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

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to ride until end of 2013?

03 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to ride until end of 2013?

Valentino Rossi has reiterated his desire to stay in MotoGP for at least another three years after his current contract expires at the end of the 2010 world championship. After winning his 100th GP...

US MotoGP: Honda confirms Yuki Takahashi departure

02 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Honda confirms Yuki Takahashi departure

Honda has confirmed that it has reluctantly axed Japanese rider Yuki Takahashi from the satellite Scot team with immediate effect. As was expected despite Takahashi’s arrival in California on Tuesday...

US MotoGP: Legends prep for Valentino Rossi kart showdown

02 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Legends prep for Valentino Rossi kart showdown

Three of the most famous faces in the history of MotoGP have been getting in some crucial practice ahead of a special karting clash with modern day premier class star Valentino Rossi in Laguna Seca.

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not underestimating Dani Pedrosa influence

01 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not underestimating Dani Pedrosa influence

Reigning MotoGP world champion and 2009 points leader Valentino Rossi has told MCN that Dani Pedrosa still has a huge part to play in the destiny of this year’s exciting title race. Two crashes in the...

US MotoGP: Mika Kallio out of Laguna clash

01 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Mika Kallio out of Laguna clash

Finnish rookie Mika Kallio has withdrawn from this weekend’s American MotoGP race in Laguna Seca with the serious left hand injury he suffered in Assen just four days ago. Kallio lost part of the tip...

US MotoGP: Yuki Takahashi dumped by Scot Honda?

01 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Yuki Takahashi dumped by Scot Honda?

Yuki Takahashi’s rookie MotoGP campaign appears to be over after just seven races, with speculation rife that the Scot Honda team has axed the Japanese rider for the remainder of the 2009 season. It...

US MotoGP: Casey Stoner wary of stomach problem

01 July 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Casey Stoner wary of stomach problem

Casey Stoner’s physical condition will be closely monitored in Laguna Seca this weekend as the Aussie looks to get back to winning ways in the American MotoGP race. Severe stomach cramps have badly...

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi expects tough Laguna battle

30 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Valentino Rossi expects tough Laguna battle

Valentino Rossi doesn’t believe Jorge Lorenzo’s Laguna Seca inexperience or Casey Stoner’s on-going health problems will make his task of winning a 101st Grand Prix any easier in California this...

US MotoGP: James Toseland aims for Laguna top six

30 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: James Toseland aims for Laguna top six

James Toseland is hoping his first top six finish of the season in Assen last weekend will inspire him to a repeat performance in Sunday’s American GP at Laguna Seca. After a nightmare start to 2009,...

US MotoGP: Nicky Hayden looking for ’09 best in Laguna

30 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Nicky Hayden looking for ’09 best in Laguna

Nicky Hayden is hopeful that he can beat his best Ducati result in his home race in Laguna Seca this weekend. The Kentucky rider enjoyed his best race for the Bologna factory in Assen last weekend,...

US MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo not worried by ’08 failure

30 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo not worried by ’08 failure

Jorge Lorenzo believes he will have no problems in banishing painful memories of Laguna Seca as he looks to get back to winning ways in Sunday’s American MotoGP clash. Laguna Seca was a venue for one...

US MotoGP: Home podium tough, says Colin Edwards

30 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

US MotoGP: Home podium tough, says Colin Edwards

American Colin Edwards believes a podium finish in his home race in Laguna Seca this weekend will be tough to achieve with the American rating 2009 as the toughest in his premier class career. The...

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi celebrates 100th victory

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi celebrates 100th victory

An emotional Valentino Rossi hailed his 100th Grand Prix victory after the Italian produced a commanding performance in Assen today. The 30-year-old never looked in danger of having to delay his...

Assen MotoGP: Sickness strikes Casey Stoner again

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Sickness strikes Casey Stoner again

A repeat of the severe stomach cramps that blunted his challenge in Catalunya earlier this month struck Casey Stoner again in Assen today as the Aussie had to settle for a distant third behind...

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland jubilant with top six

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland jubilant with top six

James Toseland was jubilant after he stormed to his best result of a troubled 2009 season in today’s Dutch MotoGP race. The British rider ended a titanic midfield scrap in sixth position to claim his...

Assen MotoGP: Toni Elias apologises to Loris Capirossi

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Toni Elias apologises to Loris Capirossi

Spaniard Toni Elias issued an apology to Italian veteran Loris Capirossi after the pair tangled at the final corner in Assen. Fighting for sixth place after Mika Kallio had crashed out just seconds...

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo well beaten in Holland

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo well beaten in Holland

Jorge Lorenzo admitted he was well beaten by Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi in today’s Dutch MotoGP race in Assen. A sluggish start and a continuing struggle to solve issues in the fourth...

Assen MotoGP: Dutch disaster for Repsol Honda

27 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Dutch disaster for Repsol Honda

Honda’s factory team endured a nightmare in Assen with Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso both crashing out of Saturday’s 26-lap race. Spaniard Pedrosa had just surrendered third place to a hard...

