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

Catalunya MotoGP: Ben Spies waiting for future decision

02 July 2010 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Ben Spies waiting for future decision

Ben Spies says he can do nothing but wait to see whether he will move to Yamaha’s factory MotoGP squad in 2011. The Texan will be the automatic choice to partner Jorge Lorenzo next season with...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner undaunted by Honda talk

02 July 2010 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner undaunted by Honda talk

Casey Stoner insists he won’t let constant speculation about his future distract him from trying to regain his winning touch with Ducati in MotoGP. The Australian looks certain to quit Ducati at the...

Catalunya MotoGP: Nicky Hayden hoping to mount stronger challenge

01 July 2010 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Nicky Hayden hoping to mount stronger challenge

Nicky Hayden might have dragged himself closer to contending for a podium on a regular basis in 2010 but the American is still searching for a big improvement. Four fourth places in the opening six...

Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo aims to continue golden run

01 July 2010 by Mathew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo aims to continue golden run

Jorge Lorenzo is confident he can continue his fantastic form in 2010 as he chases a fifth win in seven races during this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP clash near Barcelona. Lorenzo has yet to finish...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner hopeful on arm pump issue

01 July 2010 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner hopeful on arm pump issue

Former world champion Casey Stoner is hopeful an arm pump issue that hindered his challenge at Silverstone and Assen will not strike again during this weekend’s Catalunya clash. The Australian...

Catalunya MotoGP: Ben Spies back in learner mode

01 July 2010 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Ben Spies back in learner mode

Ben Spies has admitted it will be tough to revert back to learner mode as he tries to continue his purple patch of form in this weekend’s Catalunya MotoGP. Spies scored his first premier class podium...

Honda plan ‘super team’ for 2011

30 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Honda plan ‘super team’ for 2011

Honda is considering assembling a star-studded factory ‘super team’ for 2011 in a desperate attempt to win back the MotoGP crown. HRC management confirmed recently they are locked in talks with...

MotoGP needs rider shake-up, says Colin Edwards

30 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP needs rider shake-up, says Colin Edwards

Colin Edwards reckons a big shake-up of the rider line-up for 2011 would inject massive interest into the MotoGP world championship. Former factory Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi is being strongly...

Ben Spies could have handled factory Yamaha switch

29 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies could have handled factory Yamaha switch

Ben Spies could have handled the pressure of being promoted to Yamaha’s factory MotoGP squad as cover for injured star Valentino Rossi. The Texan will find himself in the Fiat squad in 2011 if intense...

Suzuki and Tech 3 dismiss ‘ridiculous’ Loris Capirossi

29 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki and Tech 3 dismiss ‘ridiculous’ Loris Capirossi

Speculation that Loris Capirossi would break his Suzuki contract and take a Yamaha ride while Valentino Rossi is out injured has been dismissed as ‘ridiculous’. When Yamaha was seeking a replacement...

MCN World Exclusive: Rossi to Ducati

29 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

MCN World Exclusive: Rossi to Ducati

Valentino Rossi will drop a transfer bombshell by quitting Yamaha to sign a shock deal with Ducati. Paddock insiders say the move might even be officially announced at the Catalunya GP this...

Honda and Ducati confirm new bikes for 2012

29 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Honda and Ducati confirm new bikes for 2012

Honda and Ducati will develop new four-stroke prototype bikes having opted to ditch their current 800cc machines when premier class rules change in 2012. Fears that the impact of the global financial...

Moto3 to replace 125GP class in 2012

29 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Moto3 to replace 125GP class in 2012

Dwindling grids, high costs and a worsening quality of entries will spell the end of the 125cc world championship by the end of next year. MotoGP bosses approved a new four-stroke class called Moto3...

Valentino Rossi remains hopeful of Brno return

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi remains hopeful of Brno return

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi remains confident he will be back in MotoGP at the Czech Republic round at Brno in mid-August. The Italian is making good progress from the broken right leg he...

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith disappointed with fourth

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith disappointed with fourth

British rider Bradley Smith failed to score his second 125GP podium in a week when he had to settle for a disappointing fourth place at Assen. The Aspar Aprilia rider was second on the opening lap but...

Assen MotoGP: Poor start costs Randy de Puniet

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Poor start costs Randy de Puniet

A shocking start to Saturday’s Dutch MotoGP race at the iconic Assen circuit cost Randy de Puniet hopes of a season best finish. The LCR Honda rider had qualified in second place on the grid for the...

Assen MotoGP: Loris Capirossi deflated after Dutch disaster

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Loris Capirossi deflated after Dutch disaster

Loris Capirossi struggled to hide his frustration after Suzuki’s dismal 2010 season continued at Assen. The veteran Italian struggled to a morale-crushing 13th in Holland and was just over a minute...

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso slowed by front-end issue

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso slowed by front-end issue

Andrea Dovizoso’s 2010 MotoGP title aspirations suffered a blow in Assen when the Italian slumped to fifth place in the legendary Dutch TT. The former world 125GP champion never looked in contention...

