The RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP Moto2 team is contesting its home Grand Prix this weekend at the Assen TT Circuit. Choosing to get a head start on the British Grand Prix, where the MotoGP bikes will be sporting special historic liveries, the Dutch team has given its riders the choice of disguising their machines in the Netherlands. To do so, Barry Baltus will take his place on the starting grid in the colours of the legendary Barry Sheene.
This year, the MotoGP World Championships celebrate their 75th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Dorna and MotoGP are organising a number of events throughout the championship to celebrate this important anniversary.
At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on the first weekend in August, the initiative will be taken a step further by having all the MotoGP teams run in a special livery. Initially, the plan was to do this at Assen, the only circuit that has remained on the calendar since the world championship began in 1949.
RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP team principal Jarno Janssen has therefore decided to take matters into his own hands for his team, and take advantage of their home race to don their historic liveries a little early.
Thus, local Zonta van den Goorbergh will pilot his Moto2 decorated in the colors of “De Witte Reus” Wil Hartog from this Saturday. The Dutch rider made history for his country in 1977 by winning the 500 cc race at the Assen circuit.
“As a Dutchman, participating in the Dutch Grand Prix at the TT Assen circuit is of course very special, recalls the regional of the stage. Of course, I was educated watching events like the Dutch TT, and I often saw the footage of Wil Hartog’s victory. I really like that it is represented here and that I can drive with its color scheme this weekend. I hope it will help us achieve good performances on the track this weekend. »
Barry Baltus, for his part, has chosen to pay tribute to the double 500cc world champion Barry Sheene. Thus the Belgian will wear red, yellow and black. A nice nod to his national colours.
“With my first name and the fact that I drive with the number 7, it is of course no great surprise that I chose to represent Barry Sheene, confie Barry Baltus. It’s a great honour to be able to ride with these beautiful colours this weekend during the team’s home race. I think it’s going to be fantastic!”
Hopefully these colours will bring luck to the RW Racing GP riders who did not have a glorious Friday in Moto2 with their usual liveries.
