Pramac Racing Team

 Pramac have an all-new line-up for 2011, and hopefully they’ve worked some better reliability into their Ducati powered bikes.

14. Randy De Puniet (FRA)

Randy is one of my favourite riders with his flamboyant style. Often though, this costs him, like at Silverstone in 2010 where he wore his tyres out power sliding through the corners and saw his excellent position evaporate. It will be interesting to see him riding the Pramac Ducati, and assuming the reliability is there, I think he’ll have a reasonable season.

 Valencia test position & time: 8th @ 1m 32.836s
My prediction for 2011: 10th

65. Loris Capirossi (ITA)

 The elder statesman of MotoGP moves to Pramac from Suzuki and probably won’t see much improvement over his 2010 performance. Still able to cut it with the youngsters despite being in his forties. Respect!

 Valencia test position & time: 14th @ 1m 33.740s
My prediction for 2011: 15th


Paginas Amarillas Aspar

The satellite Ducati team fared reasonably well in 2010, but stiff competition up the top will make it harder to make an impression in 2011.

40. Hector Barbera
Hector still has time to improve in MotoGP, but I can’t see him doing much better in 2011.
Valencia test position & time: 11th @ 1m 33.168s
My prediction for 2011: 13th

LCR Honda
Randy made the satellite Honda bike look better than it probably is, and I can’t see Toni Elias managing to do the same. LCR will probably need to get used to being closer to the rear in 2011.

24. Toni Elias (SPA)
Toni comes back into MotoGP after a season out in Moto2, where he took the Championship. The big bikes are in a different league though and I think Toni may struggle in 2011.
Valencia test position & time: 17th @ 1m 34.800s
My prediction for 2011: 16th


Cardion AB Motoracing
I know less than nothing about this team and their rider, so I’m predicting a last place finish. The team is moving up from Moto2 and will be fielding a Ducati. Who knows what to expect?

17. Karel Abraham (CZE)
Karel placed 10th in Moto2 last season, so I can’t image he’s going to jump up to the big league and show the rest of them how it’s done. His test times in Valencia weren’t bad though, so this could be another surprise package for 2011.
Valencia test position & time: 16th @ 1m 33.793s
My prediction for 2011: 17th


The Casualties
 Mika Kallio: will be racing in Moto2 for Marc VDS Racing Team in 2011
Aleix Espargaro: will be racing in Moto2 for Pons Kalex in 2011
Marco Melandri: will be replacing Cal Crutchlow in the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike team for 2011, ending 8 years in MotoGP, where he managed an excellent 2nd place in 2005. Will no doubt be in the running for the World Superbike title in 2011.
Interwetten Honda Team: will be focusing on Moto2 for 2011, but plan to return to MotoGP in 2012.

The Support Riders
Alex de Angelis: replaced Hiroshi Aoyama for three races in 2010. Will continue in Moto2.
Roger Lee Hayden: replaced Randy de Puniet for Laguna Seca. Rumours are that Roger will be in Moto2 next year.
Kousuke Akiyoshi: replaced Hiroshi Aoyama for two races in 2010. No confirmed ride for the Japanese test rider next year.
Carlos Checa: replaced Mika Kallio for two races in 2010 and finished 3rd in World Superbikes. Will continue in World Superbikes in 2011.
Wataru Yoshikawa: replaced Valentino Rossi for one race in 2010. No confirmed ride for the Japanese test rider next year.