Moto2 to TT
The Isle of Man TT Races are again proving their worldwide showcase to the motorcycling world with the news that one of the all-new Moto2 GP bikes will be contesting the Senior TT.
The 600cc race bikes have replaced the two-stroke 250cc machines at GP level and the 2010 TT will be the first place that motorcycle race fans will see the motorcycle being raced in the British Isles.
British chassis manufacturers FTR will be supplying the Honda-powered racebike. The FTR Moto2 machine offers customers a relatively simple but extremely effective entry to Moto2 racing.
FTR leverages a number of technology partners to ensure a guaranteed level of competitiveness the moment a customer FTR Moto2 machine takes to the race track. FTR’s Moto2 machine includes Ohlins suspension, Marchesini wheels, Brembo brakes and Dunlop tires
The TT bike will be a similar spec to that being ridden in the Grand Prix by racers including former 125cc World Champion Gabor Talmacsi and GP winners Alex Debon and Andrea Iannone. British rider Graeme Gowland has also had considerable success on the machine when he raced in the Spanish Championship at the end of 2009.
Olie Linsdell will be riding the special GP racing motorcycle, which should be able to best the speeds of the Supersport bikes. Olie will be following in his father’s footsteps in riding a revolutionary machine on the Mountain Course. Steve Linsdell was the last man to ride a GP bike in a Senior TT when he rode the 500cc Paton in 2007 and he has also ridden bikes like the GTS1000 Yamaha and Triumph Saxon at a high level.
22-year old Linsdell, a double Manx Grand Prix winner in 2007, looked set to have a strong TT 12 months ago until he broke his leg during Wednesday evening’s practice session following an incident at Glen Duff. He was back on the bike for the Classic 2009 Manx Grand Prix where he led the race until being forced to retire on the final lap.
One of the brightest talents to emerge in recent years, Linsdell is now 100% racing fit and is clearly excited to be given such an opportunity.
Olie Linsdell says: "The Moto2 GP class is exciting for everyone at the moment and I’m delighted and honored to get the opportunity to race one at the TT. There’s a big buzz around the class and while the 600cc bike won’t be quick enough to challenge the Superbikes for the win in the Senior TT, there’s no reason at all why it can’t lap in excess of 125mph and get inside the top ten which would be a great achievement.
"Both the team and I obviously have a lot to learn about how the bike will cope with the Mountain Course but the chassis is as good as anything else out there and we’ll be aiming to match, if not better, the 600cc Supersport lap times. The whole project is sure to create a lot of interest during TT fortnight and we’re confident we can do it justice and get a credible result."
Hon Martyn Quayle (MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, Isle of Man Government) says: "The TT has always provided a great test-bed for new and innovative machinery since its inception in 1907 and everyone is really looking forward to seeing how the Moto2 GP racebike performs on the course. This year’s event is sure to be fascinating for spectators with a wide range of manufacturers – both new and established – competing against each other as well as the return of some old favorites."
Spanish rider Alex Debon took second place at the inaugural Moto2 World Championship Grand Prix race at the Losail circuit in Qatar to give FTR Moto its first World Championship points as a motorcycle racing constructor.
In broader motorcycle racing circle, teams from the MotoGP, World Superbike and British Superbike Championships continue to use the FTR expertise for a huge range of bespoke items and components.
