January

MotoGP: Marquez gets back on track after surgery

01 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Marc Marquez has finally returned to track, jumping on a motorbike for the first time in nearly two months after extensive shoulder surgery in early December to repair a heavily damaged joint. Jumping...

Motorsport exempted from controversial insurance requirement

30 January 2019 by MCN News

After extensive lobbying by numerous motorsport organisations, the European Parliament has agreed to exempt bike racing from the EU’s Motor Insurance Directive (also known as Vnuk) which would have...

Poll: What do you think of the 2019 Ducati MotoGP livery?

29 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Ducati have unveiled their very different looking 2019 MotoGP machine at sponsor Phillip Morris International’s Swiss base, as the tobacco giant returns to the bikes in the form of their Mission...

WSB: Rea fires warning shot on final day of testing

28 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

Jonathan Rea fired a stark warning shot to his rivals on the final day of World Superbike winter testing in Portimao by setting a marker almost a second quicker than the rest of the field. PATA...

WSB: Where are Honda?

28 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

Ever since the rumours first emerged mid-way through last year, HRC’s long-awaited return to the World Superbike Championship has been surrounded in mystery. All we have seen thus far is what seemed...

WSB: Sykes and Reiterberger unveil 2019 BMW livery

28 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

The all-new BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team unveiled its livery for the 2019 World Superbike season in Portimao this morning. The new factory effort, fielded by Shaun Muir Racing, lifted the covers off the...

MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha reveal 2019 machines

28 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

The Petronas SRT squad have pulled the covers off their five new bikes for the 2019 season in a launch at the iconic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, showing off not only the Yamaha MotoGP machines...

Live: Petronas SRT unveil all three teams

28 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP’s newest team, the Petronas SRT squad, will unveil their 2019 colours this morning live from their home in Kuala Lumpur. With Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo showing off their new Yamaha...

BSB: Sylvain Barrier signs with Brixx Ducati for 2019

25 January 2019 by Dan Sutherland

Two-time FIM Superstock 1000 Cup champion Sylvain Barrier has become the 30th rider on the 2019 British Superbike grid, after signing a deal with newly-formed Brixx Ducati. Announced earlier this...

WSB: Rea tops test as Ducati hits stumbling block

25 January 2019 by Greg Haines

Four-time World Champion Jonathan Rea shot to the top of the timesheets as this week’s Jerez World Superbike test ended on Thursday afternoon. It was very much a test of two halves. Wednesday was an...

Roads: David Johnson joins Ian Hutchinson at Honda for 2019

25 January 2019 by Dan Sutherland

Honda Racing have today announced that David Johnson will be joining Ian Hutchinson for the 2019 road racing season. The duo will be competing for the team at both the North West 200 and Isle of Man...

Roads: Michael Dunlop prepares for 2019 campaign with Tyco BMW

24 January 2019 by Dan Sutherland

Michael Dunlop and TAS Racing have today confirmed that they will be joining forces for a second consecutive international road racing season. The 18-time TT winner will be competing on the team’s...

WSB: Pirelli to bring new tyre for sprint race

24 January 2019 by Greg Haines

A special tyre will be introduced for the new sprint races in World Superbikes this season, MCN can reveal. For the first time in the 32-year history of the Superbike World Championship, weekends will...

MotoGP: Hayden’s iconic 69 to be retired

24 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Former world champion Nicky Hayden’s iconic number 69 will be retired from MotoGP at this year’s Grand Prix of the Americas. One of the most beloved riders ever to grace the grand Prix paddock, the...

WSB: The sun comes out at the Jerez test

24 January 2019 by Greg Haines

Following a Wednesday which could only be described as ‘miserable’ weather-wise, the sun is now shining in Jerez for the second and final day of this week’s World Superbike test. With the good weather...

WSB: Lowes starts 2019 testing on top

24 January 2019 by Greg Haines

It was Yamaha’s Alex Lowes at the top of the pile as World Superbikes dusted off the cobwebs and returned to the track in Jerez on Wednesday, 23 January. MORE FROM MCN Kawasaki KR-1S revisited SWM...

WSB: Melandri encourages riders to speak out

24 January 2019 by Greg Haines

Marco Melandri believes fellow riders simply ‘don’t care’ when it comes to suggesting positive changes for the World Superbike championship. For the first time, 2019 will feature three races per...

WSB: World Superbike blasts back into action at Jerez test

23 January 2019 by Greg Haines

Today sees the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto host Day one of a two-day test as the World Superbike championship kicks into life for the first time this year. Almost the entire Superbike field is...

MotoGP: Honda unveil unchanged livery for 2019

23 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

The Repsol Honda team have missed a trick as the Spanish oil company and Japanese manufacturer celebrate their 25th season together, unveiling a largely unchanged livery at today’s team launch in...

