2009

Randy Mamola’s son scores debut podium

Randy Mamola’s son scores debut podium

Motorcycle racing has already produced its fair share of father and son racing successes. There was Kenny Roberts and Kenny Roberts Junior, Graziano and Valentino Rossi, Ron and Leon Haslam. And now...

AMA Superbikes: Suzuki dominate Fontana

AMA Superbikes: Suzuki dominate Fontana

Rockstar Makita Suzuki team mates Mat Mladin and Tommy Hayden dominated both days of racing in the AMA Superbike Championship race at Fontana in California. On Saturday less than a second separated...

BSB blog:The battle of the BSB Yamahas

BSB blog:The battle of the BSB Yamahas

I’m not surprised that GSE racing issued a press statement, saying they’ve ‘postponed’ their planned testing schedule in Europe. Things have been very quiet on the Airwaves Yamaha front this winter...

Young finds new Triumph BSS backer

Young finds new Triumph BSS backer

TAG Racing will field a new-look two-man Triumph team in British Supersport in conjunction with Paul Young Racing and Hinckley-based Triumph Motorcycles. Young will again challenge for British...

Colin Edwards stunned by Bridgestone endurance

Colin Edwards stunned by Bridgestone endurance

Texan Colin Edwards has admitted he has been stunned by the endurance of Bridgestone tyres as he prepares to wrap up 2009 winter testing in Jerez this weekend. Get all the latest MotoGP news The...

John Hopkins cagey on Kawasaki settlement

John Hopkins cagey on Kawasaki settlement

John Hopkins has refused to discuss whether he turned down the chance to ride the re-branded factory Kawasaki in this year’s MotoGP world championship. It has been rumoured that the Californian was...

Hayate team not looking for extra technical support

Hayate team not looking for extra technical support

The new Hayate MotoGP team will not work in partnership with an external engineering company to help develop the re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in 2009. Kawasaki will cease development on the...

Racing results round-up: March 21-22

Each week we will have a full list of the racing results from the previous weekend. Click on the name of the championship you wish to see the results of. AMA SUPERBIKES, FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, USA, SATURDAY-SUNDAY BRANDS HATCH, KENT, SATURDAY-SUNDAY BISHOPSCOURT, CO DOWN, SATURDAY MONDELLO PARK, CO KILDARE, SATURDAY-SUNDAY MALLORY PARK, LEICS, SUNDAY ANGLESEY, WALES, SUNDAY CADWELL PARK, LINCS,...

Airwaves Yamaha cancel testing

Airwaves Yamaha cancel testing

Reigning British Superbike Champions, GSE Racing, the team running the Airwaves Yamahas for Leon Camier and James Ellison in BSB this year, has announced the postponement of their European test...

Norasport Round One 450 Championship

Norasport Round One 450 Championship

In the first race of the 450A group race James Addy had the lead, and after a few place changes with Andy Mitchell, he settled into the front spot for the latter half of the race with no challenge on...

Norasport Round One Open Championship

Norasport Round One Open Championship

The Spring Sunshine saw really good entries for the first round on the Gimoto National Supermoto Championship. All classes were well represented and enjoying the fine race conditions. With a Trophy...

Julian and Toby back covering MotoGP

 Julian and Toby back covering MotoGP

Just like to add my appreciation of Julian and Toby’s return to Moto GP coverage with Eurosport! Their mixed and informed commentary makes the sport even more enjoyable! I look forward to Hearing...

My daughter with Valentino Rossi

My daughter with Valentino Rossi

Took my daughter to the Day of Champions 2006. Paige with Valle – the man is a god. True gent.

John Hopkins targets World Superbike wins

John Hopkins targets World Superbike wins

John Hopkins is confident he will be fighting for victories in World Superbikes having finally signed a deal with the Stiggy Honda squad. The 25-year-old will try and rebuild his career in World...

John Hopkins signing a ‘dream’ for Stiggy Honda

John Hopkins signing a ‘dream’ for Stiggy Honda

Stiggy Honda boss Johan Stigefelt reckons the capture of high profile American John Hopkins is like a ‘dream’ for the WSB squad. Hopkins will join British rider Leon Haslam for the rest of the 2009...

Hopkins first test date confirmed

Hopkins first test date confirmed

John Hopkins will get an initial shake down test onboard the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade superbike before he arrives at Valencia for round three of the championship on 3rd to 5th April. Hopkins...

Mika Kallio bemoans practice cuts

Mika Kallio bemoans practice cuts

MotoGP rookie Mika Kallio fears the big reduction in practice time will seriously hinder his bid to be immediately competitive in 2009. As part of a range of cost-cutting measures to counter the...

Bradley Smith happy with engine performance tweaks

Bradley Smith happy with engine performance tweaks

Bradley Smith reckons engine performance tweaks have significantly improved his Aspar Aprilia 125GP machine after a successful test in Estoril this week. His Spanish team ran different engine...

