Its called MotoGP

[asha]

Its finally been confirmed that the 500c class will now be called "MotoGP". This follows half interested spectualtion as to what the new 4 stroke class will be called, "GP1" being the most used recently.

125cc and 250cc GP classes will remain the same. As does the name MotoGP remain as title for the whole event.

New long term contracts have been granted for two rider team. Bringing into existence a "team champion" title.

So now teams and riders compete for
World Champion Rider
World Champion Constructors title and
World Champion team!


--------------------
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta announced today in Japan during the Pacific Grand Prix of Motegi some of the key aspects for the future MotoGP World Championship.

First of all it has been decided by the FIM, following a proposal by Dorna Sports, the company that manages the commercial and TV rights to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, that the premier class of motorcycle grand prix racing, previously known as the 500cc class, will from 2002 be called MotoGP. This responds to the change of regulations approved by the FIM, after a proposal from the manufacturers association MSMA, so that from 2002 this class will be open to 4 stroke prototype machines with a maximum capacity of 990 cc.

The other grand prix classes will continue to be referred to by their capacity limit, 125cc and 250cc.

The process for selecting the teams that will take part in the Championship will remain the same as in the past for the 125cc and 250cc teams, which will be chosen by the Selection Committee. However, in the MotoGP class a new system has been instigated whereby teams are offered longer term contracts of participation to not only give security for the future of the teams but also to guarantee the quality of the premier show.

The list of 13 teams that will participate in 2002 are:

Honda teams: HRC, Team Pons, Hardwick Racing, Team Gresini and Kanemoto Racing.
Yamaha teams: Yamaha Racing Team, Team D'AntÃ*n, Tech 3, and WCM.
Suzuki team: Team Suzuki
Aprilia team: Aprilia Racing
Proton team: Team Roberts
MZ team: Team MZ

All of the above teams have been granted the right to enter two riders in the Championship. The only exception is in the case of one of the Honda entitlements for two riders, Honda have chosen to split this between two teams, each of one rider for Gresini and Kanemoto.

[f1manoz]

What is team MZ? The old Muz that Jurgen rode to two poles a couple of years back?

And don't forget to add Ducati and perhaps Kawasaki to that entrants list for 2003.

It's also good to see that the 125cc and 250cc will stay with the main show. I actually heard a rumour that both classes would be dropped altogether after next year.

Also, the constructors title looks like it will be heading to the mantlepiece of either Mr. Honda or Mr. Yamaha.

[f2001]

ducati will be on the grid, with Bostrom i think.

[f2001]

IN 2002

[Winther]

Others than Bostrom??
Xaus??
Or somebody else?
Well it will be fun.

[asha]

I dont think Ducati will be in GP next year hopefully we will see them in 2003 (or the year after, Ducati are being a bit vague).

The article I posted is an actual Dorna press release, so going from what it says there will only be those 13 teams mentioned next year.