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.
Pictures: Rossi's miracle save.
Valentino Rossi's first wet GP with Yamaha proved nothing short of dramatic, with the five-times world champion forced to use all his doubtless talent to keep the #46 M1 under control in the treacherous conditions.
Moody Blues: Jerez.
In the latest of his exclusive columns for Crash.net renowned Eurosport MotoGP commentator Toby Moody lets us in on 'behind the scenes' news from the second round of the 2004 season; the Spanish Grand Prix...
MotoGP manufacturers plan 900cc future.
The Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Association (MSMA) have announced plans to reduce the capacity of MotoGP machiens from 990cc to 900cc by 2007.
Sete and Max show hands Honda hope.
After the embarrassment of Africa, Sete Gibernau and Max Biaggi reassured Honda that there isn't much wrong with the 2004 spec RC211V by dominating a wet Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez today.
Sete shines through Spanish rain.
Sete Gibernau has won a wet Spanish Grand Prix after a perfect ride in treacherous conditions saw the Telefonica Honda rider absorb race long pressure from Max Biaggi, to take his first victory of the season.
Rossi frustrated by rain.
Intermittent rain today at Jerez may have handed Valentino Rossi a safe pole position for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, but the Italian is hoping for a dry race tomorrow - his second on a Yamaha YZR-M1.
Rain hands Rossi pole.
Continued rain at Jerez today meant that Valentino Rossi's provisional pole time, set in yesterday's dry first qualifying session, went unchallenged today - handing the reigning world champion his second Yamaha pole from two attempts.
Byrne makes bike slower - goes faster.
MS Aprilia rookie Shane Byrne underlined his growing MotoGP potential this afternoon as the critical European phase of the 2004 season got underway at a cool and blustery Jerez.
'Big bang' puts Checa in high gear.
Carlos Checa claims he is still getting to grips with the new configuration YZR-M1 engine that the four Yamaha riders raced for the first time at South Africa.
Aprilia facing bankruptcy?
According to reports, Aprilia has just five days to find ?5 million and avoid bankruptcy - putting the future of the company, and particularly its MotoGP programme, in doubt.
Burns returns with WCM.
Chris Burns will make his return to MotoGP with the Harris WCM team at Jerez this weekend, after a frustrating winter in which he feared he'd be left rideless after turning down other offers.
Rossi even stronger at Jerez?
Valentino Rossi turned MotoGP upside down when he took Yamaha to victory in his very first race on the YZR-M1 two weeks ago at Welkom - and this weekend the Italian heads to Jerez, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, with the added confidence of excellent pre-season testing form at the same circuit.
Checa eager to emerge from Rossi's shadow.
Viewers new to MotoGP may well have questioned if Carlos Checa was on the same team as Valentino Rossi at Welkom, and not just because of the different livery; Checa finished the Africa's Grand Prix nine places and 40secs behind his team-mate.
Updated: Rossi impresses Schumacher.
Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has admitted Valentino Rossi was 'very impressive' when he made his F1 debut in the German's Ferrari F2004.
Moody Blues: Welkom.
In the first of his exclusive columns for Crash.net , renowned Eurosport MotoGP commentator Toby Moody lets us in on a few 'behind the scenes' stories from the opening round of the 2004 season in South Africa....
Abe surprised by Rossi.
After qualifying just eighteenth, Norick Abe needed a strong race at Welkom to silence his critics and justify his inclusion in the Yamaha line-up.
Rossi, Yamaha and MotoGP win in Africa.
It was the most anticipated race in modern motorcycling history and it didn't disappoint: Today at Welkom, Valentino Rossi won a fantastic season-opening Africa's Grand Prix after battling Max Biaggi from start to finish to end Honda's ten race win streak on his Yamaha debut.
Podium press conferences - Africa's GP.
The podium press conferences from today's season-opening 125, 250 and MotoGP Africa's Grands Prix, from Welkom. MotoGP class.
Biaggi fastest in Welkom warm-up.
Max Biaggi has put an end to Valentino Rossi's domination of the Africa's Grand Prix weekend, the Roman setting the pace in morning warm-up from the fellow Honda of Sete Gibernau.
Rossi: One of my greatest moments.
If Valentino Rossi ever doubted leaving Honda for Yamaha, such thoughts well and truly evaporated under the South African sun at Welkom today, as the Italian took a landmark pole position for the season-opening Africa's Grand Prix.
Bayliss: I've never felt confident on this bike.
Troy Bayliss endured by far his worst qualifying session as a MotoGP rider today at Welkom, the Australian being left second from last on his factory Ducati.
Rossi stays perfect with Welkom pole.
Valentino Rossi capped his so far perfect Yamaha debut by taking a thrilling pole position for tomorrow's season-opening Africa's Grand Prix, the Italian superstar defeating Honda's Sete Gibernau by just 0.035secs, while a Kawasaki made the top six.
Flying Roberts puts Suzuki fifth.
Team Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts Jr. was in fighting form at Welkom today, the American running as high as second with less than ten minutes remaining, before placing fifth by the chequered flag.
Eckl: Maybe I'm too optimistic but...
What a difference a year makes: Last season Kawasaki finished the Africa's Grand Prix - then round two of the world championship - in last place, but after encouraging pre-season progress they return this weekend 'optimistic' of a double top ten finish.