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

Le Mans MotoGP: James Toseland satisfied with ninth

17 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: James Toseland satisfied with ninth

British rider James Toseland felt he made major progress with confidence in his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 after he claimed a hard fought ninth place. In an incident-packed race, which saw Toseland...

Le Mans MotoGP: Race Results - Lorenzo outclasses even the weather to take victory

17 May 2009 by MCN

Le Mans MotoGP: Race Results - Lorenzo outclasses even the weather to take victory

Jorge Lorenzo romped home to an impressive victory today finishing an epic 17 seconds ahead of the pack. The Spanish rider perfectly judged the weather, staying on wet tyres for as long as possible...

Le Mans MotoGP: 125 and 250 results - Simon wins, Smith takes fourth

17 May 2009 by MCN

Le Mans MotoGP: 125 and 250 results - Simon wins, Smith takes fourth

Julian Simon rode a blistering race today, finishing an epic 27 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. Simon made the best of the tricky weather conditions and put the disappointment of Jerez behind...

Le Mans MotoGP: Qualifying Results - Pedrosa takes pole

16 May 2009 by MCN

Le Mans MotoGP: Qualifying Results - Pedrosa takes pole

Dani Pedrosa snatched pole away from Jorge Lorenzo by less than .005 of a second. The pair engaged in a feirce battle but Pedrosa managed to squeeze a bit more power out of his Repsol Honda and take...

Le Mans MotoGP: 125 and 250 qualifying results, Redding leads the Brits

16 May 2009 by MCN

Le Mans MotoGP: 125 and 250 qualifying results, Redding leads the Brits

Le Mans MotoGP: Scott Redding second on 125GP grid British rider Scott Redding missed claiming his maiden pole position in Le Mans today by just 0.093s. The Blusens Aprilia rider will start...

Le Mans MotoGP: Sete Gibernau breaks left collarbone

16 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Sete Gibernau breaks left collarbone

Spaniard Sete Gibernau is facing a desperate battle to be fit for his home race in Catalunya next month after breaking his left collarbone in a practice crash at Le Mans this morning. In cold...

Le Mans MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso quickest in rain-hit practice

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso quickest in rain-hit practice

Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso ended a rain disrupted first practice session for the French MotoGP race with the fastest time in Le Mans. The Italian edged out factory Ducati rider Casey Stoner...

Le Mans MotoGP: Yamaha stars explain slow pace

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Yamaha stars explain slow pace

Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Colin Edwards have explained Yamaha’s surprisingly slow pace in Le Mans today. Many expected Yamaha to dominate this weekend’s French GP after the YZR-M1 claimed two...

Le Mans MotoGP: Gabor Talmacsi to make Honda MotoGP move?

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Gabor Talmacsi to make Honda MotoGP move?

Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi could be thrown a shock lifeline by moving to the Scot Honda MotoGP squad for the remainder of the 2009 world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal. Talmacsi could ride...

FIM apologise to KTM over KERS ban

15 May 2009 by Guy Procter

FIM apologise to KTM over KERS ban

The FIM has secretly apologised to KTM after IRTA claimed its energy-recovering KERS system was in breach of the rules. IRTA made the ruling on 28 March at Jerez (the day before race day), but appears...

Le Mans MotoGP: War of words erupts as Gabor Talmacsi quits

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: War of words erupts as Gabor Talmacsi quits

A bitter war of words has broken out between Bradley Smith’s Aspar Aprilia team and former world 125GP champion Gabor Talmacsi. The Hungarian rider walked out just three races into a two-year deal to...

Le Mans MotoGP: Casey Stoner hopeful on new electronics improvement

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Casey Stoner hopeful on new electronics improvement

Aussie Casey Stoner is confident new electronics on his factory Ducati GP9 will strengthen his bid for victory in this weekend’s French MotoGP race in Le Mans. The 2007 world champion will evaluate...

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not distracted by 100th win

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi not distracted by 100th win

Valentino Rossi has told MCN he will not let the prospect of being able to record his 100th Grand Prix victory at his home race in Mugello distract him from this weekend’s Le Mans clash in France. If...

Le Mans MotoGP: Colin Edwards cagey on 2010 future

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Colin Edwards cagey on 2010 future

American Colin Edwards has remained cagey on his future despite insisting he’s still motivated enough to continue racing in MotoGP next season. Speculation surrounding the future of Edwards and...

Troy Bayliss rules out racing return

15 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Troy Bayliss rules out racing return

Triple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss has ruled out making a shock return to racing after a successful three-day test session on Ducati’s MotoGP bike in Mugello this week. The Aussie tested the...

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi stars in Paris show

14 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi stars in Paris show

Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi warmed up for this weekend’s French MotoGP clash in Le Mans with a special pre-event appearance in Paris today, including a spectacular burnout under the...

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo aim for 1-2

12 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo aim for 1-2

Fiat Yamaha duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo are hopeful they can help Yamaha dominate the French MotoGP race in Le Mans for a second successive season. Rossi scored his 90th victory in Le Mans...

