2018

Year: 2018

Month: ALL

MotoGP: Old gremlins return for Yamaha at Jerez

05 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Old gremlins return for Yamaha at Jerez

Yamaha’s old gremlins with a hot track have returned at Jerez, with Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales struggling in hot temperatures on the opening day of action at the Spanish Grand Prix. A huge...

MotoGP: Crutchlow not getting carried away with day one lead

05 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow not getting carried away with day one lead

LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow says he’s not getting carried away just yet with his Jerez pace, after topping the first day of European action in the 2018 MotoGP championship yesterday. The Brit had a...

Moto2: Marquez the fastest at home in Jerez

04 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Marquez the fastest at home in Jerez

Alex Marquez has topped the first day of action at the Spanish Grand Prix, ending the opening sessions at Jerez a quarter of a second clear of the Italian duo of Lorenzo Baldassarri and Francesco...

MotoGP: Crutchlow on top in Jerez

04 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow on top in Jerez

Cal Crutchlow has topped the opening day of 2018 MotoGP action in Europe by taking the top spot on the combined times, finishing ahead of his potential rival for a Repsol Honda seat in 2019, Dani...

Moto3: Antonelli slows the Spaniards on opening day

04 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Antonelli slows the Spaniards on opening day

Italian rider Niccolo Antonelli has topped the opening day of Moto3 action in Europe this season, by dominating proceedings at Jerez to end the day nearly half a second clear of championship leader...

MotoGP: Rossi looking to find potential at Jerez

04 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Rossi looking to find potential at Jerez

Valentino Rossi says that this weekend’s first European race of 2018 in Jerez will be an important one for him and teammate Maverick Viñales, as they get a chance to assess the changes to their bike...

MotoGP: Zarco confirms rumours by signing for KTM

04 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Zarco confirms rumours by signing for KTM

As first reported by MCN weeks ago, Johann Zarco will join the Red Bull KTM team at the end of the 2018 season, announcing a two-year deal with the Austrian manufacturer yesterday at the Spanish Grand...

MotoGP: Zarco move cements KTM world domination

03 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Zarco move cements KTM world domination

Johann Zarco’s move to the Red Bull KTM team for the 2019 MotoGP season firmly cements the Austrian manufacturer’s goals of complete world domination, as they set out to take over Grand Prix racing in...

MotoGP: Crutchlow the hottest property?

03 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow the hottest property?

British rider Cal Crutchlow may well be the hottest property left available in this year’s MotoGP silly season, as speculation increases about where the Argentine Grand Prix winner will end up when...

MotoGP: Marc VDS expecting Jerez ‘to punish weakness’

03 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marc VDS expecting Jerez ‘to punish weakness’

Marc VDS Honda team boss Michael Bartholemy says he’s expecting this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix to show up any weaknesses that remain in his riders’ set-ups, as they head back to Europe and to the...

MotoGP: Lorenzo signs for Suzuki?

03 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo signs for Suzuki?

MCN’s sources in the MotoGP paddock believe that Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo has told the Italian firm that he won’t remain with them for the 2019 MotoGP season, opening the door for the five-time...

MotoGP: Poncharal relishing European return

02 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Poncharal relishing European return

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal says he’s relishing a return to Europe after three flyaway races opened the 2018 MotoGP season – and with strong results to show from those races, he’s going...

MotoGP: Sepang pitching for a MotoGP team?

02 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Sepang pitching for a MotoGP team?

The 2019 MotoGP grid could be set for a big shake up, with MCN’s sources confirming that the bosses of the Sepang International Circuit are heading to this weekend’s Jerez Grand Prix to try and secure...

MotoGP: KTM extend Espargaro deal for two further years

02 May 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: KTM extend Espargaro deal for two further years

The Red Bull KTM MotoGP team have extended their deal with Spanish rider Pol Espargaró by two further years, extending the Spaniard’s contract to keep him as a key part of their team until at least...

MotoGP: Marquez storms to sixth Texas win

23 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: Marquez storms to sixth Texas win

Marc Marquez took his sixth straight victory at the Circuit of the Americas with a dominant performance in yesterday’s American Grand Prix. The Repsol Honda rider stretched out a lead seven seconds at...

Moto3: Martin converts pole position into victory

22 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Martin converts pole position into victory

Jorge Martin has converted pole position for the American Grand Prix into another victory in the lightweight class, utilising his one-lap pace to ride away from the chasing pack in the final stages of...

Moto3: Martin takes top spot as McPhee returns to front row

21 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Martin takes top spot as McPhee returns to front row

Jorge Martin has taken his tenth Grand Prix pole position on a damp but drying Circuit of the Americas in Texas, timing his qualifying run to perfection at the end of the session to end the day half a...

MotoGP: Track drama ahead in Austin?

18 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Track drama ahead in Austin?

This weekend’s American Grand Prix could throw a spanner into the works for race organisers as they remain on knife edge to see what sort of situation greets them at the Circuit of the Americas in...

MotoGP: Dovi makes the most of Marquez disaster

14 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Dovi makes the most of Marquez disaster

One person that came out of Sunday’s Argentinian Grand Prix smiling was 2017 championship runner-up Andrea Dovizioso, making the most of rival Marc Marquez’s disastrous day to take home safe...

