Racing: 25 teams and 39 riders for new Moto2 class

A total of 25 teams have been invited to participate in the inaugural Moto2 road racing world championship class in 2010, which will replace the thoroughbred 250 GP two-stroke platform which has been in place for 61 years.

Eleven of the teams have been invited to field one rider, and the remainder two each to make up the 39-rider grid.

Honda will be the sole engine supplier for the Moto2 class, winning the bid over great rival Yamaha.

Based on the CBR600RR powerplant, the souped-up donk is expected to produce at least 150hp at the crank, and will be visually similar to the production unit. The engine will be housed in full race chassis, and the bikes will race on Dunlop control tyres.

None of the teams applied to participate on a traditional 250 GP machine in 2010, which were allowed for one more year before being phased out altogether.

That will leave only the 125 GP class as the last remaining category from the dawn of grand prix world championship racing in 1949.

Accepted Moto2 teams now have until November 2 to confirm the names of their riders and to lodge a security deposit with IRTA. Should any of the accepted teams propose riders not acceptable to the committee, or if the security deposit is not paid, then consideration will be given to the teams on the reserve list, of which there are 10.