2005 MotoGP TEAMS

2005 MotoGP RIDERS & TEAMS

2005 pre-season test starts in Sepang on 22 January, 2005

MAIN CHANGES:

Aprilia has withdrawn from MotoGP
Toni Elias moves up from 250cc to join Yamaha (Fortuna) team
Max Biaggi moves from Camel Honda to Honda factory team (Repsol)
Alex Barros dropped by Honda factory team (Repsol) joins Camel Honda
Troy Bayliss dropped by Ducati factory team joins Honda (Camel)
Makoto Tamada will ride for a new Honda team (Konica Minolta) with Michelin tyres
"... It will be a very demanding season for sure but I've great motivation and feel we can get important results..."
Colin Edwards to join Yamaha factory team
Carlos Checa joins Ducati factory team
Nicky Hayden to stay with Honda factory team (Repsol)
Shane Byrne moves from Aprilia to Kenny Roberts (KTM) team
Marco Melandri moves from Yamaha to Honda and becomes team-mate to Sete Gibernau
"... I'm excited to become part of this team, which is more than a team for me - it is a family. We have worked hard to reach this agreement and now that we made it I'm happy. I'm motivated and ready for this new challenge; I look forward to it and would like to start as soon as possible"
Ruben Xaus moves from Ducati to Yamaha (Fortuna) team
YAMAH (Herve Poncharal): "... Ruben not only showed great consistency throughout the 2004 season but also took a brilliant third place at the Qatar Grand Prix"
Kenny Roberts' KR Proton team to be powered by KTM engine
Roberto Rolfo moves up to MotoGP with Ducati satellite team (D'Antin). The team is expetected to use 2004 bike with Dunlop tyres.

2005 HONDA MotoGP

Nicky Hayden USA Honda Repsol Honda
Max Biaggi ITA Honda Repsol Honda
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Sete Gibernau SPA Honda Telefonica Movistar Honda
Marco Melandri ITA Honda Telefonica Movistar Honda
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Alex Barros BRA Camel Pramac Honda Pons
Troy Bayliss AUS Camel Pramac Honda Pons
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Makoto Tamada JPN Honda Konica Minolta (JiR - Japan Italy Racing)

2005 YAMAHA MotoGP

Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha Gauloises Factory Team ** 2004 MotoGP CHAMPION **
Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Gauloises Factory Team
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Toni Elias SPA Fortuna Yamaha *** MotoGP debut ***
Ruben Xaus SPA Fortuna Yamaha