October

Year: 2008

Month: October

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi frustrated with 10th

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi frustrated with 10th

Valentino Rossi’s hopes of burying his Valencia jinx were seriously dented today as he slumped to a shock 10th place in qualifying. Having lost the world title in 2006 in the last race at Valencia to...

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland relieved with second row

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland relieved with second row

British rider James Toseland has spoken of his relief at claiming fifth place in the final qualifying session of 2008 in Valencia today. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider had only one Michelin qualifying tyre...

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP pole

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP pole

Marco Simoncelli has taken the pole position for the final 250GP race of the season. The Gilera rider lead for most fo the session only to be knocked off the top spot by Alex Debon with just under 10...

Valencia MotoGP: Toseland to start from fifth at final round

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Toseland to start from fifth at final round

James Toseland has qualified in fifth place for the start of the final MotoGP race of the year with Casey Stoner taking pole. Nicky Hayden lead for the majority of the session but with 13 minutes to...

Valencia MotoGP: Talmasci takes 125 pole

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Talmasci takes 125 pole

Gabor Talmasci has taken pole position for the final 125GP race of the season at Valencia. The Hungarian rider finished the session almost two tenths of a second ahead of Sergio Gadea with Simone...

Dani Pedrosa content with second

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa content with second

Dani Pedrosa declared himself satisfied with second place at the end of a weather-hit opening day in Valencia. Get all the latest MotoGP news Bidding for a second successive victory at the Valencia...

Valentino Rossi relieved after Valencia crash

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi relieved after Valencia crash

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi admitted he was lucky to get away with just a small crash when he tumbled out during this afternoon’s second practice session in Valencia. On a weather-hit...

James Toseland unhappy after dismal first day

24 October 2008 by Matthwe Birt

James Toseland unhappy after dismal first day

British rider James Toseland admitted he was bitterly unhappy as he kicked off the Valencia GP – the final race of his rookie premier class campaign – down in 16th place. Get all the latest MotoGP...

Shinya Nakano in talks with Aprilia’s WSB squad

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Shinya Nakano in talks with Aprilia’s WSB squad

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano is poised to clinch a deal to partner Max Biaggi in Aprilia’s new World Superbike squad in 2009, MCN can reveal. Nakano has been frozen out of MotoGP after the San Carlo...

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden fastest in first practice

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden fastest in first practice

Nicky Hayden made the perfect start to his last race for Honda’s factory MotoGP team this morning after the American set the fastest time in a rain-lashed and cold opening practice session in...

Casey Stoner eager to test 2009 Ducati

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner eager to test 2009 Ducati

Former world champion Casey Stoner says he can’t wait to begin serious testing on Ducati’s 2009 MotoGP contender in Valencia next week. The Aussie will make his second appearance on the GP9 on Monday...

Sete Gibernau returns to MotoGP with new Ducati team

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sete Gibernau returns to MotoGP with new Ducati team

As expected, Sete Gibernau has confirmed he will step out of retirement in 2009 to return to MotoGP action in the new Onde 2000 Ducati team in Valencia tonight. The 35-year-old, who quit the world...

Andrea Dovizioso relishing factory Honda move

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Andrea Dovizioso relishing factory Honda move

Italian Andrea Dovizioso reckons he can’t wait to begin his factory Honda career in Valencia next week. Get all the latest MotoGP news The former world 125 champion, who scored his debut premier...

Jorge Lorenzo rues injury-hit mid-season

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo rues injury-hit mid-season

Jorge Lorenzo reckons his injury-hit spell during the mid-season point of his rookie MotoGP campaign ruined his hopes of a top three world championship finish. The double world 250 champion suffered...

Valentino Rossi confirms Ford drive in Rally GB

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi confirms Ford drive in Rally GB

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will drive a Ford Focus in the Rally GB in early December. The Italian had been weighing up Ford and Subaru options for the Rally GB, which he...

Making MotoGP better for everybody

23 October 2008 by simplefishman

Surely the answer to some of the problems surrounding tyre life and Rossi saying the laps should be reduced in number in MotoGP would be to have two races per meeting? This would give us spectators better value for money and if BSB and WSB run this system then why doesn’t MotoGP?

James Toseland confident in Bridgestone’s 2009 plan

22 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland confident in Bridgestone’s 2009 plan

British rider James Toseland is confident that Bridgestone’s decision to slash the tyre allocation by 50 per cent will work in next season’s MotoGP world championship. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider, who...

Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan hail crew chief

22 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan hail crew chief

Valentino Rossi and Mick Doohan have paid tribute to Jerry Burgess after the Aussie crew chief reached another incredible milestone. Get all the latest MotoGP news Rossi’s success at the Malaysian...

Valentino Rossi looks to end Valencia jinx

22 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi looks to end Valencia jinx

Valentino Rossi will be hoping to bury his Valencia jinx and take his 2008 victory tally into double figures in the season’s final MotoGP clash in Spain this weekend. Rossi returns to the scene of his...

