2013

Jorge Lorenzo fastest at cold and wet Jerez

Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets at the end of a cool, wet and windy start to the final pre-season MotoGP test in Jerez yesterday. Heavy rain and cold temperatures dominated the action but reigning world champion Lorenzo was able to set a best time of 1.47.423 on his factory Yamaha YZR-M1 to finish 1.051s clear of Repsol Honda rival Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo completed just 39 laps with each rider...

Rossi and Lorenzo not surprised by Marquez’s winter pace

Rossi and Lorenzo not surprised by Marquez’s winter pace

Factory Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have said they have not been surprised by Marc Marquez’s blistering speed during the pre-season testing campaign ahead of the Spaniard’s first 2013...

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo expect better relationship in 2013

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo expect better relationship in 2013

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have both said they expect their relationship to be much less tense than the last time they shared Yamaha’s factory MotoGP garage in 2010. When the pair raced...

Yamaha confirm new gearbox ‘under development’

Yamaha confirm new gearbox ‘under development’

Yamaha has confirmed it does have a new seamless shift gearbox under development in Japan, but gave no indication of when reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi will race it. There...

Yamaha unveils Rossi and Lorenzo’s 2013 livery

Yamaha unveils Rossi and Lorenzo’s 2013 livery

Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo have unveiled the new 2013 factory YZR-M1 on the eve of the final pre-season showdown in Jerez earlier today. The bike, which doesn’t have a title sponsor once again...

Valentino Rossi’s back, but where’s the money? Yamaha explains

Valentino Rossi’s back, but where’s the money? Yamaha explains

When Yamaha launches its 2013 factory MotoGP world championship effort in Jerez tomorrow (Friday), Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo’s YZR-M1 machinery will once again be missing a title sponsor. The...

Scott Redding fifth in final Moto2 test

Scott Redding fifth in final Moto2 test

British rider Scott Redding ended the final winter test for the Moto2 world championship in fifth position at the Jerez track in Spain. With his testing schedule already completed at the end of day...

Danny Webb 12th, John McPhee 20th in Jerez test

The Moto3 world championship pre-season ended in gloriously sunny conditions at the Jerez track in Spain this afternoon with British duo Danny Webb and John McPhee both finishing inside the top 20. Kent rider Webb was 12th overall but his best time of 1.47.959 was set on the very first day. Webb didn’t even ride in the final half day of track time available today after he suffered a crash on a...

Scott Redding fastest in wet conditions at Jerez

Scott Redding fastest in wet conditions at Jerez

British rider Scott Redding showed why he is expected to challenge for the Moto2 world title come rain or shine in 2013 after he set the quickest time on a wet second day of testing action at the...

John McPhee second at rain-hit Jerez

John McPhee second at rain-hit Jerez

A second day of Moto3 testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain was dominated by wet conditions, but British rider John McPhee excelled on a tricky surface to set the second best time. The Caretta...

BSB testing: Walker tops the timesheets at Brands Hatch

Chris Walker ended the official BSB test day at Brands Hatch with the fastest time after setting a 51.410 in the fifth and final session of the day. The Quattro Plant rider upped his pace throughout the day to go third fastest in the penultimate session before excellng in the final session to go fastest. The test took place on an initially wet track and with only minimal air and ground...

Scott Redding 11th at start of final 2013 test

Scott Redding 11th at start of final 2013 test

Scott Redding finished just outside of the top 10 on the opening afternoon of the final Moto2 test session at the Jerez track in Spain earlier today. The Marc VDS Racing rider clocked a best time of...

Danny Webb seventh as final 2013 preparations start in Jerez

Danny Webb seventh as final 2013 preparations start in Jerez

Danny Webb enjoyed a positive start to the final Moto3 test of the 2013 pre-season in Jerez today when the British rider set the seventh fastest time. Riding the Ambrogio Racing Suter-Honda machine,...

Aitchison left high and dry after Spitlath Redmond put on hold

Aitchison left high and dry after Spitlath Redmond put on hold

Australian racer Mark Aitchison has been left ‘high and dry’ following the shock withdrawal of his Spitlath Redmond Aprilia team less than a month before the start of the 2013 British Superbike...

Metzeler becomes title sponsor of Ulster Grand Prix

Metzeler becomes title sponsor of Ulster Grand Prix

Tire manufacturer Metzeler has been confirmed as the title sponsor for the 2013 Ulster Grand Prix. The deal will see the event become the Metzeler International Ulster Grand Prix for three years. The...

Marc Marquez thrilled with Texas test progress

Marc Marquez thrilled with Texas test progress

Topping the timesheets during last week’s private Honda and Yamaha test at the new Circuit of the Americas in Texas wasn’t the only pleasing aspect for MotoGP rookie sensation Marc Marquez. The...

Rossi: 'Ducati can't deal with criticism'

Rossi: 'Ducati can't deal with criticism'

Valentino Rossi has revealed more about his fractious relationship with Ducati in MCN’s exclusive new interview (out on Wednesday). The 34-year-old’s comments throw new light on the team’s inability...

Video: Marc Marquez fastest again in Austin

Video: Marc Marquez fastest again in Austin

Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez stayed in charge of the private MotoGP test session at the Circuit of Americas in Texas yesterday after the Spaniard narrowly edged out teammate Dani Pedrosa on the...

