August

Year: 2007

Month: August

MotoGP: Confirmed 2008 signings

26 October 2007 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP: Confirmed 2008 signings

With news of where riders are planning to go to next year in MotoGP we will be keeping an eye on who signs for whom over the close season. The excitement has begun even before the end of the 2007...

Misano MotoGP: Misano staff work non-stop to ensure MotoGP goes on

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Misano staff work non-stop to ensure MotoGP goes on

Officials at the Misano circuit have 50 people working throughout the night to ensure the track is ready for action tomorrow morning after torrential rain ruined the first day. Misano officials...

Striking Misano MotoGP image

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Striking Misano MotoGP image

Take a look at this striking image to see the weather being enjoyed by the MotoGP teams at Misano.

Misano MotoGP: Night race for Qatar MotoGP in 2008

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Night race for Qatar MotoGP in 2008

The 2008 Qatar MotoGP will create motorcycle racing history by becoming the first to be run under floodlights. Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed in a press conference in Misano today (Friday)...

MotoGP: Qatar goes floodlit for 2008

31 August 2007 by MCN

MotoGP: Qatar goes floodlit for 2008

It’s been a year in the coming, but the 2008 Qatar MotoGP race has been confirmed as being run under floodlights in the series’ first ever night race. The venue will be festooned with spot and...

Misano MotoGP: Revised Misano schedule unveiled

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Revised Misano schedule unveiled

After today’s deluge at the Misano circuit which saw afternoon practice abandoned, MotoGP riders will get a two-hour practice session tomorrow morning. Today’s action was abandoned shortly after lunch...

Misano MotoGP: Serious flooding ends Misano first day

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Serious flooding ends Misano first day

Misano’s first day of MotoGP action in 14 years ended in disaster with all remaining Friday practice sessions abandoned due to serious flooding. Torrential rain has forced MotoGP bosses to cancel the...

Misano MotoGP: Britian's Dan Linfoot second in wet 250 free practice one

31 August 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Misano MotoGP: Britian's Dan Linfoot second in wet 250 free practice one

The Aprilia rider managed a 1:48.527, with only he and fastest man Andrea Dovizioso going under the 1min 49sec mark. Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso recorded a best lap time of 1:48.460 on his 20th lap...

Misano MotoGP: Marco Melandri fastest, Aussie trio crash at rain-soaked Misano

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Marco Melandri fastest, Aussie trio crash at rain-soaked Misano

Marco Melandri topped the timesheets in a rain-soaked first free practice sessions at the Misano circuit this morning, as MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner escaped injury in a crash. The...

Misano MotoGP: Gabor Talmacsi quickest in 125 free practice one

31 August 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Misano MotoGP: Gabor Talmacsi quickest in 125 free practice one

Aprilia’s Gabor Talmacsi was the fastest rider in the first 125 free practice at a rain beaten Misano this morning. The Hungarian recorded a best time of 1:55.450 around the Italian circuit. Fellow...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner critical of bumpy Misano

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner critical of bumpy Misano

MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner has criticised the Misano circuit on the eve of this weekend’s San Marino MotoGP. Stoner goes into Sunday’s 28-lap race holding a commanding 60-point lead...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to run new engine in Misano

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to run new engine in Misano

Valentino Rossi has confirmed he expects to try Yamaha’s new pneumatic valve YZR-M1 motor in tomorrow’s practice for the Misano MotoGP race. The Italian tested the revised four-cylinder motor at a...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi breaks silence over tax investigation

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi breaks silence over tax investigation

Valentino Rossi has said he will take ‘full responsibility’ if any wrongdoing on his part is proved at the conclusion of a multi-million tax investigation launched by Italian authorities. Speaking for...

Misano MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Anthony West for 2008

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Anthony West for 2008

As was exclusively revealed earlier this week by MCN, Kawasaki has today confirmed that Australian Anthony West will partner John Hopkins in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. West’s impressive...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to break silence in Misano

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to break silence in Misano

Valentino Rossi will break his silence this afternoon on the eve of his home MotoGP race in Misano. The seven-times world champion will attend this afternoon’s pre-event press conference for the...

MotoGP: Ducati want more credit for Casey Stoner

30 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Ducati want more credit for Casey Stoner

Ducati bosses want more credit given to the performances of Australian Casey Stoner as the Bologna factory stands on the brink of an historic first MotoGP world crown. Ducati chief Livio Suppo...

MotoGP: Ducati start to think about maiden MotoGP world crown

29 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Ducati start to think about maiden MotoGP world crown

Casey Stoner’s factory Ducati team boss Livio Suppo said it was now impossible to deflect thoughts away from the Aussie rider clinching the Bologna factory’s first MotoGP world title crown. The...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden says tyre choice crucial for Misano MotoGP

29 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden says tyre choice crucial for Misano MotoGP

Reigning MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden reckons tyre choice will once again play a pivotal role in this weekend’s Misano MotoGP clash. The American said previous experience on tracks like the...

