The 2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 60th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.
Season review
MotoGP
The MotoGP class opened with the historic Qatar Grand Prix, the first night race held in the World Championship history. The race was won by Ducati's Casey Stoner ahead of rookie Jorge Lorenzo, who started on pole in his maiden race in the premier class, and Dani Pedrosa.
In Spain Pedrosa won his first race of the year, ahead of Rossi and Lorenzo, while Stoner struggled with technical problems on his bike and finished 11th after twice going out on the gravel. At the Portugal GP, Lorenzo started on pole and won his first MotoGP race, ahead of Pedrosa and Rossi.
In China Rossi took his first win of the season and the first of three consecutive first places, after a weekend dominated by rain and cold temperatures; he then won in France and in front of his home crowd in Italy.
Stoner won the three consecutive races in Britain, the Netherlands and Germany, also obtaining pole position and the fastest lap in all three.
The United States race at Laguna Seca was the biggest turning point of the season. Before the race Stoner trailed Rossi on the standings by only 20 points. The Australian took pole position and started the race in first position. However, Rossi passed Stoner in the middle on the first lap, and Stoner could never make a decisive pass, and he stayed behind until the 24th lap, where he fell at the last corner. He re-mounted, but finished in second place while Rossi caught the first of five consecutive wins. In the next two races, Czech Republic and San Marino, Stoner fell off while leading from Rossi, who then won both times.
The race at Indianapolis was a particularly difficult due to track conditions: the arrival of Hurricane Ike over Indiana meant cold temperatures, heavy winds and rain for the whole race duration; the race was a battle between Rossi and former World Champion Nicky Hayden, who eventually took his first podium of the season. As Rossi began to pull a gap, heavy winds began to blow and the race was ended early with Rossi leading.
Two weeks later, in Japan, Rossi clinched his sixth premier class title with three races to go, by winning the race ahead of Stoner. The Australian then won his home race and in Valencia, while Rossi won in Malaysia.
250cc class
The first four races of the season showed the early form of KTM and Mika Kallio, with two wins and two other third places, with strong showings by Marco Simoncelli, Alvaro Bautista and Mattia Pasini, who won the season opener in Qatar, his first race in the class. After the initial problems, though, Simoncelli had a run of 7 consecutive races on the podium, from China to Czech Republic. He started the season on a semi-works Aprilia LE (Gilera is a subsidiary of Aprilia, so Gilera racing bikes are rebranded Aprilia bikes), but his performances led Aprilia to give him a works Aprilia RSA, making him a de facto works rider.
After his strong start, Kallio couldn't keep the pace of Simoncelli, his KTM not being able to challenge the more powerful Aprilias in most tracks. Bautista got into shape well into the season, after a series of bad races and retirements due to problems with his bike and rider errors. After that, however, he also began a streak of podiums which lasted from Catalunya to Malaysia, but Simoncelli was too far ahead of him on the standings, and he won his first World Championship with one race to go.
125cc class
Reigning champion Gábor Talmácsi stayed in the class, unlike other top names from last year who moved into 250cc category. Among the pre-season favourites were also Bradley Smith, Simone Corsi and Mike di Meglio. Talmácsi had dismal start to the season, with reliability problems on his new bike. Corsi won three of first six races and despite few bad results, looked good in the championship. However, Mike di Meglio won also multiple races, and having escaped without retirement until Misano, built up strong lead. He clinched the championship two races before the end. Corsi took second ahead of Talmácsi and Bradl who failed to finish the final race.
The season saw eight riders winning races: Talmácsi, Corsi, di Meglio, Sergio Gadea and four first-time winners: Andrea Iannone, Stefan Bradl, Nicolas Terol and Scott Redding, who became the youngest ever winner in the class. The season was completely dominated by the Piaggio bikes, (Aprilia, Derbi and Gilera), as Spanish Marc Márquez was only other rider to achieve podium place with his 3rd place in Donington.
