2008 MotoGP entry list: Stoner #1
The provisional entry list for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship has confirmed that Casey Stoner intends to ride with the #1 plate next season.
The 22-year-old Australian claimed his and Ducati's first premier-class crown wearing the #27, but will - like Nicky Hayden before him - defend the title with the world champion's digit.
The #1 plate was absent from MotoGP from 2001-2005, when champion Valentino Rossi chose to retain his famous #46. The last rider to successfully defend the 500cc/MotoGP world title with the #1 was Mick Doohan in 1998. As expected, Hayden will return to the #69 for 2008.
Stoner's fellow Australian, Chris Vermeulen, will also change his racing number next year - the Rizla Suzuki star switching to a Barry Sheene inspired #7, which was previously taken by Carlos Checa.
Of the four class rookies, double World Superbike champion James Toseland will stick with his familiar #52, while double 250cc champion Jorge Lorenzo will revert to his old #48. Alex de Angelis will run the #3, last used in the class by Max Biaggi, while Andrea Dovizioso has inherited the #4 previously used by Alex Barros.
The entry list also confirms that Team Roberts is yet to secure its MotoGP future, while Ilmor - which disappeared from the grid after the opening round of 2007 - shows no signs of attempting a return. There are thus currently only 18 confirmed riders.
The only new title sponsors to appear on the list are Alice, which has acquired the naming rights for d'Antin Ducati, and Scot, which has merged with JiR to run Dovizioso.
The full provisional 2008 MotoGP entry list can be seen below:
#1 Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
#3 Alex de Angelis RSM Honda Gresini
#4 Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team
#5 Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3
#7 Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki Motogp
#13 Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team
#14 Randy de Puniet FRA Honda LCR
#21 John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team
#24 Toni Elias SPA Team Alice
#26 Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team
#33 Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team
#46 Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team
#48 Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team
#50 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Team Alice
#52 James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3
#56 Shinya Nakano JPN Honda Gresini
#65 Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki Motogp
#69 Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team
#TBA To Be Advised TBA Team Roberts
#TBA To Be Advised TBA Team Roberts
