MotoGP Features

A Repsol generated interview with former 500cc/MotoGP rider and 2011 World Superbike champion Carlos Checa, who was back in the paddock at Catalunya… Q: What is the first memory that comes to mind when you think of the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit?

A Repsol generated interview with four-time 250cc world champion and MotoGP title contender Max Biaggi, who returned to the paddock at Mugello, where he also rode the MotoE demo lap… Q: How is your life now, are you missing competition?

When celebrating his first Ducati victory at Mugello on Sunday, Jorge Lorenzo spoke of the importance of self-belief and determination to power through the difficult times.

Mugello saw Casey Stoner's first appearance at a MotoGP since shoulder surgery, following February's Sepang test.

Hafizh Syahrin will remain in MotoGP in 2019, but not as part of a rumoured new Sepang Yamaha team.

A Repsol generated interview with five-time 250GP race winner and MotoGP podium finisher Randy de Puniet, now working in the paddock with French Eurosport… Q: How did you see the MotoGP race at Le Mans?

MotoGP will 'probably' keep downforce fairings for 2019, but wing attachments will be subject to stricter regulations and must be used in the same configuration at all times. This is likely to result in each rider having one 'wing' fairing and one normal fairing available.

Since MotoGP winter testing, Valentino Rossi has repeatedly emphasised the need for Yamaha to improve acceleration via the electronics. "All the Ducatis are better in acceleration, because they are more in front compared to us in the electronics," the Italian said in February.

Having looked longingly across the KTM garage as test rider Mika Kallio gave the '2019 prototype' it's grand prix debut at Jerez, Pol Espargaro was all smiles after getting back on the machine during the Monday test.

A Repsol generated interview with MotoGP race winner and former Moto2 champion Toni Elias, the reigning MotoAmerica Superbike champion.

A Repsol-generated interview with 2004 250cc title runner-up Sebas Porto, who was back in the MotoGP paddock to conduct media duties - and catch-up with friends and former rivals - at his home round in Argentina… Q: How is life as a former world championship rider?

  The 2018 Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas takes place on April 20-22. Here are some memorable moments from the five previous events…

A Repsol generated interview with Spain's first premier-class world champion Alex Criville, now following the MotoGP action closely as a TV commentator… Q: What did you think of the Qatar Grand Prix? Alex Criville:

This winter saw Honda join Ducati in fitting a carbon fibre swingarm to its MotoGP prototype, in place of the usual aluminium.

Cal Crutchlow has again called for MotoGP riders to undergo stricter anti-doping checks. The Englishman believes it is currently possible for riders to 'cut corners' in areas such as rehydration and weight loss:

Sam Lowes believes 2018 represents his best chance to win a world title in grand prix yet after recent outings in Spain confirmed his speed and outright pace aboard KTM's Moto2 chassis.

The Angel Nieto Team has expressed an interest in running Yamaha machinery in MotoGP from 2019 onwards, after Tech 3’s shock decision to end its ties with the Japanese factory at the end of this year.

It's not only MotoGP engine design that will be frozen for the 2018 season at the opening round in Qatar next weekend. Michelin will not introduce any new tyre designs once the world championship is underway.

Michael Bartholemy, team boss of Marc VDS’ racing operations, has admitted he is talking to another manufacturer other than Honda about supplying machinery for his MotoGP outfit in 2019.

Christophe Bourguignon, crew chief to Cal Crutchlow, has revealed the Englishman’s winter training programme was all of his own doing, and sees LCR Honda's lead rider as “relaxed” and “confident” of his chances for the MotoGP year ahead.

Although it's yet to be officially confirmed, all the indications are that - having announced a departure from Yamaha - Tech3 is to become a satellite KTM team in 2019.

Monster Yamaha Tech3 crew chief Nicolas Goyon has had a revolving door of riders since Jonas Folger's sudden withdraw from last October's Japanese MotoGP. Just three months earlier the pair had been celebrating Folger's brilliant ride to second place in his home German Grand Prix.

After last year’s confusion, a 30-minute ‘wet weather’ test has been arranged for the final night of the Qatar test in order to assess whether riders’ visibility is overly affected by the reflection of the floodlights, race direction has confirmed. 

After finishing first and second with Olivier Jacque and Shina Nakano on Yamaha machinery in the 2000 250cc World Championship, both riders and the Tech3 team  moved up to the premier-class in 2001. Tech 3 has remained in MotoGP, on Yamaha machinery, every since.