MotoE Electric Motorcycle Racing Series to Launch in 2019
MotoGP, the world’s top motorcycle racing series, announced on Tuesday that it is launching a MotoE support series for ELECTRIC bikes next season. Yes dear readers, you’re not dreaming!
You’re thinking WTF? Me too! As a ‘lifelong motorcyclist’ it is certainly a shocker. The battery-powered motorcycles will be based on the Italian Energica Ego, which is powered by a 145 hp electric motor, has a top speed of 150 mph and sells in the U.S. for around $25,000 in street-legal form.
The crazy thing is that these bikes may even be quicker than the petrol versions. However, rumour has it that the races will take place in five racetracks only and they will be ten lap races as opposed to the 20+ of the petrol MotoGP.
The MotoE World Cup Championship will be contested by 18 riders from 11 teams run by existing MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 privateer teams. Motorsport.com reports that the inaugural season is expected to consist of eight-lap races held at five European tracks that have not yet been identified.
