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

MotoGP: FP2 video call between Espargaros ‘to make Pol smile’

10 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: FP2 video call between Espargaros ‘to make Pol smile’

Aprilia MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaro says his impromptu video call to brother Pol during the delay to the start of today’s free practice two session was an attempt to cheer up the Red Bull KTM rider...

Moto2: Odendaal fastest in the rain but Bagnaia in the dry

10 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Odendaal fastest in the rain but Bagnaia in the dry

With the rain falling heavily in FP2, Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46) ended the opening day at the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österriech at the summit after going quickest in the dry FP1...

Moto3: McPhee fastest in the Austrian rain

10 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: McPhee fastest in the Austrian rain

FP1’s quickest man Jaume Masia (Bester Capital Dubai) ends day one at the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich on top of the time sheets in a rain affected FP2 session, with Championship leader...

MotoGP: Split conditions leave Marquez and Dovi on top

10 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Split conditions leave Marquez and Dovi on top

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was the fastest man on Friday at the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich and the only rider into the 1:23 bracket in FP1, moving two tenths clear of teammate...

Moto3: McPhee in line for Petronas Honda?

09 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: McPhee in line for Petronas Honda?

Scottish rider John McPhee looks set to jump onto one of the best bikes on the Moto3 grid for 2019, with a new deal believed to be announced imminently that will see him join the Petronas Sprinta...

MotoGP: Ciabatti sad to see Lorenzo leave Ducati

08 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Ciabatti sad to see Lorenzo leave Ducati

Ducati MotoGP boss Paolo Ciabatti says that Jorge Lorenzo’s current form is bittersweet to him, with the Spaniard continuing his strong run at Brno with another podium despite having only nine races...

MotoGP: Brno test ‘not possible’ for Viñales

08 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Brno test ‘not possible’ for Viñales

Movistar Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales has admitted that Monday’s test at Brno was just not possible for him to compete in, after being knocked out of Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix at the track by Honda...

MotoGP: Trouble ahead as rain threatens in Austria

08 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Trouble ahead as rain threatens in Austria

There could be trouble ahead for MotoGP organisers at this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, as heavy rain forecast for the weekend combined with dangerous track conditions last year at the Red Bull Ring...

MotoGP: No surgery for Espargaro but out for Austria

07 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: No surgery for Espargaro but out for Austria

Red Bull KTM rider Pol Espargaro will not need surgery after a fast crash on Sunday morning at the Czech Grand Prix, but with the Spaniard still undergoing observation in hospital for possible...

MotoGP: Crutchlow denied carbon swing arm by Bradl crash

07 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow denied carbon swing arm by Bradl crash

Cal Crutchlow has once again been denied a chance to try Honda’s new carbon fibre swing arm, after the part due to sent his way for yesterday’s Brno test was damaged by test rider Stefan Bradl during...

MotoGP: Marquez tops one-day test at Brno

06 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez tops one-day test at Brno

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) topped the Brno test was a late lunge for the top, setting a 1:55.209 on one of his last laps of the day. Repsol Honda were working with some “important” components so...

Moto3: Di Giannantonio wins debut race as disaster strikes for McPhee

05 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Di Giannantonio wins debut race as disaster strikes for McPhee

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) produced a perfect ride to secure his first Grand Prix win at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky in a race that saw a lead battle of 22...

Moto2: Oliveira takes Brno win and title lead

05 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Oliveira takes Brno win and title lead

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) brilliantly battled his way to his second victory of the season in a phenomenal Moto2™ race at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, fending off pole sitter...

MotoGP: Dovizioso victorious in epic Ducati duel

05 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Dovizioso victorious in epic Ducati duel

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) has taken his second win of the season in incredible style in the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky as a three-way fight for the win raged between the 04, his...

Moto3: Home hero Kornfeil tops chaotic qualifying

04 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Home hero Kornfeil tops chaotic qualifying

Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrustelGP) claimed a first Czech pole in any class since Misano 2007 and was the first Czech rider to take pole in Brno at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky after...

Moto2: Maiden pole for Marini in Czech Republic

04 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Maiden pole for Marini in Czech Republic

After taking his first Moto2™ front row and podium at the German GP, Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) continued his fine form at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky by securing his maiden...

MotoGP: Dovi storms to Brno pole position

04 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Dovi storms to Brno pole position

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) will be starting the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky from pole position – his first since 2016 – as he just edged out an equally incredible lap for compatriot...

MotoGP: Schwantz slams lack of respect among riders

04 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Schwantz slams lack of respect among riders

1993 MotoGP world champion Kevin Schwantz has hit out at the current world championship grid, branding them as disrespectful and dangerous after a series of high-profile incidents that has seen...