Assen MotoGP: Fantastic fourth for Ben Spies

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Fantastic fourth for Ben Spies

Ben Spies’ brilliant first full MotoGP campaign continued in Assen after the Texan rode to a superb fourth place in front of nearly 100,000 fans. Starting from his career best grid position in fourth,...

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner ends podium drought

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner ends podium drought

Casey Stoner’s long quest for a MotoGP podium ended in Assen when the factory Ducati rider claimed a hard fought third place in the Dutch TT, The 24-year-old hadn’t been on a premier class rostrum...

Assen MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa salvages surprise second

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa salvages surprise second

Dani Pedrosa put nightmare preparations for the Assen MotoGP race behind him to finish in a surprise second place at the legendary Dutch circuit. The Repsol Honda rider looked out of sorts all weekend...

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo survives late scare

28 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo survives late scare

Jorge Lorenzo survived a late scare to coast to his fourth MotoGP win of 2010 and move a step closer to winning his first premier class crown. Only a third of the 18-round series might have been...

Mallory Park BSB: Ryuichi Kiyonari on pole

26 June 2010 by Liam Marsden

Mallory Park BSB: Ryuichi Kiyonari on pole

HM Plant Honda rider Ryuichi Kiyonari will start tomorrow’s first BSB race at Mallory Park from pole position ahead of Relentless Suzuki rider Michael Laverty. BSB championship leader Tommy Hill will...

Assen MotoGP: Dutch delight for Jorge Lorenzo

26 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Dutch delight for Jorge Lorenzo

Jorge Lorenzo strengthened his iron grip on the 2010 MotoGP world championship with a commanding start-to-finish success at Assen this afternoon. Lorenzo grabbed the holeshot from Monster Yamaha Tech...

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Iannone cruises to easy Moto2 win

26 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Iannone cruises to easy Moto2 win

Andrea Iannone obliterated the Moto2 field for the second time in three races today with a commanding victory at the iconic Assen circuit. The Italian, who romped to a dominant win earlier this month...

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith fourth in Holland

26 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith fourth in Holland

Bradley Smith had to settle for a lonely fourth place in today’s sun-drenched Assen 125GP. The British rider made a solid start in his bid to add to his first podium of the season at Silverstone last...

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo exuding confidence

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo exuding confidence

Jorge Lorenzo reckons he’s confident he can claim a fourth MotoGP victory of the season tomorrow in the 80th running of the legendary Dutch TT in Holland. Lorenzo preserved his 100 per cent front row...

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner doubts victory challenge

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner doubts victory challenge

Australian rider Casey Stoner doubts he will be able to seriously threaten runaway world championship Jorge Lorenzo in tomorrow’s Dutch TT at Assen. The 2007 world champion will start the 26-lap clash...

Assen MotoGP: Ben Spies storms to career best qualifying

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Ben Spies storms to career best qualifying

Ben Spies followed up his maiden MotoGP podium at Silverstone last weekend with a career best qualifying performance in Assen this afternoon. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider will start from fourth...

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Iannone takes Moto2 pole

25 June 2010

Assen MotoGP: Andrea Iannone takes Moto2 pole

Speed Up team rider Andrea Iannone continued his dominance at Assen today by claiming pole position during qualifying today. Second on the grid is Ratthapark Wilairot, who waited till his 16th and...

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo continues Dutch domination

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo continues Dutch domination

Jorge Lorenzo continued his sparkling form in the 80th Dutch TT at Assen today as the MotoGP world championship leader claimed pole position. Lorenzo maintained his 100 per cent front row starting...

Assen MotoGP: Front row start for Bradley Smith

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Front row start for Bradley Smith

Bradley Smith will start tomorrow’s Dutch 125GP clash at Assen from the front row of the grid after qualifying in second position. The British rider, who only scored his first front row start of the...

Assen MotoGP: Marco Melandri dislocates left shoulder

25 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Marco Melandri dislocates left shoulder

Marco Melandri suffered a dislocated left shoulder after a massive high-side crash in this morning’s final free practice session at the famous Assen circuit. The Italian ran off track at the...

Valentino Rossi poised to sign Ducati deal?

24 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi poised to sign Ducati deal?

Speculation is rife in Assen that Valentino Rossi is poised to drop another transfer bombshell by confirming he will quit Yamaha and sign a lucrative contract with Ducati. It is the second time in...

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner looks to solve tyre heat issue

24 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner looks to solve tyre heat issue

Casey Stoner has admitted struggling to solve a temperature issue with his rear Bridgestone tyre at the legendary Assen circuit in Holland today. The Australian ended the opening practice session for...

Assen MotoGP: Nicky Hayden satisfied with early speed

24 June 2010 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Nicky Hayden satisfied with early speed

Nicky Hayden quickly put the disappointment of last weekend’s British GP behind him to make an impressive start to the 80th Dutch TT at Assen this afternoon. The Kentucky rider lost the chance to...