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

KTM deny 600cc GP assault

03 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

KTM deny 600cc GP assault

KTM management have again denied the shock decision to quit the 250GP class at the end of 2008 was to focus on a new factory effort for the future 600cc four-stroke class. A controversial new 600cc...

Nicky Hayden sad to lose qualifying tyres

02 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden sad to lose qualifying tyres

American Nicky Hayden reckons one of the most exciting aspects of riding in MotoGP has been sacrificed because of the introduction of the single tyre rule for 2009. The factory Ducati rider, who...

Jorge Lorenzo confident in 2009 title challenge

02 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo confident in 2009 title challenge

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo believes the switch to Bridgestone tyres will allow him to mount a much more serious challenge to win the MotoGP world crown in 2009. Lorenzo had an impressive rookie campaign...

Casey Stoner reveals small op complication

01 December 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner reveals small op complication

Former world champion Casey Stoner has revealed his recent wrist operation was hit by a small complication as he continues his long and slow rehabilitation. The Aussie, who was a surprise visitor to...

Valencia MotoGP

29 November 2008 by john cotton

Valencia MotoGP

Me (John Cotton) at the final MotoGP round – Valencia and the bike on the ferry back from santander. Keep up the top paper and have a good christmas at MCN

Sports Personality dream over for Scott Redding

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sports Personality dream over for Scott Redding

Scott Redding’s hopes of winning the prestigious BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award have ended. Having made the shortlist of ten of Britain’s brightest young sports stars, the British...

Olivier Jacque unhurt in 125mph test crash

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Olivier Jacque unhurt in 125mph test crash

Kawasaki test rider Olivier Jacque was fortunate to walk away with bruising after he crashed at nearly 125mph during the final day of testing in Phillip Island today. The Frenchman crashed late on in...

John Hopkins to undergo surgery

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins to undergo surgery

American John Hopkins will undergo surgery next week to remove metal plates from his left foot that severely hampered him during testing at Phillip Island this week. Hopkins will go under the knife...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi ends 2008 on top

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi ends 2008 on top

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi ended his superb 2008 campaign at the top of the timesheets in the final winter test of the year in Jerez. Rossi, who won nine races to regain the premier class...

Jerez test: Nicky Hayden thrilled at big improvement

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Nicky Hayden thrilled at big improvement

American Nicky Hayden went into the long winter break in bullish mood after he clocked the sixth best time on the final day of testing in Jerez. The 2006 world champion had cut a dejected figure in...

Jerez test: James Toseland confident after Bridgestone debut

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: James Toseland confident after Bridgestone debut

James Toseland ended his Bridgestone debut in positive mood at Jerez, the 27-year-old finishing ninth on the final day of track action in 2008. The British rider clocked a best time of 1.40.752 on the...

Jerez test: Dani Pedrosa content with second

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Dani Pedrosa content with second

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa said he was satisfied with his first serious test on Honda’s 2009 RC212V prototype despite playing second fiddle to Valentino Rossi again. A best lap of 1.39.447 on his last lap...

Jerez test: Colin Edwards boosted by Bridgestone debut

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Colin Edwards boosted by Bridgestone debut

Colin Edwards’ impressive Bridgestone debut left the American exuding confidence for 2009 at the end of the final winter test in Jerez. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocked a best time of 1.40.604 that had...

Jerez test: Jorge Lorenzo confident with 2009 Yamaha

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Jorge Lorenzo confident with 2009 Yamaha

Jorge Lorenzo believes Yamaha has made big steps with the performance of its 2009 factory YZR-M1. The Spaniard got his first proper chance to test the prototype M1 in Jerez and the double world 250...

John Hopkins continues to suffer in Phillip Island

27 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins continues to suffer in Phillip Island

American John Hopkins has admitted he is struggling severely with the pain from his damaged left ankle at the end of the second day of testing in Phillip Island, Australia. The factory Kawasaki rider...

Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut

British rider James Toseland made an encouraging start to his Bridgestone career in Jerez today, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocking the sixth quickest time on a chilly first day. Get the latest news...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi delighted with 2009 Yamaha

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi delighted with 2009 Yamaha

Valentino Rossi declared himself delighted with the performance of Yamaha’s 2009 factory YZR-M1 prototype as he ended the opening day of testing in Jerez with the second quickest time. The Italian,...

Nicky Hayden ‘not thrilled’ by tenth

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden ‘not thrilled’ by tenth

American Nicky Hayden conceded he had little to be thrilled about as he finished the opening day of testing in Jerez with the tenth quickest time. Get the latest MotoGP news Making his second...

Jerez test: Casey Stoner injury update

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Casey Stoner injury update

Former world champion Casey Stoner was a surprised and frustrated spectator at the start of MotoGP testing in Jerez today. The Aussie, who is in the early stages of recovery from major surgery on his...

