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

Jorge Lorenzo surprised by Casey Stoner’s home race pace

27 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo surprised by Casey Stoner’s home race pace

Jorge Lorenzo might be standing on the brink of his second MotoGP world title, but his hopes of capturing the crown from the top step of the podium seem extremely remote, despite qualifying in second...

Scott Redding on front row in Phillip Island

27 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding on front row in Phillip Island

British rider Scott Redding will start tomorrow’s Australian Moto2 Grand Prix from the front row of the grid after he qualified his Marc VDS Racing Kalex machine in second place. The Gloucestershire...

Casey Stoner rebounds to secure Phillip Island pole

27 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner rebounds to secure Phillip Island pole

Casey Stoner bounced back from an early crash to claim pole position for his final home race at the spectacular Phillip Island track in Australia earlier today. After dominating all three practice...

Danny Kent close to front row in Phillip Island

27 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Danny Kent close to front row in Phillip Island

Danny Kent narrowly missed out on scoring a fifth Moto3 front row start of 2012 at Phillip Island today after this afternoon’s qualifying session was disrupted by a short rain shower just after the...

Philip Island MotoGP: Casey Stoner thrilled with flying start in Phillip Island

26 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Philip Island MotoGP: Casey Stoner thrilled with flying start in Phillip Island

Casey Stoner was thrilled after he made a dream start in his quest to win a sixth successive home race at Phillip Island today. The 27-year-old defied a lack of strength and mobility in the right...

Philip Island MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not surprised at Casey Stoner’s home speed

26 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Philip Island MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not surprised at Casey Stoner’s home speed

Valentino Rossi said he wasn’t surprised to see Casey Stoner dominating the opening day of practice for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island earlier today. Fears the slow recovering...

Philip Island MotoGP: Casey Stoner in another league, admits Cal Crutchlow

26 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Philip Island MotoGP: Casey Stoner in another league, admits Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow says it will be almost impossible to stop reigning world champion Casey Stoner from romping to a sixth successive victory in his home race at Phillip Island on Sunday. The 27-year-old...

Casey Stoner dominates Phillip Island practice

26 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner dominates Phillip Island practice

Casey Stoner showed why he has not lost a MotoGP race on home soil since 2007 after dominating today’s opening practice sessions at the Phillip Island circuit. In front of a massive Friday crowd...

Ankle getting worse, admits Casey Stoner

25 October 2012

Ankle getting worse, admits Casey Stoner

Casey Stoner has admitted the condition of his right ankle is getting worse rather than improving as he prepares to try and capture a fairytale farewell victory against the odds in Australia on...

Cal Crutchlow struggling with fever

25 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow struggling with fever

Cal Crutchlow has arrived for the penultimate MotoGP round of 2012 at the Phillip Island circuit unsure just how much a severe bout and bronchitis and fever will impact on his performance in...

Casey Stoner proud of corner naming honour

25 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner proud of corner naming honour

Casey Stoner has spoken of his joy and pride at having the super-fast Turn 3 at Phillip Island named in his honour earlier today. The reigning MotoGP world champion took part in a special ceremony at...

James Ellison unsure of 2013 MotoGP prospects

25 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

James Ellison unsure of 2013 MotoGP prospects

James Ellison says he has no clue whether he will be riding in the MotoGP world championship next season. The Cumbrian made it clear in Phillip Island today that he wants to get a new deal with Paul...

Modest expectations for Valentino Rossi in Australia

24 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Modest expectations for Valentino Rossi in Australia

Valentino Rossi has only modest expectations heading into this weekend’s Phillip Island MotoGP clash in Australia. The Italian doubts he will be a podium challenger on Sunday at the spectacular...

Vinales Back After Humbling Climbdown

24 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Vinales Back After Humbling Climbdown

Less than one week after controversially walking out on his Avintia Blusens Moto3 squad on the eve of the Sepang race, Maverick Vinales will be back in Australia this weekend after a humbling...

Ben Spies to miss last two races?

23 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies to miss last two races?

A crash during last weekend’s storm-lashed Sepang race in Malaysia is likely to have been the last act for Ben Spies as a factory Yamaha rider, with the Texan now expected to miss the final two races...

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo relieved with ‘lucky’ second

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo relieved with ‘lucky’ second

Jorge Lorenzo admitted he got out of jail after he almost threw away 20 precious points in a rain-lashed Sepang MotoGP race. Just moments before the scheduled 20-lap race was red flagged on lap 14 as...

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa jubilant after breakthrough rain win

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa jubilant after breakthrough rain win

There would have been a time in the past when Dani Pedrosa would have crumbled in conditions as bad as those that severely disrupted yesterday’s Malaysian Grand Prix. But with rain lashing down to...

Sepang MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow loses more ground in hunt for fifth

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow loses more ground in hunt for fifth

Fifth place in the overall MotoGP world championship standings slipped further out of Cal Crutchlow’s reach yesterday after he tumbled out of a rain-soaked Sepang race in Malaysia while battling...

