2013 San Marino Grand Prix Moto2
Ahead of Misano Moto2, the big news is that the man who took the debut Moto2 title in 2010, Toni Elias, has departed the Blusens Avintia team.
The Spaniard is in negotiations regarding a move to the eni FIM Superbike World Championship, while he is replaced in the intermediate class by Argentina’s Ezequiel Iturrioz.
Fresh from winning his home race, Marc VDS Racing Team’s Scott Redding will head into this weekend’s GP Aperol di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini in Misano as favourite, with Tuenti HP 40 title rival Pol Espargaro needing a good race to reduce the Brit’s lead.
Redding was on superb form in Silverstone, and will prove tough to beat in Misano, however with the likes of Interwetten Paddock Moto2 Racing’s Tom Luthi and Italtrans Racing Team’s Takaaki Nakagami on form at the moment, there are many contenders for the win. Espargaro had a weekend to forget in the UK, though in Misano will still remain one of the favourites for the podium, as will his teammate Esteve Rabat, who usually looks strong towards the end of the race.
The NGM Mobile Forward Racing team could be one to watch with local rider Alex de Angelis, as well as two other strong Italians in the form of Simone Corsi and Mattia Pasini. Idemitsu Honda Team Asia has replaced Yuki Takahashi permanently with Malaysian Azlan Shah, whilst Australian Jason O’Halloran steps in once again for the inured Mike di Meglio in the JiR Moto2 team.
Gino Rea is the only wildcard this weekend with his Gino Rea Montaze Broz Racing team. Blusens Avintia’s Dani Rivas will not contest the race due to injury and will be covered for by Spanish compatriot Alex Mariñelarena. At Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, Italy’s Franco Morbidelli stands in for Doni Tata Pradita for this event.
Argiñano & Gines Racing’s Steven Odendaal is set to appear in Misano, despite suffering a broken right ankle in Moto2 Warm-Up at Silverstone, but will have to pass a medical test before being allowed out on-track.
