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Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
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Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
|
Podium
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Toni Elias (Gresini Racing Moto2) - Moto2 World Champion
Moto2 wallpaper 2010
(HD PHOTO)
Biography
Growing up in the family bike shop near Barcelona, Toni Elias was destined for a career on two wheels. In 1999 he finished third in the 125cc Spanish Championship and undertook his first Grand Prix season in 2000, although he was largely anonymous during the year. However, the teenager became the revelation of 2001 after signing up to ride with the junior project run by Alberto Puig, battling for the lower cylinder category title until the end of the season.
Elias’ natural talent and fearless aggression saw him make the successful step up to the 250cc class in 2002, challenging Manuel Poggiali for the title in 2003 until a last-lap crash at Rio cost him victory and the chance of the championship. Elias struggled to reproduce his best form after switching from Aprilia to Honda for 2004, but flashes of brilliance convinced Fortuna Yamaha to draft him into the MotoGP class in 2005. The learning process under the Yamaha banner, forming a team with Rubén Xaus, was curtailed by an injury in France, but in the final third of the season Elias was able to demonstrate his evolution in the category.
The Spaniard rode for two years with Fausto Gresini’s satellite Honda outfit, during which time he continued to show why he is regarded as one of the most exciting riders in MotoGP. His debut victory came at Portugal in 2006, in one of the greatest races of all time against Valentino Rossi and Kenny Roberts Jr., and although injury at his bogey track of Assen severely affected his 2007 season, he still impressed enough for Luis d’Antin to keep him in the category with his Ducati satellite team.
The Ducati venture proved to be a brief sojourn as, one season of mixed results and a pair of podiums after joining the Alice team, Elias was welcomed back to San Carlo Honda Gresini to spearhead their 2009 project. His first season with top-end machinery, riding a factory Honda RC212V, saw the Catalan rider make 12 top-10 finishes, with a third place podium at Brno. Despite this Elias was unable to secure a MotoGP ride for 2010 and instead continued his partnership with Gresini Racing, riding a Moriwaki MD600, as one of the title favourites in the Moto2 class.
He started the year as one of the title favourites in the Moto2 class, and throughout the season his wealth of experience and race-craft shone through as he claimed seven wins, including four in a row over the summer period, up to the point he claimed the title in Malaysia with fourth position in the race, leaving him three rounds to spare. His characteristic “hang-on” riding style and charming personality have won him millions of fans across the globe, and the Spaniard became the first ever Moto2 World Champion at the age of 27.
Elias’ natural talent and fearless aggression saw him make the successful step up to the 250cc class in 2002, challenging Manuel Poggiali for the title in 2003 until a last-lap crash at Rio cost him victory and the chance of the championship. Elias struggled to reproduce his best form after switching from Aprilia to Honda for 2004, but flashes of brilliance convinced Fortuna Yamaha to draft him into the MotoGP class in 2005. The learning process under the Yamaha banner, forming a team with Rubén Xaus, was curtailed by an injury in France, but in the final third of the season Elias was able to demonstrate his evolution in the category.
The Spaniard rode for two years with Fausto Gresini’s satellite Honda outfit, during which time he continued to show why he is regarded as one of the most exciting riders in MotoGP. His debut victory came at Portugal in 2006, in one of the greatest races of all time against Valentino Rossi and Kenny Roberts Jr., and although injury at his bogey track of Assen severely affected his 2007 season, he still impressed enough for Luis d’Antin to keep him in the category with his Ducati satellite team.
The Ducati venture proved to be a brief sojourn as, one season of mixed results and a pair of podiums after joining the Alice team, Elias was welcomed back to San Carlo Honda Gresini to spearhead their 2009 project. His first season with top-end machinery, riding a factory Honda RC212V, saw the Catalan rider make 12 top-10 finishes, with a third place podium at Brno. Despite this Elias was unable to secure a MotoGP ride for 2010 and instead continued his partnership with Gresini Racing, riding a Moriwaki MD600, as one of the title favourites in the Moto2 class.
He started the year as one of the title favourites in the Moto2 class, and throughout the season his wealth of experience and race-craft shone through as he claimed seven wins, including four in a row over the summer period, up to the point he claimed the title in Malaysia with fourth position in the race, leaving him three rounds to spare. His characteristic “hang-on” riding style and charming personality have won him millions of fans across the globe, and the Spaniard became the first ever Moto2 World Champion at the age of 27.
