Moto2 has been the intermediate category of Grands Prix since 2010. But in 2019, it will present a completely new face. Thirteen departures since 2018 but as many arrivals including ten beginners, all with a new three-cylinder engine Triumph. It's nothing to say that the cards are redistributed. And given the offseason testing, this change could benefit those who need to restart their careers...
However, the departures towards MotoGP of Francis Bagnaia, reigning Moto2 World Champion, Miguel Oliveira, his dolphin, fabio quartararo and Joan Mir, the 2019 season is an opportunity for new riders joining the Moto2 grid. Among them, we find the top four of the last Moto3 World Championship: Jorge Martín, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marco Bezzecchi and Enea Bastianini. The other rookies are Philipp Öttl, Nicolò Bulega, Lukas Tulovic, Somkiat Chantra, Jake Dixon and Dimas Ekky Pratama.
The cases of Tom Luthi,Augusto Fernandez and Xavi Cardelus are different, because for them it is a return to the discipline.
15 riders on the full-time roster have already won Grand Prix races. Between them, these 15 riders have 66 World Championship victories. Tom Luthi et Simone Courses are the only ones to have won 125cc races. Three of the riders competing in Moto2 in 2019 won the Moto3 World Championship: Alex Marquez, Brad Binder et George Martin. Tom Luthi won the 125cc World Championship in 2005. Sam Lowes won the Supersport World Championship in 2013.
The oldest pilot is Tom Luthi, who will be 32 years and 185 days old during the opening race of the year. The other Moto2 rider aged over 30 in Qatar will be Simone Courses (31 years and 320 days). The youngest regular rider on the Moto2 entry list is Lukas Tulovic, who will be 18 years and 268 days old when he lines up on the grid in Qatar. There will be no French entered in the category this year.
In 2019, the Moto2 category moves from Honda to Triumph as sole engine supplier. Kalex is the most successful chassis manufacturer in Moto2 with 96 victories. The other manufacturers with victories in Moto2 are: Suter (32 victories), KTM (9), Speed Up (8), Moriwaki (8), FTR (2), Motobi (2) and Tech3 (1). This season, the MV Agusta name will be on the fairings of the Forward team's machines. The last tests of the off-season on a Losail track which will open the Qatar Grand Prix were dominated by Sam Lowes, followed by Tom Luthi perked up. We will remind you that Tech3 will no longer be blowing with its Mitsral610 but will be playing with a KTM.
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- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) March 7, 2019