Casey Stoner proud despite heavy title loss

22 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner proud despite heavy title loss

Aussie Casey Stoner reckons he is still proud of his achievements in the 2008 MotoGP world title race, even though he goes into the final race trailing Valentino Rossi by over 100-points. Stoner has...

Tech 3 Yamaha boss denies 2010 deal for Ben Spies

20 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Tech 3 Yamaha boss denies 2010 deal for Ben Spies

Ben Spies’ Yamaha World Superbike deal does not include any assurances that the American is guaranteed a place in the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP squad in 2010. Triple American superbike champion Spies will...

Sepang circuit scraps night race plan

20 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang circuit scraps night race plan

The Sepang circuit in Malaysia will not switch its MotoGP race to a night clash under floodlights. The Malaysia circuit was hotly tipped to follow the lead of Qatar by staging a race at night, and...

Nicky Hayden hoping to end Honda career in style

20 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden hoping to end Honda career in style

American Nicky Hayden has admitted he would love to end his Honda career in style this weekend, with the 27-year-old poised for his last appearance for the Japanese factory in Valencia this...

Dani Pedrosa targets home win in Valencia

20 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa targets home win in Valencia

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa is hoping he can claim a second successive Valencia victory this weekend to end the 2008 MotoGP campaign on a high. The Spaniard, who has won half of his premier class...

BBC2 MotoGP coverage

19 October 2008 by Simonrs2

Not managing to get up at 1.50am to watch the Sepang race live on BBC2 this Sunday, I waited for the later repeat showing on BBC2….never happened. Went onto iPlayer, just informs you its ‘coming soon’. really dissapointed at the lack of consistency covering the MotoGP, If this had been F1 or even Gymnastics it would have been shown at least twice! And to top it all, searched the BBC website to...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Andrea Dovizioso ecstatic with maiden rostrum

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Andrea Dovizioso ecstatic with maiden rostrum

Italian rookie Andrea Dovizioso celebrated his maiden MotoGP podium today in Sepang as he survived intense heat and intense pressure from Nicky Hayden to claim a deserved third. Dovizioso, who will...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Crash blow for Jorge Lorenzo

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Crash blow for Jorge Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo saw his hopes of snatching third place in his rookie MotoGP world championship campaign ended by a crash in today’s sweltering Sepang GP. Lorenzo was still fighting for third overall...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner slowed by troublesome left wrist

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner slowed by troublesome left wrist

Aussie Casey Stoner reckons the on-going pain caused by his damaged left wrist was the prime reason for his surprise slump to sixth place in a stiflingly hot Sepang MotoGP race. The former world...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi claims 150th podium with Sepang win

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi claims 150th podium with Sepang win

Valentino Rossi survived gruelling 40 degree heat to secure his ninth win of 2008 and his 150th career rostrum in a scorching hot Malaysian GP. The Italian quickly disposed of hard charging compatriot...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Nicky Hayden fourth again in Sepang

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Nicky Hayden fourth again in Sepang

Nicky Hayden was left to ponder a frustrating fourth place for the fourth time in the Sepang GP this afternoon. The American failed to mount a successful attack on Andrea Dovizioso for third, even...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Dani Pedrosa satisfied with second in Sepang sauna

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Dani Pedrosa satisfied with second in Sepang sauna

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa secured third place in the 2008 MotoGP world championship with a hard fought ride to second in a sweltering Sepang clash. Pedrosa’s distant second to Yamaha rival Valentino Rossi...

Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa confirmed at Ducati

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa confirmed at Ducati

Mika Kallio and Niccolo Canepa have finally been officially confirmed in Ducati’s satellite MotoGP squad for 2009. Finn Kallio will step up from the KTM 250GP squad having won 12 races in the smaller...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland bemoans early Sepang exit

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland bemoans early Sepang exit

British rider James Toseland had a disappointing Sepang GP in Malaysia this afternoon as he crashed out on lap three while trying to fight his way back into the points. The 28-year-old had lost four...

Sepang MotoGP: Rossi storms to victory in Malaysia

19 October 2008 by James Keen

Sepang MotoGP: Rossi storms to victory in Malaysia

2008 MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi stormed to victory once again in Malaysia, leaving challenger Dani Pedrosa to settle for second on the podium. Rossi took his 9th victory of the season at the...

Sepang MotoGP: Bautista wins race but Simoncelli clinches title

19 October 2008 by James Keen

Sepang MotoGP: Bautista wins race but Simoncelli clinches title

Alvaro Bautista won the 250 GP in Malaysia, but it was Simoncelli who claimed the big victory as a podium finish was enough to grant him the championship. Marco Simoncelli places third in the 250...

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Bradley Smith talks punishing podium

19 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP Reaction: Bradley Smith talks punishing podium

Bradley Smith produced a stunning surge from the fourth row of the grid to claim second in a punishing Sepang 125GP today. With air temperatures reaching close to 40 degrees, the British teenager kept...