2008 Grand Prix season calendar
The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 2008:[1][2]
The 2008 race schedule was released on July 2007.[3] The schedule was later revised, with Japan held before Australia, because of the original Australian date had a conflict with the AFL Grand Final. Two other changes were made. Portugal was moved from 20 April to 13 April and the Grand Finale in Valencia was on 26 October instead of 2 November, to avoid clashes with the F1 season finale.[4]
- ‡ = Night race[5]
- † = MotoGP class only
- †† = Saturday Race
Calendar changes
2008 Grand Prix season results
- ‡ = Night race[5]
- † = MotoGP class only
- †† = Saturday Race
- The US MotoGP race at IMS run for two-thirds distance, 20 laps, before being called off because of the remnants of Hurricane Ike hitting the track during race day.
- The 250cc race in Indianapolis was initially postponed to after the MotoGP race, then cancelled for the same reason.
Participants
MotoGP participants
|
Key
|
Regular Rider
|
Wildcard Rider
|
Replacement Rider
|
|
- † = Switched from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres after the 13th round, the San Marino Grand Prix.
250cc participants
Team
|
Motorcycle
|
Tyre
|
No
|
Rider
|
Rounds
|
Red Bull KTM 250
|
KTM
|
D
|
4
|
Hiroshi Aoyama
|
1-10, 12-18
|
36
|
Mika Kallio
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Repsol KTM 250cc
|
60
|
Julián Simón
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Lotus Aprilia
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
6
|
Alex Debón [25]
|
1-10, 12-18
|
41
|
Aleix Espargaró
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Blusens Aprilia
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
7
|
Russell Gómez
|
3-10, 12, 18
|
43
|
Manuel Hernández
|
1-2, 13-18
|
50
|
Eugene Laverty
|
1-10, 12-14
|
92
|
Daniel Arcas
|
15-18
|
Team Toth Aprilia
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
10
|
Imre Tóth
|
1-10, 12-18
|
21
|
Héctor Barberá
|
1-10, 12-14
|
27
|
Stefano Bianco
|
16
|
93
|
Alen Győrfi
|
18
|
Emmi - Caffe Latte
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
12
|
Thomas Lüthi
|
1-10, 12-14, 17-18
|
Auto Kelly CP
|
52
|
Lukáš Pešek
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Thai Honda PTT SAG
|
Honda
|
D
|
14
|
Ratthapark Wilairot
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Metis Gilera
|
Gilera
|
D
|
15
|
Roberto Locatelli
|
1-10, 12-18
|
58
|
Marco Simoncelli
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Cardion AB Motoracing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
17
|
Karel Abraham
|
1-10, 12-14, 16-18
|
Mapfre Aspar Team
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
19
|
Álvaro Bautista
|
1-10, 12-18
|
55
|
Héctor Faubel
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Matteoni Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
25
|
Alex Baldolini
|
1-10, 12-18
|
90
|
Federico Sandi
|
12, 13
|
Campetella Racing
|
Gilera
|
D
|
27
|
Stefano Bianco
|
14
|
32
|
Fabrizio Lai
|
1-10, 12-18
|
35
|
Simone Grotzkyj
|
13-18
|
54
|
Manuel Poggiali
|
1-10, 12
|
Yamaha Pertamina Indonesia
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
45
|
Doni Tata Pradita
|
1-10, 12-18
|
JiR Team Scot 250cc
|
Honda
|
D
|
72
|
Yuki Takahashi
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Polaris World
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
75
|
Mattia Pasini
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Longevity Racing
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
29
|
Barrett Long
|
14
|
Team Infinity Replicast
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
38
|
Kyle Ferris
|
14
