James Toseland's Insider Insights: 6th March 2019

LOSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT: QATAR

We are less than a week from the inaugural Triumph powered Moto2 race and I can’t wait to watch the race!

Qatar once again hosts the first round of the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 championships. Since the first ever Moto2 race back in 2010, the championship has been powered by Honda’s 600cc engine and we’ve enjoyed some amazing racing over the last 8 years. This year though is going to be very different. Most of the grid is already under the lap record pace at the pre-season tests and the feedback from the riders couldn’t more positive about their new engine.

The Moto2 championship is now one of the most competitive motorcycle classes in the world and this season's depth of field is the strongest I’ve seen it.
Our very own Sam Lowes has had a new lease of life since he rode his Triumph Grisini machine and he’s looking like one of the favourites to battle for the championship. There’s a gaggle of young, fast, hungry riders that will be making Sam’s life very difficult though. Will Alex Marquez finally get the consistency to win a championship? Will Brad Binder be the first ever South African to win the championship? Will Rossi’s half brother, Luca Marini, keep up his blistering form from the second half of last season? Plus there are many, many more potential race winners. 

Around 20 riders will be lapping within a second of each other and this will make it very difficult for rookies like Jake Dixon who will have a lot to learn. Tracks, travelling, prototype motorcycles, jet lag, language barriers are just a few to mention. He’s a fast rider though and I’m sure he’ll learn fast. As I’m writing this brief overview of what’s to come this year in the Moto2 championship, it’s obvious that it could be the best Moto2 championship we’ve ever seen.

Nearly 10 riders could be battling for the championship and nearly 20 riders could be battling for the podium! It can’t fail to be an amazing season of racing. Triumph coming into the championship this season has injected a fresh excitement to the category and will be an ever better stepping stone into MotoGP!

Good luck to all the riders across all classes this season!