2008
Jorge Lorenzo confident in 2009 title challenge
02 December 2008 by
Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo believes the switch to Bridgestone tyres will allow him to mount a much more serious challenge to win the MotoGP world crown in 2009. Lorenzo had an impressive rookie campaign...
Casey Stoner reveals small op complication
01 December 2008 by
Former world champion Casey Stoner has revealed his recent wrist operation was hit by a small complication as he continues his long and slow rehabilitation. The Aussie, who was a surprise visitor to...
Valencia MotoGP
29 November 2008 by
Me (John Cotton) at the final MotoGP round – Valencia and the bike on the ferry back from santander. Keep up the top paper and have a good christmas at MCN
Sports Personality dream over for Scott Redding
28 November 2008 by
Scott Redding’s hopes of winning the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award have ended. Having made the shortlist of ten of Britain’s brightest young sports stars, the British...
Olivier Jacque unhurt in 125mph test crash
28 November 2008 by
Kawasaki test rider Olivier Jacque was fortunate to walk away with bruising after he crashed at nearly 125mph during the final day of testing in Phillip Island today. The Frenchman crashed late on in...
John Hopkins to undergo surgery
28 November 2008 by
American John Hopkins will undergo surgery next week to remove metal plates from his left foot that severely hampered him during testing at Phillip Island this week. Hopkins will go under the knife...
Jerez test: Valentino Rossi ends 2008 on top
28 November 2008 by
Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi ended his superb 2008 campaign at the top of the timesheets in the final winter test of the year in Jerez. Rossi, who won nine races to regain the premier class...
Jerez test: Nicky Hayden thrilled at big improvement
28 November 2008 by
American Nicky Hayden went into the long winter break in bullish mood after he clocked the sixth best time on the final day of testing in Jerez. The 2006 world champion had cut a dejected figure in...
Jerez test: James Toseland confident after Bridgestone debut
28 November 2008 by
James Toseland ended his Bridgestone debut in positive mood at Jerez, the 27-year-old finishing ninth on the final day of track action in 2008. The British rider clocked a best time of 1.40.752 on the...
Jerez test: Dani Pedrosa content with second
28 November 2008 by
Spaniard Dani Pedrosa said he was satisfied with his first serious test on Honda’s 2009 RC212V prototype despite playing second fiddle to Valentino Rossi again. A best lap of 1.39.447 on his last lap...
Jerez test: Colin Edwards boosted by Bridgestone debut
28 November 2008 by
Colin Edwards’ impressive Bridgestone debut left the American exuding confidence for 2009 at the end of the final winter test in Jerez. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocked a best time of 1.40.604 that had...
Jerez test: Jorge Lorenzo confident with 2009 Yamaha
28 November 2008 by
Jorge Lorenzo believes Yamaha has made big steps with the performance of its 2009 factory YZR-M1. The Spaniard got his first proper chance to test the prototype M1 in Jerez and the double world 250...
John Hopkins continues to suffer in Phillip Island
27 November 2008 by
American John Hopkins has admitted he is struggling severely with the pain from his damaged left ankle at the end of the second day of testing in Phillip Island, Australia. The factory Kawasaki rider...
Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut
26 November 2008 by
British rider James Toseland made an encouraging start to his Bridgestone career in Jerez today, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocking the sixth quickest time on a chilly first day. Get the latest news...
Jerez test: Valentino Rossi delighted with 2009 Yamaha
26 November 2008 by
Valentino Rossi declared himself delighted with the performance of Yamaha’s 2009 factory YZR-M1 prototype as he ended the opening day of testing in Jerez with the second quickest time. The Italian,...
Nicky Hayden ‘not thrilled’ by tenth
26 November 2008 by
American Nicky Hayden conceded he had little to be thrilled about as he finished the opening day of testing in Jerez with the tenth quickest time. Get the latest MotoGP news Making his second...
Jerez test: Casey Stoner injury update
26 November 2008 by
Former world champion Casey Stoner was a surprised and frustrated spectator at the start of MotoGP testing in Jerez today. The Aussie, who is in the early stages of recovery from major surgery on his...
Jerez test: New engine helps Dani Pedrosa set fastest time
26 November 2008 by
A new spec Honda RC212V engine helped Dani Pedrosa clock the best time on the opening day of testing at a cool and windy Jerez. Using two new 2009 prototype machines at the final test session of 2008,...
Jerez test: Valentino Rossi sets early Jerez pace
26 November 2008 by
Valentino Rossi needed just seven laps to move to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of MotoGP testing at a cold but sunny Jerez. The reigning world champion has clocked a best time of...
