Moto2 paddock rumors has it that the intermediary prototype class could put in place a minimum weight requirement that would combine both the weight of the motorcycle as well as the weight of the rider. If the rumor pans out to be truth, the move would benefit riders like Britain’s Scott Redding, whose size and weight have served as a hindrance in the tightly contested class.
With the Moto2 class comprised of machines that use nearly identical 600cc Honda engines, which have been said to produce between 130-140 rwhp, the racing results have been heavily influenced by rider skill, as well as subtler differences like chassis manufacturers. However, some in the Moto2 paddock believe some of the series’ results have been affected extraneous factors, most notably by rider dimensions, with taller and bigger riders at a disadvantage.
As such, Carmelo Ezpeleta is said to be considering a 220 kg (484 lbs) minimum combined weight rule, which would include the bike, rider, and the rider’s safety gear. If 220 kg is the magic number, Redding could see a gain on his fellow riders, though the British rider would surely still be at a disadvantage, with the current crop of Moto2 machines weighting 295 lbs or more.
Whether the criticism levied by Redding et al is valid or not is up to a bit of conjecture, but no one has been more vocal about the issue than Britain’s Scott Redding. The tall Englishman has been pushing for a combined minimum weight rule in Moto2 for the majority of the 2012 season, and now Redding and the Marc VDS Racing team may get their wish on the matter.
The issue has also been a favorite whipping boy for the British press, which has been anything but neutral on the issue, often attributing Redding’s results to his size and weight, and not his performance on the bike. At roughly 190 lbs in full-kit, Redding is one of the heaviest riders in the Moto2 class though, where he has to contend with riders nearly 40 lbs light than him, so there has to be some acknowledgment that there is definitely an advantage at play within the class, though the debate rages on as to whether it is an advantage that has affected podium spots, and also whether rider weight is even an issue that should be balanced via the rulebook.
When debating the merits of the case, it is important to note that such an imposition of a combined weight rule could lead to a new arms race in the Moto2 class, as chassis designers for larger riders could be pushed to find further weight savings to compensate for a heavier talent on board the motorcycle — and as we all know, there is an inverse relationship between bike weights and their corresponding price tags.
On the flip side though, allowing smaller riders, who are well-under the minimum combined weight, to gain a few pounds could help increase the safety of the sport, as GP motorcycle racing has become a sport occupied with wafer-thin jockey-esque riders, who seeming snap like twigs (one Dani Pedrosa comes to mind). By putting less emphasis on a rider’s weight, we may see healthier and more robust riders on the starting grid, which in the grooming classes for MotoGP, where riders tend to be of a younger age, the move can only be seen as a good thing for the sport.
It will be interesting to see if Moto2 gets this combined rider and bike minimum weight limit, which is already in place in the Moto3 class. However, what will be even more interesting is to see if this adds more fuel to the fire for a similar rule to be imposed in MotoGP — something that was of great issue when the class went to a smaller fuel allotment, and larger riders like the late Marco Simoncelli complained of having less power than smaller competitors because of fuel concerns.
Source: BSN & MCN; Photo: © 2012 Scott Jones / Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved
Should already be the case. Way too simple of a rule to make competition fairer and more interesting.
It is only fair. 40 lb difference on 400lb machine + rider? That is 10 % weight bonus for the little guys.This rule should apply to all classes.
All classes should combined rider-machine weight limits.
F1 has done it for years and they are as close to pure prototype/unlimited budget as any racing is in this modern era.
If the right limit is set the small guys still have some advantage because they should come in under the limit and have the option to move ballast around the bike for balance. meanwhile, bigger and heavier riders can have actual muscle mass that might be an advantage for them in some sections of the track.
Everyone wins, racing is closer, no brainer, why did they not follow F1s’ lead years ago?
@Marvin; Remember that adding 4Kg of ballast created chatter on the MotoGP HRC Hondas. So the theory of advantage goes out the window. I cannot imagine a chassis being created for a weight of X Kg behaving the same way when you add ballast. 125 and now the Moto3 need it because they have 30-40 bhp and there are riders 16 (sometimes even younger) riding with 25 (or older back in the day).
This rule will put in disadvantage smaller riders. They will have to muscle a bike with 20Kg more, while the big riders will have then have a size and strength advantage. Try adding 20 Kg to your road bike and then see how nice it feels to the handling. Now imagine that while on the edge in a race track.
Scott Redding must be one slim dude! He is 6’2″ and weight 190lbs in full gear. I am 6’2″ and weigh 196lbs in my birthday suit, carry 10% body fat and while I do carry a bit of muscle I am by no means in the Jason Statham range.