MotoGP: Hard road back for Crutchlow

23 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

It’s now been nearly three months since Cal Crutchlow suffered a horrific high-speed crash at Phillip Island’s turn one, getting pushed wide by high wings onto wet kerbs at the fast corner. Falling...

Live: Watch the 25th anniversary Repsol Honda launch

23 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

It’s an important year for Repsol Honda, with the Spanish oil company and Japanese manufacturer celebrating their 25th anniversary together in MotoGP. But with important news to come from riders Marc...

MotoGP: Hometown pays tribute to Jorge Martinez Aspar

22 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Jorge Martinez Aspar’s hometown of Alzira has paid tribute to the four-time world champion, taking to the streets of the Valencian town on Sunday to celebrate the former racer and current team boss’...

MotoGP: Lorenzo breaks wrist in training accident

21 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

New signing Jorge Lorenzo will face a difficult start to his Repsol Honda career after breaking a bone in his wrist while training at the weekend. While details remain unclear about exactly what...

Live: Ducati launch 2019 MotoGP campaign

18 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Ducati will launch their 2019 MotoGP effort this evening in Switzerland, with Andrea Dovizioso and new signing Danilo Petrucci travelling to sponsor Phillip Morris’ research base on the shores of Lake...

Dakar Stage 10: Heroic Price takes Dakar victory as KTM enjoy podium lock out with Walkner and Sunderland

17 January 2019 by Michael Guy

Total 223 miles with 70 mile Special stage Australian Toby Price has won the 2019 Dakar. The 31 year old defied the odds to take victory having ridden the entire race with a severe wrist injury. It...

BSB: Stapleford confirmed alongside Ray at Buildbase Suzuki

17 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

Luke Stapleford will partner Bradley Ray in the Buildbase Suzuki squad for this year’s Bennetts British Superbike championship. As reported by MCN earlier this month, the 2015 British Supersport...

MCN's Michael Neeves prepares for Phillip Island Classic with Team Classic Suzuki

17 January 2019 by Dan Sutherland

MCN’s Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves, will be heading to the 26th annual Phillip Island Classic races in Australia later this month as part of a three-man Team Classic Suzuki squad. Lining up...

Dakar stage 9: Briton Richard Main injured and out of race

17 January 2019 by Michael Guy

Richard Main is out of Dakar 2019 following a big crash early into stage nine. The 53 year old Brit sustained a broken pelvis, internal bleeding and has 18 stitches in his chin. He has now undergone...

Dakar stage 9: Price in leads, Sunderland hit by penalty

16 January 2019 by Michael Guy

Pisco to Pisco Total 254 miles with 194 mile Special stage It may have been spectacular to watch but stage nine’s mass start that saw the leaders head of in a drag race in groups of ten, failed to...

Roads: McGuinness: 'Let me race the North West 200!'

16 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

23-time TT winner John McGuinness has pleaded with North West 200 boss Mervyn Whyte to allow Norton to compete at the event in May. At present, the North West 200 is run to FIM homologation rules,...

Dakar 2019: Sunderland slapped with 60 min penalty

16 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

Britain’s Sam Sunderland has been ruled out of contention for this year’s Dakar Rally after being slapped with a one-hour penalty on the eighth stage of the gruelling race. Having lost 20 minutes to...

Dakar Stage 8: Walkner wins stage, Brabec out, Price leads, Sunderland back in the mix

15 January 2019 by Michael Guy

San Juan to Pisco Total 358 miles with 223 mile Special stage If Dakar 2019 hadn’t been intense enough, stage eight of the race took the drama to a new level with the race now wide open with just two...

Dakar Stage 7: Sunderland storms back into podium contention with stage win

14 January 2019 by Michael Guy

San Juan to San Juan Total 240 miles with 201 mile Special stage Having lost over 20m on stage six, Sam Sunderland’s dream of repeating his 2017 Dakar victory appeared to been brought to a premature...

Roads: Irwin confirmed for NW200 with Quattro Plant Kawasaki

14 January 2019 by Oli Rushby

Winner of the last three North West 200 Superbike races Glenn Irwin will return to the iconic triangle course this May with a new target – to become the first man to win six races at the event. As...

Dakar stage 6: Sunderland’s Dakar charge in doubt

13 January 2019 by Michael Guy

Arequipa to San Juan Total 521 miles with 197 mile Special stage Sam Sunderland’s Dakar winning aspirations were dealt a serious blow after he was forced to ride with no back brake when he hit a rock...

Dakar Stage 5: Sunderland wins stage and climbs to second overall

11 January 2019 by Michael Guy

Arequipa to San Juan Total 521 miles with 197 mile Special stage Sam Sunderland fired himself to within 59s of the overall lead of Dakar 2019 with a brilliant stage five win. The 29 year old Brit had...