2015 Moto2 World Championship Explained

The 2015 FIM Moto2 World Championship was a part of the 67th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. Marc VDS Racing Team rider Tito Rabat started the season as the defending riders' champion, having won his first championship title in 2014.

Rabat had been trailing by 78 points going to the Japanese Grand Prix. However, he had to withdraw from the event with a fractured left radius. Therefore, Johann Zarco became World Champion – the ninth different world champion in the intermediate class in as many years.[1] Ajo Motorsport rider Zarco won eight races during the season – to become the most successful French rider in Grand Prix racing[2]  – and with a tally of 352 points,[3] set a record points total for the intermediate class; surpassing Rabat's 346 from 2014. With Rabat missing three races due to injury, rookie Álex Rins (Pons Racing) moved ahead in the standings, and despite Rabat winning the final race in Valencia, Rins finished second to seal the runner-up spot by three points.[3] Rins won two races at Indianapolis,[4] and Phillip Island,[5] while Rabat added his Valencia success to wins at Mugello and Motorland Aragón.[6] [7]

On one of the few non-Kalex motorcycles on the grid, Sam Lowes finished fourth in the championship for Speed Up, taking a race win at Circuit of the Americas,[8] holding off Derendinger Racing Interwetten's Thomas Lüthi, who won at Le Mans.[9] The season's only other race winners were Jonas Folger, who won at Losail and Jerez for the AGR Team,[10] [11] and Xavier Siméon, who took his first win for Gresini Racing at the Sachsenring.[12] Kalex comfortably won the manufacturers' championship; they won 17 of the season's 18 races, with only Lowes' success at Circuit of the Americas stopping a clean sweep of victories. Speed Up finished second in the championship, with 209 points to Kalex's 445.

The 2015 season was the last year that Eni was the sole fuel supplier for Moto2, as Total became the championship's fuel supplier in 2016.

Calendar

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme released an 18-race official calendar on 26 September 2014.[13]

RoundDateGrand PrixCircuit
129 March ‡ Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar[14] Losail International Circuit, Lusail
212 April Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas[15] Circuit of the Americas, Austin
319 April Gran Premio Red Bull de la República Argentina[16]
43 May Gran Premio bwin de España[17] Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera
517 May Monster Energy Grand Prix de France[18] Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans
631 May Gran Premio d'Italia TIM[19] Mugello Circuit, Scarperia e San Piero
714 June Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya[20] Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
827 June †† Motul TT Assen[21] TT Circuit Assen, Assen
912 July GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland[22] Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal
109 August Red Bull Indianapolis Grand PrixIndianapolis Motor Speedway, Speedway
1116 August bwin Grand Prix České republikyBrno Circuit, Brno
1230 August Octo British Grand Prix[23] Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
13Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico
1427 September Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón[24] MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz
1511 October Motul Grand Prix of Japan[25] Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi
1618 October Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix[26] Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island
1725 October Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix[27] Sepang International Circuit, Sepang
188 November Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana[28] Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia

‡ = Night race

†† = Saturday race

Calendar changes

Teams and riders

A provisional entry list was released by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme on 23 October 2014.[32] An updated entry list was released on 2 February 2015.[33] All Moto2 competitors raced with an identical CBR600RR inline-four engine developed by Honda. Teams competed with tyres supplied by Dunlop.

TeamConstructorMotorcycleRiderRounds
EG 0,0 Marc VDSKalexKalex Moto21 Tito Rabat1–16, 18
73 Álex Márquez[34] All
Sports-Millions-Emwe-SAG
APH PTT The Pizza SAG
KalexKalex Moto22 Jesko Raffin[35] All
10 Thitipong WarokornAll
Athinà Forward Racing
Forward Racing
KalexKalex Moto2[36] 3 Simone Corsi1–9, 11–18
7 Lorenzo Baldassarri[37] 1–9, 11–18
JiR Moto2Kalex[38] Kalex Moto24All
Ajo MotorsportKalexKalex Moto25 Johann ZarcoAll
Paginas Amarillas HP 40
Pons Racing Junior Team
KalexKalex Moto29 Luca Marini[39] 13
39 Luis SalomAll
40 Álex Rins[40] All
57 Edgar Pons[41] 4, 7, 11
Dynavolt Intact GPKalexKalex Moto211 Sandro Cortese[42] All