Long over due. Time for every class to adopt, yes it will create unique issues but this needs to be addressed to insure the future of the sport.
I’m all for this. It would be nice to see more average-sized riders be able to compete and not be handicapped by not being the size of a hobbit, nor as skinny as Kate Moss.
@ Anon.
Adding ballast to make the minimum weight limits has been done by factory teams in SX, Indycar, drag bikes and cars, Formula 1, superbikes, and the list goes on. Yes it’s an adjustment that may need some time to get right, like any rule change but its just another rule adjustment like any other. After all, just look how uneffected Yamaha was adding virtually the same ballast Honda did this year.
As for disadvantage to small guys, lets not forget they start with a huge advantage aerodynamically and in power to weight. That used to be evened out by ill handling hard hitting bikes that bigger guys could manhandle better but modern tech and increased speeds and aero needs have skewed the balance. Is it any less fair to ask Pedrosa to add some muscle mass than it is to ask an already leaned-out athlete like Spies to lose 22 pds just to try to match acceleration rates with riders who are still heavier than Pedrosa?
I think the only race this year where Pedrosa didn’t pull a holeshot wad the one he started from the back of the grid and even then he passed half the field by the first turn. I’m sure he’s talented on the clutch, but so is Rossi and the Duc is notoriously hard accelerating and he never pulled any hole shots from the third row.
A Minimum Rider & Bike Weight Rule Coming for Moto2? – http://t.co/JcWXVQla #motorcycle
What happens when Redding still isn’t fast enough, what to do then?
Simoncelli won a 250cc title despite his size.
Body size and shape are a variable in ALL sports.
Awesome!!!
Sean in OZ says:
What happens when Redding still isn’t fast enough, what to do then?
Simoncelli won a 250cc title despite his size.
Body size and shape are a variable in ALL sports.
If you would like to promote a sport that encourages riders to be far below the average height and weight of the current generation thats watching them then good luck with that sport. Think the world of horse racing? You wan that, name some jockeys ? it will be Manufac. only, marketing midgets isnt so smart.
Again cant wait until this bleeds to both GP and Moto3
hmmm new ruling??
Is this because the rookie made from 27th to 1st and down to 4th place @ Sepang moto2 few weeks back?
What do u reckon?
Im really curious…
Why not give a little guy an advantage for once. Like horseracing, we don’t add ballast to the horse. Most things in the world advantages are given for being bigger or taller, let them race, or let the fat guys race in their own class, I’d watch that.
Like horseracing, when we dont give a shit about whos on top of the damm thing, sweet…
Money is a MUCH bigger barrier to becoming a Moto3/2/GP champion than physical stature … and country of origin (location +/- nationality) are also a bigger barrier.
@76
Professional basketball does not include people within the normal height range and includes a significant percentage of athletes who are at the extreme end of the naturally occurring height range. Nobody seems to have an issue with that.
At the top of ANY sport you will find that there is a advantage to a certain body size/shape … and usually the odd individual that is an exception.
@MtgR
You make some nice points. The small guys have an advantage on power/weight ratio and aerodynamically, while bigger guys have an advantage on the manhandling of bikes. Moto2 bikes are still quite crude, so IMHO modern tech does not offset so much the handling issues. In MotoGP not sure if it becomes relevant, it’s a lot of power and a lot of tech for everyone.
In Moto2 is all about frames. I cannot imagine that a Suter frame will behave the same with added 15 Kg or 3 Kg. Then we will have the guys either adapting all frames to suit lighter riders or different parts for different weights. The solution may be adding weight, but it should be carefully studied and not some knee-jerk reaction.
Pedrosa’s last holeshot (getting to first corner first) was Indianapolis. I just checked all last races. Lorenzo got much better at the starts and he brakes later than Pedrosa nowadays. It’s all about finding your strengths and not worrying about your disadvantages. Redding can almost go play basketball so
@Sean in OZ
I agree with Sean in OZ. A much bigger part of the equation is the money/support you get. Bradl had a huge support from the frame builder, Marquez has huge support from Suter and his team. West took a long time until he became properly competitive as things moved much slower.
Wow! Luckily the Spanish run series didn’t bring this regulation in this year, when a pocket sized Spanish rider on a Spanish sponsored bike might not have had so much advantage.
Nah, I’m kidding, no way would Dorna discriminate in favour of one of their compatriots – right? I mean, they’d be dropping the No Rookies in factory teas rule next wouldn’t they?
No, no, no…. two rule changes by the Spanish that could possibly be seen to favour the new rising son of Spain? That would just be too freaky coincidental.