MotoGP Returns To 100cc In 2012

27 December 2009

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MotoGP engines will increase in size from 800cc to 1000cc in 2012 after the sport's governing body and rights holders agreed at a meeting held 18th December 2009.

The international motorcycling federation met with rights holders Dorna in Switzerland following pressure from the manufacturers to increase engine sizes and agreement was reached to switch to 1000cc and also to further discuss rule changes.

"2012 will be the year of a new era of MotoGP," FIM president Vito Ippolito told the motogp.com website. Adding "Manufacturers want 1000cc engines, so that's the way now."

The top engine category in MotoGP increased from 500cc to 990cc back in 2002 but in a bid to reduce operating and development costs this was reduced to 800cc in 2007.

"The 800cc formula hasn't worked," Ippolito was quoted as saying to Italy's Motosprint magazine earlier this month.

In his opinion it had failed in all aspects as the power was the same with 800cc as with 990cc engines, but the cornering speed which was also to be reduced has in fact increased. The costs have continued to increase since 2007 also.

Tissot sponsored Ducati rider Nicky Hayden has always been a supporter of the larger engined bikes, recently he told FemaleFirst that in his opinion the sport took a backward step when they turned to 800cc in 2007

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