Kenny Roberts Senior and Junior have also switched to Honda power and the Oxfordshire-based Team Roberts have a real chance of success this year, with the combination of former 500cc World Champion Kenny Junior, who returns to the fold, and RCV power making them a realistic top five challenger with the brand new KR211V.
Kawasaki is also looking for a big season after some very impressive winter testing. Japanese ace
Shinya Nakano has been flying with some very fast and consistent times, including third fastest behind the two Ducatis in
Jerez last week. He’s joined by French 250cc star
Randy de Puniet who already looks to have made a successful transition to
MotoGP despite a few customary tumbles.
Anglo American
John Hopkins stayed with Suzuki despite offers from other teams and he’s joined by a new team-mate in Australian
Chris Vermeulen and team sponsor Rizla for 2006. Hopkins - long overdue a podium - has settled well in his new role as team leader and been in great shape during testing, while former World Superbike star Vermeulen improves every time he rides the bike.
Another rider to impress during the winter is Spanish veteran Carlos Checa, who has bounced back in style from the collapse of the Honda Pons team by securing a ride alongside James Ellison at the Dunlop backed Tech 3 Yamaha team - and setting head turning one-lap testing times. German Alex Hoffman also retains a MotoGP ride with Pramac d’Antin where he’s joined by Spaniard Jose Luis Cardoso.
Meanwhile, the 250cc World Championship is wide open after the departure of Pedrosa and Stoner, leaving the way open for some typically frantic battles between Spaniards
Jorge Lorenzo and Hector Barbara who have switched to Aprilia power. Also look out for
Alex de Angelis, Hiroshi Aoyama and Marco Simoncelli to liven up the action.
125cc World Champion Thomas Luthi returns to defend his crown in 2006, but is recovering from a broken collarbone. Last season Luthi won a tight title race with KTM's Mika Kallio and the Finn is sure to be a leading contender once again.
