Forward Racing

The team started competing in the MotoGP class as the Hayate Racing Team, a scaled down version of the Kawasaki factory team that withdrew from MotoGP for the {{MGP|2009}} championship due to the Great Recession.{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/81744/1/kawasaki_statement_in_full.html|title=Kawasaki statement in full|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=9 January 2009|access-date=21 November 2011}} The team took its name from the Japanese word Hayate meaning hurricane. The team ran one Kawasaki ZX-RR motorcycle that was ridden by Marco Melandri.

Kawasaki stopped developing new parts for the motorbike in March 2009, meaning Kawasaki's involvement was limited to servicing and maintaining the motorcycle for the rest of the 2009 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/143925/1/marco_melandri_i_will_race_the_hayate.html|title=Marco Melandri: I will race the Hayate|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=12 March 2009|access-date=21 November 2011}} Despite this, Melandri achieved a remarkable result in coming second at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans in May.{{cite news|url=http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/france+le+mans+motogp+race+lorenzo|title=Lorenzo takes dramatic victory at wet-dry Le Mans|work=motogp.com|publisher=Dorna Sports|date=17 May 2009|access-date=21 November 2011}}

In 2010, they participated as Forward Racing in the new Moto2 class, with Jules Cluzel and Claudio Corti as their riders on Suter bikes. Cluzel won the British Grand Prix and finished 7th in the championship. Corti had a pole position for the same race, but his best result was ninth at Misano. In 2011 the team competed with Cluzel and Alex Baldolini, later replaced by Raffaele De Rosa. The best result was a fourth place clinched by Cluzel at the British Grand Prix.

The team returned to MotoGP in 2012 as one of the Claiming Rule Teams and signed Colin Edwards,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motogp/14769419.stm|title=Colin Edwards confirms he will leave Tech 3 team at end of the season|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|date=2 September 2011|access-date=2 September 2011}} fielding a Suter chassis with a BMW engine.{{cite news|url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2011/October/oct2011-colin-edwards-ride-suter-bmw-2012/|title=Colin Edwards to ride Suter/BMW in 2012|publisher=Bauer Media Group|work=Motor Cycle News|date=20 October 2011|access-date=20 October 2011|first=Matthew|last=Birt}}

For the 2012 Moto2 Championship Forward Racing signed Alex de Angelis and Yuki Takahashi.{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/174636/1/de_angelis_to_ngm_forward_for_moto2.html|title=de Angelis to NGM Forward for Moto2|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=5 November 2011|access-date=5 November 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/175004/1/moto2_takahashi_goes_forward_for_2012.html|title=Moto2: Takahashi goes Forward for 2012|work=crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group|date=18 November 2011|access-date=21 November 2011}} The team started the season with Suter bikes then switched to FTR after six rounds; with the new chassis de Angelis won the Malaysian Grand Prix.

For 2013, Forward Racing expanded its MotoGP involvement to a two-rider team, signing Claudio Corti alongside Colin Edwards with new FTR-Kawasaki bikes. The Moto2 effort was expanded to four riders with Simone Corsi, Mattia Pasini, Alex de Angelis and Ricard Cardús aboard Speed Up bikes.

In 2014 the team again entered the MotoGP class with two bikes for Colin Edwards and Aleix Espargaró. Taking advantage of the new Open category, Forward Racing intended to use Yamaha-leased YZR-M1 engines with FTR frames, however the team started the season with a complete Yamaha YZR-M1 engine-frame-swingarm package{{cite news|title=Qatar MotoGP: Espargaro sticking with Yamaha frame|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/201293/1/espargaro-sticking-with-yamaha-frame.html/|date=20 March 2014|access-date=22 September 2014|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group}} with other parts supplied by FTR. At the Mugello round Edwards debuted the new Forward frame built by Harris Performance.{{cite news|title=Forward Racing to use new MotoGP chassis at Mugello|url=http://motomatters.com/news/2014/05/22/forward_to_use_new_motogp_chassis_at_mug.html/|date=22 May 2014|access-date=22 September 2014|work=Motomatters.com}} Espargaró, who stayed with the Yamaha frame, achieved a pole position at Assen and finished on the podium at Aragon with second place, finishing seventh in the championship.

In Moto2 Forward Racing stepped back to a two-rider team, retaining Pasini and Corsi. The team started the season with 2013-specification Kalex frames modified in-house and rebadged as Forward KLX.{{cite news|title=Moto2: Forward announces new 'KLX' chassis project|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/200269/1/moto2-forward-announces-new-klx-chassis-project.html|date=13 February 2014|access-date=12 November 2014|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group}} At the fifth round the team switched to official Kalex bikes.{{cite news|title=Le Mans Moto2: Forward announces official Kalex deal|url=http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/204493/1/moto2-forward-announces-official-kalex-deal.html|date=15 May 2014|access-date=12 November 2014|work=Crash.net|publisher=Crash Media Group}} Riding the new frame Corsi scored two podiums, but a crash at Silverstone ended his season. He was then replaced by Supersport World Championship rider Florian Marino.

