Toni Elias

MotoGP

Toni Elías (born March 26, 1983) is a professional motorcycle racer. He is the third member of the Elías family to compete in motorcycle racing. Toni Elias was born in Manresa, Spain.

Toni Elias started racing in the 125cc World Championship in 2000 at the age of 17, finishing 3rd in 2001 and taking his first win in the Dutch TT at the prestigious Assen circuit. Toni Elias went to 250s for 2002, finishing 4th that year, 3rd a year later, and 4th in 2004.

In 2005 Toni Elias entered MotoGP for Fortuna Yamaha. In 2006 and 2007 his Fortuna backing got him a ride for Gresini Honda alongside 2005 runner-up Marco Melandri. Toni Elias only took one podium in 2006. After a podium in the first half of 2007 Toni Elias crashed at Assen, breaking his leg, sabotaging his season. Toni Elias managed to make a return to the podium at Motegi

Toni Elias won his first premier class race on October 15, 2006 with a fantastic final lap of the Portuguese MotoGP at Estoril. Toni Elias had started the lap in third place, but an aggressive braking move into Curva 1, moved him past Valentino Rossi and the then-leader Kenny Roberts, Jr. into the lead. He actually clipped Roberts while braking, and this loss of momentum meant that Rossi passed Roberts for second position. These positions held until the chicane (turns 9 and 10) near the end of the lap. It looked like Toni Elias had left the door wide open for Rossi and sure enough, the reigning world champion dived to the inside to pass the Spaniard. However, Toni Elias would keep pressuring Rossi, trying to pass him on the run towards turns 11 and 12. Rossi had the line and kept the position, and it seemed as if Rossi would be 13 points clear of title rival Nicky Hayden going to the final round in Valencia. But Elías kept the speed up through the thirteenth and final turn, and tucked in behind Rossi, to draft him alongside the Italian. In a finish that needed a video replay, Toni Elias was given the race by just 0.002 seconds. It was one of the closest finishes in the history of MotoGP, and a great way for Toni Elias to secure his maiden premier class victory. This victory helped secure him a contract extension, which was doubtful prior to the win at Estoril, with Honda and Fausto Gresini for the 2007 Moto GP season.

As it turned out, Toni Elias' victory cost Rossi five points, which was the exact number of points that Rossi would finish behind Hayden in the Championship standings.


1999 125cc Honda RS125 33rd in world Championship
2000 125cc Honda RS125 20th in world Championship
2001 125cc Honda RS125 3rd in world Championship
2002 250cc Aprilia RS250 4th in world Championship
2003 250cc Aprilia RS250 3rd in world Championship
2004 250cc Honda RS250 4th in world Championship
2005 MotoGP Yamaha YZR-M1 12th in world Championship
2006 MotoGP Honda RC211V 9th in world Championship
2007 MotoGP Honda RC212V 12th in world Championship

from Wikipedia

For the 2008 season, Toni Elias will be riding a Ducati alongside Sylvan Guintoli in Team Alice.