Technomag Racing Interwetten
Kalex[43] Kalex Moto212 Thomas LüthiAll
16 Joshua Hook[44] 15–18
70 Robin MulhauserAll
77 Dominique Aegerter1–14, 18
Abbink GPSpeed UpSpeed Up SF1413 Jasper Iwema[45] 8
JPMoto MalaysiaSuterSuter MMX215 Ratthapark Wilairot[46] 7–10
51 Zaqhwan Zaidi[47] 1–6
88 Ricard Cardús[48] 11–18
Federal Oil Gresini Moto2
Gresini Racing
KalexKalex Moto219 Xavier SiméonAll
54 Mattia Pasini[49] 6, 13
Promoto SportTransFIORmers???20 Louis Bulle[50] 5
90 Lucas Mahias[51] 18
Italtrans Racing TeamKalexKalex Moto221 Franco Morbidelli[52]
36 Mika Kallio1–13
57 Edgar Pons[53] 14–18
64 Federico Caricasulo[54] 12–14
Speed Up RacingSpeed UpSpeed Up SF1522 Sam LowesAll
Tech 3Tech 3Tech 3 Mistral 61023 Marcel SchrötterAll
88 Ricard Cardús1–9
97 Xavi Vierge[55] 10–18
Idemitsu Honda Team AsiaKalexKalex Moto225 Azlan ShahAll
30 Takaaki NakagamiAll
FAB-RacingFTRFTR Moto M21328 Bradley Ray12
Team CiattiSuterSuter MMX232 Federico Fuligni14, 18
QMMF Racing TeamSpeed UpSpeed Up SF1536 Mika Kallio14–18
60 Julián SimónAll
95 Anthony West1–13
AGR TeamKalexKalex Moto244 Steven Odendaal[56] 3
49 Axel Pons1–2, 4–18
94 Jonas FolgerAll
Petronas Raceline Malaysia
Petronas AHM Malaysia
KalexKalex Moto255 Hafizh SyahrinAll
93 Ramdan Rosli[57] 7, 17
Octo IodaRacing Project
E-Motion IodaRacing Team
SuterSuter MMX266 Florian Alt[58] All
NTS T.Pro ProjectNTS???71 Tomoyoshi Koyama[59] 15
Moriwaki RacingMoriwakiMoriwaki MD60072 Yuki Takahashi15
Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2Tech 396 Louis Rossi[60] All
Key
Regular rider
Wildcard rider

Rider changes

Results and standings

Grands Prix

RoundGrand PrixPole positionFastest lapWinning riderWinning team
1 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix Sam Lowes Johann Zarco Jonas Folger AGR Team KalexReport
2 Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas Sam Lowes Sam Lowes Speed Up Racing Speed UpReport
3 Argentine Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Johann Zarco Jonas Folger Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
4 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix Tito Rabat Álex Rins Jonas Folger AGR Team KalexReport
5 French motorcycle Grand Prix Álex Rins Thomas Lüthi Thomas Lüthi KalexReport
6 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix Sam Lowes Tito Rabat Tito Rabat EG 0,0 Marc VDS KalexReport
7 Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix Johann Zarco Álex Rins Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
8 Dutch TT Johann Zarco Tito Rabat Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
9 German motorcycle Grand Prix Johann Zarco Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 KalexReport
10 Indianapolis motorcycle Grand Prix Álex Rins Franco Morbidelli Álex Rins Paginas Amarillas HP 40 KalexReport
11 Czech Republic motorcycle Grand Prix Johann Zarco Thomas Lüthi Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
12 British motorcycle Grand Prix Sam Lowes Florian Alt Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
13 Johann Zarco Jonas Folger Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
14 Aragon motorcycle Grand Prix Tito Rabat Álex Rins Tito Rabat EG 0,0 Marc VDS KalexReport
15 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix Johann Zarco Jonas Folger Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
16 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix Álex Rins Álex Rins Álex Rins Paginas Amarillas HP 40 KalexReport
17 Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prix Thomas Lüthi Thomas Lüthi Johann Zarco Ajo Motorsport KalexReport
18 Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix Tito Rabat Tito Rabat Tito Rabat EG 0,0 Marc VDS KalexReport