MotoGP: James Toseland linked with top MotoGP crew chief

29 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: James Toseland linked with top MotoGP crew chief

James Toseland’s rookie MotoGP campaign could get a massive boost with top chief engineer chief Ramon Forcada confirming he has been approached by the Tech 3 Yamaha team to spearhead the British...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner against modifying MotoGP tyre rule

28 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner against modifying MotoGP tyre rule

Runaway MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner reckons the current tyre restrictions in premier class racing should not be changed for the 2008 season. Michelin and Bridgestone have been asked...

MotoGP: Anthony West clinches 2008 Kawasaki MotoGP deal?

28 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Anthony West clinches 2008 Kawasaki MotoGP deal?

Australian Anthony West has beaten off competition from Shinya Nakano to secure a place in Kawasaki’s factory for the 2008 MotoGP world championship. MCN understands his deal will be officially...

MotoGP: Loris Capirossi expresses front tyre concerns for Misano MotoGP

28 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Loris Capirossi expresses front tyre concerns for Misano MotoGP

Factory Ducati rider Loris Capirossi reckons front tyre endurance could be a critical factor as MotoGP returns to the Misano circuit this weekend for the first time since 1993. Loris Capirossi is one...

MotoGP control tyre debate

28 August 2007 by neil mcloughlin

Colin Edwards is spot-on about the tyre rule in MotoGP. A one-make rule will sort the whole thing out as it’s turning into Nascar. Sponsors are turning away in droves. MotoGP, which was the best racing in the world, is now boring. Valentino’s in 7th! Come on Dorna, get a grip. I have not missed a MotoGP race in over 10 years and now I’m turning back to superbikes as that is where it’s at!

MotoGP: Colin Edwards looking for Michelin backlash

28 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Colin Edwards looking for Michelin backlash

Colin Edwards reckons Michelin has got to drastically improve edge grip to get back on a par with the performance of rivals Bridgestone in the MotoGP world championship. Grip at maximum lean angle and...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi’s focus no problem says Jerry Burgess

27 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi’s focus no problem says Jerry Burgess

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess reckons the Italian’s current off-track problems are proving no distraction in his bid to fight with Casey Stoner in the MotoGP world championship. The...

MotoGP: James Toseland’s Tech 3 Yamaha team confident in sponsor search

26 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: James Toseland’s Tech 3 Yamaha team confident in sponsor search

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal is confident he will be able to find big-money investment to back James Toseland and Colin Edwards in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. It seems certain Tech 3...

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen believes MotoGP tyre war should stay

25 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen believes MotoGP tyre war should stay

Aussie Chris Vermeulen believes it would be a mistake for the MotoGP world championship to switch to a one-make tyre rule in the future. The issue has cropped up recently with concerns that the...

MotoGP: Yamaha confident Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will gel

25 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Yamaha confident Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will gel

Yamaha have no worries that next year’s factory MotoGP team won’t gel together with reigning world 250 champion Jorge Lorenzo set to partner Valentino Rossi in the 2008 world championship. Jorge...

MotoGP: Kawasaki to decide between Shinya Nakano and Anthony West

24 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Kawasaki to decide between Shinya Nakano and Anthony West

Randy de Puniet’s departure today (Friday) to the LCR Honda squad has left Kawasaki to decide on whether Shinya Nakano or Anthony West will partner John Hopkins in the 2008 MotoGP world championship.

MotoGP: Suzuki confident in Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen partnership

24 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Suzuki confident in Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen partnership

Suzuki boss Paul Denning believes Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi will form a formidable partnership in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. Veteran Italian Loris Capirossi will quit Ducati at...

MotoGP: LCR Honda secure Randy de Puniet deal

24 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: LCR Honda secure Randy de Puniet deal

Randy de Puniet has signed a two-year contract to join Lucio Cecchinello’s satellite Honda MotoGP squad for 2008. The French rider leaves Kawasaki’s factory team after a two-year spell to be reunited...

MotoGP: Taro Sekiguchi leaves intensive care after Brno horror crash

24 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Taro Sekiguchi leaves intensive care after Brno horror crash

Japanese 250 GP rider Taro Sekiguchi has been taken out of intensive care as he continues to make good progress following his horrific crash during last weekend’s Czech Republic GP in Brno. The...

MotoGP: Colin Edwards in favour of controlled tyre rule for MotoGP

23 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Colin Edwards in favour of controlled tyre rule for MotoGP

Colin Edwards believes MotoGP bosses should consider a one-make tyre rule for the premier class world championship. The double World Superbike champion reckons a radical revamp of the current tyre...

MotoGP: LCR Honda and Randy de Puniet deal close?

23 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: LCR Honda and Randy de Puniet deal close?

Honda satellite team boss Lucio Cecchinello has admitted his number one priority is to sign Andrea Dovizioso for 2008, despite intense rumours Randy de Puniet will replace Carlos Checa next...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner unfazed as MotoGP title beckons

22 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner unfazed as MotoGP title beckons

MotoGP world championship favourite Casey Stoner says he has the experience to hold his nerve as he moves closer to winning his and Ducati’s first premier class world crown. Casey Stoner holds a...

MotoGP: Tech 3 Yamaha boss talks James Toseland

22 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Tech 3 Yamaha boss talks James Toseland

James Toseland’s new MotoGP boss is convinced that the British star will have no problems in quickly adapting to the factory Yamaha YZR-M1 machine he will campaign in 2008. Herve Poncharal prised...