2007

Year: 2007

Month: ALL

MotoGP Jerez Test: Hand injury hampers Valentino Rossi

29 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Hand injury hampers Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi was forced to scrap a planned full race simulation on Bridgestone tyres today in Jerez as he completed only 40 laps on the final day of track action in 2007. The 28-year-old struggled...

MotoGP Jerez Test: James Toseland ends 2007 in confident mood

29 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: James Toseland ends 2007 in confident mood

James Toseland ended his brilliant 2007 on a high in Jerez today (Thursday) as he finished the final winter test session with the ninth fastest overall time. The British rider used a soft Michelin...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner flies home to Australia for shoulder scans

29 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner flies home to Australia for shoulder scans

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner will fly home to Australia from Heathrow tonight to get further medical checks on the left shoulder injury he suffered in a massive high-side crash in Jerez...

MotoGP Jerez test: Randy de Puniet crashes twice on final day

29 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Randy de Puniet crashes twice on final day

Randy de Puniet has crashed twice on the third and final day of MotoGP testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain. The French rider escaped injury in a crash under braking at the final corner earlier in...

MotoGP Jerez Test: James Toseland learning fast in Jerez

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: James Toseland learning fast in Jerez

James Toseland continued an impressive start to his MotoGP career on the second day in Jerez today. The British rookie posted a best time of 1.41.278 in a 58-lap stint today, which was just 0.3s...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi happy with Bridgestone progress

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi happy with Bridgestone progress

Valentino Rossi posted the second fastest time in Jerez today as he continued his impressive switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres. The factory Yamaha rider clocked a best of 1.40.134 on a soft...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner ruled out of Jerez test

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner ruled out of Jerez test

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has been ruled out of the final day of testing in Jerez tomorrow after injuring his left shoulder in a massive high-side crash this afternoon. Stoner high-sided his...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner suffers huge high-side crash

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Casey Stoner suffers huge high-side crash

Casey Stoner has suffered another crash onDucati’s new factory GP8 machine in Jerez this afternoon. The new world champion, who crashed on his debut on the new bike yesterday, walked away from a...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Jorge Lorenzo escapes injury in high-speed crash

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Jorge Lorenzo escapes injury in high-speed crash

Double world 250 champion Jorge Lorenzo has escaped injury in a crash at the start of the second afternoon’s testing in Jerez. The Spaniard crashed at the same corner that saw world champion Casey...

MotoGP: Suzuki end 2007 on positive note in Phillip Island

28 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Suzuki end 2007 on positive note in Phillip Island

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi have ended their 2007 winter testing campaign with a successful two-day session behind-closed-doors at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. While the majority...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi talks Bridgestone debut

27 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi talks Bridgestone debut

Valentino Rossi has told MCN he is already convinced he has made the right choice to ditch Michelin after he made an ominously fast and impressive debut on Bridgestone tyres in Jerez today. Rossi’s...

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner escapes injury in big crash

27 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner escapes injury in big crash

Casey Stoner started his preparations for 2008 in the same vein he finished a dominant 2007 as he topped the timesheets despite a massive crash in Jerez today. The Aussie, who won 10 races last...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi makes Bridgestone debut

27 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi makes Bridgestone debut

Valentino Rossi has just completed his first stint on Bridgestone tyres on the opening day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain. The Italian waited until shortly after midday before making his...

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi set for Bridgestone debut

27 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez Test: Valentino Rossi set for Bridgestone debut

This is the first picture of Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha YZR-M1 fitted with Bridgestone tyres. Snapped this morning in the Jerez pits, Valentino Rossi’s bike was being prepared for his first ride...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi’s Bridgestone switch ‘major loss’ for Michelin

26 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi’s Bridgestone switch ‘major loss’ for Michelin

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess has told MCN the Italian’s controversial switch to Bridgestone tyres for 2008 is a big blow for rivals Michelin. Rossi will make his Bridgestone debut...

MotoGP: Michelin happy to give Valentino Rossi early Bridgestone release

26 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Michelin happy to give Valentino Rossi early Bridgestone release

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has revealed the French tyre factory never considered banning Valentino Rossi from making his Bridgestone debut until 2008. Despite being furious at Valentino Rossi...

MotoGP: Ducati designer reveals 2008 targets

26 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Ducati designer reveals 2008 targets

The man behind Ducati’s dominant GP7 machine has revealed some of the key performance targets to help keep Casey Stoner ahead of rivals Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa in 2008. Ducati Technical...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland set for Jerez test

26 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland set for Jerez test

James Toseland will be back on track today (Tuesday) when the final MotoGP action of 2007 gets underway at the Jerez circuit in Spain. Following his promising Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 debut in Sepang...

Video: John Hopkin's interviewed at the NEC

23 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MCN caught up with John Hopkins on the Arai stand at the NEC show to se how he has been getting on with his new MotoGP ride. Hopkins has switched from the Suzuki to the Kawasaki ZX-RR and you can see how he is getting on in the video below.

