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Catalunya MotoGP 2016

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Moto3: Maverick Vinales claims home pole position in Catalunya

02 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

Spaniard Maverick Vinales will start his home Moto3 race tomorrow from pole position after topping the qualifying timesheets in scorching hot conditions at the Catalunya track near Barcelona. A lap of 1.52.160 secured Vinales his second successive pole of 2012 by 0.268s, with Malaysian Zulfhami Khairuddin claiming a brilliant second on the grid. French GP winner Louis Rossi completed the front row...

Shane Byrne to test Paul Bird’s MotoGP bike at Catalunya

02 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

Shane Byrne will test the Paul Bird Motorsport Aprilia ART machine at Monday’s MotoGP test at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona. The British Superbike title contender will offer his thoughts on the bike, with James Ellison struggling with a severe chatter issue again. The Cumbrian was 20th fastest on the opening day yesterday (Friday) and was over two seconds slower than Randy de Puniet, who...

Casey Stoner: Unfazed by Practice Pace

01 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner: Unfazed by Practice Pace

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner is confident he will be battling for pole position in Catalunya tomorrow, despite finishing the opening day of practice down in a lowly sixth position. The...

Cal Crutchlow: ‘I’m not afraid of riding the Ducati’

01 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

British rider Cal Crutchlow says he would have no fears about trying to tame Ducati’s notoriously finicky Desmosedici if the Bologna factory offered him a 2013 MotoGP deal. Crutchlow’s impressive performances in 2012 have seen him linked with a move to Yamaha’s official factory squad next season. The 26-year-old though is also likely to be the subject of Honda and Ducati interest having claimed...

Jorge Lorenzo: ‘My priority is to stay with Yamaha’

01 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo: ‘My priority is to stay with Yamaha’

Jorge Lorenzo has again insisted his number one priority is to renew his contract with Yamaha, as speculation about the Spaniard’s future continues to be a major talking point in the MotoGP...

Catalunya MotoGP: Lack of Rear Grip Worries Rossi

01 June 2012 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Lack of Rear Grip Worries Rossi

Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi came crashing back down to earth with a bump today after the Italian ended the opening day of practice at the Catalunya circuit down in a disappointing 12th...

Catalunya MotoGP: Lorenzo on top after first day

01 June 2012 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Lorenzo on top after first day

Factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo set the fastest time of the first day at Catalunya, with a 1.42’099 in the second free practice session in sunny conditions. San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Alvaro...

Nicky Hayden eager to evaluate Ducati upgrades in Catalunya

31 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden eager to evaluate Ducati upgrades in Catalunya

Nicky Hayden says he can’t wait to see if new technical upgrades to his Ducati GP12 machine will reap immediate rewards when practice starts for the Catalunya Grand Prix tomorrow (Friday). The...

Cal Crutchlow gets brake upgrade for Catalunya

31 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow gets brake upgrade for Catalunya

Cal Crutchlow will race in this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP round in Spain with the latest spec 2012 Brembo front brake calipers and pads having backed down on his refusal to buy them out of his...

Improved acceleration focus for Yamaha in test double-header

31 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Improved acceleration focus for Yamaha in test double-header

Yamaha will focus on improving acceleration and grip on corner exit when Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies test a host of YZR-M1 updates in Catalunya and Motorland Aragon next week. The pair will evaluate...

Yamaha: No extra pressure on Ben Spies

31 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha: No extra pressure on Ben Spies

Yamaha has denied that Texan Ben Spies is under increasing pressure to improve his results as he goes in search of his first top six finish of a troubled 2012 world championship campaign in Catalunya...

Chaz Davies doubts Casey Stoner will step out of retirement

31 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Chaz Davies doubts Casey Stoner will step out of retirement

Chaz Davies doubts that close friend Casey Stoner will return to racing once the reigning world champion retires from MotoGP at the end of the 2012. Stoner stunned the racing world earlier this month...

Meeting Lorenzo

31 May 2012 by Stewart White

Meeting Lorenzo

A picture of my son, Jonathan with Jorge Lorenzo at Silverstone during last year’s MotoGP before the rain came.

Valentino Rossi: “I’ve never thought about stopping”

25 May 2012

Valentino Rossi: “I’ve never thought about stopping”

MotoGP fans around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when Valentino Rossi vowed to race on until the end of 2014 during last weekend’s French Grand Prix at Le Mans. After Repsol Honda...

Lucio Cecchinello not surprised by Stoner’s retirement decision

25 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Lucio Cecchinello not surprised by Stoner’s retirement decision

Lucio Cecchinello, the man who played an integral role in helping Casey Stoner become double MotoGP world champion, says he is not surprised the Australian has decided to retire at the peak of his...

Scott Redding targets consistent podium challenge

25 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding targets consistent podium challenge

British teenager Scott Redding believes his first Moto2 podium for over 18 months in Le Mans last weekend will help him become a consistent top three contender in 2012. Redding mastered treacherous...

HRC boss: No way to change Casey Stoner’s mind on retirement

25 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

HRC boss: No way to change Casey Stoner’s mind on retirement

Casey Stoner’s Repsol Honda boss Livio Suppo says HRC didn’t try and talk the Australian out of his shock decision to retire from full-time racing at the end of 2012. Stoner stunned the racing world...

Cal Crutchlow: Casey Stoner’s retirement took b***s

24 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow: Casey Stoner’s retirement took b***s

British rider Cal Crutchlow reckons Casey Stoner’s shock decision to retire from MotoGP at the end of 2012 took ‘massive b***s’ from the reigning world champion. Stoner confirmed 2012 will be his last...

