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

Live: Watch BT Sport's MotoGP season preview show

02 March 2019 by Simon Patterson

Live: Watch BT Sport's MotoGP season preview show

The BT Sport crew are once again heading to London’s Bike Shed to host a live show previewing all the action from the 2019 MotoGP season. Kicking off at 1945 tonight, Saturday 2nd March, you can watch...

Moto2: Binder from Lowes again in Qatar

01 March 2019 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Binder from Lowes again in Qatar

Brad Binder and Sam Lowes have continued to control the top of the time sheets in Moto2 as testing for the series moves from Spain to Qatar, with the two leading the field after the opening day of...

Moto3: Arbolino leads opening day in tricky conditions

01 March 2019 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Arbolino leads opening day in tricky conditions

Snipers Team Honda rider Tony Arbolino has topped the opening day of Moto3 testing at Qatar’s Losail circuit, ending up 0.101 ahead of teammate Romano Fenati. Riding in tricky conditions among high...

Gallery: The 2019 MotoGP grid

28 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Gallery: The 2019 MotoGP grid

With the final announcement of the Alma Pramac Ducati colours for the 2019 MotoGP season, we can now get a look at the full grid for the season ahead. And, with not a bad-looking motorbike on it, it’s...

MotoGP: Pramac the last team to show off 2019 liveries

28 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Pramac the last team to show off 2019 liveries

Alma Pramac Ducati have become the final team on the 2019 MotoGP grid to unveil their new colours, going for a very different design for Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia’s bikes for the coming...

MotoGP: Viñales tops first night of testing in Qatar

23 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Viñales tops first night of testing in Qatar

Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales has topped the first night of pre-season testing at Qatar’s Losail circuit, ending the night a tenth of a second ahead of Suzuki rider Alex Rins. Pleased with the work...

MotoGP: Riders to trial new penalty system

23 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Riders to trial new penalty system

MotoGP riders will trial a new penalty system this weekend at the Qatar test, using a new loop added to the Losail circuit. Instead of dropping a place or being given a time penalty for misdemeanours...

MotoGP: Aprilia debut 2019 RS-GP

22 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Aprilia debut 2019 RS-GP

The Aprilia factory duo of Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone have pulled the covers off their 2019 RS-GP MotoGP machine this afternoon in Qatar, just ahead of the second and final preseason test.

MotoGP: Street race planned in Indonesia

22 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Street race planned in Indonesia

MotoGP have started plans to take the championship back to Indonesia for the first time in two decades, with the Managing Director of the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation announcing this week...

MotoGP: Have Yamaha fixed their woes?

22 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Have Yamaha fixed their woes?

Perhaps the most anticipated question to be answered from the first MotoGP test 2019 in Sepang, all eyes were on the factory Monster Energy Yamaha squad last week as they got a make or break season...

MotoGP: ‘Crazy’ holeshot device not already used, says Reed

18 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: ‘Crazy’ holeshot device not already used, says Reed

Supercross legend and MotoGP fan Chad Reed has told MCN that it’s ‘crazy’ that no one in Grand Prix racing has already experimented with holeshot device to help get their bikes off the line, after...

MotoGP: Ducati experimenting with holeshot device?

18 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Ducati experimenting with holeshot device?

Ducati technical guru Gigi Dall’Igna has once again left the MotoGP paddock scratching their heads after rolling out mystery new components at the Sepang test for factory trio Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi turns forty

16 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi turns forty

Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi turns 40 years old today, only days ahead of kicking off his 24th season in Grand Prix racing at the first race of 2019. Rising to rarefied ground among even...

MotoGP: Clear targets ahead for Zarco and KTM

14 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Clear targets ahead for Zarco and KTM

The factory KTM squad of Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaro have made a big step forwards at the first of 2019’s tests, with palpable relief from the Frenchman after a difficult start to his time with the...

MotoGP: Second fastest Bagnaia still ‘only at 65%’

14 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Second fastest Bagnaia still ‘only at 65%’

Reigning Moto2 world champion Pecco Bagnaia says he’s still only 65% complete in the transition from the intermediate class to MotoGP, despite finishing the Sepang test second fastest overall behind...

Moto3: Strong start for McPhee in Sepang

13 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Strong start for McPhee in Sepang

Scottish racer John McPhee has had a strong inaugural test with the Petronas Honda team, kicking off the 2019 season at the squad’s home circuit in Malaysia. Riding for three days at the Sepang track...

MotoGP: Smith in for Iannone after plastic surgery woes

13 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Smith in for Iannone after plastic surgery woes

New Aprilia signing Andrea Iannone has been forced to sit out the final day of the Sepang test, as he suffers from the consequences of plastic surgery he underwent during the winter break. Completing...

Moto2: Lowes on top in unofficial Jerez test

12 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Lowes on top in unofficial Jerez test

Sam Lowes has topped the second day of unofficial Moto2 testing at Jerez today, ending the day 0.165 clear of Team Sky rider Luca Marini, on his second outing reunited with the Federal Oil Gresini...

