MotoGP News
We’re first for the latest MotoGP news. Motorcycle racing’s elite competition is a fast paced, ever-evolving beast and here you’ll find all of the MotoGP news you could wish for. We cover everything from interviews with the major players, updates on machine reveals, team news and more. See brand new content from MotoE and insightful ‘first look’ features showing the forthcoming MotoGP season’s riders in their new colours.
New Bridgestone qualifier, front to follow?
Casey Stoner may have taken a dominant victory in the Qatar season opener, but the inaugural MotoGP night race was something of a tough event for Bridgestone - in overall terms - with only two riders finishing in the top seven.
Melandri talent `beyond doubt`.
At a time when theories to explain the gulf in performance between Casey Stoner and team-mate Marco Melandri are flying wildly, Ducati MotoGP project director Livio Suppo has moved to eliminate one avenue of speculation - by stating that there is 'no doubting' the Italian's talent.
Lorenzo, Pedrosa rivalry starts to simmer.
Although Pedrosa and Lorenzo raced each other for two seasons in 125GP - during 2002 and 2003 - they were rarely in direct conflict, and it was only when Lorenzo fought reigning 250cc champion Pedrosa head-on during the 2005 quarter-litre season that the fireworks between them - and their respect
Why is there only one quick Ducati?
By Mike Nicks It's what everyone's asking in the paddock. The Desmosedici GP8 has more power and better streamlining than anything else, and great tyres. So why can only Casey Stoner make it look respectable?
Kawasaki: Hopkins is one hard rider...
A twelfth placed finish wasn't what John Hopkins had been hoping for on his Kawasaki debut, but given that he rode through 'excruciating' pain from his recent groin injury - and battled severe front tyre problems - it was a mighty effort.
Hayden: We got beat bad.
After struggling to match even the leading satellite Honda riders during the final pre-season test at Qatar, both Pedrosa and Hayden were given last year's model to evaluate during practice for the inaugural night race.
<I>Crash.net`s</I> Qatar GP blog: Sunday
Monday am - Toseland Bounces into the New Job "I could have picked another manufacturer to scrape off!" James Toseland was hanging out in the paddock tonight, just walking around in a happy haze and chatting to whoever wanted to go over with him his amazing debut ride in MotoGP.
Dovi `emotional` after Rossi pass.
Starting from ninth on the grid, Dovi stormed forward during the inaugural night race, reaching fifth by lap 4 of 22. The JiR Team Scot rider maintained that position right until the very last lap, when he dived inside Rossi at the hairpin.
Toseland takes no prisoners on `surreal` debut.
Four riders made their MotoGP debut at Qatar on Sunday and for James Toseland it was also his first ever grand prix of any kind - but the Briton wasted no time with polite introductions as he traded paint right from the opening lap.
Chaz wins Daytona 200!
Former - and perhaps future - grand prix rider Chaz Davies looks to have become the first ever British rider to win the prestigious Daytona 200 AMA race after Josh Hayes, who crossed the line first, was disqualified for illegal crankshaft modifications.
Repsol Honda to run 2007 bikes.
Rather than gaining ground with its all-new '08 racer during the off-season, Honda's factory team has found itself in the unexpected situation of working its way back towards the proven 2007 design.
Toseland`s MotoGP strategy - EXCLUSIVE.
By Mike Nicks "What viewers and riders need to understand is that this job is very much about maximising 21 litres of fuel."
The strongest MotoGP line-up ever?
In total, the 2008 MotoGP grid contains 24 world titles - led by Valentino Rossi's seven world championships - with even the four class rookies holding five world championships between them, thanks to Jorge Lorenzo (double 250cc world champion), Andrea Dovizioso (125cc world champion) and James T
`Back to reality` as Repsol Honda struggles.
Having finished the Jerez test fastest of all, with a qualifying tyre, Nicky Hayden says Repsol Honda has been 'brought back to reality' after a tough final pre-season outing at Qatar.
Stoner shines on day one in the dark.
The first night of the first ever MotoGP night test, held at the Losail circuit in Qatar, has been dominated by world champion Casey Stoner.
Red Bull rookies enjoy first `08 test.
Two dozen young riders enjoyed the sun of southern Spain as the first Red Bull MotoGP Rookies test of 2008 took place at Jerez, with Britain's Matthew Hoyle coming out on top over 25-26 February.
Hopkins heads home for treatment.
The Anglo-American now faces a race against time to be fully fit for the final pre-season test, at Qatar from February 28-29, or at least by the season opener on March 9.
Mike Nicks signs!
Mike, who has edited Motor Cycle News , Bike and Classic Bike , will visit MotoGP, World Superbike and British Superbike events, providing a mix of exclusive news, comment and interviews for Crash.net .
PICTURES: Alice Team livery.
The outfit, formerly known as the Pramac d'Antin Team, will field former MotoGP race winner Toni Elias and 2007 MotoGP rookie of the year Sylvain Guintoli on its satellite-spec Ducatis.
Stoner wins BMW.
Stoner won his first BMW sports car at the 2007 Valencia season finale, when he wrapped up the best qualifier of the season award, and the Australian picked up where he left off at a wet Jerez.
MotoGP BMW Award times - Sunday.
The new Z4 car was won by world champion Casey Stoner, who dominated the session almost from start to finish, despite completing just nine laps. Injured riders John Hopkins and Dani Pedrosa chose not to risk further damage and sat out the session.
PICTURES: Tech 3`s 2008 colours.
Following the departure of previous tyre supplier - and title sponsor - Dunlop, the French-based Tech 3 team had a clean canvas with which to work and has opted to keep the yellow of recent seasons, but mix it with blue, France's traditional racing colour.
Repsol launches `08 campaign in Zaragoza.
Although pre-season testing has been going on for weeks already, Repsol took advantage of MotoGP's return to Spain for the final shakedown to stage its annual media presentation.
Acceleration the aim for new Suzuki.
As the full 2008 Rizla Suzuki MotoGP livery was displayed for the first time, Race Group Leader Fumihiro Oonishi commented on the design priorities for the new GSV-R - citing improved acceleration as the primary goal.