Mika Kallio sees childhood dreams come true with MotoGP contract

Retirement in Malaysia means third place is best he can do in 250cc title race

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Motorcycle racer Mika Kallio saw a childhood dream come to fruition at the weekend when the formal announcement came of his ascension next season to MotoGP, the Formula One of bike racing.
      It has long been rumoured that Kallio would be getting a ride in the premier class with Ducati next year, and Sunday saw his new home unveiled as Pramac Racing, a satellite team for Ducati.
      Kallio and Italian Niccolo Canepa will ride for the team for the 2009 MotoGP season, and Kallio’s 1+1 contract has an option for a second year.
     
Kallio, 25, thus becomes the first Finnish rider to join the ranks of MotoGP, which was established in 2002.
      He joined the international road racing circuit in 2001 on the 125cc bikes, and moved up last year to the 250cc class.
      In 2005 and 2006 Kallio was runner-up in the 125cc championship with Red Bull KTM, and this year he still has a shot at securing third place in the 250cc table.
     
Victory in this class has already gone to Marco Simoncelli of Italy, who wrapped up the title with a 3rd-place finish on Sunday at the Malaysian GP in Sepang.
      Kallio’s race came to a premature end as he was forced to retire with clutch problems and an engine seizure.
      There is one Grand Prix left on the 2008 calendar, at Valencia in Spain next weekend.
      Kallio is currently in 3rd spot, with 191 points, fifteen ahead of Alex Debon of Spain. Debon's countryman Alvaro Bautista has already secured the runner-up position behind Simoncelli, as he holds a 37-point advantage over Kallio - victory in a GP is worth 25 points.
      Kallio has won three races this season, in Spain, China, and the British GP at Donington.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Mika Kallio sees chances of 250 cc title slip in San Marino (1.9.2008)

Links:
  Mika Kallio (Wikipedia)
  Mika Kallio official site
  MOTO GP: Mika Kallio

Helsingin Sanomat