MotoGP: Cecchinello pays tribute to LCR team bonding

13 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Cecchinello pays tribute to LCR team bonding

LCR Honda team boss and former Grand Prix winner Luci Cecchinello has paid tribute to Crutchlow’s long term commitment to the team as a key factor in his continuing success with the squad. Now in...

MotoGP: Puig unhappy with Marquez ride though penalty

13 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Puig unhappy with Marquez ride though penalty

Repsol Honda boss Alberto Puig was quick to hit out at race direction after Sunday’s Argentinian Grand Prix for handing Marc Marquez a ride-through penalty, instead setting the blame for the confusion...

MotoGP: Lorenzo eyeing Suzuki future?

12 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo eyeing Suzuki future?

Rumours have circulated the paddock that Jorge Lorenzo could well be eyeing up a future with Suzuki after yet another difficult weekend for the five-time world champion on his Ducati in...

MotoGP: Yamaha boss Jarvis calls for Marquez sanctions

12 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Yamaha boss Jarvis calls for Marquez sanctions

Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis has called for MotoGP’s race direction to ensure that Marquez faces greater sanctions than the penalties he already faced in Sunday’s race at Termas de Rio Hondo. Unhappy...

MotoGP: Crutchlow ‘expected to win’ in Argentina

09 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow ‘expected to win’ in Argentina

Cal Crutchlow says that he wasn’t surprised to take his third MotoGP win in yesterday’s Argentine Grand Prix, after going into Sunday’s race as one of the favourites off the back of a strong run of...

MotoGP: Dorna bosses defend race start decision

09 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Dorna bosses defend race start decision

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has defended the decision to cancel the start of yesterday’s argentine MotoGP race right before the lights went out, after most of the grid pulled their bikes from the grid...

MotoGP: Marquez: 'Track conditions' cause of Rossi clash

09 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: Marquez: 'Track conditions' cause of Rossi clash

Marc Marquez has defended his riding during today’s Argentinian Grand Prix after Valentino Rossi hit out at the Spaniard after the duo came together on track in the closing stages of the race. Rossi...

MotoGP: Rossi: 'Marquez has destroyed our sport'

09 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: Rossi: 'Marquez has destroyed our sport'

Valentino Rossi has said Marc Marquez has ‘destroyed the sport’ after the antics that saw the Spaniard receive three penalties during today’s Argentinian Grand Prix. Marquez was handed a ride through...

MotoGP: Crutchlow wins amid Argentinian chaos

08 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: Crutchlow wins amid Argentinian chaos

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow took a dramatic victory in a chaotic Argentinian Grand Prix as World Champion Marc Marquez was handed no fewer than three penalties during the race. Things got off to a tough...

Moto2: Pasini manages conditions for victory in Argentina

08 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

Moto2: Pasini manages conditions for victory in Argentina

Mattia Pasini controlled this afternoon’s Moto2 Grand Prix from start to finish to take an intelligent win in drying conditions in Argentina. A significant dry line had formed since the wet/dry Moto3...

Moto3: Bezzecchi takes dominant debut win on drying track

08 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

Moto3: Bezzecchi takes dominant debut win on drying track

Marco Bezzecchi took a dominant debut Moto3 victory with a stunning ride in today’s Argentinian Grand Prix. Heavy rainfall overnight had left the track wet, but following all three warm-up sessions a...

MotoGP: Slick tyre gamble pays off for Miller

07 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Slick tyre gamble pays off for Miller

Jack Miller has taken a stunning pole position for tomorrow’s Argentinian Grand Prix, taking a huge gamble on slick tyres on a damp but drying track and surviving a series of big moments to finish...

Moto2: Vierge takes debut pole as Kent returns to front row

07 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Vierge takes debut pole as Kent returns to front row

Spaniard Xavi Vierge has taken his debut Grand Prix racing pole position for tomorrow’s Moto2 race at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina, getting a stunning late lap despite treacherous...

Moto3: Arbolino takes maiden pole position

07 April 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Arbolino takes maiden pole position

Italian racer Tony Arbolino has taken his maiden pole position for tomorrow’s Argentinian Grand Prix, by timing his qualifying run to perfection in tricky conditions and taking the top spot from Mario...

MotoGP: Marquez quickest as Honda dominate Argentina practice

07 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: Marquez quickest as Honda dominate Argentina practice

It was Honda domination as action got underway for the second round of the MotoGP World Championship at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina with RCV machinery locking out the top three...

Moto2: Pasini on top as action gets underway in Argentina

07 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

Moto2: Pasini on top as action gets underway in Argentina

Mattia Pasini got off to a strong start as the second round of the 2018 Moto2 World Championship got underway in Argentina, jumping to the top of the timesheets on a challenging opening day for the...

Moto3: Bastianini leads way on opening day in Argentina

07 April 2018 by Oli Rushby

Moto3: Bastianini leads way on opening day in Argentina

Enea Bastianini got things off to a perfect start at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in Argentina to lead the Moto3 field after the opening practice sessions. The Leopard Racing rider, who crashed out...