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Moto2 to keep Honda engine until end of 2015

25 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

The Moto2 world championship will continue to use a Honda engine based on its CBR600RR motor until the end of the 2015 season at least. MCN understands that an additional one-year extension has been agreed to keep the current format after an initial agreement was reached for 2013 and ’14 at the end of last season. Honda’s initial three-year contract to supply the single make 600cc four-stroke...

Valentino Rossi thrilled to be back on top in Jerez

24 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi could barely contain his delight after he put a disastrous two-year stint at Ducati firmly behind him in Jerez today when he set the fastest time on a day of domination by Yamaha. Rossi went some way to showing he will be a title contender in 2013 after he logged a best time of 1.39.525 to edge out factory Yamaha teammate and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo by just...

Bradley Smith learns from Valentino Rossi in Jerez

24 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith grasped the opportunity to learn from nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi during the second day of MotoGP testing at the Jerez track in Spain. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie followed the Italian legend for two laps this afternoon as the MotoGP field got the chance to test on a dry track following yesterday’s torrential rain. Smith ended up 12th on the timesheets today with a...

Cal Crutchlow plays down Jerez speed

24 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

British rider Cal Crutchlow played down his eye-catching performance on the second day of testing at the Jerez track in Spain today after he finished third quickest behind factory Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. After yesterday’s torrential rain the surface didn’t dry out until after 1pm today, but former World Supersport champion Crutchlow was immediately fast and found himself...

Valentino Rossi sets fastest pace in Jerez

24 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi enjoyed his best day in MotoGP for some considerable time in Jerez today when the nine-times world champion set the fastest time on the second day of the final pre-season test. The 34-year-old Italian clocked a best time of 1.39.525 to finish just 0.015s ahead of factory Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo. Conditions on day two were significantly better after torrential rain dominated...

Jorge Lorenzo fastest at cold and wet Jerez

24 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

22 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

22 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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’

22 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

22 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

21 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

21 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

21 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

20 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

20 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

19 March 2013 by Michael Guy

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

18 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

18 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

18 March 2013 by Simon Patterson

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

18 March 2013 by Simon Patterson

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

18 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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'

16 March 2013 by MCN

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

14 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

13 March 2013 by Michael Guy

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

13 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

13 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

12 March 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

11 March 2013 by Simon Patterson

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

11 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

08 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

08 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

08 March 2013 by Richard Newland

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?

06 March 2013 by Andy Davidson

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

06 March 2013 by Matthew Birt

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

06 March 2013 by MCN

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

05 March 2013 by Simon Patterson

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...

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