Qatar MotoGP 2016

No more testing, the 2016 MotoGP championship finally gets underway at the 3.3 mile floodlit Losail circuit, with all signs pointing towards reigning champ Jorge Lorenzo as the man to beat.

The factory Yamaha rider set an incredible 11 laps under the lap records over the winter, while his team-mate and rival Valentino Rossi only managed one.

Will Marquez finally click with the new Honda, control ECU and Michelin tyres, or will he just be an occasional annoyance for the title contenders? And let's not forget th surprise of winter testing - wunderkid Maverick Vinales, who pushed Lorenzo all the way in testing in just his second year on the Suzuki.

Year: ALL

Casey Stoner unlikely to take up HRC test role again

13 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner unlikely to take up HRC test role again

Double MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is looking increasingly unlikely to continue as test and development rider for Honda in 2014. HRC had intended to keep the Australian developing its factory...

Colin Edwards impressed by Aleix Espargaro’s Sepang speed

13 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards impressed by Aleix Espargaro’s Sepang speed

Veteran American Colin Edwards heaped praise of new Forward Racing teammate Aleix Espargaro after the Spaniard’s brilliant start to the 2014 MotoGP testing campaign in Malaysia last week. Making his...

No corner speed gain for factory Honda

13 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

No corner speed gain for factory Honda

Honda has so far failed in its bid to make its factory RC213V machine a match for Yamaha’s YZR-M1 on corner speed. Improved corner speed has been a key target for Honda’s technical staff during the...

Is it too late for Valentino Rossi?

07 February 2014 by MCN

Is it too late for Valentino Rossi?

After three days of testing at Sepang Valentino Rossi managed to finish second fastest. The nine time champion says he’s changed his riding style to suit the new bike, but after an unimpressive 2013...

Colin Edwards not stressed by gap to Aleix Espargaro

07 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards not stressed by gap to Aleix Espargaro

Colin Edwards played down the big gap between himself and new Forward Racing teammate Aleix Espargaro after a tough start to winter testing in Malaysia. The experienced Texan was 14th fastest on the...

Bradley Smith focuses on race pace in Sepang

07 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith focuses on race pace in Sepang

Eighth position on the timesheets and outpaced by Aleix Espargaro’s new Open class FTR-Yamaha suggests this week’s Sepang MotoGP test was a tough affair for British rider Bradley Smith. Nothing could...

HRC unveil full rider line-up in Japan

07 February 2014 by Michael Guy

HRC unveil full rider line-up in Japan

MotoGP, Dakar, MX and Trials get HRC status – but no support for WSB. Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is the most prestigious name in motor racing with unprecedented success in their chosen fields of...

Honda plan Jorge Lorenzo talks for 2015

07 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Honda plan Jorge Lorenzo talks for 2015

Honda will approach Jorge Lorenzo about forming a Spanish super team with new MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez in 2015. With all top riders out of contract at the end of this year, speculation on...

Rossi optimistic after first test

06 February 2014 by Matthew Birt & Simon Patterson

Rossi optimistic after first test

Valentino Rossi has finished the first test of 2014 pleased with his pace after ending up second in the timesheets, but the Italian says that there are still problems to fix on his Yamaha. “Today is...

Marquez ends Sepang test on top

06 February 2014 by Simon Patterson

Marquez ends Sepang test on top

Marc Marquez has left the first test of 2014 on top of the time sheets, but is chased by a trio of Yamahas after a blisteringly fast third day of riding in tropical temperatures at the Malaysian...

Marquez 'surprised' by fast times on day two

05 February 2014 by Matthew Birt & Simon Patterson

Marquez 'surprised' by fast times on day two

Marc Marquez has said that he has been ‘surprised’ by the fast times being set at Sepang, not only by himself but by other riders. The reigning champion says that excellent track conditions has meant...

Rossi positive after second day at Sepang

05 February 2014 by Matthew Birt & Simon Patterson

Rossi positive after second day at Sepang

Valentino Rossi has remained positive after the second day of testing in Sepang despite slipping from second to fourth in the timing sheets, saying that there’s still more speed to be found from his...

Marquez remains on top in Sepang

05 February 2014 by Simon Patterson

Marquez remains on top in Sepang

Honda have continued their hold at the top of the Sepang timing sheets, with Marc Marquez, Dani Pedrosa and Stefan Bradl putting their RCV214 machines one-two-three. However, reigning world champion...

Marquez tops day one at Sepang

04 February 2014 by Simon Patterson

Marquez tops day one at Sepang

Marc Marquez has started 2014 where he finished 2013, outpacing his rivals to finish over half a second faster than second placed Valentino Rossi after the first day of official testing at Malaysia’s...

Marco Simoncelli to become MotoGP legend

03 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Marco Simoncelli to become MotoGP legend

Marco Simoncelli, the rising star of MotoGP who tragically lost his life in a racing accident at Sepang in 2011, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame later this year. The former 250GP world champion...

Cal Crutchlow open to Ducati strategy change

03 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow open to Ducati strategy change

Cal Crutchlow has backed Ducati’s drastic plans to transform its woefully uncompetitive factory Desmosedici in the 2014 MotoGP world championship. The Bologna factory, now led by former Aprilia...

Bradley Smith aims for top satellite rider spot in Sepang

03 February 2014 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith aims for top satellite rider spot in Sepang

The last time Bradley Smith threw his leg over a MotoGP bike, he pulled off one of the shocks of 2013 by finishing second quickest in the post-season Valencia test. Smith has more modest ambitions...

