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.
Jacque guilty of dangerous riding?
Sepang first qualifying saw a whole host of riders hit the ground in the low grip conditions - including Troy Bayliss, Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa - but it was Gauloises Yamaha's Olivier Jacque who fell the most heavily, hitting his head hard after highsiding from his M1 (pictu
Incident filled session for Fortuna Yamaha.
It was an incident-filled first qualifying session for Fortuna Yamaha riders Carlos Checa and Marco Melandri, with both falling from their YZR-M1 - one of which exploded into flames.
Picture: Edwards slides his Aprilia.
Those that think Aprilia have a traction control system which won't allow rear wheel slide should look at this picture, taken during Sepang first qualifying, of Colin Edwards lighting up his rear Michelin on the exit of a turn.
Dangerous riding - Have your say... the response.
Max Biaggi's first on-track victory of the 2003 season at Motegi was overshadowed by two controversial decisions by the FIM, which saw Makoto Tamada stripped of his third place finish, and John Hopkins banned from this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Rossi leaves Honda?
The Spanish press is reporting that double MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has sensationally turned his back on Honda... and signed for Yamaha!
Biaggi, Rossi on 'greatest rivals' list.
Following last weekend's Pacific GP, Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi have now filled the top two steps of the podium on fourteen separate occasions, making them one of the greatest head-to-head rivalries of all-time.
Hall of Fame place a fitting tribute to Kato.
Two years ago, at a sweltering hot and humid Sepang, Daijiro Kato finally clinched the world 250cc championship with his tenth victory of a season totally dominated by the Japanese genius and his Honda.
Tamada upset at 'unjust' exclusion.
Makoto Tamada was an unhappy man after being dramatically disqualified from third place in his home GP at Motegi, following high-speed contact with Sete Gibernau.
Globe Hopper: John's ridiculous ban.
Crash.net , the first website to publish the often uncompromising reports of Desiree Crossman, girlfriend of Suzuki star John 'Hopper' Hopkins, presents her latest report - written after John was controversially banned from next weekend's Malaysian GP for his part in the first corner pile-u
McWilliams: I'm not hurt - I'm angry.
Jeremy McWilliams looked on his way to scoring the Proton KR V5's first ever MotoGP points at Motegi yesterday, as he finished the first lap 14th, ahead of team-mate Aoki, and held the position on lap two.
Biaggi dedicates 'best race of year' to Kato.
Max Biaggi was way ahead of the controversy that was eventually to surround the Pacific Grand Prix when he won by 3.754secs from Valentino Rossi, in front of 56,000 Japanese race fans, in fine autumn weather at Motegi yesterday.
Hopkins banned from Malaysia.
John Hopkins has been disqualified from next weekend's Malaysian GP, as punishment for a first-corner accident at today's Pacific GP.
World championship standings.
Leading MotoGP championship standings following today's Pacific Grand Prix, round thirteen of sixteen. Riders' championship standings after round 13:
Suzuki faces tough questions...
Suzuki wild-card Akira Ryo and race regular John Hopkins saved the team some major embarrassment today at Motegi when they finally managed to 'force' the 2003 spec GSV-R around the 4.8km circuit faster than the 2002 machine went last year.
Motegi anniversary for Fuchs Kawasaki.
The Fuchs Kawasaki Team will celebrate the first anniversary of the debut of the ambitious Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP project in the Pacific Grand Prix at Motegi this Sunday.
Moriwaki 'dream' to beat factory team.
This weekend at Motegi, the Moriwaki Racing team will make their second MotoGP appearance of the season, with Tamaki Serizawa riding the fantastically named 'Morwaki Dream Fighter'.
New track no problem for 'papa' Bayliss.
Former World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss went to Rio three weeks ago as a father of two children, this week he comes to Motegi as a father of three! Wife Kim gave birth to the couple's third child - a baby boy named Oliver - in Monaco during the Rio GP weekend.
Third child counters tenth place pain for Bayliss.
Ducati Marlboro rider Troy Bayliss rode to a dogged tenth-place finish in Rio yesterday, unaware that wife Kim had given birth to their third child in Monaco earlier in the day.
Gresini praises Kiyonari.
The newest of the MotoGP rookies, Ryuichi Kiyonari, secured 15th place and one championship point yesterday in Rio, but it could have been more according to his own affirmation.
Hopkins 'in pain' - unlikely to race.
John Hopkins may have walked away from a heavy crash in today's final qualifying session at Rio without any broken bones, but the tough 20-year-old did suffer numerous injuries which could well force him out of tomorrow's GP.
'Catastrophic' session for Gauloises Yamaha.
Gauloises Yamaha riders Alex Barros and Olivier Jacque suffered a series of disasters that saw them qualify in 11th and 14th positions respectively for tomorrow's Rio Grand Prix, in a session labelled 'catastrophic' by team manager Herve Poncharal.
Barros 'not returning to Pons'.
Contrary to rumours in the British bike racing media this week, Brazilian ace Alex Barros will not be seeking a return to Sito Pons' eponymous team for 2004.
Final 500cc record set to fall.
This weekend, the MotoGP circus commences its final four-stop round-the-world tour in Rio, where the last remaining lap record of the 500cc GP era is expected to fall.
Moriwaki return at Motegi, plan full 2004 season.
Moriwaki Engineering Ltd. have officially announced they will be entering the Motegi round of the 2003 MotoGP championship, as wild-cards, with rider Tamaki Serizawa.