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

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Tech 3 back James Toseland for podium

01 September 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Tech 3 back James Toseland for podium

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal believes British rider James Toseland is capable of recording his first MotoGP podium before the end of his rookie campaign. Toseland roared back to form after a...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Alvaro Bautista shuns MotoGP

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Alvaro Bautista shuns MotoGP

Alvaro Bautista has confirmed he won’t be switching to the MotoGP class in 2009. The Misano 250GP winner has agreed to stay on a factory Aprilia in the 250 series next season, despite being linked...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Toni Elias spares Ducati’s blushes

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Toni Elias spares Ducati’s blushes

Toni Elias spared Ducati from a humbling home race in Misano today as he scored a second successive podium. With reigning world champion Casey Stoner crashing out of the lead on lap six, Elias was...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi savours 68th victory

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi savours 68th victory

Valentino Rossi equalled Giacomo Agostini’s record of 68 premier class victories in Misano today, taking a huge step towards an eighth world title in the process. With Casey Stoner making another...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Jorge Lorenzo back on podium

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Jorge Lorenzo back on podium

Jorge Lorenzo scored his first podium finish since the French GP in Le Mans back in May today as he ended a miserable run of form with second in a baking hot Misano clash. Once he’d got the better of...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner throws title away with crash

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner throws title away with crash

Casey Stoner left Valentino Rossi with one hand on the MotoGP world title after he crashed out of the lead for the second successive race in Misano today. The Aussie is now 75-points adrift of the...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Nicky Hayden talks race absence

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Nicky Hayden talks race absence

Nicky Hayden has explained his absence from today’s Misano GP, while also admitting he was never approached by Honda about a possible switch to Bridgestone tyres. The American sat out the 28-lap clash...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland delighted with top six return

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland delighted with top six return

British rider James Toseland was delighted with his Misano performance as he returned to the top six for the first time since early June. Toseland has endured a nightmare recent run and dropped out of...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Michelin confirms Dani Pedrosa split

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Michelin confirms Dani Pedrosa split

Michelin has confirmed that Dani Pedrosa will no longer use its tyres in 2008, with the Spaniard making a shock switch to rivals Bridgestone from the Indianapolis GP. As was reported by MCN this...

Misano MotoGP: Rossi takes home victory and equals Agostini's record

31 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Rossi takes home victory and equals Agostini's record

After Casey Stoner crashed out early, Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi claimed victory today at his home track in front of his many fans, bringing him equal with legendary racer Giacomo Agostini’s 68...

Misano MotoGP: Bautista takes the win in a heated 250 clash

31 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Bautista takes the win in a heated 250 clash

Mapfre Aspar Team rider Alvaro Bautista took his third win of the season at a dramatic 250 race today at Misano. Lining up on the grid today Spaniard Hector Barbera was in pole position after winning...

Misano MotoGP: Bradley Smith 2nd on the podium in the 125 GP

31 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Bradley Smith 2nd on the podium in the 125 GP

British rider Bradley Smith rode hard today, leading the race briefly, to take second place in today’s Misano 125 GP. Bancaja Aspar rider Gabor Talmasci rounded off a very successful...

Misano MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa to switch to Bridgestone

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa to switch to Bridgestone

Dani Pedrosa will make a sensational switch to Bridgestone tyres from the Indianapolis GP onwards. And the Spaniard, who has been the biggest critic of Michelin’s in recent weeks, could even test...

Misano MotoGP: Nicky Hayden in doubt for race

31 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Nicky Hayden in doubt for race

Nicky Hayden’s participation in this afternoon’s Misano GP is in doubt because of the cracked heel he suffered over a month ago. The American didn’t take part in this morning’s warm-up session as the...

Misano MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo rediscovers confidence and form

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo rediscovers confidence and form

Jorge Lorenzo claimed his first front row start in ten races as he stormed to third in this afternoon’s qualifying session. The Spaniard hasn’t been on the front row since scoring the last of his...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi worried by race pace

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi worried by race pace

Valentino Rossi reckons he will have to improve his pace to pose a threat to title rival Casey Stoner in tomorrow’s Misano GP. The 29-year-old will start his home race from second on the grid as he...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner in seventh heaven

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner in seventh heaven

Casey Stoner proved that a recurrence of an old wrist injury has done little to knock him out of his stride as he claimed a seventh successive pole positon in Misano today. The Aussie dominated...

Misano MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa boosted by new front fork

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa boosted by new front fork

A new Showa front fork helped Dani Pedrosa put some of his recent Michelin misery behind him as he claimed sixth on the grid for tomorrow’s Misano GP. The Spaniard clocked a best time of 1.34.398 to...

Misano MotoGP: Front tyre issue hampers Nicky Hayden

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Front tyre issue hampers Nicky Hayden

A front tyre issue has left Nicky Hayden facing a tough Misano GP tomorrow after he could only qualify down in a lowly 16th place. Returning from the heel injury that forced him to withdraw from the...