Dakar legend Cyril Despres leaves KTM

Dakar legend Cyril Despres leaves KTM

Five time Dakar winner Cyril Despres has left KTM; the manufacturer he has ridden for the last 12 years. During his time with the Austrian company he has enjoyed unprecedented success having finished...

Valentino Rossi impressed by ‘beautiful’ Circuit of the Americas

Valentino Rossi impressed by ‘beautiful’ Circuit of the Americas

Valentino Rossi might have been slowest on the opening day of the private Honda and Yamaha MotoGP test at the new Circuit of the Americas yesterday, but it didn’t stop the Italian from falling in love...

Marc Marquez is Texas star on first day of Austin test

Marc Marquez is Texas star on first day of Austin test

Rookie Marc Marquez drew first blood on the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin yesterday when the Repsol Honda rider led the timesheets at the end of the first day of a private test session for...

Video: Dan Kneen prepares for 2013

Video: Dan Kneen prepares for 2013

Manx rider Dan Kneen is preparing for another season with title sponsor marks Bloom racing. Hear from Dan himself as he updates us on his plans and preparation for the 2013 roadracing season.

Michael Dunlop to join Honda TT Legends for 24-hour EWC events

Michael Dunlop to join Honda TT Legends for 24-hour EWC events

Northern Irishman Michael Dunlop will join the Honda TT Legends for their 24hr world endurance events this season. Dunlop, originally signed to compete at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, will...

Ducati explains Austin test absence

Ducati explains Austin test absence

Ducati has confirmed financial and technical reasons were behind its decision not participate in the forthcoming MotoGP test at the new Circuit of the Americas in Texas. The three-day test was...

Jorge Lorenzo relieved Yamaha committed to Austin test

Jorge Lorenzo relieved Yamaha committed to Austin test

Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo has spoken of his relief at Yamaha’s decision to join rivals Honda in next week’s Austin MotoGP test in Texas. HRC agreed to arrange a special three-day session...

Austin test vital to judge potential, admits Valentino Rossi

Austin test vital to judge potential, admits Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi believes next week’s MotoGP test session at the new Circuit of the Americas in Texas will give him a clearer indication of his and Yamaha’s potential for 2013 now he’s back on the...

World Superbikes will race at Silverstone in 2013

World Superbikes will race at Silverstone in 2013

Silverstone has confirmed that it WILL host this year’s British round of the FIM Superbike World Championship (SBK) on 02-04 August   The announcement follows discussions between the circuit and Dorna...

Will MV Agusta be able to reclaim the glory days of Giacomo Agostini?

Will MV Agusta be able to reclaim the glory days of Giacomo Agostini?

Veteran team boss Jack Valentine has decided to put a team together for a return to the TT. Former Supersport TT winner Gary Johnson has already been signed and they will be running an MV Agusta. But...

Suzuki plan five European tests of new 1000 MotoGP bike

Suzuki plan five European tests of new 1000 MotoGP bike

Suzuki plans to pitch its new factory 1000cc MotoGP bike against Honda, Yamaha and Ducati in at least three public tests in Europe in 2013. The Japanese factory will also take part in two private...

Shane Byrne on his rivals

Shane Byrne on his rivals

36-year-old Shane Byrne is anything but Shakey when it comes to racing and more importantly winning; the reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike champion (and WSB and MotoGP veteran) is close to...

Rutter breaks leg in testing crash

Rutter breaks leg in testing crash

Honda TT Legends and Bathams Honda rider Michael Rutter has suffered a broken leg in pre-season testing for the endurance team in France. Rutter crashed on Sunday at the Dunlop-owned Mireval test...

Iconic MV Agusta returns to TT with Robinsons of Rochdale and Ryan McCay

Iconic MV Agusta returns to TT with Robinsons of Rochdale and Ryan McCay

Northern Irish racer Ryan McCay will partner up with Robinsons of Rochdale for the 2013 road racing season in a deal that will see the return of the legendary MV Agustas to the Isle of Man TT. The...

Adult movie channel backing for Michael Laverty and Shane Byrne

Adult movie channel backing for Michael Laverty and Shane Byrne

Michael Laverty’s rookie MotoGP campaign and Shane Byrne’s bid for a record fourth BSB title will be backed by an adult movie channel in 2013. MinxFlix.com has signed a sponsorship deal with the Paul...

Ben Spies confident shoulder will be 100% for Qatar opener

Ben Spies confident shoulder will be 100% for Qatar opener

Ignite Pramac Ducati rider Ben Spies is confident his recovering right shoulder will have regained 100% strength in time for the first race in Qatar next month after another physically and mentally...

Bradley Smith satisfied with positive Sepang test

Bradley Smith satisfied with positive Sepang test

On paper at least, Bradley Smith’s second MotoGP test in the space of three weeks at the Sepang track in Malaysia looked worse than it actually was. Earlier this month in the opening Malaysia test he...

Stoner DNFs in V8 debut

Stoner DNFs in V8 debut

Casey Stoner’s V8 debut came to an abrupt halt after a punctured tyre saw him retire from the first race while in 13th place. He got off to a good start, impressing by qualifying 12th around the...