February

Rossi 13th in Jerez

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi found himself surprisingly off the pace on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today with the former world champion languishing down in 13th place. The 27-year-old 1.9.31s slower than...

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri took the honours on a rain-hit first day in Jerez today as Valentino Rossi and reigning world champion Nicky Hayden struggled. The Gresini Honda rider clocked...

OJ wants improvement

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Olivier Jacque says there is still plenty of room for improvement despite Kawasaki’s encouraging start to the new 800cc MotoGP era. Jacque, who missed most of last week’s IRTA test in Qatar after...

Diet boosts Checa

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Carlos Checa has revealed some of the extreme measures he’s taken to help him adapt to the new generation 800cc MotoGP machines in 2007. The Spaniard underwent a rigorous and gruelling winter training...

Endurance boost

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins reckons lap times are plummeting on the new 800cc machines because the drop in horsepower has seen tyre endurance greatly increased. Riders can lap faster and for longer without the...

Marco better than ever

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri claims he will go into the new MotoGP world championship campaign in better shape than at any other time in his career. Despite some disappointing winter testing performances on the...

BHP management key

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Factory Ducati rider Loris Capirossi believes one of the reasons why lap times are already plummeting in the new 800cc MotoGP era is down to significantly more manageable horsepower, despite saying...

Vermeulen wants grip

28 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Chris Vermeulen has told Bridgestone that it must improve its new generation front tyres to help adapt to the new riding style required on the 800cc MotoGP machines. With increased corners speeds and...

Dani's bike faster

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri has hinted that factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has already received engine upgrades on the new RC212V 800cc contender. The Italian spoke to MCN having followed the triple world...

Barros targets win

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Brazilian veteran Alex Barros believes he is capable of making a winning return to the MotoGP world championship in 2007. The 36-year-old is back in the premier class after a year with in World...

800s like two strokes

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Former world 250 champion Marco Melandri says that the new generation 800cc MotoGP machines have the same aggressive power characteristics of a two-stroke. Though he never raced a two-stroke 500 in...

Rossi backs Edwards

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi has backed factory Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards to finally deliver in the MotoGP world championship. The American is still searching for his first premier class victory having spent...

Fuel no worry for Honda

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Former world champion Kenny Roberts Jr reckons Honda’s new RC212V has no worries over fuel consumption with tank capacity slashed to 21 litres for 2007. Fuel consumption has been one of the most...

Rear progress for Colin

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards has been boosted by a breakthrough with rear set-up on his new factory Yamaha 800. Edwards experimented with yet another new Ohlins rear shock set-up having made a significant...

Carlos gets comfy

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Carlos Checa has unveiled some of the secrets to his rapid improvement in winter testing on board the LCR Honda RC212V 800 contender. The Spaniard has begun to recapture his best form in recent tests...

Michelin boss talks 16

27 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Having made the first aggressive move in the 2007 MotoGP tyre war with a new 16-inch front tyre becoming one of the big talking points of winter testing. Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has told MCN...

Nicky needs early speed

26 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden reckons he has got to come out of the gate faster at every race to bolster his hopes of retaining the MotoGP crown in 2007. Hayden admitted one of his weaknesses...

Meetings help Yamaha

26 February 2007 by Matthew Birt

A new regime has helped Yamaha become the manufacturer everybody wants to beat when the new 800cc MotoGP world championship kicks off on March 10, 2007 in Qatar. That’s the view of factory rider Colin...