NEC Video: James Toseland on his Sepang test and his move to MotoGP

23 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MCN caught up with World Superbike champion and MotoGP hopefull James Toseland at the NEC to discuss his recent test in Sepang and his hopes for the coming season. Check out the video below to hear what James has to say about his new Tech3 Yamaha.

MotoGP: Rain hampers Bradley Smith's Aprilia debut

21 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Rain hampers Bradley Smith's Aprilia debut

Poor weather in Jerez has severely disrupted Bradley Smith’s factory Aprilia debut. The British rider didn’t complete a single lap yesterday on the second day of a three-day 125 and 250GP test...

MotoGP: Manuel Poggiali to make 250GP comeback in 2008

19 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Manuel Poggiali to make 250GP comeback in 2008

Double world champion Manuel Poggiali is to make a comeback in the 2008 world 250 championship. The 24-year-old has signed a deal with the Italian-based Campetella Aprilia team to return to action...

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland buoyed by impressive MotoGP debut

17 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland buoyed by impressive MotoGP debut

James Toseland ended his first MotoGP test in Sepang today in positive and confident mood as he lapped within 1.5s of world champion Casey Stoner’s fastest Malaysian GP time. The double World...

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet crashes again in Sepang

17 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet crashes again in Sepang

Randy de Puniet suffered his second crash on the final day of the Sepang test session, but was relieved to learn that he hadn’t broken his right hand as was first feared. The French rider, who again...

MotoGP Sepang test: John Hopkins unhurt in second Sepang crash

17 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: John Hopkins unhurt in second Sepang crash

Factory Kawasaki rider John Hopkins escaped with cuts on his left elbow after he suffered a high-speed crash on the final day of testing in Sepang. The American had completed 46 laps when he lost the...

MotoGP Sepang test: Aussie duo Chris Vermeulen and Ant West end Sepang test with crashes

17 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Aussie duo Chris Vermeulen and Ant West end Sepang test with crashes

Chris Vermeulen and Anthony West had a painful end to the Sepang test session today when both crashed late on the final day in the same corner. Factory Suzuki rider Vermeulen was the first to go down...

MotoGP Sepang test: Loris Capirossi impressed with new 2008 Suzuki prototype

16 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Loris Capirossi impressed with new 2008 Suzuki prototype

Italian Loris Capirossi beat his best Ducati 800cc race lap at the Sepang circuit by 0.7sec as he got his first chance to test Suzuki’s 2008 prototype factory GSV-R machine today. Loris Capirossi’s...

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet impresses on Honda with Ohlins suspension

16 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet impresses on Honda with Ohlins suspension

French rider Randy de Puniet continued his impressive early winter testing form in Sepang today as he ran his LCR Honda for the first time on Ohlins suspension. Click here to read how Randy de Puniet...

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland happier and faster in Sepang

16 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland happier and faster in Sepang

James Toseland was a much happier figure in the Sepang paddock tonight as he made a big improvement on only his second day of testing for the Tech 3 Yamaha squad in Malaysia. Click here to see James...

MotoGP Sepang test: Kawasaki new boy John Hopkins takes top spot on day two

16 November 2007 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP Sepang test: Kawasaki new boy John Hopkins takes top spot on day two

Kawasaki’s John Hopkins was the fastest man on day two of the Sepang MotoGP test. The former Rizla Suzuki rider recorded a best time of 2:02.200 at the Malaysian circuit with his former team-mate,...

We Won the MotoGP competition!

16 November 2007 by Brakenow

We Won the MotoGP competition!

Wow, we’ve won the MCN Valencia MotoGP competition. We had to put into no more than 30 words why we should spend the weekend at the Valencia MotoGP with the motorcycle tour operator Toursareus. Easy,...

MotoGP Sepang test: John Hopkins suffers first Kawasaki crash

15 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: John Hopkins suffers first Kawasaki crash

Kawasaki new boy John Hopkins was another victim of Sepang’s tight first corner this morning as he walked away unhurt from a spill. Click here to see video of James Toseland’s first MotoGP...

MotoGP Sepang test: Nicky Hayden crashes unhurt in Sepang

15 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Nicky Hayden crashes unhurt in Sepang

Former world champion Nicky Hayden had a nightmare start to the Sepang test session today when he crashed his 2007 factory Honda after just four laps. Click here to read why Dani Pedrosa is not in...

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet crashes but sets fastest time at rain-hit Sepang

15 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Randy de Puniet crashes but sets fastest time at rain-hit Sepang

Frenchman Randy de Puniet posted the fast time on a rain-hit opening day of testing in Malaysia. Click here to see James Toseland’s first MotoGP crash The LCR Honda rider clocked a best time of...

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa skips Sepang test session

15 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa skips Sepang test session

Dani Pedrosa has opted to miss this week’s three-day test session at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia, preferring to wait for engine improvements on Honda’s new factory RC212V 800cc machine. Click...

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland talks Yamaha MotoGP debut

15 November 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland talks Yamaha MotoGP debut

James Toseland shrugged off an early crash on his Yamaha debut in Sepang today as the British rider had an eventful start to his MotoGP career. Click here to see James Toseland’s first MotoGP...