2008

French MotoGP: Valentino Rossi upbeat despite set-up problems

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi remained in upbeat mood in Le Mans today despite being the only rider not to post a faster time in the second French MotoGP free practice session. A lap of 1:34.886 secured the Italian...

French MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo lucky but confident after crash

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo remains confident that he will be fighting for a podium in Sunday’s French MotoGP as he was fortunate to escape further injury in a crash in Le Mans today. Still way short of full...

French MotoGP: Casey Stoner happier after claiming second

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner declared himself much happier with the performance of his factory Ducati machine after he posted the second fastest time in today’s opening free practice sessions. The reigning world...

French MotoGP: Danny Webb to undergo further medical checks

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

British teenager Danny Webb will undergo a fitness check tomorrow morning before doctors decide whether he can continue to ride in this weekend’s French 125GP. Webb will have a check on his condition...

NOT SO LUCKY CUP RIDERS AT BRANDS

16 May 2008 by stephen dennis

JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CUP RACERS FROM BRANDS ON SAT PRACTICE. UNLUCKY LADS.

French MotoGP: Colin Edwards hopes to mount victory challenge

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards is hopeful he can mount a genuine challenge for his first MotoGP victory in France on Sunday as he made a positive start by clocking the third fastest time in today’s opening free...

French MotoGP: James Toseland admits set-up mistake

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland admitted a lack of rear grip cost him dearly as he finished 15th on the opening day of the French MotoGP in Le Mans today. A lack of weight on the rear of his Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 saw...

World Supersport: Graeme Gowland back in training after Monza crash

16 May 2008 by Michael Guy

Graeme Gowland is planning to get back into training and out on his motocross bike as soon as possible after receiving confirmation that there is no fracture in his right arm following last weekend’s...

French MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista puts himself on provisional pole for 250 race

16 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Alvaro Bautista has put himself on provisional pole position for Sunday’s 250GP in France after the first qualifying session this afternoon. Second going into tomorrow’s second qualifying session was...

French MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa on top again in practice in Le Mans

16 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Current MotoGP championship leader Dani Pedrosa was the fastest man on track in the second free practice session in Le Mans this afternoon. The Repsol Honda rider, who is still to have the benefits...

French MotoGP: Mixed fortunes for Brits as Bradley Smith finishes second but Danny Webb crashes out

16 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

There was mixed fortunes for the British riders in the first 125 qualifying session in France this afternoon as Bradley Smith finished second but Danny Webb crashed out. Smith had looked set to put...

french MotoGP: Hector Barbera tops the timesheets in 250 free practice

16 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Hector Barbera has got his season back on track by going fastest in this morning’s first 250 practice ahead of Sunday’s French GP. The Aprilia rider, who was on pole position in Qatar, finished down...

Just say thanks

16 May 2008 by Jim Annette

My complaint now seems to be trivial and less important today after the sad death of Robert Dunlop. I have been a biker for about 35 years and currently ride a BMW K1200lt. On Tuesday and Thursday I went to the practice nights for the best race in the world, the North West 200, as I have done for about the last 50 years. Circumstances dictated that on Tuesday I had to go in my car and not on the...

French MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa on top in Le Mans

16 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

World championship leader Dani Pedrosa edged out title rivals Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner to top the timesheets in the opening free practice session in Le Mans this morning. The...

French MotoGP: Bradley Smith second in first free practice

16 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Britain’s Bradley Smith has finished second in the first 125GP practice in Le Mans this morning as he tries to get his early season success back on track. The Polaris World Aprilia rider recorded his...

Robert Dunlop dies at North West 200

16 May 2008 by Liam Marsden

Motorcycle racer Robert Dunlop has died after suffering injuries in a crash during practice for the North West 200 on Thursday, May 15. Robert, the brother of Joey Dunlop who died racing in Estonia in...

French MotoGP: No pneumatic valve Honda engine to test

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden have confirmed that plans to test Honda’s pneumatic valve engine after this weekend’s French MotoGP in Le Mans have been scrapped. The new V4 motor, which was axed during...

French MotoGP: Yamaha delay engine upgrade

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s first Bridgestone win in Shanghai earlier this month has seen Yamaha delay the introduction of an updated factory YZR-M1 motor. Already delighted with significant engine improvements...

French MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo four weeks away from full fitness

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo has said it will be another month at least before he has fully recovered from the serious leg injuries he suffered in a massive high-side crash in Shanghai. Arriving for his pre-event...

French MotoGP: Honda boss unsure of title propsects

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

New Repsol Honda boss Kazuhiko Yamano has admitted facing a tough battle to help Dani Pedrosa convert his brilliant early season form into the Spaniard’s first MotoGP world title in 2008. Pedrosa...

World Superbikes: Brendan Roberts tests factory Ducati Superbike

15 May 2008 by Michael Guy

Former British Superstock Champion Brendan Roberts has completed a successful two day test onboard a 2009 spec development Xerox Ducati Superbike at Mugello in Italy this week. Roberts currently...

French MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen aiming to forget tough start

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Factory Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen reckons he is more focused on getting his 2008 campaign back on track than he is of repeating his maiden MotoGP victory in Le Mans this weekend. The Aussie has had...

Short Track UK decides Champions of Short Track in Peterborough

15 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Peterborough’s East of England Showground will play host to the inaugural Champions of Short Track this weekend, a Grand Prix style event of Short Track UK. The event will see adaptations of...

British Superbikes: Poor April qualifying costs James Ellison

15 May 2008 by Rob Hull

James Ellison was left to rue his April qualifying performance that put him down in 15th position on the grid for last weekend’s racing at Brands Hatch, even though he fought his way back up to sixth...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner not shocked by Jorge Lorenzo form

15 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP Casey Stoner has said he isn’t shocked by the impressive start Spanish rookie Jorge Lorenzo has made to his MotoGP career. With one win, three podiums and three pole positions in his...

Video: Oulton Park Think! Academy Blog winner

15 May 2008 by Angus Farquhar

THINK! Road Safety has been an official sponsor of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship since 2004 and this year we will be offering MCN readers the chance to win VIP hospitality at every BSB round to enjoy the atmosphere in style! Winners of each THINK! race promotion will be given the task of becoming an MCN video blog reporter for the day, with behind-the-scenes access, they will...