Five privateer teams sign-up for new formula.
The Estoril circuit, scene of this weekend's Grande Premio Marlboro de Portugal, witnessed the signing of the agreement between Dorna Sports and the five private seeded teams who will compete in the new elite class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, which will be open to four-stroke bikes with engines of up to 990cc from 2002.
The five squads who have signed up to participate in MotoGP are, in alphabetical order:
Antena 3 Yamaha-d'AntinGauloises Yamaha Tech 3Proton Team KRRed Bull Yamaha WCMWest Honda Pons
The Estoril circuit, scene of this weekend's Grande Premio Marlboro de Portugal, witnessed the signing of the agreement between Dorna Sports and the five private seeded teams who will compete in the new elite class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, which will be open to four-stroke bikes with engines of up to 990cc from 2002.
The five squads who have signed up to participate in MotoGP are, in alphabetical order:
Antena 3 Yamaha-d'AntinGauloises Yamaha Tech 3Proton Team KRRed Bull Yamaha WCMWest Honda Pons
In addition, a one-year agreement has been concluded with Shell Advance for 2002.
Each of the teams will enter two riders in the new blue riband 500cc class of the World Championship, its place guaranteed until 2006, plus future renewals, as set out in the agreement with Dorna Sports, the company which holds the commercial rights to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.
In the next few weeks there will be another announcement about the rest of the grid's composition for next season, with places assigned to the constructors' teams to complete the 13-team line-up.
The new name for the MotoGP 500 category will also be announced.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