Riders' standings

Scoring systemPoints were awarded to the top fifteen finishers. A rider had to finish the race to earn points.
Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th  11th  12th  13th  14th  15th 
Points252016131110987654321
PosRiderBikeQAT
AME
ARG
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
INP
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
1 Johann ZarcoKalex821232112211161717352
2 Álex RinsKalex432181711243132DSQ2111Ret2234
3 Tito RabatKalexRet41232132Ret52321DNSDNS1231
4 Sam LowesSpeed UpRet132044435Ret56Ret382135186
5 Thomas LüthiKalex312641Ret656679105Ret1523179
6 Jonas FolgerKalex11691RetRet77141265642Ret314163
7 Xavier SiméonKalex2Ret22586Ret618162512RetRet51016113
8 Takaaki NakagamiKalex14102017713201379121438224411100
9 Lorenzo BaldassarriKalex1026813211010Ret8RetRet7101235496
10 Franco MorbidelliKalex55565Ret819Ret3101115Ret90
11 Sandro CorteseKalex7147Ret148Ret1711Ret888133Ret71390
12 Simone CorsiKalexRet11Ret818Ret1310411Ret497139986
13 Luis SalomKalexRet27117Ret55DNS17169179RetRet66680
14 Álex MárquezKalex1115159Ret12119181044RetRet189Ret1273
15 Mika KallioKalex684RetRetRet12812Ret1520Ret72
Speed Up111581210
16 Hafizh SyahrinKalex12610129Ret141516Ret14161875168Ret64
17 Dominique AegerterKalex15181316103912104131324RetWD62
18 Julián SimónSpeed Up13926116715119Ret18185Ret1618251858
19 Axel PonsKalexRetDNSRet159Ret2215717151112Ret2411841
20 Marcel SchrötterTech 31613161013161618Ret1419111715912Ret1532
21Kalex172121141214181413Ret201214171010172131
22 Anthony WestSpeed UpRet71415111922RetRet132171530
23 Azlan ShahKalex1819172119151916Ret112319131442116DNS24
24 Ricard CardúsTech 3Ret1718Ret1617RetRet1920
Suter2410Ret186141419
25 Louis RossiTech 3922RetDNSRet2023RetRetRetRet271923202318DNS7
26 Tomoyoshi KoyamaNTS133
27 Yuki TakahashiMoriwaki142
28 Robin MulhauserKalex202023232022Ret202015Ret23Ret1923Ret19221
Xavi ViergeTech 3RetRet222316Ret1922170
Mattia PasiniKalex18160
Jesko RaffinKalex222428252423242121172621Ret20171721240
Edgar PonsKalex191722Ret192220Ret0
Thitipong WarokornKalex1923242222212523221825Ret2022Ret2527230
Florian AltSuter21252524232421RetDNS19Ret24222121Ret26200
Steven OdendaalKalex190
Joshua HookKalexRet2023260
Luca MariniKalex210
Ratthapark WilairotSuterRet2423Ret0
Zaqhwan ZaidiSuter23Ret272625Ret0
Ramdan RosliKalex26240
Federico FuligniSuterRet250
Jasper IwemaSpeed Up250
Federico CaricasuloKalex26RetDNS0
Louis BulleTransFIORmers260
Lucas MahiasTransFIORmersRet0
Bradley RayFTRRet0
PosRiderBikeQAT
AME
ARG
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
INP
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap
Light blue – Rookie

Constructors' standings

Each constructor received the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.

PosConstructorQAT
AME
ARG
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
INP
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts
1 Kalex121111111111111111445
2 Speed Up1313114443513565382125209
3 Tech 3913161013161618191419111715912181539
4 Suter2125252423242124231924102218614141920
5 NTS133
6 Moriwaki142
26Ret0
FTRRet0
PosConstructorQAT
AME
ARG
SPA
FRA
ITA
CAT
NED
GER
INP
CZE
GBR
RSM
ARA
JPN
AUS
MAL
VAL
Pts

