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2008

Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith talks provisional pole

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith talks provisional pole

Bradley Smith got his 2008 125GP campaign off to the perfect start tonight when he stormed to provisional pole under the Qatar floodlights. Fastest in tonight’s first free practice session, the...

Qatar MotoGP: Hector Barbera pips Mattia Pasini to provisional pole for 250 race

07 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Qatar MotoGP: Hector Barbera pips Mattia Pasini to provisional pole for 250 race

Hector Barbera took provisional pole position for Sunday’s 250 race in the dying seconds of the first qualifying session knocking Mattia Pasini off the top spot. The Aprilia rider posted a best lap of...

Qatar MotoGP: Britain's James Toseland claims third spot in second practice

07 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Qatar MotoGP: Britain's James Toseland claims third spot in second practice

Britain’s James Toseland has finished in an amazing third place after this evening’s second practice in Qatar. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider had been lying fourth early on before heading to the pits, but...

Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith and Danny Webb stun with 1-2 in 125 qualifying

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith and Danny Webb stun with 1-2 in 125 qualifying

Bradley Smith escaped injury in a late crash to claim a brilliant provisional pole position for Sunday’s Qatar 125GP, with fellow British rider Danny Webb finishing in a stunning second. The British...

Qatar MotoGP: Night race to be held until 2016

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Night race to be held until 2016

Night racing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar will be staged until at least 2016 after a new eight-year contract was signed with rights owners Dorna tonight (Friday). The Qatar circuit,...

Qatar MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista goes fastest in first 250 practice

07 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Qatar MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista goes fastest in first 250 practice

Alvaro Bautista was the fastest rider in the opening practice session of the season for the 250s in Qatar.   The Spaniard completed a best lap on his final circuit with a 2:00.240 on his Aprilia just...

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner draws first blood in 2008

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner draws first blood in 2008

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner made the perfect start to the defence of his MotoGP crown in 2008, with the Aussie fastest at the end of the first practice session in Qatar. James Toseland...

Qatar MotoGP: James Toseland crashes unhurt in first practice

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: James Toseland crashes unhurt in first practice

James Toseland has walked away from a crash in his first MotoGP practice session in Qatar tonight. The 27-year-old had just jumped to fourth on the timesheets with a lap of 1:56.950 when he lost the...

Qatar MotoGP: Scott Redding talks about brilliant start

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Scott Redding talks about brilliant start

British rider Scott Redding has spoken of his delight at making a sensational start to his 125GP world championship career in Qatar tonight. The 15-year-old Gloucester rookie finished third fastest in...

Qatar MotoGP: Brits make flying start in season opener

07 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Brits make flying start in season opener

British rider Bradley Smith has made a sensational start to the 2008 125GP world championship in Qatar tonight (Friday). The Polaris World Aprilia rider topped the timesheets in the opening free...

World Superbikes: Max Biaggi begins rehabilitation at home

07 March 2008 by Michael Guy

World Superbikes: Max Biaggi begins rehabilitation at home

Max Biaggi has returned back to his home in Rome following his 170mph crash in race two at Phillip Island, Australia last weekend. Biaggi sustained a broken left wrist in the spectacular crash and now...

Video: British Superbikes Guadix test: HM Plant Honda riders Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam interview

07 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

The Guadix test took place last week and saw one of the first show downs of the two big British Superbike teams – HM Plant Honda and Airwaves Ducati. MCN’s Rob Hull caught up with HM Plant Honda riders Cal Crutchlow and Leon Haslam to see how the test was going and how they are adapting to life after their respective moves Watch the video interview below to see the answers and footage from the...

British Supersport: 2008 confirmed BSS entry list

07 March 2008 by Gary Pinchin

British Supersport: 2008 confirmed BSS entry list

Five Manufacturer/works teams representing Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Triumph will take to the grid for the 2008 British Supersport Championship. There will be a packed entry of 42 permanent...

British Superbikes: 2008 confirmed BSB entry list

07 March 2008 by Gary Pinchin

British Superbikes: 2008 confirmed BSB entry list

British Superbikes goes into the new season with tougher supersport-spec engine tuning rules, a single tyre rule – and a whopping grid of 32 riders headed up by machinery from Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki,...

Daytona: Ben Bosrtom wins Supersport race, Chaz Davies just misses podium

07 March 2008 by Henny Ray Abrams

Daytona: Ben Bosrtom wins Supersport race, Chaz Davies just misses podium

Chaz Davies wasted a front row starting position in his first ever race for the Attack Kawasaki team, but still came within one spot of finishing on the podium. Third in qualifying for the 22-lap...

Daytona: Battle of Brits Neil Hodgson and Chaz Davies started in qualifying

06 March 2008 by Henny Ray Abrams

Daytona: Battle of Brits Neil Hodgson and Chaz Davies started in qualifying

The battling Brits dominated qualifying for Saturday’s Daytona 200, with American Honda’s Neil Hodgson edging Attack Kawasaki’s Chaz Davies in a head-to-head dual for the pole position. Hodgson’s...

Rider V Computer

06 March 2008 by faccipazzo

Well, I wonder why someone hasn’t stepped up, in defence of the new school of MotoGP riders, with their computers designed how go into turns and speed set ups for each track. It seems like they can enter a turn at 90mph, with open throttle, the bike computer might be set for 85mph, and as soon they get through this calculated speed turn, the bike adjustment, goes back to rider accelerator...