|
BM Groundworks
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
63
|
Toby Markham
|
8
|
Jaap Kingma Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
64
|
Frederik Watz
|
9
|
Burning Blood Racing Team
|
Honda
|
D
|
65
|
Takumi Takahashi
|
15
|
Project U FRS
|
Honda
|
D
|
66
|
Shoya Tomizawa
|
15
|
RT Morinokumasan-Satohjuku
|
Yamaha
|
B
|
67
|
Kazuki Watanabe
|
15
|
Dog Fight Racing
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
68
|
Yuuki Ito
|
15
|
Ser.Spruce/Pro-Tec
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
69
|
Takumi Endoh
|
15
|
Zongshen Team of China
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
89
|
Ho Wan Chow
|
3, 5, 10, 16
|
90
|
Federico Sandi
|
3, 5, 10
|
Zongshen AOS Racing
|
16, 18
|
Paddock Competições
|
Honda
|
D
|
91
|
Sérgio Batista
|
3
|
Team Honda Merson
|
Honda
|
D
|
92
|
Daniel Arcas
|
7
|
Motorcycle Competition Service
|
Honda
|
D
|
93
|
Alen Győrfi
|
10, 13
|
Racing Team Germany
|
Honda
|
D
|
94
|
Toni Wirsing
|
10, 12-13, 18
|
|
Key
|
Regular Rider
|
Wildcard Rider
|
Replacement Rider
|
|
125cc participants
Team
|
Motorcycle
|
Tyre
|
No
|
Rider
|
Rounds
|
Bancaja Aspar Team
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
1
|
Gábor Talmácsi
|
1-10, 12-18
|
26
|
Adrián Martín
|
13, 15-18
|
30
|
Pere Tutusaus
|
1-10, 12
|
33
|
Sergio Gadea
|
1-10, 12-18
|
54
|
PJ Jacobsen
|
14
|
Loncin Racing
|
Loncin
|
D
|
5
|
Alexis Masbou
|
1-10, 12-18
|
16
|
Jules Cluzel
|
1-4, 6-10, 12-18
|
61
|
Gioele Pellino
|
5
|
Belson Derbi
|
Derbi
|
D
|
6
|
Joan Olivé
|
1-10, 12-18
|
44
|
Pol Espargaró
|
1-7, 10, 12-18
|
Blusens Aprilia Junior
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
7
|
Efrén Vázquez
|
1-10, 12-18
|
45
|
Scott Redding
|
1-10, 12-18
|
BQR Blusens
|
13
|
Dino Lombardi
|
1, 3
|
ISPA KTM Aran
|
KTM
|
D
|
8
|
Lorenzo Zanetti
|
1-10, 12-18
|
28
|
Enrique Jerez
|
16-18
|
71
|
Tomoyoshi Koyama
|
1-10, 12-15
|
74
|
Davide Stirpe
|
14
|
Emmi - Caffe Latte
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
11
|
Sandro Cortese
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Repsol KTM 125
|
KTM
|
D
|
12
|
Esteve Rabat
|
1-10, 12-18
|
93
|
Marc Márquez
|
2-10, 12-17
|
Red Bull KTM 125
|
34
|
Randy Krummenacher
|
1-2, 4-10, 12-13, 16-18
|
94
|
Jonas Folger
|
14-15, 18
|
71
|
Tomoyoshi Koyama
|
17-18
|
Red Bull MotoGP Academy
|
94
|
Jonas Folger
|
12-13, 17
|
Grizzly Gas Kiefer Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
17
|
Stefan Bradl
|
1-10, 12-18
|
21
|
Robin Lässer
|
1-2, 4-10, 12-18
|
95
|
Robert Mureșan
|
1-10, 12, 14-18
|
42
|
Luca Vitali
|
13
|
Jack & Jones WRB
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
18
|
Nicolás Terol
|
1-10, 12-18
|
24
|
Simone Corsi
|
1-10, 12-18
|
14
|
Axel Pons
|
2, 3, 7
|
Matteoni Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
19
|
Roberto Lacalendola
|
1-9
|
72
|
Marco Ravaioli
|
10, 12-18
|
96
|
Lukáš Šembera
|
12
|
Onde 2000 KTM
|
KTM
|
D
|
22
|
Pablo Nieto
|
1-10, 12-18
|
35
|
Raffaele De Rosa
|
1-10, 12-18
|
S3+ WTR San Marino Team
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
27
|
Stefano Bianco
|
1-6, 8-9
|
48
|
Bastien Chesaux
|
10, 12-18
|
I.C. Team
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
29
|
Andrea Iannone
|
1-10, 12-18
|
40
|
Lorenzo Savadori
|
18
|
60
|
Michael Ranseder
|
1-10, 12-18
|
73
|
Takaaki Nakagami
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Polaris World
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
38
|
Bradley Smith
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Degraaf Grand Prix
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
51
|
Stevie Bonsey
|
1-10, 12-18
|
56
|
Hugo van den Berg