For the {{MGP|2015}} season, Forward Racing renewed their partnership with Yamaha, planning to run two bikes with YZR-M1 engine-frame-swingarm packages and abandoning the in-house chassis project.{{cite news|title=Forward Racing abandons chassis project|url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/motogp/2015/january/forward-racing-abandons-chassis-project/|date=15 January 2015|access-date=22 January 2015|work=Motor Cycle News|first=Matthew|last=Birt|publisher=Bauer Consumer Media}} New riders were Stefan Bradl and Loris Baz. Forward also renewed its commitment to the Moto2 class fielding two Kalex frames for Simone Corsi, returning from his injury, and new teammate Lorenzo Baldassarri.{{cite news|title=Forward Racing release 2015 bikes|url=http://gpxtra.com/2015/03/10/forward-racing-release-2015-bikes/|access-date=16 August 2015|date=10 March 2015|work=GPxtra.com|first=Aaron|last=Rowles}}

Shortly after the German round, littles problems afflict the team that than announced that they had released Stefan Bradl from his contract at his request.{{cite news|title=Stefan Bradl released by Forward, Aprilia signing imminent?|url=https://motomatters.com/news/2015/07/31/stefan_bradl_released_by_forward_aprilia.html|access-date=16 August 2015|date=31 July 2015|work=MotoMatters.com|first=David|last=Emmett|publisher=David Emmett}} The team returned on track at Brno in both the MotoGP and Moto2 classes with Bradl being replaced by Claudio Corti alongside Baz, Corsi and Baldassarri.{{cite news|title=Forward Racing to return at Brno, but doubts beyond that|url=https://motomatters.com/news/2015/08/06/forward_racing_to_return_at_brno_but_dou.html|access-date=16 August 2015|date=6 August 2015|work=MotoMatters.com|first=David|last=Emmett|publisher=David Emmett}}

In 2016, the team left MotoGP, but remained in the Moto2 class. On 11 September 2016, at the San Marino Grand Prix, Lorenzo Baldassarri achieved his first victory, which was the third victory ever for the team in the World Championship.{{cite web |title=Moto2: Baldassarri super, vince a Misano |url=https://www.corrieredellosport.it/news/moto/motomondiale/moto2/2016/09/11-15236109/moto2_baldassarri_super_vince_a_misano |website=corrieredellosport.it |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2: Baldassarri super, wins at Misano |language=it |date=11 September 2016}} In 2017, the team continued in Moto2, with the same pair of riders as the previous season.{{cite web |title=Forward Racing si presenta per il 2017: stessi piloti, obiettivi al top |url=https://www.motosprint.it/news/motomondiale/moto2/2017/02/09-708165/forward_racing_si_presenta_per_il_2017_stessi_piloti_obiettivi_al_top |website=www.motosprint.it |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Forward Racing Presents Itself For 2017: Same Drivers, Top Goals |language=it |date=2 September 2017}} In 2018, the team used Suter motorcycles entrusted to the Italian Stefano Manzi and the Brazilian Eric Granado without obtaining significant results. In 2019, Forward began a collaboration with MV Agusta to bring their F2 to the track. The riders were the Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter and Manzi. The season ended in eleventh place in the Moto2 team championship, obtaining their best performances in the Dutch TT and the Valencian Community Grand Prix.

In 2020, Forward continues its collaboration with MV Agusta. The riders who were entrusted with F2 are Manzi and Simone Corsi. The season ends in third place in the team standings,{{cite web |title=World Championship Classification |url=https://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2020/POR/Moto2/RAC/worldstanding.pdf |website=motogp.com |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=20 November 2020}} while Manzi obtains the first pole position of his career in the Valencian Community.{{cite web |last1=Guglielmetti |first1=Riccardo |title=Moto2, Valencia: Manzi riporta in pole la MV Agusta dopo 44 anni |url=https://www.gpone.com/it/2020/11/14/moto2/valencia-manzi-riporta-in-pole-la-mv-agusta-dopo-44-anni.html |website=GPone.com |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2, Valencia: Manzi brings MV Agusta back to pole after 44 years |language=It |date=14 November 2020}} For 2021, Lorenzo Baldassarri is hired alongside Corsi. The season, in which both owners are forced to miss races and are replaced, ends in fourteenth place in the team standings with another pole, again in Valencia by Corsi.{{cite web |last1=Tamantini |first1=Diana |title=Moto2 Valencia: Il ritorno di Simone Corsi in pole, Celestino Vietti 2°! |url=https://www.corsedimoto.com/motomondiale/moto2-valencia-il-ritorno-di-simone-corsi-in-pole-celestino-vietti-2/ |website=Corsedimoto |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2 Valencia: Simone Corsi back on pole, Celestino Vietti 2nd! |language=it |date=13 November 2021}} In 2022, Corsi begins his third consecutive year with the team, the other rider is Marcos Ramírez. The season turns out to be below expectations with five points scored by Ramírez.{{cite web |title=World Championship Classification |url=https://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2022/VAL/Moto2/RAC/worldstanding.pdf |website=motogp.com |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=6 November 2022}} Corsi, having ridden in over three hundred Grand Prix in his career, retires.{{cite web |title=Moto2, Cala il sipario per Simone Corsi: si ferma dopo 300 GP e 5 vittorie |url=https://www.gpone.com/it/2022/11/06/moto2/cala-il-sipario-per-simone-corsi-si-ferma-dopo-300-gp-e-5-vittorie.html |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2, the curtain falls for Simone Corsi: he stops after 300 GPs and 5 victories |language=It |date=6 November 2022}}

