2013

WSS: Sofuoglu gains advantage with pole

20 July 2013 by Gordon Ritchie

With the weather conditions that met the WSS second qualifying session proving to be intermittently rainy, Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Yamaha) had one last chance to to ride to pole on his very last lap. His bike developed an engine problem however, which suddenly lost him power. Lowes almost crashed shortly after and although his third sector time showed that up until that point he was going to take the...

WSB Moscow: Sykes crashes out, Giugliano on pole.

20 July 2013 by Steve Hunt

Despite leading the qualifying times in all of the previous sessions, Tom sykes crashed out of Superpole three in Moscow, leaving him unable to complete a lap, and forcing him to start back in ninth...

Byrne sets opening pace at Brands Hatch

20 July 2013 by Philip Wain

Shane Byrne set the pace in the opening free practice session on the Brands Hatch GP circuit on Saturday morning, his time of 1m26.457s giving him a 0.456s advantage over Alex Lowes. The cool, cloudy conditions were far removed from the tropical temperatures of late – indeed, there were a few spots of rain in the air – but Byrne was in command throughout at a circuit he’s dominated at in recent...

Yamaha: No pressure on Jorge Lorenzo to race in Laguna Seca

20 July 2013 by Matthew BIrt

Injury ravaged reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo did not decide to make a surprise return to MotoGP action in Laguna Seca because he was under pressure from Yamaha to remain in the 2013 title...

Checa Crashes After Engine Problem

20 July 2013 by Gordon Ritchie

Carlos Checa suffered a fast crash on the Moscow Raceway straight in wet conditions when the rear tyre of his Ducati Alstare Panigale 1199 locked up and eventually spat him off, landing him hard on his hip, shoulder and head. Ducati SBK racing boss Ernesto Marinelli said that that the exact reason for the crash was as yet unknown but confirmed that it appears to have been an engine problem. “It...

Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa focus on damage limitation

20 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa both admitted that their primary focus for tomorrow’s US MotoGP round at Laguna Seca is to avoid crashing to collect as many vital world championship points as possible. Factory Yamaha rider Lorenzo was an impressive sixth quickest in practice yesterday and only 0.427s off the best pace on his surprise return from injury. Lorenzo emerged in California from a...

Nicky Hayden: Marquez favourite for Laguna win

20 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

Nobody knows better than Nicky Hayden what it takes to win at Laguna Seca and the American has already installed track newcomer Marc Marquez as favourite for Sunday’s US MotoGP victory. The Spaniard...

Laguna MotoGP practice

20 July 2013 by reestyboy

I just spent the afternoon of Friday practice at Laguna Seca on the pit wall. Igot chatting to Dec Crutchlow – what a true gent, and it was really good of him to explain to us how the timing screens work – all whilst he was doing Cal’s pit board. We were also taken into the Ducati garage by Paulo Ciabatti – another genuinely nice guy! Thanks for making our day guys – I just can’t wait to get back...

BSB Brands Hatch testing: Lowes sets the early pace

19 July 2013 by Michael Guy

Alex Lowes made his intentions for this weekend’s MCE British Superbike round at Brands Hatch crystal clear by topping the timesheets in a test session on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit this afternoon. Although this weekend s race will take place on the full 2.433 mile Grand Prix circuit it still gives Lowes the early advantage onboard his Samsung Honda CBR1000RR. Winner last time out at Brands...

Britten V1000 in action at Brands Hatch

19 July 2013 by Michael Guy

TT legend John Mcguinness fulfilled a lifelong ambition after completing a handful of demo laps onboard the iconic Britten V1000 at Brands Hatch today in the build-up to the sixth round of the MCE British Superbike championship. The New Zealand built Britten was the brainchild of the late John Britten who designed, fabricated and produced every part of the bike before his untimely death in...

Big discounts on Early Bird tickets for Silverstone WSB

19 July 2013 by MCN Staff

As Silverstone prepares to host the British round of World Superbike Championship on 2nd to 4th August time is running out to get an early bird deal for greatly reduced ticket prices. The Early Bird offer comes to a close at 12 noon on Tuesday 23 July. While admission for children is free in non-reserved seats*, the ‘Early Bird’ offer presents savings against on the day prices of up to £35 on...

