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March

Ducati to revamp GP11 for Valentino Rossi

31 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Ducati to revamp GP11 for Valentino Rossi

Ducati is working on a major re-design of its factory GP11 bike after being told by Valentino Rossi the current version isn’t competitive enough to win MotoGP races. The Italian was only seventh in...

Dani Pedrosa to undergo shoulder surgery

31 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa to undergo shoulder surgery

Dani Pedrosa has suffered a fresh injury nightmare having been told the on-going left shoulder problem he suffered last October requires further surgery. The Repsol Honda rider suffered a recurrence...

Casey Stoner expects strong home challenge in Jerez

30 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner expects strong home challenge in Jerez

Casey Stoner has admitted facing a difficult challenge to repeat his stunning debut win for Honda in this weekend’s Spanish MotoGP clash. The Australian made a dream start to his HRC career earlier...

Jorge Lorenzo to pose stronger challenge in Jerez

30 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo to pose stronger challenge in Jerez

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo has been tipped to mount a much stronger challenge to Honda’s dominant early season form in his home race at Jerez this weekend. Lorenzo’s factory Yamaha...

Ben Spies looking to close gap to Honda

29 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies looking to close gap to Honda

Ben Spies has targeted a closer challenge to Honda’s early season dominance ahead of the second round of the 2011 MotoGP world championship in Jerez this weekend. The Texan finished the season’s...

Electronics boom impresses John Hopkins

29 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Electronics boom impresses John Hopkins

John Hopkins has hailed the development of electronics in MotoGP as he prepares to make a shock premier class comeback in Spain this weekend. The American will ride injured Alvaro Bautista’s factory...

Casey Stoner unfazed by Dani Pedrosa threat

29 March 2011

Casey Stoner unfazed by Dani Pedrosa threat

Casey Stoner has denied the presence of a fast team-mate capable of winning races increases the pressure and scrutiny on him this season. Stoner is facing arguably the biggest internal competition of...

Randy de Puniet's girlfriend goes green

29 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Randy de Puniet's girlfriend goes green

Lauren Vickers, the top model girlfriend of French MotoGP star Randy de Puniet, has thrown her weight and most of her clothes behind the Pramac Ducati squad’s environmentally friendly initiative for...

A great weekend

29 March 2011 by sue bostock

What a great weekend I had at Donington WSB. Tickets at reasonable prices and laid back, low key security on the camp site. I was able to sleep in my van and wasn’t forced into putting a tent up in another location. Well done to Red Security – safe but not over powering security. Fantastic racing and an all round enjoyable weekend. “Just one thing spoils it. The price of a cup of tea or coffee on...

Leon Haslam a bit out of shape

27 March 2011 by Simon Veasey

Leon Haslam a bit out of shape

Leon Haslam trying to climb off at some unearthly speed on Starkey’s Straight. Somehow by luck or judgement he stayed on!

MCN Donington WSB: Checa dominates race two

27 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Checa dominates race two

Carlos Checa extended his championship lead with a dominating victory in the second MCN-backed WSB race at Donington Park. Brit Leon Haslam again got to Redgate corner first, but was unable to stop...

MCN Donington WSB: Scassa takes supersport win

27 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Scassa takes supersport win

Factory Yamaha rider Luca Scassa continued his dominance with a win in the MCN-backed World Supersport race at Donington Park. Scassa led from flag to flag, with team-mate Chaz Davies the only rider...

MCN Donington WSB: Melandri takes first WSB win

27 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Melandri takes first WSB win

Factory Yamaha rider Marco Melandri has taken his first win in WSB in the first race at the MCN-backed Donington WSB round. Melandri was ninth after the first lap and had to battle past Biaggi and the...

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi fined 3000 Euros for Melandri slap

27 March 2011 by Michael Guy

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi fined 3000 Euros for Melandri slap

Max Biaggi was fined 3000 euro for an altercation in pit lane after Superpole 3 which resulted in the World Champion slapping Marco Melandri. The incident was the result of their antics on track...

MCN Donington WSB: Scassa takes supersport pole

26 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Scassa takes supersport pole

Lucas Scassa starts from pole tomorrow for the supersport race at the MCN-backed Donington Park round. Yamaha ParkinGO team-mate Chaz Davies will start from second on the grid, ahead of British...

MCN Donington WSB: Checa takes pole

26 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Checa takes pole

Championship leader Carlos Checa will start from pole position tomorrow at the MCN-backed Donington Park WSB round. Checa dominated the final two sessions of superpole, and set pole with a fastest lap...

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi keeps top spot

26 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi keeps top spot

Factory Aprilia rider Max Biaggi kept his place at the top of the timesheets today during second qualifying at the MCN-backed Donington Park WSB round. Biaggi again held off compatriot Marco Melandri...

Donington Park tank range

26 March 2011 by Robert Taylor

I went to Donington Park yesterday. As a pensioner I can no longer justify the cost of race day tickets but I like to go on Friday practice days, it’s cheaper and less crowded so I get a good view of the riders. I’ve been going to Donington since the late 80s and used to love the place, but I was amazed to see the mess left by the antics of the last management team. It reminded me of the tank...