Jerez test: New engine helps Dani Pedrosa set fastest time

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: New engine helps Dani Pedrosa set fastest time

A new spec Honda RC212V engine helped Dani Pedrosa clock the best time on the opening day of testing at a cool and windy Jerez. Using two new 2009 prototype machines at the final test session of 2008,...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi sets early Jerez pace

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi sets early Jerez pace

Valentino Rossi needed just seven laps to move to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of MotoGP testing at a cold but sunny Jerez. The reigning world champion has clocked a best time of...

Mike di Meglio joins Aspar 250 squad

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Mike di Meglio joins Aspar 250 squad

Reigning world 125 champion Mike di Meglio will ride for the Aspar 250GP squad alongside Alvaro Bautista in 2009. The Frenchman made his Aprilia 250 debut earlier this week in Valencia having clinched...

Injury plagues John Hopkins in Australia test

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Injury plagues John Hopkins in Australia test

American John Hopkins completed a successful but painful first day of testing in Australia today. The factory Kawasaki rider is still struggling with injuries suffered in a massive 175mph practice...

James Toseland looking forward to Bridgestone debut

25 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland looking forward to Bridgestone debut

British rider James Toseland is back on track in Jerez tomorrow (Wednesday), eagerly anticipating his debut on Bridgestone tyres at the Spanish circuit. The 27-year-old missed the post-season test...

Bradley Smith makes Aspar debut in Valencia

24 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith makes Aspar debut in Valencia

Bradley Smith kicked off his 2009 125GP world title bid in Valencia today, the British rider getting his first chance to work with the highly regarded Aspar Aprilia squad. Smith, who joined Jorge...

Chris Vermeulen desperate for engine upgrade

24 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Chris Vermeulen desperate for engine upgrade

Chris Vermeulen is hoping Suzuki will have another upgraded version of its factory GSV-R motor ready to test in Phillip Island this week. Improving engine performance is one of the key targets for the...

Loris Capirossi: Phillip Island test is ‘massive’ for Suzuki

24 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Loris Capirossi: Phillip Island test is ‘massive’ for Suzuki

Italian Loris Capirossi insists his next winter test session will be crucial to the 2009 prospects of Suzuki’s factory MotoGP squad. Capirossi will make his final track appearance at a three-day test...

Hug from Rossi

21 November 2008 by wilf cook

At the Valencia GP this year Valentino Rossi put his arm over my shoulder, I put mine over his and gave him a right hug. It was fantastic meeting the KING. It was so emotional, I never got a photo, my wife Anne was so excited she never worked the camera for shouting ‘Valentino!’. He signed my Mike Hailwood book, I Also caught his righthand man Jeremy Burgess- the greatest, very down to earth and...

Jerry Burgess: Valentino Rossi tougher to beat in 2009

21 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerry Burgess: Valentino Rossi tougher to beat in 2009

Valentino Rossi’s legendary Aussie crew chief Jerry Burgess believes the eight-times world champion will be tougher to beat in 2009 than at any other stage in his successful career. The 29-year-old...

Rossi tests a Ferrari F1 car at Mugello

21 November 2008 by James Keen

MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi tested a Ferrari Formula One car at Mugello yesterday as a gift from the Italian team for achieving his eighth championship title. Rossi apparently completed nearly 30 laps of the famous Italian circuit and recorded a respectable fastest lap time of 1 min 22.5 seconds. Rossi’s lap time wasn’t bad at all, considering that at Ferrari’s last Mugello test F1...

Phillip Island MotoGP pics

21 November 2008 by Howard & Jacky

Phillip Island MotoGP pics

Just got back from a brill holiday over in OZ. Had a fanastic day at the track on Phillip Island. It was so well organised, no rip off, food and merchandise ‘good price’, met some great Aussie bikers.

Yamaha MotoGP boss plays down Ben Spies swoop

20 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha MotoGP boss plays down Ben Spies swoop

Senior Yamaha race boss Lin Jarvis has insisted that the Japanese factory has no deal already in place to bring triple American superbike champion Ben Spies to MotoGP in 2010. Spies has made it clear...

Sete Gibernau to step up training regime

20 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sete Gibernau to step up training regime

Spaniard Sete Gibernau will step up an intensive training regime in a bid to regain the fitness levels needed to compete in MotoGP next season. Gibernau, who will return to action for the first time...

Special Birthday Treat

19 November 2008 by PAULJOHNSCOTT

Special Birthday Treat

James Toseland made my son Aaron’s 12th Birthday very special on Saturday 8th November. Aaron was invited into a private room at Donnington park to meet his idol and have his picture taken with the GP...

Is Rossi really the best?

19 November 2008 by Al Rackham

I’ve been thinking about all the bike racing i’ve watched this year and it set me thinking about who really is the best. It seems to me that valentino rossi ain’t bad, but is he the best? yeah he might be the world champion at motogp, but it seems that he hasn’t had to work half as hard as troy bayliss to become champ this year (who, by the way, kicked all the motogp boys asses in his last...

Valentino Rossi: Dani Pedrosa must improve overtaking

19 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi: Dani Pedrosa must improve overtaking

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi believes Honda rival Dani Pedrosa must become more ruthless in the heat of battle to stake a claim to the 2009 MotoGP world crown. One weakness Pedrosa has yet...