Video Footage
They’re Honda 600s right? Well–not exactly. And this video brings home how insanely cool the new Moto2 class will be. True, the spec-engines are based around Honda’s excellent four-cylinder 600cc motor, but with higher rev-limits and open exhausts these don’t sound like anything from the World Superbike or World Supersport paddock.
Blipping the throttle, they sound very quick-revving–almost like the GP 250cc two-strokes they replace–and that implies to us reduced flywheel weight and horsepower that comes in hard higher-up the rev range.
There will be some interesting names in Moto2 for the 2010 season. Toni Elias–some say the nemesis of Valentino Rossi after his ‘devil-ride’ at Estoril in 2006–has to be a series favorite, but certainly ex-Honda-mounted MotoGP rider Alex deAngelis–who himself had some spectacular rides against not just Valentino Rossi but also the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner–has something to prove and will also clearly be a contender.
Americans will have someone to cheer on too: Recently at the official three-day IRTA tests at the Circuit of Valencia, American Kenny Noyes (domiciled in Spain) riding for the Antonio Banderas backed Jack & Jones team will be giving us someone else to root for other than Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards in the blue riband MotoGP class.
I had the good fortune to meet Kenny at the Kawasaki ZX-10 launch in Qatar a couple years back, and I can tell you, he’s the nicest, most laid-back guy imaginable–but he’s also an animal on the bike. Go Kenny Noyes! We’ll be rooting for him for sure.
So 2010 is going to be a great season, but until the first MotoGP race weekend kicks-off under the bright lights of Qatar on April 9th turn up your audio and treat yourself to what Moto2 racing will have in store for us.