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi on top in Q1

25 March 2011 by MCN

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi on top in Q1

Reigning world champion Max Biaggi set the fastest time during the first qualifying session at the MCN-backed WSB round at Donington Park today. The veteran posted a time of 1’28.794 to better his...

Alvaro Bautista already walking after femur break

25 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Alvaro Bautista already walking after femur break

Less than a week after he broke his left femur in practice for the opening race in Qatar, factory Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista has already taken his first tentative steps. The former 125GP world...

Farquhar and Archibald team up on Kawasakis

25 March 2011 by Phil Wain

Farquhar and Archibald team up on Kawasakis

Irish roads hero Ryan Farquhar has launched his KMR Kawasaki team for the forthcoming 2011 season. The most successful rider in Irish National road race history will again be contesting the three...

Rea and Haslam kick off MCN-backed Donington WSB round in style

25 March 2011 by Gary Pinchin

Rea and Haslam kick off MCN-backed Donington WSB round in style

Brits Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam were right in the thick of the action in the first free practice session at the MCN-backed Donington WSB round this morning. The timesheets were topped by Carlos...

Shane Byrne fastest at Cadwell BSB test

25 March 2011 by Gary Pinchin

Shane Byrne fastest at Cadwell BSB test

There were two major highlights of the two-day Cadwell Park BSB on Wednesday and Thursday. The first was Shane Byrne, head down, full-gas with the HM Plant Honda, charging out of the Gooseneck. The...

MCN Donington Park WSB: Vermeulen set to ride at Donington, but unlikely to race

24 March 2011 by Michael Guy

MCN Donington Park WSB: Vermeulen set to ride at Donington, but unlikely to race

Chris Vermeulen will make his long awaited return to racing this weekend when first free practice kicks off for the MCN-backed Donington Park WSB round, but it is unlikely he will actually race on...

Casey Stoner not writing Rossi off yet

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner not writing Rossi off yet

Casey Stoner said it would be foolish to write off Valentino Rossi as a potential title contender after just one race of the 2011 MotoGP world championship. The Australian made a dream start to his...

Haslam leads charge of Brits at Donington

24 March 2011 by Michael Guy

Haslam leads charge of Brits at Donington

World Superbike comes to Donington Park this weekend for the MCN-backed European round and Brit stars Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes and Leon Camier are determined to hit back against their...

Jerry Burgess not worried about title prospects

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Jerry Burgess not worried about title prospects

Valentino Rossi’s legendary crew chief Jerry Burgess insists he’s not worried about the Italian’s 2011 MotoGP title prospects after a tough start to the new season in Qatar last weekend. Rossi’s...

Japan earthquake delays Honda 1000cc track debut

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Japan earthquake delays Honda 1000cc track debut

Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami delayed the track debut of Honda’s new four-stroke 1000cc MotoGP machine being developed for the 2012 MotoGP campaign. The bike was due to be track tested...

Dani Pedrosa told shoulder still not fully recovered

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa told shoulder still not fully recovered

Dani Pedrosa’s troublesome left shoulder injury has still not fully recovered more than six months after he first damaged it in Japan last October. The Spaniard suffered a recurrence of a numbness...

Sondel racing team choose Kawasaki

24 March 2011 by MCN Sportsdesk

A familiar sight in UK paddocks, the respected Sondel Team are the latest National Superstock entrants to announce Kawasaki machinery as their preferred choice for the 2011 racing season. Recognising the potential of the already highly-acclaimed Ninja ZX-10R, the team features experienced Kawasaki rider, Steve Mercer alongside Jamie Perrin in what will be a hard fought and interesting...

Motorpoint launch party

24 March 2011 by MCN Sportsdesk

Motorpoint Yamaha riders Loris Baz and James Westmorland will unveil their 2011 Yamaha R1 Superbikes next Friday the 25th 7pm at Motorpoint HQ in Derby. The new bikes will be on show along with Loris, James and team boss Rob McElnea to answer any questions, the riders with their bikes will be on hand for pictures and chat. There will be opportunity for fans to meet to the Motorpoint Yamaha team...

Ben Spies confident in Yamaha potential

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies confident in Yamaha potential

Ben Spies says he’s confident in the potential of the 2011 factory Yamaha YZR-M1 machine after he started the new season with a low-key sixth place in Qatar. Despite a pre-race declaration that he’d...

Alvaro Bautista leaves Qatar to begin recovery

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Alvaro Bautista leaves Qatar to begin recovery

Injured factory Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista finally left Doha today (Wednesday) to begin his recovery from the broken femur he suffered during final practice for the opening race in Qatar. The...

Yuki Takahashi reveals earthquake escape

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Yuki Takahashi reveals earthquake escape

Yuki Takahashi has spoken of the moment he feared his car would roll over when he was caught up in the devastating Japanese earthquake earlier this month. The Gresini Moriwaki Moto2 rider was just...

Phillip Island wins date change battle

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Phillip Island wins date change battle

Valentino Rossi lost another battle in Qatar last weekend after it was confirmed the Australian MotoGP race will remain in its traditional October slot on the calendar. Rossi has tirelessly campaigned...

MotoGP unites to help Japan

22 March 2011

MotoGP unites to help Japan

To support those affected by the recent earthquake in Japan, the MotoGP community has produced a special shirt signed by all 17 MotoGP riders, with the message ‘We are for Japan’. The shirt will be...