Misano MotoGP: Colin Edwards baffled at lack of speed

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Colin Edwards baffled at lack of speed

Texan Colin Edwards has admitted he his flummoxed at his lack of speed in Misano this weekend as he had to settle for a place on the fourth row of the grid. Edwards was only tenth fastest on his Tech...

Misano MotoGP: James Toseland rues late mistake

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: James Toseland rues late mistake

James Toseland was left to rue a mistake on his final qualifying tyre that he believes cost him a starting slot on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s Misano GP. Toseland will start ninth after...

Misano MotoGP: Barbera keeps up the pace to take 1st in final qualifying

30 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Barbera keeps up the pace to take 1st in final qualifying

Hector Barbera kept up the pace he set earlier today in free practice to claim the top slot on the timesheets in the final 250cc qualifying session. Barbera fended off Simoncelli in the final...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner takes pole for Misano GP

30 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner takes pole for Misano GP

At today’s qualifying session Casey Stoner put in the fastest lap to earn pole position for tomorrow’s MotoGP showdown. The seemingly unstoppable Aussie took pole today despite a wrist injury, putting...

Misano MotoGP: Bradley Smith places 2nd in final qualifying session

30 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Bradley Smith places 2nd in final qualifying session

British rider Bradley Smith came out swinging today and took second place in the final 125 GP qualifying session, earning him his 8th front row start of the season. Predictably Talmacsi finished at...

Misano MotoGP: Barbera charges hard in free practice

30 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Barbera charges hard in free practice

Spaniard Hector Barbera charged hard in the second 250cc free practice today, lapping at Misano over 8 tenths of a second faster than Simoncelli. The two riders have been jostling for the top spot all...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner ends practice on top

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner ends practice on top

Casey Stoner shrugged off the pain of a left wrist injury to continue his domination of the Misano GP this morning. Having revealed yesterday that he was suffering a recurrence of an old broken wrist...

Misano MotoGP: Suzuki deny Andrea Dovizioso signing rumours

30 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Suzuki deny Andrea Dovizioso signing rumours

Suzuki has denied intense speculation in Misano that Andrea Dovizioso will join Loris Capirossi in an all-Italian team in 2009. Speculation is increasing that Aussie Chris Vermeulen will be axed,...

Misano MotoGP: Talmacsi dominates in 125cc free practice once again

30 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Talmacsi dominates in 125cc free practice once again

Gabor Talmacsi has backed up his sterling performance in yesterday’s 125cc qualifying session by topping the time sheets once again in free practice this morning. Hungarian rider Talmacsi, who races...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner battles wrist problem

29 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner battles wrist problem

Casey Stoner dominated today’s opening practice at a sun-drenched Misano before revealing he is suffering from a left wrist injury. The injury is a re-opened small fracture in his left scaphoid...

Misano MotoGP: John Hopkins explains surprise absence

29 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: John Hopkins explains surprise absence

Kawasaki insist John Hopkins’ on-going rib injury forced him to sit out the opening day of practice in Misano today, despite a flood of rumours about the American’s absence on track. Rumours that...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi looking to improve

29 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi looking to improve

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi is confident he can make big improvements with the set-up of his factory Yamaha in Misano, despite finishing the opening day of practice in second...

Misano MotoGP: Nicky Hayden escapes crash scare

29 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: Nicky Hayden escapes crash scare

Nicky Hayden had a scare on his return to action in Misano today as a crash luckily saw him suffer no further damage to his cracked right heel. The Repsol Honda rider was in the last section on his...

Misano MotoGP: James Toseland confident after positive start

29 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Misano MotoGP: James Toseland confident after positive start

British rider James Toseland cut a much happier figure in Misano today as he ended the opening day of free practice with the 10th best time. After struggling with Michelin’s severe grip issues in the...

Misano MotoGP: Simoncelli turns the tables on Barbera in the 250cc qualifying

29 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Simoncelli turns the tables on Barbera in the 250cc qualifying

Marco Simoncelli has taken provisional pole for Sunday’s 250cc GP this afternoon by lapping at Misano in 1’38.400, half a second ahead of second place rider Hector Barbera. Simoncelli has turned the...

Misano MotoGP: Stoner tops the time sheets again in second free practice

29 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Stoner tops the time sheets again in second free practice

Aussie Casey Stoner has stayed on typical good form this afternoon and finished at the top of the time sheets once again in the second MotoGP free practice session. The Ducati Marlboro Team rider...

Misano MotoGP: Talmacsi takes provisional pole in first 125cc qualifying session

29 August 2008 by James Keen

Misano MotoGP: Talmacsi takes provisional pole in first 125cc qualifying session

Following on from his great performance in free practise this morning, Gabor Talmacsi has come out on top after the first qualifying practice today and looks set to take yet another pole position...