Scott Redding eager to assess new Honda at full strength

31 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding eager to assess new Honda at full strength

Scott Redding says he can’t wait to get his first opportunity to evaluate the new Gresini Honda RCV1000R production bike in peak physical condition during the first MotoGP test of 2014 in Malaysia...

Gresini: ‘High expectations’ for Scott Redding

30 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Gresini: ‘High expectations’ for Scott Redding

Long-serving Honda MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini has said he has high expectations ahead of Scott Redding’s rookie premier class campaign in 2014. The Italian team boss is confident the 21-year-old...

Scott Redding unveils 2014 MotoGP livery

30 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding unveils 2014 MotoGP livery

Scott Redding has unveiled the new 2014 Gresini Honda RCV1000R livery that the British rider will campaign in his eagerly anticipated first season in the MotoGP world championship. The 2013 Moto2...

Secure best priced British MotoGP tickets

27 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Secure best priced British MotoGP tickets

Last year’s British MotoGP round at the Silverstone track was one of the most unforgettable in recent memory. With Gloucestershire rider Scott Redding taking a fantastic Moto2 win and Jorge Lorenzo...

Cal Crutchlow: Every factory interested in Lorenzo

27 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow: Every factory interested in Lorenzo

Yamaha, Honda, Ducati and Suzuki will be all be chasing double MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo’s prized signature for the 2015 world championship. That’s the view of British rider Cal Crutchlow,...

Bradley Smith in dark on new Yamaha gearbox

24 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith in dark on new Yamaha gearbox

Bradley Smith is in the dark over whether his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 will be fitted with a new seamless shift gearbox when MotoGP testing commences in Malaysia early next month. Factory duo...

Doohan: No doubt Stoner would return at top

24 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Doohan: No doubt Stoner would return at top

Five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan reckons Casey Stoner would have slipped seamlessly back into winning contention had the Australian been returning to racing action in 2014. Stoner retired...

Honda not planning Dani Pedrosa axe

22 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Honda not planning Dani Pedrosa axe

Honda has denied 2014 will be Dani Pedrosa’s farewell season as a factory HRC rider after rookie teammate Marc Marquez wrapped up a historic MotoGP world title last season. Last year was Pedrosa’s...

Tech 3 Yamaha workshop damaged by floods

21 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Tech 3 Yamaha workshop damaged by floods

The French base of Bradley Smith’s Monster Yamaha Tech 3 MotoGP squad has suffered extensive flood damage after torrential rain battered southern France. The workshop in Bormes les Mimosas was under...

Jorge Lorenzo keen on extending Yamaha deal

17 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo keen on extending Yamaha deal

Jorge Lorenzo has quashed rumours that he is already seriously considering quitting Yamaha to join Ducati for 2015 during a special unveiling of this year’s factory YZR-M1 livery in Indonesia. Reports...

Valentino Rossi aims for consistent podium challenge in 2014

17 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi aims for consistent podium challenge in 2014

Valentino Rossi has targeted a fight for the podium in every race in 2014 after unveiling the new livery of this year’s factory Yamaha YZR-M1 in Indonesia earlier today. Rossi’s much anticipated...

Yamaha unveil 2014 MotoGP livery

17 January 2014 by Simon Patterson

Yamaha unveil 2014 MotoGP livery

Yamaha have unveiled their 2014 MotoGP livery today at an event in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. The 2014 M1, unveiled in person by Rossi and Lorenzo, features a similar paint scheme to the 2013...

Yamaha rubbishes Ducati swoop for Jorge Lorenzo

17 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha rubbishes Ducati swoop for Jorge Lorenzo

Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis has strongly denied rumours that double MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo is close to clinching a shock switch to Ducati for 2015. A wheel hasn’t even been turned in anger in...

No BT Sport commentary deal for Toby Moody

16 January 2014 by MCN

No BT Sport commentary deal for Toby Moody

Popular MotoGP commentator Toby Moody has confirmed he will not be part of the new BT Sport coverage in 2014. Moody has been a regular behind the microphone in MotoGP with British Eurosport since...

Leon Camier excited by 'amazing' MotoGP chance

15 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Leon Camier excited by 'amazing' MotoGP chance

Leon Camier has spoken of the ‘amazing’ chance he has to line-up against the likes of boyhood hero Valentino Rossi and current MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez in 2014. The former British Superbike...

Leon Camier added to MotoGP entry list

14 January 2014 by Matthew Birt

Leon Camier added to MotoGP entry list

British rider Leon Camier has been added to the 2014 provisional MotoGP entry list. The 27-year-old is down to ride an Aprilia ART 1000cc machine for the Italian-based Ioda Racing squad on an updated...

Tardozzi makes a return to Ducati Corse

13 January 2014 by Simon Patterson

Tardozzi makes a return to Ducati Corse

Davide Tardozzi, the former Ducati team boss who took Carl Fogarty to his four World Superbike titles, will once again help lead a top level British rider in 2014, as he returns to Bologna to...

Baker takes Superprestigio victory as Marquez crashes out

13 January 2014 by Simon Patterson

Baker takes Superprestigio victory as Marquez crashes out

AMA flat track champion Brad ‘the Bullet’ Baker emerged victorious on Sunday night from the resurrected Superprestigio race in Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi, after MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez...

Video: Watch Marc Marquez train for the Superprestigio

11 January 2014 by Simon Patterson

Video: Watch Marc Marquez train for the Superprestigio

With MotoGP champion involved in Marc Marquez resurrecting the illustrious Superprestigio flattrack race, some of the world’s greatest riders will line up this afternoon to race each other in...