MOTOGP » 250: Provisional 2008 entry list

Simoncelli ...I can't fathom him out, he needs to stay on board more often... I'm sure he'd be better suited to motogp bikes but, and it's mere guesswork, nothing is offered and he won't move over to superbikes. For few years now, anyone that's over 1.80m in 250 class has had something developed for Simoncelli at some stage. I remember Chaz Davies benefitting from lots of 'Simoncelli pattern' stuff, over a couple of seasons.

That Gilera is basically an Aprilia with the Gilera logo cast in the engine covers, don't know what place in Aprilia hierarchy it has.
Simocelli is lagging behind a bit last years, isn't he? He is 1.86 m height and weighs 80 kg,
time to move to a different class I'd say...

I see Simoncelli is on a works Gilera... does that mean he's now finally a full factory Aprilia rider

It will be between Kallio and Bautista, but I think Bautista will come out winner in the end.
He is hugely talented, can put a bike any way he likes, has learned from his few mistakes from last season, has more confidence than ever it seems, and already says the new aprilia suits his style even more than last year's one.
Can't wait for the new season to start!! VAMOS BAUTISTA!!

Honda are just evil corporate ******** for dropping development on the 2strokes.

Mika take it now!! If KTM can keep it together then Mika is one strong favourite! Go Mika Go!!!!

I also think it will be between Bautista and Kallio. They're both very fast and proved to be tough competitors last year! If I have to put my money on one of them, I will go for Bautista.

It will be interesting to see what Pasini and Faubel are made of in 250cc!! Both really fast guys. Top 5/6 I predict.

Hiroshi Aoyama is a dark horse. Good, very fast sometimes, but never a real championship treat....

Most dissapointing will be......Poggiali. He's done, especially at a Campetella bike.

Not a bad prediction I'd say Steve,
I think Baustista is massively talented, he seems to go through the ranks like Rossi did (i.e. one learning year, then reap)
Kallio is really strong also but sometimes suffers a freak DNF, almost as if he loses concentration or something.
It also depends on the quality of the bikes ofcourse, I'd say they are a good match in 2008, KTM has some good experience too in 250's. Manuel Poggiali had some very 'lean' years so he isn't in for a better bike at the moment, I wish him well though,
allways love to see him ride

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that this ones going to be between Kallio and Bautista, I think that Pasini will have a season similar to Bautista's this year (Couple of wins, but not a real title threat). Not sure what Poggiali is thinking at Campetella though , bit second rate machinery is that

watchout #45! Doni Tata Pradita

I agree Calvin,

It was initially going to be 2010 but they 'negotiated' it a year futhre at a '07 meeting.
Honda also stated it wants to concentrate on winning the MotoGP title but I think in reality they wanted to push the desicion to drop the twostrokes as it will be turned into a 600 fourcylinder fourstroke class and Honda has a lot of experience in that field.
The opposition of KTM and Aprilia is getting too strong so the prefer to let it 'bleed to death' by pulling out
as the other Japanese factories have done. It is sad because they are a great spectacle t watch, the 125's might stay on a bit.
Honda has a big influence in political decisions regarding rule/formula changes :rolleye