Toni Elias - MotoGP Racing

Toni Elias - 2010 Moto2 Champion

Spanish rider, Toni Elias hit the boards in 1999 with a third place finish in the 125cc Spanish Championship. His first Grand Prix season, which turned out to be quite mundane, was in 2000. In 2001, Toni signed on with famed (and controversial) mentor, Alberto Puig, and began to make a name for himself. Earning himself two victories and several podium finishes that year, it was time for the jump to the Quarter Liters.

2003 found Toni in contention for the 250cc title, however a last-lap crash in Rio kept the title just out of reach. In 2004, he traded off his familiar Aprilia ride for a Honda. He struggled to find his groove on the new ride, rendering his 04 season less than spectacular. However, he did manage to catch the attention of Fortuna Yamaha, who subsequently recruited him to MotoGP for the 2005 season.

In 2006, Elias was picked up by Gresini Honda, and continued to prove his talent and aggressive riding technique. His first Grand Prix victory was won that year in Portugal. 2007 started out as a promising season, but a crash in Assen resulting in a broken leg, quelched the chance for a title.

A short stint with Alice Ducati in 2008 reaped a pair of podium finishes for Elias. In 2009, he rejoined Honda Gresini and rode out the season with one of the top bikes in the MotoGP paddock, securing 12 top-ten finishes including a 3rd place podium at Brno. Despite this Elias was unable to secure a MotoGP ride for 2010 and instead continued his partnership with Gresini Racing on board a Moriwaki MD600, he was one of the title favorites in the Moto2 class. Toni lived up to his reputation by securing the Championship Title in the Moto2 class for 2010.

Toni has landed a ride in the Premier Class for 2011 as the lone rider for LCR Honda.