From a press release:

Dorna founds the MotoGP Academy

Dorna Sports, rights owners to the MotoGP World Championship, has created a new project called “MotoGP Academy” to train riders from different nationalities so that they can participate in MotoGP in the near future.

The most promising young riders from Europe have undergone a selection process and six of them have been offered the chance to take part into a complete programme directed by former rider Alberto Puig, current Telefónica Movistar Honda Team Manager in the 250cc class. Puig has a broad experience in projects of this sort, including those which have enabled the discovery and development of talented riders such as Dani Pedrosa, Toni Elías, Casey Stoner, Chaz Davies and Julián Simón.

There are two separate work areas that the riders will put into practice both in their home countries and in Spain: psychophysical and sports. The psychophysical development will be carried out by specialists who will plan a work routine, with a daily preparation programme, as well as additional aspects such as improvement of languages. The selected riders will live in a residence for top-level sportsmen in Barcelona during the several stages programmed in Spain. This residence is equipped with outstanding facilities and has a highly experienced team of doctors and sports physiotherapists.

The sports preparation will consist of winter motocross and supermotard training in different tracks. In addition, the riders will participate in the 2005 Spanish Championship (CEV) in the 125cc category with Honda RS, and will have the chance to participate as wildcards in some of the races of the 2005 World Championship.

A technical structure will be supporting the riders. It is to be directed by highly reputed professionals with experience in MotoGP, such as Alex Batlle -who spent six years in the World Championship with men such as Crivillé, Barros and Capirossi- and Juan Martínez -who collaborated along Doohan and Rossi as a suspension engineer and is currently Sete Gibernau’s crew chief in the World Championship. Former rider Raúl Jara will be in charge of the sports coordination.

The six selected riders are:

– Joshua Sommer, age 15, Germany, Red Bull Rookies to MotoGP Champion
– Meik Minnerop, age 15, Germany, 4th in the 125cc German Championship
– Bradley Smith, age 14, Great Britain, 4th Aprilia Superteen
– Daniel Webb, age 13, Great Britain, 2nd Aprilia Superteen
– Ion Garrido, age 16, Spain, Movistar Junior Cup Champion
– One more Spanish rider from the Movistar Junior Cup, to be selected soon.



The two Spanish riders take part in the MotoGP Academy as a continuation of their participation in the Movistar Junior Cup, and will race under Movistar colours.



And now, a reader’s reaction:


FIRST PERSON/OPINION

Via e-mail:

I assume the press release regarding the camp for riders to assist their move into MotoGP didn’t mention which U.S. riders were reviewed in their process. In my eyes DORNA always seems to have a view limited to Europe, especially Spain and Italy, unless it involves a large check coming their way. I was a little surprised to see the inclusion of German riders.

I guess they’re STILL afraid of American and Australian riders. Check me if I’m wrong but I believe the Italians already have a couple of good riders entered in MotoGP next season…

Gary Hilliard
Dover, Delaware