FTR To Build Honda-Powered CRT Bike For Gresini MotoGP Team

Nov 23, 2011 by admin

The changes to MotoGP for 2012 are getting into full swing. After the first mixed test of old-style factory prototypes and CRT machines at Valencia, more projects for 2012 are starting to break cover.

The latest project to emerge is the San Carlo Gresini Honda team's CBR-powered project. While Alvaro Bautista is to pilot the prototype Honda RC213V machine originally destined for Marco Simoncelli, Gresini did not have the budget to run a second factory prototype, and so the team elected to run the second bike as a CRT entry. Today, Gresini announced that the bike is to be built by FTR, and will be powered by a Honda CBR1000RR engine. The rider is yet to be announced, though with the Spaniard Bautista signed to the RC213V machine, the chances are high that it will be an Italian, to keep Gresini's sponsor San Carlo happy. Michele Pirro, currrently racing for Gresini in Moto2, is the current favorite candidate, though his teammate Yuki Takahashi has also been linked to the ride.