Jerez MotoGP: Honda wins Moto2 engine deal

Honda will be the exclusive engine supplier to the new Moto2 600cc four-stroke class.

The decision to award Honda the contract came as little surprise following a Grand Prix Commission meeting held earlier today in the Jerez paddock ahead of tomorrow’s Spanish MotoGP race.

Only Honda and Yamaha tabled bids to Dorna to be the lone supplier for the new Moto2 class, with a decision to adopt a single engine rule taken during winter testing in Jerez at the end of March.

MCN understands a key point in Honda’s successful bid was that HRC was already well advanced with development of a modified CBR600RR specifically for the Moto2 class, which will replace the current two-stroke 250cc world championship.

The motor will not be a standard production engine and it is believed that HRC has been developing it for at least two years. An FIM announcement today said that Honda ‘offered a high level performance engine’ that will produce over 150bhp.

Although there was no official confirmation when the Moto2 will commence, it’s expected to be brought forward from its original start date of 2011 to kick off next year.

MotoGP bosses have already been inundated with interest for the new class, which could field as many as 32 bikes. Current 250cc bikes though will still be eligible to race, though it is widely expected that it will exclusively feature 600cc four-strokes.

Dorna will buy the engines off HRC and supply to teams free of charge, with teams free to design and develop their own chassis.