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

Dani Pedrosa targeting Qatar return

16 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa targeting Qatar return

Injured Spaniard Dani Pedrosa has refused to rule himself out of the opening MotoGP race of 2009 in Qatar next month. The Spaniard is facing a desperate battle to be fit for the opening race under...

Hungary Drops out of MotoGP

11 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

Hungary Drops out of MotoGP

As revealed by MCN in February, this year’s MotoGP calendar will be reduced to 17 rounds following the cancellation of the new Hungarian round scheduled for the Balatonring circuit on September...

Dani Pedrosa cagey on first race fitness battle

08 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa cagey on first race fitness battle

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has refused to give a clear indication of whether he will be fit to compete in the first MotoGP race of 2009 in Qatar next month. The Spaniard was discharged from a...

MCN Exclusive: Marco Melandri agrees to race Hayate in 2009

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

MCN Exclusive: Marco Melandri agrees to race Hayate in 2009

Marco Melandri has decided today (Friday) to race a re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal. The Italian has decided to continue riding for...

John Hopkins close to Kawasaki pay off

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins close to Kawasaki pay off

John Hopkins is in the final stages of reaching a settlement with Kawasaki as the American continues his silence on his racing future. The 25-year-old has refused to speak on the shock resurrection of...

Nicky Hayden admits practice reduction worry

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden admits practice reduction worry

Nicky Hayden has admitted concerns that the big reduction in testing and practice time will hinder his hopes of adapting to Ducati‘s factory GP9 quicker. The American made big progress ahead of his...

Danny Webb unveils 2009 125GP squad

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Danny Webb unveils 2009 125GP squad

British teenager Danny Webb has unveiled his new 2009 125GP world championship squad at the Assen circuit in Holland. Webb will again ride for the DeGraaf Aprilia team for the second year in...

Ducati boss impressed with Nicky Hayden’s attitude

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati boss impressed with Nicky Hayden’s attitude

Ducati’s factory team boss Livio Suppo has praised the attitude and work ethic of new signing Nicky Hayden after the American enjoyed his best winter test on the new GP9 in Qatar. The 2006 MotoGP...

Dani Pedrosa to miss Jerez test?

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa to miss Jerez test?

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa looks certain to miss the final pre-season test in Jerez later this month after successful left knee and arm surgery yesterday (Wednesday). Pedrosa suffered another...

Qatar test: Bridgestone start 2010 tyre testing!

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Bridgestone start 2010 tyre testing!

Bridgestone bosses confirmed that tyres tested during this week’s night test session in Qatar will form part of the rubber developed for the 2010 MotoGP world championship. With more testing...

Qatar test: James Toseland gains confidence and pace

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: James Toseland gains confidence and pace

British rider James Toseland made some encouraging progress on the final night of MotoGP testing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Struggling to rebuild his shattered confidence following...

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden boosted by fifth place

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden boosted by fifth place

Nicky Hayden might just be clicking with Ducati’s GP9 at the right time as he ended the Qatar night test with the fifth fastest time. The Kentucky rider clocked a best lap of 1.57.225 just before 9pm...

Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo finally shines under Qatar floodlights

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo finally shines under Qatar floodlights

Fiat Yamaha rider and 2008 MotoGP rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo left it late to prove that he his winning his battle to adjust to Bridgestone tyres ahead of the first race in Qatar next...

Qatar test: Loris Capirossi confident despite double crash

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Loris Capirossi confident despite double crash

Two big crashes on the final night of testing in Qatar did little to dent Loris Capirossi’s confidence that he will be a serious podium contender in 2009. The veteran Italian took his first tumble at...

Qatar test: Valentino Rossi still optimistic for first race

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Valentino Rossi still optimistic for first race

Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi refused to be too downcast after being comprehensively beaten by chief rival Casey Stoner at the Qatar night test. The Italian’s best time of 1.56.972 on...

Qatar test: Night delight for Casey Stoner

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Night delight for Casey Stoner

Aussie Casey Stoner produced a dazzling performance to completely overshadow his rivals at the night MotoGP test in Qatar. The 2007 world champion, who has won 16 times for Ducati in 36 races, was...

Qatar test: Casey Stoner fastest after dazzling display in night test

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Casey Stoner fastest after dazzling display in night test

Former world champion Casey Stoner continued his incredible record at the Losail International Circuit tonight as he ended the night test in Qatar nearly one second clear of his rivals. Stoner, who...

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa to undergo surgery

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa to undergo surgery

Dani Pedrosa will undergo surgery in Barcelona today after he was diagnosed with a fractured left arm following a heavy crash on the second night of testing in Qatar on Monday. The Repsol Honda rider...