Le Mans MotoGP: Casey Stoner expecting close fight

12 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Casey Stoner expecting close fight

Former world champion Casey Stoner is expecting another close battle in this weekend’s French MotoGP race. The Aussie is currently lying second in the world championship standings with a victory and a...

Le Mans MotoGP: Nicky Hayden boosted by crew change

12 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Nicky Hayden boosted by crew change

American Nicky Hayden will be under the guidance of experienced crew chief Juan Martinez from this weekend’s French MotoGP onwards. The Spaniard will lead Hayden’s crew to try and help the 2006 world...

Hayate boss praises Marco Melandri effort

12 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Hayate boss praises Marco Melandri effort

Hayate MotoGP boss Andrea Dosoli has praised the input of Marco Melandri after the Italian rider’s sensational start to the 2009 MotoGP world championship. Melandri has been a revelation on the...

Le Mans MotoGP: Bradley Smith looking for Jerez repeat

12 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Bradley Smith looking for Jerez repeat

British teenager Bradley Smith is hoping he can continue his impressive run of form at the historic Le Mans circuit to win this weekend’s French 125GP race. Get all the latest MotoGP news Le Mans...

Le Mans MotoGP: Suzuki duo eager to find form

11 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Le Mans MotoGP: Suzuki duo eager to find form

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi are hoping to turnaround Suzuki’s dismal 2009 fortunes in this weekend’s French MotoGP clash in Le Mans. A promising pre-season testing campaign has been followed...

Scott Redding with Ashleigh & Megan

10 May 2009 by christboak

Scott Redding with Ashleigh & Megan

Scott Redding with my daughter, Ashleigh and her friend, Megan in Worthing.

Troy Bayliss to test Ducati MotoGP bike

07 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Troy Bayliss to test Ducati MotoGP bike

Triple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will be back on two wheels again next week, the Aussie testing Ducati’s GP9 MotoGP bike at a three-day test in Mugello. MCN sources though who spoke to...

Yamaha in no rush to clinch Jorge Lorenzo deal

07 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha in no rush to clinch Jorge Lorenzo deal

Yamaha is in no rush to get Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo signed on a new two-year contract. The Spaniard’s Fiat Yamaha team boss Daniele Romagnoli told MCN that while negotiations over a new deal had...

James Toseland must improve qualifying, says Tech 3 boss

07 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland must improve qualifying, says Tech 3 boss

British rider James Toseland has to improve his qualifying performances to bolster his hopes of emerging as a consistent top six threat in MotoGP. The 28-year-old has only managed one top ten grid...

Valentino Rossi unconcerned by Jorge Lorenzo future

07 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi unconcerned by Jorge Lorenzo future

Valentino Rossi says he’s not fussed whether Jorge Lorenzo remains on the other side of Fiat Yamaha’s dividing wall in 2010. Get all the latest MotoGP news Lorenzo is currently negotiating a new...

Danny Webb looking for consistency

07 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Danny Webb looking for consistency

British teenager Danny Webb is hoping he can become a regular top six challenger after he scored his best result of 2009 in Jerez last weekend. The 18-year-old rode his Degraaf Aprilia to eighth place...

James Toseland pledges major improvement

06 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland pledges major improvement

British rider James Toseland has pledged to dig deep and make major improvements after he slumped to a bitterly frustrating 13th place in Jerez. The double World Superbike champion accepts his...

Bradley Smith’s dad proud at Jerez success

06 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith’s dad proud at Jerez success

Bradley Smith’s dad Allan has spoken of the moment he was an emotional wreck in Jerez – 16 laps before his son Bradley romped to his first 125GP win! “I was crying my eyes out seven laps in. I...

Suzuki boss: MotoGP is main priority

06 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki boss: MotoGP is main priority

Suzuki’s need to be more competitive in MotoGP and World Superbikes was the reason for the Japanese factory not bidding for the exclusive engine supply deal for the new Moto2 600 class. Dorna boss...

The police at Assen

06 May 2009 by binmon

The police at Assen

Me and my mate Gary at Assen

Honda fully support Dani Pedrosa

06 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Honda fully support Dani Pedrosa

Honda has given Dani Pedrosa a vote of confidence, despite the Spaniard’s inability to seriously threaten Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner’s domination of MotoGP. With rumours already rife that...

Suzuki deny Ben Spies swoop

05 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki deny Ben Spies swoop

Suzuki has denied launching an audacious swoop for WSB sensation Ben Spies – just six months after releasing the American. Factory boss Paul Denning said he hadn’t launched a bid to snare Spies,...

No flyaway ban for 125GP world championship

05 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

No flyaway ban for 125GP world championship

Next year’s world 125GP world championship will not be exclusively run at European races only. It was rumoured in Jerez that MotoGP bosses were considering scrapping the flyaway 125GP races to help...

Jerry Burgess talks first win of 2009

05 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerry Burgess talks first win of 2009

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess told MCN he was always confident that the Italian could fight his way to the front and win last weekend’s Spanish GP in Jerez. Rossi ran into severe...