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.
Hopkins `beat up` by 120mph highside.
Rizla Suzuki's John Hopkins set the pace early on during the final day of the official MotoGP test in Qatar... until a 120mph highside just before lunch left him hospitalised with potential fractures to both his hand and foot.
Jacque, McWilliams miss day two.
The full line-up of 2007 riders lasted less than a day on track at Qatar, with both Kawasaki's Olivier Jacque and Ilmor's Jeremy McWilliams missing day two of the desert test.
Edwards, Rossi keep control in Qatar.
Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi maintained Yamaha's current pre-season domination by holding their one-two at the top of the Qatar timesheets during the second day of desert action.
Edwards continues form at Qatar full house.
The full 2007 MotoGP grid gathered together for the first time in Qatar on Tuesday, when Colin Edwards continued his recent form to lead a Yamaha one-two at the head of the testing timesheets.
McWilliams fit for Qatar test.
Jeremy McWilliams has been declared fit to make his 2007 debut for Ilmor, alongside team-mate Andrew Pitt, during the three-day Qatar test that starts on Tuesday.
Rizla ready for the desert heat.
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team travels to the scorching heat of the Qatari desert for the first Official MotoGP Test of the season next week, looking to fine tune the new GSV-R800.
Sepang III MotoGP test times - Wednesday.
MotoGP times from the third and final day of testing at Sepang and attended by Yamaha, Kawasaki, Tech 3 and Illmor.
Ilmor working hard.
Following the success of the recent test in Almeria, Ilmor GP continued their testing schedule at Sepang in Malaysia. While engine calibration was the main aim of the test the team also undertook an important tyre test with new supplier Michelin.
Edwards sets the pace during final day at Sepang.
On the third and final day of the second Sepang Test of 2007, the teams rounded off their week of fine tuning their new 800cc machines ahead of the season curtain-raiser next month.
Kawasaki, Eckl reach agreement.
After several months of discussion following the sudden departure of Harald Eckl from Kawasaki's MotoGP programme back in November, the Japanese company has confirmed that it has solved its dispute with the man who had run its MotoGP entry since 2002.
Fruitful test for Repsol Honda.
The Repsol Honda pairing of Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa headed the time sheets during the final day of testing at Phillip Island, setting the fastest times of the entire test.
Rossi extends Yamaha deal to 2008.
In something of a surprise move, Yamaha has announced that superstar Valentino Rossi has extended his current MotoGP contract until the end of 2008.
`Pinned and screwed` McWilliams recovering nicely.
Experienced Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams is working flat out to be fit for the MotoGP test in Qatar from February 13-15, following his femur-breaking accident at the end of November.
Phillip Island MotoGP test times - Wednesday.
Full MotoGP times from the second day of the second test of 2007, held at Phillip Island and attended by Honda, Ducati and Suzuki teams.
Renamed Ilmor completes first 2007 test.
The Ilmor MotoGP team, which raced under the 'Ilmor SRT' banner at the end of 2006 but which is now calling itself simply 'Ilmor GP', completed its first test of 2007 at Almeria in Spain last weekend.
A-Style extend title sponsorship.
Italian fashion brand A-Style, familiar for its 'eye-catching' logo and unusual habit of making grid girls wear crash helmets, has extended its title sponsorship of the Dutch TT and Japanese Grand Prix until 2009.
Full Sepang II pictures now online.
No less than 250 pictures, covering all aspects of this week's MotoGP test at Sepang, are now available for viewing on Crash.net .
Telefonica leaves Renault.
The livery unveiled at Wednesday's Renault F1 launch (top picture) confirmed that, as predicted last week, Spanish telecommunications giant Telefonica has left the team - almost certainly due to the departure of world champion Fernando Alonso to McLaren.
Roberts breakthrough after Checa bike swap.
The final day of testing Sepang saw the unexpected sight of Kenny Roberts on a Honda RC212V and Carlos Checa on the former world champion's KR212V.
PICTURE: Rossi`s new sponsor...
With the Factory Yamaha Team still to announce its title sponsor for the 2007 season, star rider Valentino Rossi has 'secured' some new backing from his grand prix past in the form of 'Osvaldo chickens' (top picture) - whose logo is present on his bike at Sepang.
Rossi `very happy` with first 800 race simulation.
Colin Edwards may have been the fastest Factory Yamaha rider on day two of the Sepang test, and just a fraction behind John Hopkins, but it was team-mate Valentino Rossi who was most pleased after their first ever 800cc race simulation.
PICTURES: KR212V makes track debut.
The new Team Roberts KR212V made its track debut during testing at Sepang on Monday, when Kenny Roberts Jr took it to the 13th fastest lap time out of 20 riders present.
Checa: I was riding like a camel!
Riding his third different MotoGP machine, and tyre brand, in as many seasons means Carlos Checa has a lot to learn in adapting to his new LCR run Honda RC212V - and a fall on day one of the Sepang test didn't help.
Ducati launch Desmosedici GP7.
Ducati officially launched its 2007 MotoGP title contender, the Desmosedici GP7, amidst the spectacular mountain scenery of Madonna di Campiglio, in Italy on Wednesday.