In January 2023 the end of the collaboration with MV Agusta was announced. The team originally planned to use a Kalex prototype that was branded as Forward, but chose to retain the MV Agusta chassis and rebranding it as Forward instead.{{cite web |title=Moto2, MV Agusta e team Forward si separano |url=https://www.insella.it/motogp/news/moto2-mv-agusta-e-team-forward-si-separano-167955 |website=www.insella.it |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2, MV Agusta and Forward team part ways |language=it |date=23 January 2023}} The regular riders were Ramírez and Álex Escrig. The first point of the season came on at the Indian Grand Prix with the replacement rider Sean Dylan Kelly. The season ended in third, and last, place in the constructors championship with only 4 points.{{cite web |title=World Championship Classification |url=https://resources.motogp.com/files/results/2023/VAL/Moto2/RAC/worldstanding.pdf |website=MotoGP |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=26 November 2023}}

In 2024 the team made its debut in MotoE{{cite web |last1=Ardemagni |first1=Pietro |title=Forward Racing debutta nel MotoE World Championship 2024 |url=https://www.epaddock.it/forward-racing-debutta-nel-motoe-world-championship-2024/ |website=epaddock.it |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Forward Racing debuts in the 2024 MotoE World Championship |language=it-IT |date=23 December 2023}} and the inaugural WorldWCR season.{{cite web |title=Herrera readies for inaugural WorldWCR campaign: "We'll make history together!" |url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2024/Herrera+readies+for+inaugural+WorldWCR+campaign+Well+make+history+together |website=www.worldsbk.com |access-date=17 July 2024 |date=3 June 2024}} In Moto2, Escrig is joined by Xavier Artigas, who was making his debut in the category. The team also moved away from the MV Agusta-based machine from 2023 to form their own chassis, marking the team's return as a chassis manufacturer.{{cite web |title=Moto2 {{!}} Forward Racing mette sotto contratto fino al 2026 sia Álex Escrig che Xavi Artigas |url=https://www.p300.it/moto2-forward-racing-mette-sotto-contratto-fino-al-2026-sia-alex-escrig-che-xavi-artigas/ |website=P300.it Motorsport Media |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2 {{!}} Forward Racing signs both Álex Escrig and Xavi Artigas until 2026 |language=it |date=26 November 2023}}{{cite web |title=El Forward Factory Racing da a conocer sus proyector 2024 en Moto2, MotoE y JuniorGP|url=https://super7moto.com/campeonatos-del-mundo/mundialmotogp/24916-el-forward-factory-racing-da-a-conocer-sus-proyector-2024-en-moto2-motoe-y-juniorgp.html|website=Super7Moto.com|access-date=24 July 2024 |trans-title=The Forward Factory Racing unveils its 2024 projector in Moto2, MotoE and JuniorGP|language=es |date=9 February 2024}} In MotoE, the team announced Andrea Mantovani and María Herrera as official riders.{{cite web |last1=Triolo |first1=Rosary |title=Moto2, Forward per il rilancio e debutta in MotoE |url=https://sport.sky.it/motogp/2024/02/09/moto-gp-forward-racing-presentazione-interviste-video#:~:text=Forward%20sbarca%20anche%20in%20MotoE,ruolo%20di%20quattro%20mondiali%20MotoGp. |website=sport.sky.it |access-date=17 July 2024 |trans-title=Moto2, Forward seeks relaunch and also debuts in MotoE |language=it |date=9 February 2024}} Herrera was also entered by the team into the WorldWCR season where she finished second overall in the championship.{{cite web |title=Final Corner Decider: Carrasco crowned Champion as Herrera crashes out at final corner, Sanchez wins |url=https://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/2024/FINAL+CORNER+DECIDES+Carrasco+2024+World+WCR+Champion+as+Herrerra+crashes+out+on+last+corner |website=www.worldsbk.com |access-date=10 November 2024 |date=20 October 2024}}

The team announced they were to increase their participation in WorldWCR in 2025 by running two bikes and signed Roberta Ponziani to ride the second bike.{{cite web |title=Roberta Ponziani ficha por el Forward Racing para el WorldWCR 2025 |url=https://super7moto.com/campeonatos-del-mundo/mundialsuperbikes/26833-roberta-ponziani-ficha-por-el-forward-racing-para-el-worldwcr-2025.html |website=super7moto |trans-title=Roberta Ponziani signs for Forward Racing for the 2025 WorldWCR |access-date=10 November 2024 |language=es-es |date=10 November 2024}}

;Notes

{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{official website}}

{{Forward Racing}}

{{Moto2 teams}}

Category:Motorcycle racing teams

Category:Motorcycle racing teams established in 2009

Category:2009 establishments in Switzerland

Category:FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship

Category:Agno, Ticino