2008 entry list: Stoner number one.
The 22-year-old Australian claimed his and Ducati's first premier-class crown wearing the #27, but will - like Nicky Hayden before him - defend the title with the world champion's digit.
The #1 plate was absent from MotoGP from 2001-2005, when champion Valentino Rossi chose to retain his famous #46. The last rider to successfully defend the 500cc/MotoGP world title with the #1 was Mick Doohan in 1998. As expected, Hayden will return to the #69 for 2008.
The 22-year-old Australian claimed his and Ducati's first premier-class crown wearing the #27, but will - like Nicky Hayden before him - defend the title with the world champion's digit.
The #1 plate was absent from MotoGP from 2001-2005, when champion Valentino Rossi chose to retain his famous #46. The last rider to successfully defend the 500cc/MotoGP world title with the #1 was Mick Doohan in 1998. As expected, Hayden will return to the #69 for 2008.
Stoner's fellow Australian, Chris Vermeulen, will also change his racing number next year - the Rizla Suzuki star switching to a Barry Sheene inspired #7, which was previously taken by Carlos Checa.
Of the four class rookies, double World Superbike champion James Toseland will stick with his familiar #52, while double 250cc champion Jorge Lorenzo will revert to his old #48. Alex de Angelis will run the #3, last used in the class by Max Biaggi, while Andrea Dovizioso has inherited the #4 previously used by Alex Barros.
The entry list also confirms that Team Roberts is yet to secure its MotoGP future, while Ilmor - which disappeared from the grid after the opening round of 2007 - shows no signs of attempting a return. There are thus currently only 18 confirmed riders.
The only new title sponsors to appear on the list are Alice, which has acquired the naming rights for d'Antin Ducati, and Scot, which has merged with JiR to run Dovizioso.
The full provisional 2008 MotoGP entry list can be seen below:
#1Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
#3Alex de AngelisRSM Honda Gresini
#4Andrea DoviziosoITA JiR Scot Team
#5Colin EdwardsUSA Yamaha Tech 3
#7Chris VermeulenAUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
#13Anthony WestAUS Kawasaki Racing Team
#14Randy de PunietFRA Honda LCR
#21John HopkinsUSA Kawasaki Racing Team
#24Toni EliasSPA Team Alice
#26Dani PedrosaSPA Repsol Honda Team
#33Marco MelandriITA Ducati Marlboro Team
#46Valentino RossiITA Fiat Yamaha Team
#48Jorge LorenzoSPA Fiat Yamaha Team
#50Sylvain GuintoliFRA Team Alice
#52James ToselandGBR Yamaha Tech 3
#56Shinya NakanoJPN Honda Gresini
#65Loris CapirossiITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
#69Nicky HaydenUSA Repsol Honda Team
#TBATo Be Advised TBA Team Roberts
#TBATo Be Advised TBA Team Roberts
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