Valentino Rossi: Too early to ponder 2013 change

24 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi: Too early to ponder 2013 change

Valentino Rossi says it is too early to contemplate where his future lies in MotoGP after Casey Stoner’s shock decision to retire sparked rumours the Italian could make a dramatic return to Honda or...

Andrea Dovizioso: Lorenzo holds key to 2013 shake-up

24 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Andrea Dovizioso: Lorenzo holds key to 2013 shake-up

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Andrea Dovizioso says current world championship leader Jorge Lorenzo has complete control of the rider market for next season. Casey Stoner’s bombshell decision to...

Paul Bird: “Ellison can kick on now”

24 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Paul Bird: “Ellison can kick on now”

Paul Bird believes James Ellison’s confidence will have soared and his results continue to improve after the British rider finished top CRT rider for the first time in Le Mans last weekend. Ellison...

LCR Honda thrilled with Stefan Bradl’s form

22 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

LCR Honda thrilled with Stefan Bradl’s form

LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello says he is thrilled with the form of MotoGP rookie Stefan Bradl after the German claimed his best result so far in 2012 during a rain-lashed French Grand Prix on...

Cal Crutchlow: “Rossi still one of the best”

22 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow: “Rossi still one of the best”

Cal Crutchlow said Valentino Rossi’s brilliant return to the podium in a rain-hit French Grand Prix on Sunday proved the Italian is still one of the best riders in the world. Rossi claimed his first...

Gino Rea gutted after Le Mans podium challenge ends early

22 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Gino Rea gutted after Le Mans podium challenge ends early

Gino Rea was gutted after his hopes of claiming a shock maiden Moto2 rostrum were wrecked by home crowd favourite Johann Zarco in Le Mans last weekend. The former World Supersport winner has had a...

Celebrating my 50th birthday in Le Mans

22 May 2012 by Tony Hoare

Celebrating my 50th birthday in Le Mans

I spent my 50th birthday in Le Mans on race day, watching a great race with rossi looking back to his old self. Later in the evening I met Alvaro Bautista in a restaurant. A great day!

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi claims best Ducati result

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi claims best Ducati result

Valentino Rossi came out on top of a captivating late battle with Honda rival Casey Stoner to secure second place and his best Ducati finish in yesterday’s rain-hit French Grand Prix at Le...

Rossi and Stoner recall Jerez 2011 collision

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Rossi and Stoner recall Jerez 2011 collision

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner admitted having flashbacks to their controversial collision in last year’s Jerez MotoGP race after they battled for the podium in an exciting finale to yesterday’s...

Le Mans MotoGP: Tyre temperature issue leaves Casey Stoner third

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Tyre temperature issue leaves Casey Stoner third

Casey Stoner lost the lead in the MotoGP world championship in Le Mans after temperature issues with his wet weather Bridgestone tyres left him in third position. The Aussie, who announced he will...

Le Mans MotoGP: James Ellison finishes top CRT

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: James Ellison finishes top CRT

James Ellison finished top CRT rider in Le Mans yesterday (Sunday), just two weeks after wondering whether he would even be starting the French Grand Prix. A tough start to 2012 caused by a chronic...

Le Mans MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso aims for consistent podium challenge

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso aims for consistent podium challenge

Andrea Dovizioso is confident he will be a consistent podium threat for Yamaha in the future after he crashed out of top three contention in a rain-hit French Grand Prix at Le Mans yesterday. The...

Le Mans MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow baffled by speed issue

21 May 2012 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow baffled by speed issue

British rider Cal Crutchlow said he was baffled by a speed deficit with his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine before he crashed out of podium contention in a rain-affected French MotoGP...

Le Mans MotoGP: Lorenzo takes victory and championship lead

20 May 2012 by Liam Marsden

Le Mans MotoGP: Lorenzo takes victory and championship lead

2010 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has won the wet race at Le Mans by 9.9 seconds and taken the lead in the championship by eight points. Lorenzo got an excellent start to lead from flag to flag,...

Le Mans MotoGP: Luthi dominates wet Moto2 race

20 May 2012 by Liam Marsden

Le Mans MotoGP: Luthi dominates wet Moto2 race

Swiss rider Thomas Luthi dominated the wet Moto2 race at Le Mans to comfortably take his second Moto2 victory. It was Pol Espargaro who lead in to the first corner, with Brit Scott Redding making a...

Le Mans MotoGP: Louis Rossi takes first Moto3 win in torrential rain

20 May 2012 by Liam Marsden

Le Mans MotoGP: Louis Rossi takes first Moto3 win in torrential rain

Frenchman Louis Rossi has taken his first Moto3 win at his home circuit of Le Mans in torrential rain after three other riders crashed out of the lead. Spaniard Maverick Vinales got a good start from...

Le Mans MotoGP: Marquez on pole despite crash

19 May 2012 by Liam Marsden

Le Mans MotoGP: Marquez on pole despite crash

Championship leader Marc Marquez has taken his third pole position in a row at Le Mans despite crashing with 25 minutes of the session remaining. The rain started to fall with five minutes of the...

Le Mans MotoGP: Pedrosa steals pole

19 May 2012 by Liam Marsden

Le Mans MotoGP: Pedrosa steals pole

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa will start tomorrow’s MotoGP race at Le Mans from pole position. Pedrosa stole pole position with only a few minutes remaining of the session. The session started in...