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.
Hayden, Hopkins quickest in dry warm-up.
After two days of rain interrupted qualifying, dry weather - as had been predicted for race day - duly greeted the MotoGP competitors in this morning's warm-up session for the Czech Grand Prix, which was led by Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden and Team Suzuki's John Hopkins.
Gibernau beats weather for Brno pole.
The tempestuous Czech weather continued to torment the MotoGP field this afternoon at Brno, with rain returning just before the final qualifying session began - and playing into the hands of rain master Sete Gibernau.
Kurtis joins Byrne on Brno injury list.
Tomorrow's Czech Grand Prix grid will be two riders short following the news that both Aprilia's Shane Byrne and Proton KR's Kurtis Roberts have been forced to withdraw due to injury.
'I couldn't resist it' - Xaus falls for team.
Ruben Xaus was one of a number of fallers in today's final qualifying session for the Czech Grand Prix, but while most others complained of unpredictable grip loss, the Catalan's explanation was refreshingly different; he simply pushed too hard while trying to please his D'Antin Ducati team.
Furious Hodgson confronts Biaggi.
It takes a fair bit to openly annoy Neil Hodgson, but in this morning's final practice session at Brno Max Biaggi managed to do just that when the two riders paths crossed a little too closely - sending Hodgson to the ground... and then in search of an explanation from the Roman.
New colours for D'Antin Ducati.
The D'Antin Ducati team rolled out their Desmosedicis in new colours at Brno today; the previous blue, white and orange (lower pic) being replace by a striking red and black display.
Engine overhaul inspires Kawasaki.
A revised engine will power the Kawasaki ZX-RR when MotoGP returns from its summer break this weekend at Brno; the Japanese factory having used the three-week race absence to provide its German based team with enhanced rideability and mid-range acceleration, plus a slight increase in rpm and top
Bayliss 'can't wait' for Brno return.
Troy Bayliss produced the best ride of his rookie MotoGP season at Brno last August, leading Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau for more than half race distance (lower pic) before eventually finishing third, just 0.6secs from winner Rossi - and the former World Superbike is confident he can again
Hayden itching for action.
An excited Nicky Hayden was ready to return to action only halfway through the three-week MotoGP summer break, which separates Donington from this weekend's Czech Grand Prix, and is hoping to kick off the second half of the season with his first '100%' weekend of the year.
Lavilla, Pitt back for Brno.
Former World Superbike star Gregorio Lavilla and former Kawasaki GP rider Andrew Pitt will both return to MotoGP 2004 action this weekend at the Czech Republic Grand Prix, at Brno.
More power for KR, and KTM engine test.
The end of Grand Prix racing's summer break takes Proton Team KR out of the workshop and back to the race-tracks, for this Sunday's Czech Republic GP at Brno.
Dramatic end to Bayliss, Hayden battle.
A tense battle for fourth place between Nicky Hayden and Troy Bayliss in Sunday's British Grand Prix came to a premature end with a dramatic high-speed trip across damp grass at the fearsome Craner Curves.
Abe 'seems ok' after Craner highside.
The British Grand Prix was another weekend to forget for the Tech 3 Yamaha team, with Marco Melandri not starting after breaking his thumb on Friday, while Norick Abe's race was brought to a brutal conclusion when he suffered a huge highside - his second big accident in a week.
Rossi wins British GP, Edwards on podium.
Valentino Rossi has taken a commanding victory in the British Grand Prix, the Italian leading almost the entire event - but being shadowed by Colin Edwards, who went on to take secon place and with it his first ever MotoGP podium.
Bayliss 1.5secs clear in wet Donington warm-up.
After two dry days, rain has arrived at Donington Park in time for race day - helping Ducati's Troy Bayliss to dominate this morning's 20-minute warm-up.
Donington weather update - rain on race day?
With weather systems continuing to change on their way to the British Isles, racegoers heading for Donington Park's Cinzano British Grand Prix on Sunday would be advised to pack their umbrellas...
Biaggi 'calm' despite Friday seventh.
Max Biaggi, pole sitter at Donington Park one year ago, eased himself into the 2004 edition of the British Grand Prix by setting the seventh fastest time in first qualifying - a result that hasn't particular troubled the Roman.
Rossi: Sete better rider, Biaggi quicker bike.
by Peter McLaren and Andy Stobart World championship leader Valentino Rossi believes Sete Gibernau is his toughest rival for the 2004 world championship - but that Max Biaggi has a quicker bike.
Rossi tobacco free in 2005?
Yamaha are believed to have turned down the chance to keep Gauloises/Fortuna backing for their factory team next season - and instead plan to run star rider Valentino Rossi in a special Yamaha livery.
Day of Champions opens Donington weekend.
The British Grand Prix gets underway at Donington Park tomorrow but whatever happens in the ninth round of the MotoGP world championship the first winners of the weekend's action are Riders for Health, who celebrated a host of successful money-raising activities on the traditional Day of Champion
"Shane Byrne ain't doing a bad job..."
by Peter McLaren and Andy Stobart Aprilia's Shane Byrne starts the second half of a 'character building' rookie MotoGP season with his home event, the British Grand Prix, this weekend at Donington Park.
Rossi meets fans at Leicester Square.
Over 5000 fans packed the famous Leicester Square in London yesterday (Thursday) to meet the MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi. In the square most famous for its movie premiers, the 25 year-old received a film star welcome from his adoring fans.
WCM to run Blata V6 in 2005!
The following statement has been released by WCM racing director Peter Clifford (pictured), revealing that his team will join forces with Czech company Blata to run a V6 machine in the 2005 MotoGP world championship. The full statement can be seen below:
Proton KR to test KTM in September?
The British-based Proton KR team hope to have their first test with the newly acquired KTM engine at Estoril, Portugal, following September's Portuguese Grand Prix.