WSB Moscow Q1 – Sykes on provisional pole, Checa in the mix

19 July 2013 by Michael Guy

Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes continued his seemingly unstoppable momentum which has seen him win four of the last six races with another day at the top of the timesheets after the opening qualifying session at Moscow Raceway. Sykes posted a 1’35.567 on the 19th and final lap of the session to secure provisional pole ahead of in form Italians David Giugliano and Marco Melandri. While Sykes’ leader...

Moscow WSS Q1 - Sofuoglu from Lowes at Moscow Raceway

19 July 2013 by Gordon Ritchie

Kenan Sofuoglu drew first blood in Russia to secure provisional pole position for round eight of the World Supersport Championship at the Moscow Raceway. His 1’38.088 lap time was more than 0.152 seconds ahead of championship leader Sam Lowes and 0.6 seconds better than Lowes’ Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha team-mate Vladimir Leonov in third. Kawasaki privateer Alessandro Antonelli (GO Eleven Team)...

WSB Moscow FP1 – Melandri sets the pace in opening session

19 July 2013 by Michael Guy

BMW GoldBet rider Marco Melandri started his World Superbike weekend at the Moscow Raceway in the best possible way by setting the fastest time in the opening Free Practice session. The 30 year old posted a best lap of 1.36.101 as he sets out to improve on his two fourth place finishes at Imola last time out. Second spot went to fast Italian David Guigliano onboard his Althea Racing Aprilia...

Colin Edwards unsure of MotoGP future

19 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

American veteran Colin Edwards admits he is unsure if he will still be racing in MotoGP in 2014. The Texan’s Forward Racing squad will lease Yamaha YZR-M1 engines for next season but there has been no...

Cal Crutchlow nearing future decision

19 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow is nearing making a final decision on his 2014 MotoGP plans, with the British rider’s future dominating paddock gossip once again in Laguna Seca. The 27-year-old is likely to make a...

Nicky Hayden pondering options after confirming Ducati departure

19 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden fears his MotoGP career could be coming to an end after the American confirmed on the eve of his home race at Laguna Seca that he wouldn’t be having his factory Ducati renewed for...

Guintoli’s championship bid at risk after dislocating collarbone

18 July 2013 by Michael Guy

Factory Aprilia rider Sylvain Guintoli will attempt to race in round eight of the WSB championship at the Moscow Raceway this weekend, despite suffering a dislocated collarbone last Sunday. The...

German MotoGP dashboard

17 July 2013 by MCN

With major title contenders Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa highsiding themselves out of contention it was left to the rookie, the King and the satelitte rider to make ground at the top of the...

Where would you like to see Nicky Hayden next?

17 July 2013 by MCN

With Nicky Hayden’s future in the factory Ducati squad seemingly non-existent the 2006 MotoGP champion may have to move classes. But where? pollcomment

Brands Hatch BSB: Series leader Byrne arrives with target on his back

17 July 2013 by Michael Guy

The MCE British Superbike Championship ascends on the GP track at Brands Hatch this weekend for another crucial round at the Kent circuit. Series leader Shane Byrne not only arrives as the most successful racer at the GP track with seven straight wins he will have an enormous target on his back as his rivals aim to end he recent domination. There is no doubt that Byrne is on a roll in 2013 with...

Lorenzo heads to Laguna

17 July 2013 by Simon Patterson

Jorge Lorenzo has confirmed on twitter that he will travel to Laguna Seca for the next round of the MotoGP world championship. The reigning world champion was in doubt after two operations in two...

HRC boss: Laguna challenge no problem for Marc Marquez

16 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

The fact that Marc Marquez will have never ridden anything bigger than a scooter around the Laguna Seca track when he begins the first MotoGP practice session on Friday morning will not pose any...

Nicky Hayden told no factory Ducati ride in 2014

16 July 2013 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden will not be offered a new factory Ducati contract for 2014. The universally popular American was told by Ducati during last weekend’s German MotoGP round at the Sachsenring’s of the...

Speedway: Brits can’t handle dominant Danes

16 July 2013 by Tony Hoare

Britain’s speedway team finished second to reigning world champions Denmark in their World Cup qualifier at King’s Lynn last night. The Danes finished a dominant 14 points clear of Britain, the United States and Sweden to go straight to Saturday night’s final in Prague. The Brits also go to the Czech capital, but they face Thursday night’s race-off, an event they must win if they are to qualify...