Dunlop heralds newly crowned 125cc World Champion Nico Terol (Bankia Aspar Team 125cc) who took his title in fine fashion with a podium finish at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana yesterday.
Terol wins the 63rd and final 125cc World Championship as the category now comes to a conclusion, to be replaced next year by Moto3. The final race was won by Spaniard Maverick Viñales (Blusens by Paris Hilton Racing). It was Dunlop’s 133rd consecutive race win in the open tyre competition championship.
Spaniard Terol came into the event needing to finish in 11th position or higher to secure his title. He was handed a gift as his rival Johann Zarco (Avant-AirAsia-Ajo) fell on lap 3. Zarco needed to win the race with Terol finishing lower than eleventh for Terol to be denied his crown. The final standings saw Terol on 302 points from Zarco’s 262 with Viñales third with 248.
For Dunlop as well as motorcycle racing it is an end of an era. Dunlop tyres contested the very first 125 cc World Championship round in 1949 and as well as this final event. In between, there have been countless wins for Dunlop tyres. Despite open tyre regulations, the last time a tyre manufacturer other than Dunlop was represented on the top step of the podium was in 2003.
Next season, Moto3 makes its debut to replace the 125cc World Championship and Dunlop tyres will adorn every competitor thanks to Dunlop having been awarded the exclusive tyre supply contract for this exciting new series.
The first Moto3 test takes place today (Monday November 7) at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana.
Quotes
Nico Terol - Bankia Aspar Team 125cc – 2011 125cc World Champion:
“Winning the championship for me is incredible and this moment is the best in my life; to be champion is amazing. Dunlop’s tyres were even better than they were last year in both rain and dry conditions. In the wet the tyres were more forgiving and in dry conditions the slick tyres are so good – perfect in tight corners and in fast corners incredible! For me, Dunlop’s tyres are perfect, so congratulations to Dunlop for all their hard work!”
Sharon Antonaros, Director Motorcycle PBU EMEA Motorcycle Business Unit:
“Firstly, I would like to thank all the Dunlop personnel who constantly strive for improved performance from our products and give their time and dedication both at the track and in our development and production departments. Our participation in the 125cc World Championship has been a vital part of Dunlop’s DNA to further our technological development. This has ultimately benefitted all riders who use Dunlop products, whether they be on the track or on the road. We say a fond farewell to the 125cc World Championship and look to Moto3 with expectation. Congratulations to Nico Terol and the Bankia Aspar Team for their title.
Stephen Male Dunlop Motorcycle Motorsports Manager:
“We say goodbye to the 125cc World Championship with a new and worthy champion crowned in Nico Terol. For Dunlop, it is an end of an era as we supplied tyres to the very first 125cc World Championship event, and now we have done so to the final. The final race winner, Maverick Viñales, won the 133rd race in this category on Dunlop tyres, despite the regulations allowing other manufacturers to compete. Although this was the last year of 125, we still introduced two new specifications showing Dunlop’s commitment to continuous evolution. Now we start the next challenge of Moto3.”
Alan Nicholls, Dunlop Motorsport, Senior Engineer:
"Congratulations to Nico and the whole of the Bankia Aspar Team. Nico has been consistently hard to beat all season. He has been a genuine star throughout the year and is a worthy final addition to the long list of 125cc World Champions. It is sad to say goodbye to the last of the original World Championship categories, but with the success seen in Moto2 we can only look forward to similar success and excitement in Moto3.”