Mike di Meglio joins Aspar 250 squad
26 November 2008 by
Reigning world 125 champion Mike di Meglio will ride for the Aspar 250GP squad alongside Alvaro Bautista in 2009. The Frenchman made his Aprilia 250 debut earlier this week in Valencia having clinched...
Injury plagues John Hopkins in Australia test
26 November 2008 by
American John Hopkins completed a successful but painful first day of testing in Australia today. The factory Kawasaki rider is still struggling with injuries suffered in a massive 175mph practice...
James Toseland looking forward to Bridgestone debut
25 November 2008 by
British rider James Toseland is back on track in Jerez tomorrow (Wednesday), eagerly anticipating his debut on Bridgestone tyres at the Spanish circuit. The 27-year-old missed the post-season test...
Bradley Smith makes Aspar debut in Valencia
24 November 2008 by
Bradley Smith kicked off his 2009 125GP world title bid in Valencia today, the British rider getting his first chance to work with the highly regarded Aspar Aprilia squad. Smith, who joined Jorge...
Chris Vermeulen desperate for engine upgrade
24 November 2008 by
Chris Vermeulen is hoping Suzuki will have another upgraded version of its factory GSV-R motor ready to test in Phillip Island this week. Improving engine performance is one of the key targets for the...
Loris Capirossi: Phillip Island test is ‘massive’ for Suzuki
24 November 2008 by
Italian Loris Capirossi insists his next winter test session will be crucial to the 2009 prospects of Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad. Capirossi will make his final track appearance at a three-day test...
Hug from Rossi
21 November 2008 by
At the Valencia GP this year Valentino Rossi put his arm over my shoulder, I put mine over his and gave him a right hug. It was fantastic meeting the KING. It was so emotional, I never got a photo, my wife Anne was so excited she never worked the camera for shouting ‘Valentino!’. He signed my Mike Hailwood book, I Also caught his righthand man Jeremy Burgess- the greatest, very down to earth and...
Jerry Burgess: Valentino Rossi tougher to beat in 2009
21 November 2008 by
Valentino Rossi’s legendary Aussie crew chief Jerry Burgess believes the eight-times world champion will be tougher to beat in 2009 than at any other stage in his successful career. The 29-year-old...
Rossi tests a Ferrari F1 car at Mugello
21 November 2008 by
MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi tested a Ferrari Formula One car at Mugello yesterday as a gift from the Italian team for achieving his eighth championship title. Rossi apparently completed nearly 30 laps of the famous Italian circuit and recorded a respectable fastest lap time of 1 min 22.5 seconds. Rossi’s lap time wasn’t bad at all, considering that at Ferrari’s last Mugello test F1...
Phillip Island MotoGP pics
21 November 2008 by
Just got back from a brill holiday over in OZ. Had a fanastic day at the track on Phillip Island. It was so well organised, no rip off, food and merchandise ‘good price’, met some great Aussie bikers.
Yamaha MotoGP boss plays down Ben Spies swoop
20 November 2008 by
Senior Yamaha race boss Lin Jarvis has insisted that the Japanese factory has no deal already in place to bring triple American superbike champion Ben Spies to MotoGP in 2010. Spies has made it clear...
Sete Gibernau to step up training regime
20 November 2008 by
Spaniard Sete Gibernau will step up an intensive training regime in a bid to regain the fitness levels needed to compete in MotoGP next season. Gibernau, who will return to action for the first time...
Special Birthday Treat
19 November 2008 by
James Toseland made my son Aaron’s 12th Birthday very special on Saturday 8th November. Aaron was invited into a private room at Donnington park to meet his idol and have his picture taken with the GP...
Is Rossi really the best?
19 November 2008 by
I’ve been thinking about all the bike racing i’ve watched this year and it set me thinking about who really is the best. It seems to me that valentino rossi ain’t bad, but is he the best? yeah he might be the world champion at motogp, but it seems that he hasn’t had to work half as hard as troy bayliss to become champ this year (who, by the way, kicked all the motogp boys asses in his last...
Valentino Rossi: Dani Pedrosa must improve overtaking
19 November 2008 by
Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi believes Honda rival Dani Pedrosa must become more ruthless in the heat of battle to stake a claim to the 2009 MotoGP world crown. One weakness Pedrosa has yet...
Jerry Burgess: 2004 still Valentino Rossi’s best MotoGP title win
19 November 2008 by
Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess reckons the Italian’s maiden world title for Yamaha back in 2004 still beats his impressive comeback in 2008. Rossi roared back to form last season with nine...
Scott Redding stars in Blue Peter
18 November 2008 by
What do you do if you want to find out how the likes of Valentino Rossi learned the skills that made him one of the greatest riders on the planet? Get riding lessons from British sensation Scott...