January

Year: 2009

Month: January

Casey Stoner doubts MotoGP salary cap

19 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner doubts MotoGP salary cap

Former world champion Casey Stoner has doubted whether a salary cap could ever be policed to help cut costs in MotoGP. Capping rider wages has been just one of several ideas floated around during...

Out with MotoGP, in with F1

17 January 2009 by John Leeming

Out with MotoGP, in with F1

If Kawasaki pulling out and Euro-sport loosing the television rights to BBC wasn’t bad enough Moto GP moving from Donington Park to Silverstone has to be the last straw!! Any motorcycle race fan will...

Video: Casey Stoner denies MotoGP races are dull

16 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner doesn’t believe that modern era MotoGP races have become too dull. Speaking at the launch of Ducati’s 2009 squad at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy, the Australian said the introduction of the 800cc engine capacity rule in 2007 had not been a major detrimental step for MotoGP racing. Stoner has had to contend with accusations that he has contributed to MotoGP being...

Video: Nicky Hayden boosted by single tyre rule

16 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden believes the controversial move to a single tyre rule in MotoGP will be a major boost to helping him make a successful transition to Ducati’s GP9 machine. With only two front and two rear tyre specs to test each day, the restrictions have given the American more time to focus on adapting to riding Ducati’s V4 contender. Hayden said: “The new tyre rule has helped me a lot as far as...

Ducati boss plays down Troy Bayliss/Valentino Rossi showdown

16 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati boss plays down Troy Bayliss/Valentino Rossi showdown

Ducati race boss Claudio Domenicali has said he would love to see Valentino Rossi and Troy Bayliss go head-to-head in a dream World Superbike clash. But sadly for millions of race fans, Domenicali...

Casey Stoner backs British MotoGP move

16 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner backs British MotoGP move

Former world champion Casey Stoner has backed the surprise decision to switch the British MotoGP race from Donington Park to Silverstone for 2010. Dorna announced a five-year deal with the...

MotoGP talent search hit by credit crunch

16 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP talent search hit by credit crunch

The quest to unearth MotoGP stars of the future has suffered a big blow with news that the Red Bull Rookies Cup calendar will be cut because of the global economic crisis. The European series will be...

Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden unveil 2009 Ducati

15 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden unveil 2009 Ducati

After snow caused the official unveiling of Ducati’s GP9 machine to be postponed yesterday (Wednesday), Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden finally got round to showing off the new bike in public for the...

Video: Casey Stoner reflects on wrist recovery and 2008

15 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner has spoken of his recovery from major wrist surgery and his reflections on defeat to Valentino Rossi in 2008 at the launch of Ducati’s 2009 factory MotoGP squad in Italy. Looking back on 2008 when the Aussie surrendered his world title to a resurgent Valentino Rossi, last year’s runner-up said: “The first half of the season was very disappointing. “We had such a strong start and...

Video: Nicky Hayden excited by Ducati challenge

15 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden has spoken of his excitement about his debut season with Ducati’s factory MotoGP squad in 2009. Making his first official public appearance for the Marlboro-backed squad at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy, Hayden said: “The feeling is very exciting. “On Sunday we did my first real photo shoot in the full-on Marlboro leathers and Ducati leathers and I got to admit it was a...

BBC MotoGP 2009

14 January 2009 by Andrew Salter

When you think things can’t get any worse, then the BBC announce that they have Parish and Cox presenting the MotoGP for 2009. I think whoever has made this crazy decision at the beeb either knows very little about the sport or are related to one of these awful commentators. WSB and Eurosport coverage will no doubt cover the sport as it should be covered with the race fans given a first class...

Nicky Hayden delighted with Casey Stoner partnership

14 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden delighted with Casey Stoner partnership

Nicky Hayden believes his good rapport with factory Ducati team-mate Casey Stoner will bolster his hopes of being a success on the new GP9 next season in MotoGP. The American is looking forward to...

Donington v Silverstone

14 January 2009 by doctorfrank

I for one have been going to donington since they started staging it and seen bad crowds and good ones. Ticket prices have been on the up but with advance booking I’ve always managed to keep prices ”reasonable” but the facilities situation at donington has always been terrible, and they have had plenty of opportunities to resolve it. But I’m from the old school and having to put up with bad...

Ducati launch Stoner's carbon fibre MotoGP bike

14 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati launch Stoner's carbon fibre MotoGP bike

Ducati has officially unveiled its 2009 factory GP9 MotoGP contender that Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden will campaign next season. Although a special launch photo shoot in Madonna di Campiglio has...

Ducati boss against unifying MotoGP and World Superbikes

14 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati boss against unifying MotoGP and World Superbikes

Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali is opposed to unifying MotoGP and World Superbikes, insisting that the two world championships can co-exist in the current dire economic climate. There has been...

Kawasaki testing 2009 MotoGP bike in Australia!

14 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki testing 2009 MotoGP bike in Australia!

Kawasaki might have withdrawn from the MotoGP world championship, but bizarrely test rider Olivier Jacque is poised to evaluate the new ZX-RR in a test double-header in Australia. Kawasaki confirmed...

Casey Stoner not fussed by British MotoGP switch

13 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner not fussed by British MotoGP switch

Former world champion Casey Stoner says he’s not fussed about the decision to switch the British MotoGP race to Silverstone from 2010 onwards. This year’s race at Donington Park will be the last after...

