A Chapter in History Closes

Nico Terol was crowned the 63rd 125cc World Champion during the final season of a grand prix class long dominated by Dunlop.

Indeed, when the chequered flag fell for the last time at Valencia, it marked the 133rd consecutive race victory for Dunlop.

2011 provided a fitting send-off for the last remaining two-stroke category, with established winners battling new contenders – illustrated by the title top three of Terol, Johann Zarco and Vinales.

The junior class has been restricted over the years – the excess of Honda’s fivecylinder four-stroke of the 1960s replaced with a single-cylinder two-stroke engine. From 2012, the class will make way for Moto3, with single-cylinder four-stroke engines of 250cc.

Although tyre choice was free, Dunlop has supplied the vast majority of entrants after squeezing out all tyre competitors. Dunlop has dominated this open class since 1997, winning the last 15 championships in a row.

Building on Dunlop’s Incredible 125cc Legacy

A new chapter in the long and illustrious history of motorcycle grand prix racing began in Qatar on April 8, when the new Moto3 World Championship opened the 2012 racing season.

The 250cc four-stroke series – featuring open engine and chassis competition, combined with closely-controlled costs and an exclusive supply of Dunlop tyres – has big boots to fill.

Moto3 replaces the popular 125cc class, which had been a part of the motorcycle Grand Prix racing world championships ever since the inaugural 1949 season and launched the careers of many of the sport’s biggest stars.

But with mainstream manufacturers deserting two-strokes, mechanical technology was starting to stagnate and change was inevitable.

Having played a major role in both 125cc – Dunlop scored its 133rd consecutive win at the 2011 Valencia finales – and the creation of the ultra-successful Moto2 class, Dunlop has helped provide a solid foundation for Moto3.