|
1-10, 12-18
|
83
|
Jerry van de Bunt
|
9
|
99
|
Danny Webb
|
1-8, 10, 12-18
|
Ajo Motorsport
|
Derbi
|
D
|
63
|
Mike Di Meglio
|
1-10, 12-18
|
77
|
Dominique Aegerter
|
1-10, 12-18
|
Ajo Motorsports Jnr. Project
|
84
|
Robert Gull
|
9
|
FFM Honda GP 125
|
Honda
|
D
|
69
|
Louis Rossi
|
1-2, 4-10, 12-13, 18
|
36
|
Cyril Carrillo
|
3, 5, 14-17
|
Bancaja Mir CEV
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
23
|
Julián Miralles
|
18
|
Alpo Atlético de Madrid
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
25
|
Cristian Trabalón
|
18
|
30
|
Pere Tutusaus
|
18
|
Honda
|
76
|
Iván Maestro
|
2
|
SAG Castrol
|
Honda
|
D
|
31
|
Jordi Dalmau
|
7
|
Leigh-Smith Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
32
|
Blake Leigh-Smith
|
16
|
Czech Road Racing JNR.
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
37
|
Karel Pešek
|
3, 12
|
Junior GP Racing Dream
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
39
|
Ferruccio Lamborghini
|
6
|
49
|
Gennaro Sabatino
|
13
|
RCGM
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
40
|
Lorenzo Savadori
|
6, 13
|
42
|
Luca Vitali
|
6
|
ADAC Nordbayern e.V.
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
41
|
Tobias Siegert
|
5, 10
|
Metasystem RS
|
Honda
|
D
|
43
|
Gabriele Ferro
|
6, 14
|
Gross Racing
|
Yamaha
|
D
|
46
|
Brad Gross
|
16
|
CRP Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
47
|
Riccardo Moretti
|
6, 13
|
DYDO Miu Racing
|
Honda
|
B
|
50
|
Hiroomi Iwata
|
15
|
Villiers Team Competition
|
Honda
|
D
|
52
|
Steven Le Coquen
|
5
|
Racing Motoclub Circuit D'Albi
|
KTM
|
D
|
53
|
Valentin Debise
|
5
|
Honda Suzuka Racing
|
Honda
|
B
|
57
|
Iori Namihira
|
15
|
18 Garage Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
58
|
Yuuichi Yanagisawa
|
15
|
Battle Factory
|
Honda
|
D
|
59
|
Hiroki Ono
|
15
|
Team Plus One
|
Honda
|
B
|
62
|
Kazuma Watanabe
|
15
|
SP 125 Racing/Mackrory Demolition
|
Honda
|
D
|
64
|
Matthew Hoyle
|
8
|
Buildbase/Knotts
|
Honda
|
D
|
65
|
Luke Hinton
|
8
|
Connor Behan Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
66
|
Connor Behan
|
8
|
Vent-Axia
|
Honda
|
D
|
67
|
Lee Costello
|
8
|
KRP
|
Honda
|
D
|
68
|
Paul Jordan
|
8
|
Rhys Moller Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
70
|
Rhys Moller
|
16
|
Andalucía Derbi
|
Derbi
|
D
|
75
|
Ricard Cardús
|
7, 18
|
79
|
Alberto Moncayo
|
2
|
Hune Matteoni
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
76
|
Iván Maestro
|
3, 7
|
Gaviota Prosolia Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
78
|
Daniel Sáez
|
2, 7, 18
|
Abbink Bos Racing
|
Seel
|
D
|
80
|
Joey Litjens
|
9
|
81
|
Jasper Iwema
|
9
|
Dutch Racing Team
|
Honda
|
D
|
82
|
Michael van der Mark
|
9
|
Kiefer Bos Sotin Jnr. Team
|
Seel
|
D
|
85
|
Marvin Fritz
|
10
|
Team Sachsenring
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
86
|
Eric Hübsch
|
10
|
Toni Mang Team
|
Honda
|
D
|
87
|
Marcel Schrötter
|
10
|
RZT-Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
88
|
Sebastian Kreuziger
|
10
|
RV Racing Team
|
Honda
|
D
|
89
|
Ernst Dubbink
|
9
|
Veloce Racing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
90
|
Kristian Lee Turner
|
14
|
Angelo's Aluminium Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
91
|
Jed Metcher
|
16
|
Team Anchor Yamaha
|
Honda
|
D
|
92
|
Jake Horne
|
16
|
Roha'c & Fetja Motoracing
|
Aprilia
|
D
|
97
|
Michal Prášek
|
12
|
Eurowag Junior Racing
|
Honda
|
D
|
98
|
Andrea Toušková
|
12
|
|
Key
|
Regular Rider
|
Wildcard Rider
|
Replacement Rider
|
|
Standings
MotoGP riders' standings
Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers. Rider has to finish the race to earn points.