World Superbikes: Kenan Sofuoglu - 'I have a lot of respect for James Toseland'

06 March 2008 by Michael Guy

World Superbikes: Kenan Sofuoglu - 'I have a lot of respect for James Toseland'

Kenan Sofuoglu went from 21st in qualifying to running as high as fifth in race two at Phillip Island last weekend. The young Turk is on an incredibly steep learning curve but he’s showing pace and...

Qatar MotoGP: Valentino Rossi wary of premier class rookies

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Valentino Rossi wary of premier class rookies

Valentino Rossi has admitted he will start his quest to regain the MotoGP world championship in Qatar on Sunday wary of the threat posed by the likes of premier class newcomers such as James Toseland...

Cadwell Park safety improvements

06 March 2008 by Liam Marsden

Cadwell Park safety improvements

Cadwell Park has recently unveiled safety improvements which were made through the winter to the Lincolnshire circuit. For riders the biggest benefit will be the Armco and extended run-off at Chris...

Cadwell Park safety improvements

06 March 2008 by Liam Marsden

Cadwell Park safety improvements

Cadwell Park has recently unveiled safety improvements which were made through the winter to the Lincolnshire circuit. For riders the biggest benefit will be the Armco and extended run-off at Chris...

Qatar MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo plays down Qatar hopes

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo plays down Qatar hopes

Jorge Lorenzo has again played down his hopes of playing a starring role in Sunday’s historic night race in Qatar. The double world 250 champion raised expectations when he finished last week’s...

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner joins list of James Toseland admirers

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner joins list of James Toseland admirers

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has joined the growing list of James Toseland admirers after the British rider’s impressive pre-season campaign. Toseland’s growing confidence with his Tech 3...

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner ready to begin title defence

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner ready to begin title defence

Casey Stoner has declared himself ready to kick off the defence of his MotoGP world crown in Qatar this Sunday. The Aussie starts the 2008 campaign as red-hot favourite after he dominated in 2007 with...

Qatar MotoGP: Nicky Hayden to run 2007 Honda in first race

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Nicky Hayden to run 2007 Honda in first race

Nicky Hayden will ride a 2007 factory Honda RC212V when the 2008 MotoGP season kicks off in Qatar this weekend. One of the machines that Hayden finished last season on has been hastily flown to the...

Qatar MotoGP: Colin Edwards backs James Toseland to shine

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Colin Edwards backs James Toseland to shine

Colin Edwards has praised fellow double World Superbike champion and Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate James Toseland on the eve of the new MotoGP world championship. After the British rider’s morale-boosting...

Qatar MotoGP: Qualifying concern for John Hopkins

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: Qualifying concern for John Hopkins

Factory Kawasaki rider John Hopkins believes the first qualifying session of 2008 under floodlights on Saturday night could be tough for Bridgestone. Bridgestone’s main weakness against rivals...

Qatar MotoGP: First race will be true test of lights

06 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Qatar MotoGP: First race will be true test of lights

MotoGP safety bosses believe they will have to wait until after this weekend’s historic first night race to get an accurate gauge on how successful Qatar’s ground breaking new lighting system...

2008 F1 sidecar Championship preview

05 March 2008 by pat hamblin

THE 2008 CASTROL OILS/EASTERN AIRWAYS/FSRA F1 SIDECAR CHAMPIONSHIP Donington plays host to the first round of the biggest and best F1 Sidecar championship for many a year. A total of 26 teams has entered this year’s series – the only national championship to feature the reigning world champions! Donington is the first of seven meetings, each featuring two championship races, with the series...

James Toseland fan competes with number 52

05 March 2008 by gareth harper

James Toseland fan competes with number 52

My daughter, Lucy, was proud to wear James Toseland’s number in her first ever ski race in Austria. It must have done the trick, she came in in second place.

R1 Cup riders head to Croft for testing

05 March 2008 by Michael Neeves

R1 Cup riders head to Croft for testing

Pop over to Croft circuit in North Yorkshire on Thursday, March 20 and you’ll have the chance to see the R1 Cup grid in action for the very first time. This will be the first official test day for...

New MCN March 5: Get your free MotoGP poster and season guide

05 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

New MCN March 5: Get your free MotoGP poster and season guide

Get your hands on your FREE double sided MotoGP poster in this week’s MCN as we look forward to the historic opening race of the season in Qatar on Sunday. Plus we have a 16-page guide to the season...

Video: British Superbikes Almeria test: Airwaves Ducati's Shane Byrne and Leon Camier impress in testing

05 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Shane Byrne made sure everyone stood up and took notice of his return to Ducati as he lines up alongside Leon Camier for the Airwaves Ducati team in the 2008 British Superbike Championship. Byrne was on blistering form consistently lapping fast times each day while running race-distance simulations at the three day Pirelli test in Almeria, Spain. Meanwhile the Pirelli test was the first outing...

World Superbikes: Indonesia race cancelled

05 March 2008 by Michael Guy

World Superbikes: Indonesia race cancelled

The 2008 World Superbike calendar has been reduced to 14 rounds after it was confirmed that the proposed Indonesian race at Sentul on October 12 has been scrapped. When the provisional calendar was...

MotoGP: No shoulder concern for Casey Stoner

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: No shoulder concern for Casey Stoner

Casey Stoner will start the defence of his MotoGP crown on Sunday night in Qatar with no injury concerns on his left shoulder. The factory Ducati rider damaged ligaments in his left shoulder in the...

Computer generated plans unveiled for Silverstone redevelopment

04 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Computer generated plans unveiled for Silverstone redevelopment

The first computer generated images of the proposed redevelopment at Silverstone Circuit have been unveiled today (Tuesday). The circuit’s owners The British Racing Driver Club released the pictures...