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.
'I need to control myself` - Xaus falls again.
New Fortuna Yamaha rider Ruben Xaus saw his second day of testing at Barcelona brought to a premature end after the spectacular Spaniard let his enthusiasm get the better of him - again.
Rossi: Two days to solve our problems.
Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi finished the first day of the official Barcelona IRTA test as the top Yamaha rider, albeit in just fifth place, and is eager to solve nagging front end problems and find more top speed in the two days that remain.
Hayden tests headset.
Nicky Hayden has revealed that he tested a radio headset to communicate with his Repsol Honda team while out on track at Barcelona today (Friday).
Barcelona test times - Friday.
Full MotoGP test times from day one of the Barcelona IRTA test, at the Circuit de Catalaunya, Spain:
BMW PowerCup to debut at French GP.
The French Motorcycle Grand Prix on May 13-15 will mark the opening round of the new BMW Motorrad PowerCup series - the replacement for the popular BoxerCup - which features race bikes based on the German marque's new K1200 R.
Luthi fastest on IRTA day one.
Swiss teenager Thomas Luthi was the quickest 125cc rider on the first day of official tests at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday.
Ukawa, Matsudo join Moriwaki.
Moriwaki Racing have revealed that former MotoGP winner and HRC test rider Tohru Ukawa has joined their MotoGP development programme, while 250 GP veteran Naoki Matsudo will race for the team in the 2005 All Japan Superbike Championship.
Times drop but more rain taunts Yamaha.
The pre-season testing programme of Gauloises Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, plus satellite Fortuna backed riders Ruben Xaus and Toni Elias, was again interrupted by rain today at Australia's Phillip Island circuit - during day two of a planned three day test.
Music meets MotoGP: Ludacris joins WCM!
Hip-hop giant Ludacris, the multi platinum artist and star of 2Fast 2Furious and the soon to be released Hustle & Flow films, has expanded his empire by moving his DTP label into MotoGP - through backing of the Blata-WCM Team.
Byrne: The bike sounds awesome!
As previously reported, Shane Byrne made his debut on the Team KR-KTM, with Michelin tyres, during a shakedown test at Valencia on Monday - providing the Brit with his first taste of the V4 powered machine he hopes to campaign in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.
Yamaha unveils 2005 M1 livery.
The new 2005-specification Gauloises Yamaha YZR-M1s were displayed for the first time in their new livery today (pictured), during a press conference attended by Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
Yamaha: No plans for alternative livery.
The factory Yamaha team has told Crash.net that they have no plans to run any alternative livery on the race machines of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards during the 2005 MotoGP season.
Team KR testing at Valencia.
As indicated last week, Team KR has today (Monday) begun a two-day shakedown test with its 'KR-KTM' at the Valencia circuit in Spain.
Hayden enjoys, Biaggi falls.
It was once again a case of contrasting fortunes within the Repsol Honda garage at Qatar during today's third and final day of testing, with Nicky Hayden a close fifth while team-mate Max Biaggi again 'struggled with set-up' - and then suffered a fall during his race simulation - leaving him eigh
2005 MotoGP entry list, Byrne at Team KR.
The FIM has today revealed the full entry list for the 2005 MotoGP World Championship.
2005 250cc entry list.
The FIM has today revealed the following full entry list for the 2005 250cc World Championship... 2005 250cc entry list:
2005 125cc entry list.
The FIM has today revealed the following full entry list for the 2005 125cc World Championship... 2005 125cc entry list:
Hofmann tries big bang, Nakano `earns salary`.
Alex Hofmann got the opportunity to test the new big bang version of Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine for the first time during the third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Southern Spain on Friday.
Konica Minolta Honda launched in Japan.
The Konica Minolta Honda team has today unveiled the livery with which Makoto Tamada will contest the 2005 MotoGP World Championship (pictured).
Nakano cut, rain hinders 'big bang` development.
Following on from tests in Malaysia, the Kawasaki Racing Team arrived at a cold and cloudy Jerez circuit today (Thursday) to start the European phase of their preparations for the 2005 MotoGP season.
Wheel changes expected in MotoGP rain stops.
by Peter McLaren One of the most significant rule changes ahead of the 2005 MotoGP season has been the new 'no stopping for rain' directive, which means that dry premier-class races will no longer be stopped should rain fall.
Rossi, Barros regret Rio cancellation.
Six times world champion Valentino Rossi and Brazilian Alex Barros have both expressed their regret at hearing today's news that the 2005 Rio Grand Prix has been removed from the 2005 MotoGP calendar due to the 'lack of a signed contract'.
Rossi 'very sorry' for bird kill!
Gauloises Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards finished the second day of testing at Phillip Island, Australia, fourth and seventh fastest respectively in the unofficial standings - with the Italian having suffered a bird strike during his 91 Friday laps.
Biaggi: I know how to win the title.
Max Biaggi starts the 2005 MotoGP season with his best chance yet of claiming a first premier-class world crown, after signing to ride for the factory Repsol Honda outfit.