Position
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
6th
|
7th
|
8th
|
9th
|
10th
|
11th
|
12th
|
13th
|
14th
|
15th
|
Points
|
25
|
20
|
16
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
- Riders marked with light blue background were eligible for Rookie of the Year awards.
|
Colour |
Result
|
Gold |
Winner
|
Silver |
Second place
|
Bronze |
Third place
|
Green |
Points finish
|
Blue |
Non-points finish
|
Non-classified finish (NC)
|
Purple |
Retired (Ret)
|
Red |
Did not qualify (DNQ)
|
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
|
Black |
Disqualified (DSQ)
|
White |
Did not start (DNS)
|
Withdrew (WD)
|
Race cancelled (C)
|
Blank
|
Did not practice (DNP)
|
Did not arrive (DNA)
|
Excluded (EX)
|
Bold – Pole position Italics – Fastest lap
|
250cc riders' standings
Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers. Rider has to finish the race to earn points.
Position
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
6th
|
7th
|
8th
|
9th
|
10th
|
11th
|
12th
|
13th
|
14th
|
15th
|
Points
|
25
|
20
|
16
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
- Riders marked with light blue background were eligible for Rookie of the Year awards.
|
Colour |
Result
|
Gold |
Winner
|
Silver |
Second place
|
Bronze |
Third place
|
Green |
Points finish
|
Blue |
Non-points finish
|
Non-classified finish (NC)
|
Purple |
Retired (Ret)
|
Red |
Did not qualify (DNQ)
|
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
|
Black |
Disqualified (DSQ)
|
White |
Did not start (DNS)
|
Withdrew (WD)
|
Race cancelled (C)
|
Blank
|
Did not practice (DNP)
|
Did not arrive (DNA)
|
Excluded (EX)
|
Bold – Pole position Italics – Fastest lap
|
125cc riders' standings
Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers. Rider has to finish the race to earn points.
Position
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
5th
|
6th
|
7th
|
8th
|
9th
|
10th
|
11th
|
12th
|
13th
|
14th
|
15th
|
Points
|
25
|
20
|
16
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
- Riders marked with light blue background were eligible for Rookie of the Year awards.
|
Colour |
Result
|
Gold |
Winner
|
Silver |
Second place
|
Bronze |
Third place
|
Green |
Points finish
|
Blue |
Non-points finish
|
Non-classified finish (NC)
|
Purple |
Retired (Ret)
|
Red |
Did not qualify (DNQ)
|
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
|
Black |
Disqualified (DSQ)
|
White |
Did not start (DNS)
|
Withdrew (WD)
|
Race cancelled (C)
|
Blank
|
Did not practice (DNP)
|
Did not arrive (DNA)
|
Excluded (EX)
|
Bold – Pole position Italics – Fastest lap
|
Constructors' standings
- Each constructor gets the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
MotoGP
250cc
- Each constructor gets the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
125cc
- Each constructor gets the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
References