Leon Haslam unfazed by John Hopkins’ arrival

Leon Haslam unfazed by John Hopkins’ arrival

Leon Haslam has told MCN that he is unfazed by the arrival of high profile MotoGP star John Hopkins as his team-mate in the Stiggy Honda WSB squad. Hopkins will race an identical Honda CBR1000RR...

Qatar WSB

Hi Folks, I work in Qatar and took the opportunity of going along to the SBK meeting at Losail. The racing was great and the riders put on an excellent show for the very small crowd which bothered to come along. Also I was pleasantly surprised that, although not running at the front, the BMW’s didn’t disgrace themselves either. It keeps the series alive when another manufacturer comes in,...

John Hopkins signs Stiggy Honda WSB deal

John Hopkins signs Stiggy Honda WSB deal

MotoGP exile John Hopkins has signed a deal to race for the Stiggy Honda World Superbike team, as was first reported by MCN four months ago. The 25-year-old, who was left without a ride following...

KTM offer race bike hire for RC8 Super Cup

KTM offer race bike hire for RC8 Super Cup

KTM are giving racers the opportunity to hire a bike and support package to compete in the Focused Events KTM RC8 Super Cup on a round by round basis. Riders will get a race ready KTM 1190 RC8,...

John Hopkins to announce 2009 plans

John Hopkins to announce 2009 plans

American John Hopkins is expected to announce his racing plans for the 2009 season tomorrow (Friday). Frozen out after Kawasaki’s shock decision to quit MotoGP in early January because of the global...

Spies’ Crew Chief: “Ben will be really good in a couple of years”

Spies’ Crew Chief: “Ben will be really good in a couple of years”

American sensation Ben Spies has taken the WSB paddock by storm winning three out of the opening four races of 2009 and the man that knows him best, his crew chief and mentor Tom Houseworth believes...

Neil Hodgson still hospitalised after crash

Neil Hodgson still hospitalised after crash

Following a heavy motocross crash on Sunday, Britain’s Neil Hodgson remains in the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. The 35 year old suffered a collapsed lung, cracked ribs and a...

Met Chris Walker at Cadwell

Met Chris Walker at Cadwell

My wife Siobhan meeting Chris Walker at Cadwell testing!

Fausto Gresini bullish on 2009 prospects

Fausto Gresini bullish on 2009 prospects

Honda MotoGP team manager Fausto Gresini is confident Toni Elias and Alex de Angelis can play a prominent part in the 2009 MotoGP world championship. Gresini’s satellite Honda squad used to be one of...

Alex de Angelis looking for big improvement in 2009

Alex de Angelis looking for big improvement in 2009

Alex de Angelis is determined to improve on his best result of fourth place when the new MotoGP campaign gets underway in Qatar next month. The San Marino rider is confident he can score better than...

John Surtees 125GP team confirms name change

John Surtees 125GP team confirms name change

The Chinese backed 125GP team headed by MotoGP and Formula One legend John Surtees has confirmed it will change its name for the 2009 world championship campaign. Having initially planned to race as...

Toni Elias worried about first race prospects

Toni Elias worried about first race prospects

Spaniard Toni Elias has already cast doubts on his prospects of making a fast start to the 2009 MotoGP world championship campaign. The Gresini Honda rider, who had a torrid time with the Alice Ducati...

Valentino Rossi critical of MotoGP testing restrictions

Valentino Rossi critical of MotoGP testing restrictions

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi has told MCN that he believes the new testing restrictions introduced to help cut costs in MotoGP are too severe. The Fiat Yamaha rider, who won nine races to...

Nicky Hayden looking for rear brake solution

Nicky Hayden looking for rear brake solution

Nicky Hayden is waiting for new footrest brackets to stop him inadvertently dragging the rear brake on Ducati’s stunning new carbon fibre GP9 machine. The Kentucky rider should have the new footrest...

Scott Redding getting comfortable on new Aprilia

Scott Redding getting comfortable on new Aprilia

Highly-rated Scott Redding believes he is getting more accustomed to the new 2009 Aprilia 125GP machine. But the Gloucestershire rider has conceded that he needs more time to focus on chassis set-up...

Danny Webb finishes frustrated in Estoril

Danny Webb finishes frustrated in Estoril

Danny Webb had a frustrating final day of 125GP testing in Estoril after mechanical problems and high winds disrupted his first test of 2009. The British teenager was unable to improve on his lap...

McConnell ready after Raceways Spanish test

McConnell ready after Raceways Spanish test

Map Raceways Yamaha’s three-man team has returned from a successful four-day test at Cartagena, with their supersport star Billy McConnell saying he is ready to give the competition a run for their...

Chris Jones Riders Fund buys safety barriers

Chris Jones Riders Fund buys safety barriers

The Chris Jones Riders Fund (CJRF) and BSB series organisers MSVR have secured the long-term supply and installation of soft barrier protection at BSB events. Since 2005 BSB has rented up to 300...