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Isle of Man TT: Ian Lougher to switch to Yamaha for 2008

22 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Isle of Man TT: Ian Lougher to switch to Yamaha for 2008

It’s all change this year for Isle of Man TT veteran Ian Lougher. The Welshman who made his debut on the Mountain course in 1984 and has won seven Isle of Man TTs, has switched his Black Horse...

Isle of Man TT: Conor Cummins to race for NCT Vanfit Yamaha

22 February 2008 by Gary Pinch

Isle of Man TT: Conor Cummins to race for NCT Vanfit Yamaha

Conor Cummins, fastest Manxman ever around the Isle of Man TT course, is riding for Neil Haslam’s NCT Vanfit Yamaha team this year, but is also racing in the National Superstock. Apart from being...

Qatar World Superbikes: Yamaha's Troy Corser claims first pole of the season

22 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Superbikes: Yamaha's Troy Corser claims first pole of the season

Mr Superpole, Troy Corser claimed his 41st pole position in Qatar with a scintillating lap 0.6 seconds faster than his closest rival. In windy conditions Troy Corser was once again the man to beat...

Qatar World Supersport: Brits Craig Jones and Jonathan Rea on front row

22 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Supersport: Brits Craig Jones and Jonathan Rea on front row

British riders Craig Jones and Jonathan Rea will start tomorrow’s opening race of the 2008 World Supersport calendar on the front row after sensational performances in this afternoon’s final...

World Superbike free practice times

22 February 2008 by Andy Downes

World Superbike free practice times

World Superbike Superpole at Qatar in Doha starts in just a couple of minutes but here are results for the latest free practice session that just finished. MCN will keep you up to date throughout the...

Qatar World Superbikes: Troy Corser again from Troy Bayliss in WSB second qualifying

22 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Superbikes: Troy Corser again from Troy Bayliss in WSB second qualifying

Yamaha’s Troy Corser continued his dominance at Qatar by setting an impressive 1min 58.560sec lap time in today’s second qualifying session. In improved weather conditions, which saw a drop in the...

Qatar World Supersport: Joan Lascorz fastest, Brits on pace

22 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Supersport: Joan Lascorz fastest, Brits on pace

Spaniard Joan Lascorz was the surprise package of the second free practice session by securing top spot onboard his Glaner Motocard.com Honda in Qatar this morning. The 22-year-old showed his...

Video: McGuinness on Douglas Head

22 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Working with TT hero John McGuinness is always easy going as this video clip of MCN’s photoshoot on Douglas Head shows. McGuinness brought along his Padgetts Honda CBR600RR for pictures to run with an MCN story announcing he would be running in their colours in the superbike class on the Island. He was a bit short on race clothing to match and had to stop off at a local racing memorabilia shop to...

Bayliss – It feels like we’re doing 400kph

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Bayliss – It feels like we’re doing 400kph

After setting the second fastest time in the opening qualifying session at Qatar today, Troy Bayliss revealed to MCN how physical the gale force winds are making a lap around the track. Bayliss broke...

Qatar World Superbikes: Corser from Bayliss in WSB qualifying

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Superbikes: Corser from Bayliss in WSB qualifying

Troy Corser declared that the conditions in Qatar were the windiest he’s ever ridden in during his illustrious career, but then went out and put his Yamaha Italia R1 on provisional pole...

Qatar World Supersport: Rea takes impressive second in Supersport qualifying

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Supersport: Rea takes impressive second in Supersport qualifying

Jonathan Rea made his intentions clear for his debut World Supersport season by setting the second fastest time in today’s first qualifying session – 0.346 seconds behind Yamaha mounted Fabien Foret.

MotoGP: Bradley Smith fastest in Jerez test

21 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Bradley Smith fastest in Jerez test

Bradley Smith has ended the three-day IRTA 125GP test session with the fastest time to continue his impressive pre-season form. The Polaris World Aprilia rider clocked his best lap as the final day...

Isle of Man TT: Adrian Archibald to run own team

21 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Isle of Man TT: Adrian Archibald to run own team

After a couple of lean years, Adrian Archibald could be a force again on the roads, rejuvenated by running his own AMA Racing Suzuki team. Archibald, 38 from Ballymoney, is the only rider in the 2008...

Isle of Man TT: Bruce Anstey looking for superbike victory

21 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Isle of Man TT: Bruce Anstey looking for superbike victory

Kiwi Bruce Anstey has won six Isle of Man TTs since making his debut in 1996 but a superbike win has always eluded him – even though he’s the third fastest man around the mountain course with his best...

Qatar World Supersport: Fabien Foret in control, mixed fortune for Brits

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Supersport: Fabien Foret in control, mixed fortune for Brits

Fabien Foret took just five laps to set the fastest time in the free practice session for the opening round of the World Supersport Championship in Qatar. Onboard the new Yamaha R6, Foret shrugged...

Qatar World Superbikes: Yamaha and Suzuki lead the way

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

Qatar World Superbikes: Yamaha and Suzuki lead the way

Fonsi Nieto made an impressive start to life in the Alstare Suzuki team by setting the fastest lap in the opening free practice session. Fonsi Nieto completed 19 laps with his fastest time coming on...

World Superbikes: Yukio Kagayama pays homage to Kevin Schwantz

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

World Superbikes: Yukio Kagayama pays homage to Kevin Schwantz

Yukio Kagayama has dropped his trademark number 71 race number and will race with the number 34 in 2008. The Suzuki man will race with the number 34, as it was number he used when he won the Suzuka...

