MotoGP is adding an all-electric class. The CEO of the Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, told journalists that an electric supports series featuring up to 18 bikes could start competing this year.
The MotoGP bikes are expected to reach speeds of around 200km/h (124mph), making them slightly slower than the existing Moto3 bikes, with races expected to last around 10 laps each.
“We wanted a championship, green, ecological.” Ezpelta said. “We will make a mono-brand to not cause an increase in costs and we have entrusted this to Enel and Energica.
“We’ve been thinking about it for 6 to 7 years, but we have to separate it from MotoGP, even for TV coverage, otherwise it would be too expensive.
“You do not have to do as they did with Formula E. For now, we want to see how electric motorcycles will behave on the track.” Ezpelta added.
Last season was a disaster for Valentino Rossi and his teammate, Maverick Vinlaes, so the Italian rider is already looking forward to 2019.
“For now, he is still one of the best in MotoGP, I spoke with Vale and I see him determined, combative and especially with the desire to always do better. I do not say anything, but I expect him to stay in MotoGP.” Ezpelta said.
“We try to do our best. I wish it’s a good season. All the teams showed promising things during the Sepang tests. It’s very good for the future. We had a very balanced championship in 2017 and 2016 with 9 different winners and that’s good for us.
“I expect the Ducati to fight to the end. The elimination of grid girls is meaningless, the choice remains that of sponsors. The teams, the activity of the paddock, have many women who work on various and varied tasks but never, we have had any claims on this state of affairs.” he added.
Full 18-rider MotoE roster revealed for 2019. (Source:www.tribunnews.com)
The problem is, all MotoGP riders are not satisfied with the electric bikes that claim to be the future of motorcycling. Yamaha’s Rossi in one of the detractors of this type of engines and says he does not like them.
“The sound of a two-stroke engine is something special for me, maybe the best, I also like the four times, which balance the balance and electric motors, I don’t know, I do not like electric motorcycles.” Rossi said.
