moto3 class makes it the best place to watch out for young mercurial talents bashing fairings and elbows to snatch their share of points and stay in contention for the championship.
Moto3 machines are small and light machines built around 250cc four stroke single cylinder engines. These engines are DOHC liquid cooled ones cranking upto 50 horsepower and weigh approximately 90 Kilograms without the rider. The engines have hard limiters at 13,500 RPM and are controlled by the spec ECU provided by the FIM and Dorna. Slipper Clutches and Quickshifters are the only aftermarket equipment that can be used on a Moto3 machine, making things easy and simple for the teams and the riders piloting them.
Price caps and strict rules regarding mid season development means the manufacturers are under the knife during the preseason to produce the best package without compromising on any parameter of the motorcycle. The machines run on 17 inch wheels with rubber provided by Dunlop, Total fuels the thirty odd bikes on the grid and Electronic brains (ECU's) are exclusively supplied by Dell'orto systems.
The lesser complicated structure in Moto3 often result in grid sizes surpassing thirty two riders of all shapes and sizes. Right from Fabio Quartararo to Alexis Masbou, there is a mixture of young rookies and experienced veterans in the class, which help the rookies to learn and improve their riding skills and evolve as the "Next big thing".
*** Jorge Navarro on the Estrella Galicia Honda.
Competition to land a ride in the Moto3 class is fierce, as the FIM CEV (Junior Spanish championship) and CIV (Junior Italian championship) riders fight their way through the masses and land a competitive contract which helps in the development of the riders' potential. Major Moto3 teams Like Sky Italia VR46, Kiefer (Leopard racing), Red Bull Ajo (Under the Ajo motorsport academy) and Estrella Galicia Honda run bikes in the European championships to have direct intervention with the championships. Many new talents like Niccolo Bulega, Enea Bastianini, Fabio Quartararo stole the show in the Feeder classes with their incredible talent.
*** Mahindra's MGP3O, India's flag carrier in the Moto3 World championship
Manufacturers Like KTM, Honda and Mahindra line up on the grid for the 2016 season. Husqvarna and Peugeot too will be present on the grid albeit being rebranded versions of the KTM RC250 and the Mahindra MGP3O. Mahindra is the only Indian manufacturer to mark its presence in all the lightweight class championships including the CEV and CIV. Peugeot Branded MGP3O's will be run by the Saxoprint RTG team for the 2016 season.
By: Suraj