MotoGP: Red Bull KTM unveil liveries for factory team and Tech 3

12 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Red Bull KTM unveil liveries for factory team and Tech 3

Red Bull KTM have pulled the covers off a slew of new Grand Prix bikes at their headquarters in Matighofen today, unveiling not only the factory MotoGP machines of Johann Zarco and Pol Espargaro but...

MotoGP: Marquez struggling with slow healing shoulder injury

12 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez struggling with slow healing shoulder injury

Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has found himself in real trouble as the 2019 season gets underway in Sepang, struggling with the shoulder he had surgery on before Christmas and unable to...

Moto2: Forward Racing show off new MV Agusta

11 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Forward Racing show off new MV Agusta

Forward Racing have pulled the covers off their new MV Agusta machines that they’ll use in this year’s Moto2 campaign, with Dominique Aegerter and Stefano Manzi showing off the all-new Triumph-powered...

MotoGP: Viñales from Rins on day two in Sepang

07 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Viñales from Rins on day two in Sepang

Maverick Viñales has continued his strong pace in winter testing to end the second day of action at Sepang top of the time sheets, setting a time late in the afternoon at the Malaysian track to come...

MotoGP: Marquez silences injury doubts by topping Sepang test

06 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez silences injury doubts by topping Sepang test

Marc Marquez has silenced doubts about his fitness ahead of the 2019 MotoGP season by topping the first day of pre-season testing action at the Sepang circuit. The Repsol Honda rider has been battling...

Video: Marquez's long road back to the track

06 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Video: Marquez's long road back to the track

Tomorrow sees the first official test of the 2019 preseason start at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. Marc Marquez has been preparing for the return to action for two months since, just a...

Podcast: An injury update from Cal Crutchlow

04 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Podcast: An injury update from Cal Crutchlow

Last month MCN’s MotoGP reporter Simon Patterson travelled to California for British rider Cal Crutchlow’s first interview since he was seriously injured in a crash at Phillip Island back in October.

MotoGP: Monster sponsorship gives new look to Yamahas

04 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Monster sponsorship gives new look to Yamahas

The addition of Monster Energy as title sponsor to the 2019 Yamaha M1 has given the bike a radical new look for the season ahead, with black joining the blue as the Monster claw takes over from the...

Live: Monster Energy Yamaha reveal 2019 MotoGP bike

04 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Live: Monster Energy Yamaha reveal 2019 MotoGP bike

With the first test of 2019 only around the corner, the Yamaha MotoGP team are the latest to reveal their new bike, with Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi travelling to Indonesian capital Jakarta...

Video: Behind the scenes at the Petronas Yamaha launch

04 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

Video: Behind the scenes at the Petronas Yamaha launch

MotoGP’s newest team, the Petronas Yamaha squad fronted by Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo, have given us a behind the scenes look at what went on last week when they assembled for the first...

MotoGP: Suzuki show off 2019 machine

04 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Suzuki show off 2019 machine

Only days before the first test of the 2019 season at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, Suzuki have been the latest MotoGP team to reveal their livery for the upcoming season, with Alex Rins and rookie Joan...

MotoGP: Marquez gets back on track after surgery

01 February 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez gets back on track after surgery

Marc Marquez has finally returned to track, jumping on a motorbike for the first time in nearly two months after extensive shoulder surgery in early December to repair a heavily damaged joint. Jumping...

Poll: What do you think of the 2019 Ducati MotoGP livery?

29 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Poll: What do you think of the 2019 Ducati MotoGP livery?

Ducati have unveiled their very different looking 2019 MotoGP machine at sponsor Phillip Morris International’s Swiss base, as the tobacco giant returns to the bikes in the form of their Mission...

MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha reveal 2019 machines

28 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha reveal 2019 machines

The Petronas SRT squad have pulled the covers off their five new bikes for the 2019 season in a launch at the iconic Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, showing off not only the Yamaha MotoGP machines...

Live: Petronas SRT unveil all three teams

28 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

Live: Petronas SRT unveil all three teams

MotoGP’s newest team, the Petronas SRT squad, will unveil their 2019 colours this morning live from their home in Kuala Lumpur. With Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo showing off their new Yamaha...

MotoGP: Hayden’s iconic 69 to be retired

24 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Hayden’s iconic 69 to be retired

Former world champion Nicky Hayden’s iconic number 69 will be retired from MotoGP at this year’s Grand Prix of the Americas. One of the most beloved riders ever to grace the grand Prix paddock, the...

MotoGP: Honda unveil unchanged livery for 2019

23 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Honda unveil unchanged livery for 2019

The Repsol Honda team have missed a trick as the Spanish oil company and Japanese manufacturer celebrate their 25th season together, unveiling a largely unchanged livery at today’s team launch in...

MotoGP: Hard road back for Crutchlow

23 January 2019 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Hard road back for Crutchlow

It’s now been nearly three months since Cal Crutchlow suffered a horrific high-speed crash at Phillip Island’s turn one, getting pushed wide by high wings onto wet kerbs at the fast corner. Falling...