Assen MotoGP: Rossi takes 100th GP win

27 June 2009 by Liam Marsden

Assen MotoGP: Rossi takes 100th GP win

Reigning World champion Valentino Rossi has taken his 100th GP win at Assen ahead of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. Ducati rider Casey Stoner led from the start, but Rossi soon made his way to the front...

Assen MotoGP: Sergio Gadea takes 125GP win

27 June 2009 by Liam Marsden

Assen MotoGP: Sergio Gadea takes 125GP win

Aspar Aprilia rider Sergio Gadea won the 125GP race after race leader Nicolas Terol ran off the the track at the end of the last lap. Terol and Julian Simon were leading the race when they almost...

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner slams Sete Gibernau

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Casey Stoner slams Sete Gibernau

Aussie Casey Stoner launched a scathing attack on veteran Spaniard Sete Gibernau in Assen today after an unseen incident during qualifying for the Dutch MotoGP race. The 23-year-old was clearly upset...

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi talks pole position

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi talks pole position

Valentino Rossi reckons tomorrow’s Dutch MotoGP race at the historic Assen circuit could be another classic after a thrilling qualifying session saw the Italian claim pole position. The 30-year-old,...

Assen MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa thanks Valentino Rossi for front row

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa thanks Valentino Rossi for front row

Dani Pedrosa conceded he needed a huge helping hand from Valentino Rossi to claim only his third front row start of 2009 in Assen this afternoon. The Repsol Honda rider clocked his best time of...

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo admits last sector weakness

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo admits last sector weakness

Jorge Lorenzo will watch video footage of his qualifying performance in Assen today after he missed out on a third successive MotoGP pole position by just 0.368s. The Spaniard was struggling to get...

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland eyes first top six of 2009

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland eyes first top six of 2009

British rider James Toseland is confident he can mount a challenge for his first top six of a tough 2009 MotoGP campaign in Assen tomorrow. The 28-year-old equalled his best qualifying result of the...

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi storms to pole position

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi storms to pole position

Valentino Rossi’s bid for a 100th Grand Prix victory in Assen tomorrow got a massive boost this afternoon when he claimed pole position for the Dutch GP, In much cloudier and cooler conditions than...

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith fifth on grid for 125GP

26 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Bradley Smith fifth on grid for 125GP

World 125GP title contender Bradley Smith will start tomorrow’s 22-lap Dutch GP from fifth on the grid. The Oxfordshire rider clocked a best time of 1.45.712 to miss the front row by just 0.033s in a...

Assen MotoGP: Randy de Puniet shocked with fastest time

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Randy de Puniet shocked with fastest time

Randy de Puniet admitted his brilliant MotoGP practice performance in Assen today was a ‘big surprise’ as he edged out title contenders Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo to claim the...

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi happy in second

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Valentino Rossi happy in second

Valentino Rossi declared himself happy to be second quickest at the end of opening MotoGP practice in Assen today, the Italian bumped off top spot by a late attack from Randy de Puniet. Rossi looked...

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland fast on radical new Yamaha set-up

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: James Toseland fast on radical new Yamaha set-up

James Toseland was delighted with his opening day performance in Assen today after the British rider rode a radically revised Monster Yamaha YZR-M1 to the ninth quickest time in practice. Toseland’s...

Assen MotoGP: Randy de Puniet shocks title contenders

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Randy de Puniet shocks title contenders

Randy de Puniet produced a big shock on the opening day of practice in Assen, the LCR Honda rider edging out MotoGP title contenders Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner to set the fastest...

Assen MotoGP: Top five for Bradley Smith and Danny Webb in 125GP practice

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Top five for Bradley Smith and Danny Webb in 125GP practice

Bradley Smith and Danny Webb made a fast start to the Dutch GP in Assen today, the British pair setting the fourth and fifth best times respectively in opening 125GP practice. In sunny but windy...

Assen MotoGP: 100th win not a distraction for Valentino Rossi

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: 100th win not a distraction for Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi insists he will not let the prospect of winning his 100th Grand Prix in Assen this weekend be a major distraction. The Italian’s epic last corner victory over Fiat Yamaha team-mate...

Assen MotoGP: Yamaha wary of Dani Pedrosa influence

25 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Yamaha wary of Dani Pedrosa influence

Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team boss Davide Brivio believes Spaniard Dani Pedrosa could still play a vital role in deciding the outcome of the 2009 MotoGP world championship. Although the Repsol...

Assen MotoGP: Gresini Honda confirms Marco Simoncelli signing

24 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Gresini Honda confirms Marco Simoncelli signing

Marco Simoncelli will ride for the Gresini Honda squad in 2010, the Italian team has just announced in Assen tonight. As expected, the reigning world 250GP champion has shunned Yamaha, Ducati and...

Assen MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli to confirm Honda deal

24 June 2009 by Matthew Birt

Assen MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli to confirm Honda deal

Marco Simoncelli is expected to officially confirm he has signed a Honda deal for next year’s MotoGP world championship in Assen this week. The reigning world 250GP champion has signed a contract...