MotoGP: Doyle set to leave BT Sport coverage

04 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Doyle set to leave BT Sport coverage

TV presenter Craig Doyle will step down from his role as one of BT Sport’s MotoGP hosts at the end of the 2018 season, with the Irishman stepping away from motorsport to concentrate on his rugby...

Moto2: Schrotter takes control on opening day

03 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Schrotter takes control on opening day

Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) stamped his authority on the Moto2™ grid at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky after going quickest in both FP1 and FP2, ending Friday 0.201 ahead of...

MotoGP: Pedrosa get action back underway in Brno

03 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Pedrosa get action back underway in Brno

Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) has had a tougher start to the season than many but now back to full strength and having announced his retirement at the end of 2018, the number 26 shot back to the...

Moto3: Masaki surprises with top spot

03 August 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Masaki surprises with top spot

Philipp Oettl’s (Sudmetal Schedl GP Racing) FP1 time was enough to keep him at the top of the combined timesheets on the opening day in Moto3™ at the Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky, however...

Moto2: New Marc VDS deal ends Alex Marquez’s MotoGP hopes

18 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: New Marc VDS deal ends Alex Marquez’s MotoGP hopes

Alex Marquez has confirmed that he will remain with the Marc VDS team in Moto2 for the 2019 season, ending speculation that the world champion’s brother was aiming for a seat in the premier class for...

MotoGP: Folger to become Yamaha test rider?

18 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Folger to become Yamaha test rider?

MNC’s sources in the MotoGP paddock believe that German rider Jonas Folger could be set to make a more permanent return to the championship next year, stepping in as the head of Yamaha’s new...

Moto3: Martin extends title lead with German win

15 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Martin extends title lead with German win

Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) took a perfectly-timed win in the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, fighting at the front throughout before pulling the pin to perfection in the latter...

Moto2: Binder takes debut victory

15 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Binder takes debut victory

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed the first South African intermediate class win since 1980 at the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland after a sublime ride, beating Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS)...

MotoGP: King of the Ring Marquez wins again

15 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: King of the Ring Marquez wins again

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) has re-written another piece of history in the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, storming the Sachsenring from a ninth pole in a row to take his ninth win in a...

Moto3: Normal service resumed as Martin tops qualifying

14 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Normal service resumed as Martin tops qualifying

Championship leader Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) secured his sixth pole of 2018 thanks to his 1:28.434 at the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, beating Marcos Ramirez (Bester Capital...

Moto2: Pasini bounces back for pole position

14 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Pasini bounces back for pole position

Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team) grabbed his second pole of the season at the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland to finish 0.181 seconds ahead of fellow Italian Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team...

MotoGP: Last gasp Marquez takes Sachsenring pole

14 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Last gasp Marquez takes Sachsenring pole

It was all or nothing for a ninth consecutive pole at the Sachsenring for reigning Champion and ‘King of the Ring’ Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – but the number 93 seriously had to work for it. By...

Moto3: Home favourite Oettl fastest in Germany

13 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Home favourite Oettl fastest in Germany

Home rider Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) went quickest in FP2 to end Friday at the Pramac Motorrad Deutschland Grand Prix at the top of the timesheets, beating second fastest Tony...

Moto2: Vierge fastest as action gets underway

13 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Vierge fastest as action gets underway

Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) topped the Moto2 timesheets after the opening day’s track action at the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland in what was an incredibly tight FP2 session. The...

MotoGP: Lorenzo stuns to top opening day at Sachsenring

13 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo stuns to top opening day at Sachsenring

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) ripped up the Honda-drenched formbook on Day 1 at the Pramac Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, taking Ducati to the top of the timesheets near the end of FP2 to set a...

MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa announces his retirement

12 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa announces his retirement

Dani Pedrosa has announced that he will end his racing career at the end of the 2018 MotoGP season, stepping down after thirteen seasons in the premier class with the Repsol Honda squad. Rumoured at...

MotoGP: Pedrosa set to announce retirement?

05 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Pedrosa set to announce retirement?

MCN’s sources believe that Dani Pedrosa could be set to announce his retirement at next weekend’s German Grand Prix, after negotiations that could have seen the MotoGP veteran line up for the new...

MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha confirmed as taking over from Aspar

05 July 2018 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Petronas Yamaha confirmed as taking over from Aspar

As originally reported by MCN two months ago, there will be a new team on the 2019 MotoGP grid, with the Angel Nieto Ducati outfit confirming this morning that they will sell their grid spots to the...