Bring on silverstone

13 January 2009 by lee cameron

At last Donington have been given their maching orders after years of very poor service for over the odds ticket prices! I have been going to the GP for years and the quality never gets any better but the price keeps going up, now at least we will be treated to the same high standard as the F1 fans!!!!!! I dont think for 1 minute that they would tolarate having to use over flowing toilets and...

Ducati duo shocked by Kawasaki withdrawal

13 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati duo shocked by Kawasaki withdrawal

Factory Ducati riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden have spoken of their shock at Kawasaki’s recent decision to quit MotoGP. The move leaves Stoner’s former team-mate Marco Melandri and Hayden’s...

Nicky Hayden: Electronics influence getting ‘ridiculous’

13 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden: Electronics influence getting ‘ridiculous’

New factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden reckons if electronic rider aids continue to develop at such a rapid rate it will become ‘ridiculous’. Speaking at the launch of Ducati’s 2009 MotoGP team at the...

Casey Stoner satisfied with wrist progress

13 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner satisfied with wrist progress

Aussie Casey Stoner is confident his left wrist will be recovered sufficiently for him to resume winter testing in Sepang next month. The former MotoGP world champion visited specialists in Italy...

John Hopkins unsure of 2009 prospects

13 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins unsure of 2009 prospects

American John Hopkins has admitted he has no idea what his immediate future holds following the recent withdrawal of Kawasaki’s official factory team from MotoGP. The 25-year-old has been left without...

Donington Park disappointed at losing British GP

12 January 2009 by Michael Guy

Donington Park disappointed at losing British GP

After 22 years, Donington Park has lost the rights to host the British motorcycle GP to rival circuit Silverstone as of 2010. This year’s prestigious race will still take place at Donington on 26th...

What a tragedy Donington losing MotoGP!

12 January 2009 by Andy

What a tragedy Donno losing motogp! What a boring flat track S/stone is, come on guys get your act together, but maybe 2015 Donno will be up to spec and get the race back!

Silverstone confirm five year MotoGP contract

12 January 2009 by Michael Guy

Silverstone confirm five year MotoGP contract

As reported on motorcyclenews.com yesterday Silverstone will host the British round of the MotoGP championship from 2010. The Northamptonshire circuit most famous for hosting Formula One has confirmed...

Poll: Where would you prefer to see the British GP?

12 January 2009 by Rob Hull

Poll: Where would you prefer to see the British GP?

With rumours of the British GP switching to Silverstone from Donington for 2010, we want to know what you think. Reports have emerged that Silverstone has offered to pay series organisers Dorna a...

Silverstone to run MotoGP race in 2010?

12 January 2009 by Michael Guy

Silverstone to run MotoGP race in 2010?

Despite the announcement last week that Donington Park has been given the planning consent for multi million pound circuit development, MCN has learned that the Leicestershire venue could lose the...

The future of MotoGP?

10 January 2009 by Anonymous

Here’s an article I wrote for the ‘OD-Racing’ website a couple of years ago. Of course some small things have changed since, but in the new racing climate it makes for interesting reading: The top class in the World Championship has successfully changed from 500cc 2 strokes to 990cc 4 strokes, without too many problems, but now a few little problems are starting to surface. The two main problems...

Dorna boss hopeful Kawasaki ‘private’ team will race in 2009

09 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Dorna boss hopeful Kawasaki ‘private’ team will race in 2009

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is confident that Kawasaki will have some involvement in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, despite today’s announcement its factory team would not race next...

Marco Melandri not shocked by Kawasaki withdrawal

09 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri not shocked by Kawasaki withdrawal

Italian Marco Melandri says he wasn’t shocked by today’s official announcement that Kawasaki is to quit the MotoGP world championship with immediate effect. Despite rumours of a last-minute reprieve...

Tech 3 bosses urges caution on rule changes

09 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Tech 3 bosses urges caution on rule changes

James Toseland’s Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal believes it will be hard for MotoGP to radically revamp technical rules to counter the impact of the credit crisis. Several suggestions have been...

Kawasaki confirms MotoGP exit

09 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki confirms MotoGP exit

Kawasaki has confirmed this morning that it will quit the MotoGP world championship with immediate effect, leaving John Hopkins and Marco Melandri without a ride just three months before the first...

Ben Spies confirms Yamaha MotoGP interest for 2010

08 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies confirms Yamaha MotoGP interest for 2010

Ben Spies has confirmed he sits high on a list of Yamaha MotoGP targets for 2010. The Texan is already being touted for a possible seat in the Tech 3 Yamaha squad, depending on how he performs in his...

Carmelo Ezpeleta holds Kawasaki crisis talks

08 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Carmelo Ezpeleta holds Kawasaki crisis talks

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has staged crisis talks with top Kawasaki management in Japan today in a bid to get the Japanese factory to race in MotoGP in 2009. Kawasaki has still not officially...

Casey Stoner ready for wrist assessment

08 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner ready for wrist assessment

Former world champion Casey Stoner will learn whether is on course for an early February comeback when he undergoes medical checks on his left wrist in Italy next week. The Australian is due to fly...

MotoGP blog: MotoGP in crisis

07 January 2009 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP blog: MotoGP in crisis

Kawasaki’s bombshell decision to quit MotoGP was a wake up call of Big Ben proportions for the racing world. Well for MotoGP at least, which had previously seemed impregnable to the global economic...