Alan Techer tests his Moto3 machine at Valencia - Photo Credit: MotoGP.com
The Moto3 class will have a strong field of competitors for its inaugural season after the FIM published a 32-man entry list on Friday. The 250cc four-stroke category replaces the old 125cc class and despite 2011 champion Nicolas Terol's move up to Moto2, there are plenty of big names with their sights set on Moto3 glory.
Four Grand Prix winners are among the list with Hector Faubel the most successful, boasting eight victories while German duo Jonas Folger and Sandro Cortese also have GP wins to their name. Folger will be the sole entrant for German manufacturer MZ while Cortese will have the hopes of the returning KTM on his shoulders. The 22 year old will also face pressure from within as Danny Kent gets his chance on a factory-spec motorcycle with the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.
Avintia Racing's Maverick Vinales is likely to start as favourite after a stunning rookie season last year. The BQR squad will run an FTR chassis with Honda power as they look to power the 17 year old to the title. The Spaniard will be joined on the 2012 grid by his older cousin Isaac Vinales while Miguel Oliveira will look to renew their rivalry after signing for Monlau Competicion. Alex Rins, the man who succeeded Maverick as Spanish champion, will make his Grand Prix debut alongside him.
Danny Webb is back as Mahindra gear up for their second season at World Championship level but there is no place for Harry Stafford who impressed last year, not yet anyway, meaning just the two British riders appear on the current entry list.
In total, five rookies will line up on the grid with six others starting their first full seasons, ensuring the new junior class will retain its status as the proving ground for future Grand Prix stars.
Moto3 2012 – Provisional Entry List
| No. | Rider | Motorcycle | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 |  Luigi Morciano |
Ioda | Ioda Racing Project |
| 5 | Romano Fenati |
Ioda | Team Italia FMI |
| 7 |  Efren Vazquez |
Honda | Team Laglisse |
| 8 |  Jack Miller |
Honda | Techno Racing |
| 9 |  Toni Finsterbusch |
Honda | Racing Team Germany |
| 10 |  Alexis Masbou |
Honda | Techno Racing |
| 11 | Sandro Cortese |
KTM | Red Bull KTM Ajo |
| 14 |  Brad Binder |
Kalex KTM | RW Racing GP |
| 19 | Alessandro Tonucci |
Ioda | Team Italia FMI |
| 23 | Alberto Moncayo |
Kalex KTM | Aspar Team |
| 25 | Maverick Viñales |
FTR Honda | Avintia Racing |
| 26 | Adrian Martin |
Honda | Team Laglisse |
| 27 | Niccolo Antonelli |
Honda | Gresini Racing Moto3 |
| 30 |  Giulian Pedone |
Oral | Phonica Racing |
| 31 |  Niklas Ajo |
KTM | TT Motion Events Racing |
| 32 | Isaac Viñales |
Honda | Ongetta-Centro Seta |
| 39 | Luis Salom |
Kalex KTM | RW Racing GP |
| 42 | Alex Rins |
Honda | Monlau Competicion |
| 44 |  Miguel Oliveira |
Honda | Monlau Competicion |
| 51 |  Kenta Fujii |
Honda | Technomag-CIP |
| 52 |  Danny Kent |
KTM | Red Bull KTM Ajo |
| 53 |  Jasper Iwema |
FGR Honda | Moto FGR |
| 55 | Hector Faubel |
Kalex KTM | Aspar Team |
| 61 | Arthur Sissis |
KTM | Red Bull KTM Ajo |
| 63 |  Zulfahmi Khairuddin |
KTM | AirAsia-Sic-Ajo |
| 77 | Marcel Schrotter |
Mahindra | Mahindra Racing |
| 84 |  Jakub Kornfeil |
Honda | Redox-Ongetta-Centro Seta |
| 89 | Alan Techer |
Honda | Technomag-CIP |
| 94 | Jonas Folger |
MZ | MZ Racing Team |
| 95 | Miroslav Popov |
Oral | Phonica Racing |
| 96 | Louis Rossi |
Honda | Racing Team Gery |
| 99 | Danny Webb |
Mahindra | Mahindra Racing |
