2009

Michael Schumacher in hospital after crash

12 February 2009 by MCN

Seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was in hospital yesterday after crashing during a testing session for the 2009 German superbike championship. The 40-year-old had been...

Race tuning and the Yamaha R1 crossplane crank

12 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

In the February 4 issue of MCN Rob Mac Racing’s technicians revealed their development plans for the new Yamaha R1. After reading the feature, an engineer (who asked not to be named but works for a...

Crescent Suzuki test at Calafat

12 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Crescent Suzuki continue to steal a march on their British Superbike rivals. While most of the teams continue to labour in the workshops, building new bikes, the Verwood-based team have just...

Winter testing to be slashed again in MotoGP

11 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner’s winter preparations for the 2010 MotoGP world championship could be restricted to just eight days of testing under future cost-cutting plans. The impact of the...

Loris Capirossi fitter and stronger for 2009

11 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Italian veteran Loris Capirossi reckons a punishing new training regime has put him in the best physical shape of his long career ahead of his 20th MotoGP campaign in 2009. The triple world champion...

Randy de Puniet admits Bridgestone troubles

11 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

French rider Randy de Puniet is hoping he can find a direction with Bridgestone’s 2009 tyres after he struggled badly during the opening test in Malaysia last week. The LCR Honda rider could only post...

Yamaha boss reluctant to stop engine development

11 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha’s MotoGP boss Masao Furusawa believes urgent cost-cutting measures must not sacrifice engineering and technology development. Furusawa, who has masterminded Yamaha’s return to prominence since...

Valentino Rossi not surprised by record lap times

11 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi says he isn’t shocked by the record-breaking lap times currently being produced in winter testing. There were fears that the controversial introduction...

Racing stars reveal their Fantasy Road Race teams

11 February 2009 by MCN

With just 17 days to go until the World Superbike Championship kicks of in Phillip Island, now is the time to pick your team for the free to enter MCN Fantasy Road Race competition in association with...

Ryan Farquhar gets Rockstar image

11 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Ireland’s top road racer Ryan Farquhar is running his own race team this year, backed by American energy drinks company Rockstar. Last season Farquhar won the Irish 600cc and superbike road race...

Jorge Lorenzo looking for Bridgestone confidence

10 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo is confident that he will quickly adapt to Bridgestone tyres after last weekend’s opening 2009 test in Sepang. The Fiat Yamaha rider finished the three-day session only eighth...

Colin Edwards to undergo neck injury checks

10 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards will undergo medical checks on his injured neck in Texas later on today (Tuesday). The American was plagued by the old injury during last week’s Sepang test session in Malaysia when he...

No special Honda support for Toni Elias

10 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Toni Elias won’t get any extra support from Honda unless his satellite Gresini squad stumps up the cash for new parts. Despite having ‘factory’ rider status for 2009, Elias still won’t get the level...

Honda boss explains satellite team rev limit

10 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Honda has confirmed cutting revs on the RC212V engines distributed to its satellite teams for the 2009 MotoGP campaign. Having finally taken delivery of the pneumatic valve engines used by Honda’s...

Suzuki against MotoGP testing restrictions

10 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki has opposed a planned ban on all MotoGP testing during the season in 2009. As part of a range of radical cost-cutting measures to counter the global economic crisis, scheduled tests after five...

WSB men get Imola testing date

10 February 2009 by Michael Guy

The World Superbike and Supersport riders will get to complete a two day test at the famous Imola circuit in preparation for the 12th round of the championship on 27th September. The two day test will...

Monster close to Tech 3 Yamaha deal

09 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland and Colin Edwards are expected to line-up on the 2009 MotoGP grid with backing from energy drink Monster, MCN can reveal. The American energy drink giant is close to signing a deal to...

Colin Edwards thrilled with single tyre rule

09 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards reckons the controversial switch to a single tyre rule for 2009 has taken a lot of risk and stress out of riding in MotoGP. Under the new rules in winter testing, riders only have two...

Casey Stoner not expecting new parts before first race

09 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Aussie Casey Stoner reckons he is unlikely to get any major new parts for Ducati’s new GP9 before the seasons gets underway in Qatar on April 12. The 2007 MotoGP world champion though hardly needs any...

Hungary MotoGP race ‘likely to be cancelled’

09 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

The Hungarian MotoGP race, scheduled to take place on September 20 at the new Balatongring, looks certain to be postponed. Although there has been no official confirmation that the race will not go...

Isle of Man TT gets ITV TV

09 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Race fans will be able to watch this year’s Isle of Man TT races on ITV and ITV4 thanks to a new deal struck by North One Television, who have the television production, sales and distribution rights...

WSB hit by credit crunch

09 February 2009 by Michael Guy

The worldwide credit crunch has claimed it’s first high profile victim in World Superbikes following the announcement that the Sterilgarda Ducati team will only field one rider in the opening two...

Brits flood 42 strong Superstock 1000 grid

09 February 2009 by Michael Guy

The 2009 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup promises to be a classic with 42 riders all under the age of 24 fighting for top honours onboard 1000cc fours and 1200cc twins. Last year four riders went into the...