Best of Moto2 2011

This year was the year Moto2 was confirmed as a category. It arrived two seasons ago and it seemed it would not even come close to the former intermediate class, the 250 cc, but this year the wisdom of Dorna’s organization in choosing this format has been demonstrated.

The races have undoubtedly been the most spectacular of the entire MotoGP package. Races where we have seen thousands of overtakes everywhere, and at times someone even seemed to want to pass on the outside. How many crashes have we seen this year?

On the other hand, we went from having the champion, Toni Elias, to a runner-up, Marc Márquez. Looked at in perspective, that is great: two years, two medals. Setting perspective aside, we feel that Marc is a true champion. That said, one thing does not cancel out the other, and Bradl’s triumph is entirely deserved and well earned.

The year began with Stefan Bradl already occupying the front positions as the races went by. He took the season’s first victory in Qatar, and in total he would reach the podium eleven times in seventeen Grands Prix. And that is how one wins a championship.

Throughout this year we have also seen the number of local riders increase who competed or made their debut in the championship: the Espargaró brothers, Tito Rabat, Marc Márquez, Julian Simón, Xavi Forés, Jordi Torres, Carmelo Morales, Ricky Cardús, Sergio Gadea, Joan Olivé, Elena Rosell, Iván Moreno and Axel Pons. That is fourteen riders from our land, and we must add Kenny Noyes, who races with an American passport, along with all those who came out of our CEV, and they are not few.

As for Aleix and Pol, both have maintained a fine rivalry between brothers. In training they always helped each other, lending each other a wheel, especially the older one to the younger, who, with more experience on four-stroke bikes, soon managed to put in good performances. Pol, however, as soon as he adapted to his bike, managed to put in very good races. His tally was three podiums: one for Aleix (3rd at Montmeló) and two for Pol (2nd at Indianapolis and 3rd at Sepang).

Tito Rabat started the season in a dazzling way, always among the top ten, something he did not even expect at the start, as he confessed to us in an interview. Finally, a third place at Indianapolis has been his best result.

Julian Simón and Xavi Fores have not achieved the season they dreamed of, but this is not the moment to discuss it. Jordi Torres and Carmelo have also had their difficulties in finding performance in the world championship, but there is no doubt that they fought with everything they had, and that is what matters. Ricky Cardús and Axel Pons have fought like lions, but injuries have taken their toll.

An important moment was Elena Rosell, who, although she has to adapt to Moto2, has been spectacular to watch on a bike, to admire how fast she goes and to see that she has earned a place in the future.

We will never forget Márquez’s seven victories, nor the bad luck of his heavy crashes such as the one at Wilairot or the fall in Malaysia caused by the marshals, nor the Indianapolis triplet, where Pol, Tito and Marc himself took the top of the race results. And Márquez’s comeback to third place, starting from last (thirty-eighth position) at Phillip Island.

In conclusion, this year we have been able to love a category that keeps our nerves on edge the whole time, which has gained a great deal in safety with the change from four to three riders on the grid, and above all which has advanced in technological development and goes very fast.