Thomas Luthi moves up to 250cc

Former 125cc World Champion Thomas Luthi will face a new challenge next season, as he makes the jump up in cylinder class to 250cc. The Swiss rider has been given a full factory Aprilia bike, and will start testing with his new Emmi Caffe Latte (his previous sponsors in 125cc) team two days after the 2006 season ends.

The recruitment of Luthi to their 250cc project, announced today at a press conference in Zurich, shows the commitment of Aprilia to the quarter litre class. Team Manager Daniel Epp commented that "for us, the 250cc class is the crown discipline in motorcycle racing. It is a huge thing for us."

Luthi will leave behind his present mechanic, Sepp Schlogl, and will use two different mechanics for his two bikes. Markus Egloff, former Technical Manager for Sandro Cortese, takes over in the same position for the 250cc project.

The 2005 125cc title holder is confident about the move up in cylinder class, saying that he feels "absolutely ready" for the challenge. "I know I can compete with the broad field of competitors in 250cc," he added.

Luthi could easily have been facing a different challenge in 2006, as he was scheduled for military training in Switzerland. This has since been postponed, allowing him to join up with a team that Daniel Epp believes will be in the top ten by the end of the first four months of next season..