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Motegi Moto2: Tito Rabat withdraws, Johann Zarco wins championship. Autosport. Haymarket Publications. 9 October 2015. 9 October 2015.
  2. News: Pedrosa gagne une course, Rossi des points et Zarco un titre. fr. Pedrosa wins the race, points to Rossi and Zarco the title. Agence France-Presse. SARL Libération. Libération. 9 October 2015. 8 November 2015. A cette occasion, avec huit succès dans toute sa carrière, il efface des tablettes de la vitesse française ses glorieux aînés, Christian Sarron, Olivier Jacque et Arnaud Vincent, tous trois champions du monde également dans les années 80 et 2000. [On this occasion, with eight wins in his career, he moves ahead of the previous tallies of the French former riders, Christian Sarron, Olivier Jacque and Arnaud Vincent, all three world champions between 1980 and 2000.].
  3. News: Rabat bows out of Moto2 with victory. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 8 November 2015. 8 November 2015.
  4. News: Rins takes sensational Moto2 victory. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 9 August 2015. 8 November 2015.
  5. News: Remarkable Rins takes Moto2 victory at Phillip Island. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 18 October 2015. 8 November 2015.
  6. News: First Moto2 victory of the season for Rabat in Mugello. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 31 May 2015. 8 November 2015.
  7. News: Rabat wins after excellent duel with Rins. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 27 September 2015. 8 November 2015.
  8. News: Sam Lowes impresses MotoGP bosses with maiden Moto2 win in America. Lincolnshire Echo. Local World. 16 April 2015. 8 November 2015.
  9. News: Luthi triumphant in Moto2. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 17 May 2015. 8 November 2015.
  10. News: Folger wins war of attrition. Simon. Patterson. Motor Cycle News. Bauer Media Group. 29 March 2015. 8 November 2015.
  11. News: Folger wins at Jerez and regains title lead. Steve. English. Motor Cycle News. Bauer Media Group. 3 May 2015. 8 November 2015.
  12. News: Simeón takes first ever Moto2 win. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 12 July 2015. 8 November 2015.
  13. News: 2015 provisional MotoGP calendar announced. 26 September 2014. 26 September 2014. motogp.com. Dorna Sports.
  14. News: Qatar to host MotoGP until 2016. 7 March 2008. 4 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  15. News: MotoGP to race in Texas in 2013 at the Circuit of The Americas. 3 October 2012. 3 October 2012. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  16. Web site: Argentina to join MotoGP calendar in 2014. 8 July 2013. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  17. News: Jerez confirmed until 2015. 16 April 2012. 12 December 2012. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  18. News: Dorna Sports and Claude Michy agree on French Grand Prix extension until 2016. 14 May 2011. 5 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  19. News: Mugello extends MotoGP deal. 3 July 2011. 4 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  20. News: Circuit de Catalunya renews MotoGP for further five years. 22 June 2011. 4 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  21. News: TT Circuit Assen secures MotoGP for 10 more years. 10 June 2005. 4 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  22. News: German Motorcycle GP secured until 2016. 29 June 2012. 1 July 2012. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  23. News: British MotoGP moves to Silverstone. 13 January 2010. 6 September 2011. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
  24. News: Dorna and MotorLand Aragón agree extension until 2016. 1 March 2011. 4 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  25. News: Motegi to host MotoGP until at least 2018. 12 October 2012. 12 October 2012. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  26. News: Victoria secures MotoGP until 2016 . 30 May 2010 . 6 September 2011 . invest.vic.gov.au . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110710171615/http://www.invest.vic.gov.au/300510VictoriasecuresMotoGPuntil2016 . 10 July 2011 .
  27. News: Sepang renews MotoGP deal until 2016. 11 October 2013. 11 October 2013. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  28. News: Valencia extends MotoGP contract until 2016. 4 November 2009. 5 September 2011. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  29. News: Donington Park to host 2015 British Motorcycle Grand Prix. 2 September 2014. 17 May 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  30. News: Donington calls off MotoGP race deal. 10 February 2015. 17 May 2015. Racer. Haymarket Publications. https://web.archive.org/web/20150210164930/http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/item/113342-donington-calls-off-motogp-race-deal. 2015-02-10. dead.