Qatar test: Casey Stoner satisfied with pace and wrist

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Casey Stoner satisfied with pace and wrist

Ducati’s Casey Stoner reported positive progress on the recovery of his left wrist after he dominated the second night of testing in Qatar. The 2007 world champion, who has won 16 out of his 36 races...

Tech 3 Yamaha confirms Monster deal

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Tech 3 Yamaha confirms Monster deal

James Toseland and Colin Edwards will have Monster sponsorship on their Tech 3 Yamaha bikes in 2009 and 2010, as was exclusively revealed by MCN a month ago. The American energy drink giant has signed...

Qatar test: Colin Edwards continues fast form

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Colin Edwards continues fast form

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards continued his superb early 2009 form in Qatar last night as the Texan clocked the third best time in blustery conditions. The double World Superbike champion finished...

Qatar test: James Toseland struggling to recapture confidence

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: James Toseland struggling to recapture confidence

British rider James Toseland has admitted he is struggling to rediscover his confidence as he ended the second night of testing under the spectacular Qatar floodlights in last place. Get all the...

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa on latest crash blow

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa on latest crash blow

Dani Pedrosa has talked about the latest in a long line of high profile and costly crashes after injury ended his Qatar test on the second night. The Spaniard will fly back to Barcelona for further...

Qatar test: Casey Stoner lights up night test

03 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Casey Stoner lights up night test

Former world champion Casey Stoner produced a dazzling performance under the Losail International Circuit’s floodlights tonight, the Aussie dominating the second night of MotoGP testing. Stoner had...

Qatar test: Chris Vermeulen escapes injury in crash

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Chris Vermeulen escapes injury in crash

Chris Vermeulen’s promising start to 2009 suffered a minor setback when the Aussie suffered a badly swollen right thumb in a crash on the second night of testing in Qatar. The factory Suzuki rider...

Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo struggling with Bridgestone switch

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo struggling with Bridgestone switch

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo has conceded he is struggling to adapt to Bridgestone tyres after a disappointing second night of testing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. The Fiat Yamaha rider...

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa injured in night crash

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Dani Pedrosa injured in night crash

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa is facing a fight to be fit for the final pre-season test in Jerez later this month after he suffered left wrist and knee injuries on the second night of testing in...

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden talks top spot

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden talks top spot

Nicky Hayden believes the opening night of testing in Qatar was not a waste of time as the American topped the timesheets on Ducati’s carbon fibre chassis GP9. The Kentucky rider clocked the best time...

Qatar test: Colin Edwards happy with neck injury progress

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Colin Edwards happy with neck injury progress

Colin Edwards has declared himself satisfied that his troublesome neck injury is clearing up after a largely meaningless night of testing in Qatar. The one positive for the Texan after a short rain...

Qatar test: Marco Melandri relieved to be back on track

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Marco Melandri relieved to be back on track

Marco Melandri posted the second best time on a rain-hit opening night of testing in Qatar as he began to put a nightmare winter behind him. Riding the Hayate bike, which is a factory Kawasaki ZX-RR...

Qatar test: James Toseland frustrated by desert downpour

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: James Toseland frustrated by desert downpour

British rider James Toseland’s hopes of kick starting his 2009 MotoGP campaign were thwarted by a five-minute rain shower on the opening night of testing in Qatar. Desperate to bounce back from his...

Qatar test: Valentino Rossi rues desert downpour

02 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Valentino Rossi rues desert downpour

Valentino Rossi was left a frustrated figure as he completed just one lap on the opening night of testing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. The reigning world champion spent most of the...

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden quickest after desert storm

01 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden quickest after desert storm

Factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden ended a weather-hit opening night of testing in Qatar with the fastest time. Get all the latest MotoGP news The American posted the best time of 2.00.717 in his...

Scott Redding tries new bike test

01 March 2009 by STEVEACER

MotoGP rider Scott Redding, motorcycle Instructor Steve Guest and new rider Ted try the new motorcycle test at the Gloucester test center. The test is coming in on April the 27th.

Grip issues at Qatar night test

01 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Grip issues at Qatar night test

Strong winds and early morning rain have already caused grip issues on the opening night of the MotoGP Qatar test session. The Losail International Circuit has been buffeted by strong winds in the...

Rain stops testing in Qatar

01 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Rain stops testing in Qatar

The opening night of MotoGP testing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar has already been badly disrupted by rain. Only ten riders had been out on track when a heavy cloudburst hit the desert...