Sepang MotoGP: Gino Rea savours ‘amazing’ first Moto2 podium

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Gino Rea savours ‘amazing’ first Moto2 podium

Gino Rea hailed his maiden Moto2 podium as ‘amazing’ after he fought for a shock victory throughout a rain-soaked Sepang clash in Malaysia yesterday. The Gresini Suter rider finished third behind...

Turn 3 to be named after Casey Stoner at Phillip Island

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Turn 3 to be named after Casey Stoner at Phillip Island

The Phillip Island track in Australia will honour reigning world champion Casey Stoner by naming its Turn 3 after the Repsol Honda rider later this week. A special naming ceremony will take place at...

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi backs race stoppage

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi backs race stoppage

Valentino Rossi said yesterday’s storm-lashed Malaysian Grand Prix was red flagged at the right time after he finished in a somewhat disappointing fifth place at Sepang. The Italian said the decision...

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner third after nearly pulling out

22 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner third after nearly pulling out

Casey Stoner made a welcome return to the MotoGP podium in dreadful conditions at the Sepang International Circuit after the reigning world champion had pondered withdrawing from the Malaysian Grand...

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins to end rain jinx

21 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins to end rain jinx

Dani Pedrosa scored the first wet weather Grand Prix victory of his career earlier today after he triumphed in atrocious conditions at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The Repsol Honda...

Sepang MotoGP: Gino Rea third in Malaysian monsoon

21 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Gino Rea third in Malaysian monsoon

British rider Gino Rea scored his first Grand Prix podium in atrocious conditions at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia today. The Gresini Moriwaki rider was actually leading the delayed...

Sepang MotoGP: Sandro Cortese seals Moto3 title

21 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Sandro Cortese seals Moto3 title

Sandro Cortese wrapped up the inaugural Moto3 world title at the Sepang track this afternoon after he emerged victorious in a thrilling Malaysian Grand Prix. With closest title rival Maverick Vinales...

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner bemoans severe chatter

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner bemoans severe chatter

Casey Stoner is worried a severe chatter issue with his factory Honda RC213V machine will hinder his hopes of securing a podium finish in his final appearance at the Sepang track in Malaysia...

Sepang MotoGP: Tyre choice headache for Valentino Rossi

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Tyre choice headache for Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi might have to roll the dice on tyre choice for tomorrow’s Malaysian MotoGP clash at the Sepang International Circuit after he ended qualifying in a lowly 11th place. Rossi has had...

Sepang MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow doubts podium challenge

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow doubts podium challenge

Cal Crutchlow fears a chronic vibration issue with his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine will ruin his bid to challenge for a podium in tomorrow’s Malaysia Grand Prix at Sepang. The British rider...

Sepang MotoGP: Scott Redding secures Moto2 front row

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Scott Redding secures Moto2 front row

Scott Redding stormed to his fifth front row start of 2012 in physically and mentally draining conditions at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this afternoon. The Marc VDS Racing rider took...

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo snatches last gasp pole

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo snatches last gasp pole

Jorge Lorenzo secured his third successive pole position with a stunning late attack in qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this afternoon. The Spaniard produced two blistering...

Sepang MotoGP: Local hero Khairuddin grabs first Moto3 pole

20 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Local hero Khairuddin grabs first Moto3 pole

Local hero Zulfahmi Khairuddin thrilled a large home crowd at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia this afternoon to grab his first Moto3 pole position on his 21st birthday. The Malaysian rider set a best...

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner expecting gruelling race

19 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Casey Stoner expecting gruelling race

Casey Stoner believes his potential in Sunday’s Sepang MotoGP race will be solely determined by how his recovering right ankle and his fitness will cope with the extreme heat and humidity in...

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi slowed by understeer

19 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Valentino Rossi slowed by understeer

Valentino Rossi admitted he expected to be much faster at the start of the Sepang MotoGP round in Malaysia today after the Italian could only finish a rain-hit first day of practice in a lowly 11th. A...

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo seeks to tame aggressive Yamaha

19 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo seeks to tame aggressive Yamaha

Jorge Lorenzo is confident he will be in the hunt for victory in Sunday’s Sepang MotoGP race if he can calm down the aggressive power of his factory Yamaha YZR-M1. The Spaniard finished a rain-hit...

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa fastest in rain-hit practice

19 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Sepang MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa fastest in rain-hit practice

Dani Pedrosa led the practice timesheets at a hot and humid Sepang circuit in Malaysia today after rain disrupted this afternoon’s second session. The Repsol Honda rider, who is seeking his fifth win...

Redding Signs New Moto2 Deal

19 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Redding Signs New Moto2 Deal

Scott Redding has targeted a maiden Moto2 victory before the end of the season after he clinched a new deal to remain with the Marc VDS Racing squad in 2013 on the eve of this weekend’s Sepang race in...