  31. News: British Grand Prix to run at Silverstone. 12 February 2015. 17 May 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
  32. News: 2015 Moto2 Entry List Announced. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 23 October 2014. 23 October 2014.
  33. News: Moto2 Entry List for 2015 finalised. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 2 February 2015. 2 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150202195643/http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2015/Moto2%2BEntry%2BList%2Bfor%2B2015%2Bfinalised. 2015-02-02. dead.
  34. News: Alex Marquez to move up to Moto2 with Marc VDS. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 1 September 2014. 1 September 2014.
  35. News: Jesko Raffin and the SAG Racing Team together for the 2015 and 2016. stopandgo.es. SAG Team. 14 September 2014. 14 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210227/http://www.stopandgo.es/noticias/noticias-generales-news/posts/jesko-raffin-and-the-sag-racing-team-for-the. 2016-03-03. dead.
  36. News: Alex Baumgärtel (Kalex): "Die Resonanz ist gut". de. Alex Baumgärtel (Kalex): "The response has been good". speedweek.com. Speedweek. 30 November 2014. 30 November 2014.
  37. News: Forward: Moto2-WM 2015 mit Corsi und Baldassarri. de. Forward: Moto2 World Championship 2015 with Corsi and Baldassarri. Speedweek.de. Speedweek. 7 October 2014. 23 October 2014.
  38. News: Exklusiv: Auch JiR und Krummenacher auf Kalex. Speedweek. Red Bulletin Schweiz AG. 9 January 2015. 9 January 2015. de. Exclusive: JiR and Krummenacher also with Kalex. Günther. Wiesinger.
  39. Web site: GP TIM di San Marino e della riviera di Rimini – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 10 September 2015. 12 September 2015.
  40. News: Rins joins Paginas Amarillas HP 40 for the next two seasons. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 12 September 2014. 12 September 2014.
  41. Web site: Gran Premio de España – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 30 April 2015. 30 April 2015.
  42. News: Sandro Cortese: Kein Teamkollege für die Saison 2015. de. Sandro Cortese: No teammate for the 2015 season. speedweek.com. Dynavolt Intact GP. 29 August 2014. 12 October 2014.
  43. News: Moto2 2015: one swiss structure, two teams, three riders. carxpert-racing.com. Technomag carXpert. 12 September 2014. 12 September 2014.
  44. News: Aussie Josh Hook set for Moto2 debut. speedcafe.com. speedcafe.com. 5 October 2015. 5 October 2015.
  45. Web site: Motul TT Assen – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 24 June 2015. 27 June 2015.
  46. News: Zaidi replaced by Wilairot in Moto2. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 9 June 2015. 14 June 2015.
  47. News: Neues Team, neuer Fahrer aus Malaysia. Speedweek. Red Bulletin Schweiz AG. 9 January 2015. 10 January 2015. de. New team, new rider from Malaysia. Günther. Wiesinger.
  48. Web site: bwin Grand Prix České Republiky – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 13 August 2015. 14 August 2015.
  49. News: Pasini to wild card at Mugello for Federal Oil Gresini Moto2. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 7 May 2015. 8 May 2015.
  50. Web site: Monster Energy Grand Prix de France – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 14 May 2015. 17 May 2015.
  51. Web site: GP Motul De La Comunitat Valenciana – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 5 November 2015. 6 November 2015.
  52. News: Kallio and Morbidelli with Italtrans in 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 26 September 2014. 26 September 2014.
  53. Web site: Gran Premio Movistar de Aragon – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 24 September 2015. 24 September 2015.
  54. Web site: Octo British Grand Prix – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 27 August 2015. 28 August 2015.
  55. News: Vierge replaces Cardus in Tech 3. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 31 July 2015. 8 August 2015.
  56. Web site: GP Red Bull de la República Argentina – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 April 2015. 19 April 2015.
  57. Web site: G.P. Monster Energy de Catalunya – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 11 June 2015. 14 June 2015.
  58. News: Florian Alt: Vertrag mit Iodaracing unterschrieben. speedweek.com. IodaRacing Project. 28 September 2014. 1 October 2014.
  59. Web site: Motul Grand Prix of Japan – Moto2 Entry List. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 8 October 2015. 11 October 2015.
  60. News: Louis Rossi sur Mistral 610 avec Tasca Racing pour 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 3 October 2014. 3 October 2014. fr.