World Superbikes: Alstare Suzuki unveil 2008 colours

21 February 2008 by Michael Guy

World Superbikes: Alstare Suzuki unveil 2008 colours

The factory Alstare Suzuki unveiled their new 2008 livery and sponsors in Qatar. Following months of speculation regarding the team’s sponsor and even their participation in this year’s series, the...

Jerez MotoGP test pictures

20 February 2008 by Tony Overington

Jerez MotoGP test pictures

Here’s some pictures I took this weekend at Jerez. Enjoy.

Toseland drops it

20 February 2008 by Michael Colohan

Toseland drops it

I was at the corner where Toseland hit the deck. I had just put the camera down, but got some of him, glad to hear he’s well. Nice colours and a good weekend for him. BBC TV team at corner. Parrish...

Farquhar returns to the TT

20 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Farquhar returns to the TT

Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar  returns to the TT in 2008 re-united with the McAdoo Kawasaki team. Farquhar, a two-time TT winner, is still looking for a win on a superbike race on the mountain course and...

MotoGP: Michelin explain 2008 development plans

20 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Michelin explain 2008 development plans

Michelin has outlined its 2008 MotoGP development strategy that French tyre bosses hope will spark a revival against dominant rivals Bridgestone next season. Bridgestone emerged as the dominant tyre...

MotoGP: Danny Webb braving pain in Jerez

20 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Danny Webb braving pain in Jerez

British teenager Danny Webb braved the pain of torn ligaments in his right shoulder to continue his 2008 125GP preparations in Jerez yesterday. Just days after injuring his shoulder in a high-side...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden happy with new Michelin strategy

20 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden happy with new Michelin strategy

Former world champion Nicky Hayden has backed Michelin’s aggressive development of a new 16-inch rear tyre ahead of the 2008 MotoGP campaign. The factory Honda rider topped the timesheets at this...

BSB: MotorSport Vision to run British Superbikes

20 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

BSB: MotorSport Vision to run British Superbikes

MotorSport Vision has taken over the responsibility of organisation and promotion of the British Superbike championship from Dorna UK. MSV has signed a ten-year agreement with the Motorcycle Circuit...

MotoGP: Bridgestone target qualifying tyre improvement

19 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Bridgestone target qualifying tyre improvement

Senior Bridgestone race boss Hirohide Hamashima says improving qualifying tyres is one of the key targets for the Japanese factory before the start of the 2008 MotoGP world championship next...

Isle of Man TT: British Supersport's James Hillier to live the TT dream

19 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Isle of Man TT: British Supersport's James Hillier to live the TT dream

British Supersport regular James Hillier (22) has teamed up with well-known Isle of Man TT team boss Martin Bullock’s Race Team to make his debut on the 37.73miles Mountain Course this year. Hillier...

Isle of Man TT: Ryan Farquhar looking for superbike win

19 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Isle of Man TT: Ryan Farquhar looking for superbike win

Dungannon’s Ryan Farquhar returns to the Isle of Man TT in 2008 re-united with the McAdoo Kawasaki team. Farquhar, a two-time Isle of Man TT winner, is still looking for a win on a superbike race on...

MotoGP: LCR Honda already eyeing 2009

19 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: LCR Honda already eyeing 2009

The LCR Honda team has already started to turn attentions to 2009 after the impressive winter testing performances of new rider Randy de Puniet. The Frenchman’s fast form continued this week when he...

MotoGP: Michelin still hopeful on Alex Barros deal

19 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Michelin still hopeful on Alex Barros deal

Michelin boss Jean Philippe Weber has revealed the French tyre brand is still in negotiation with Brazilian veteran Alex Barros about a test rider role in 2008. While Ducati, Kawasaki and Suzuki have...

Video: Off-roading with Chris Walker

19 February 2008 by Michael Guy

MCN World Superbike reporter Michael Guy caught up with British Supersport rider Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker at an off road track as he prepares for the 2008 season. Walker talks about the upcoming Qatar testing, his love of off-roading and his aims for the 2008 season with Kawasaki. Read the full article in this weeks Motorcycle News out Wednesday 20th February 2008

MotoGP: Kawasaki 'Screamer' needs time - says Olivier Jacque

19 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Kawasaki 'Screamer' needs time - says Olivier Jacque

Olivier Jacque reckons it is too early to accurately judge the true potential of Kawasaki’s new Screamer MotoGP motor. Poor weather at last weekend’s IRTA test in Jerez wrecked Kawasaki’s hopes of a...

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner unhurt in crash

18 February 2008 by Mathew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner unhurt in crash

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner escaped injury in a small crash on the final day of testing in Jerez. The Aussie lost the front end of his factory Ducati GP8 on the entry to turn five as he...

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden fastest in Spain

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden fastest in Spain

Former world champion Nicky Hayden has finished the three-day weather disrupted IRTA test with the fastest time. The American clocked a fastest time of 1.38.848 using a Michelin qualifying tyre today...

MotoGP Jerez test: Tech 3 relief after James Toseland’s injury scare

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Tech 3 relief after James Toseland’s injury scare

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal has spoken of his relief after new British signing James Toseland escaped serious injury in a high-side crash in Jerez today. Toseland needed lengthy treatment in...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland bounces back to claim sixth

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland bounces back to claim sixth

James Toseland shrugged off the pain of a badly twisted right ankle to clock the sixth fastest time on the final day of testing in Jerez. In blustery conditions, Toseland escaped injury on only his...