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

Brno MotoGP: No holiday hangover for Valentino Rossi

15 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi emerged from the summer break in breathtaking form in Brno this morning. Get all the latest MotoGP news here The Italian, riding a modified YZR-M1 engine for improved acceleration,...

Brno MotoGP: John Hopkins back with a crash

15 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins ended this morning’s opening free practice session with the fifth best time, but his long-awaited return to action was marred by yet another crash. Get all the latest MotoGP news...

Brno MotoGP: Nightmare start for Michelin

15 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Desperate to recover from its Laguna Seca debacle, Michelin had another nightmare on the first morning of action in Brno as rivals Bridgestone dominated on the newly resurfaced Czech Republic...

Corkscrewed

14 August 2008 by aidy shaw

Me at the US GP last month laying down on the infamous corkscrew!

Brno MotoGP: Casey Stoner apologises to Valentino Rossi

14 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has tried to draw a line under his controversial attack on Valentino Rossi after their classic Laguna Seca scrap last month by apologising to the Italian in Brno...

Brno MotoGP: Nicky Hayden avoids lengthy spell on sidelines

14 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Former world champion Nicky Hayden withdrew from this weekend’s Brno GP in the Czech Republic to avoid potentially putting himself out of action for six months. Hayden’s heel injury he suffered in a...

Brno MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen still waiting on 2009 deal

14 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Aussie Chris Vermeulen has still not signed a new contract with Suzuki for 2009, but remains confident he will be on board a factory GSV-R next season. Vermeulen is hopeful long-running negotiations...

Brno MotoGP: James Toseland to use updated Yamaha engine

14 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland and Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards will run updated Yamaha YZR-M1 engines in this weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP round at Brno. Toseland confirmed he will run the revised spec...

Yamaha never worried Valentino Rossi would quit

13 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa has said he never had an ounce of doubt that Valentino Rossi wouldn’t sign a new contract with the Japanese factory. Rossi recently put pen to paper on a new two-year deal...

Anthony West casts doubt on MotoGP future

13 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Anthony West has conceded that he would sack himself if he was running Kawaski’s factory MotoGP squad! The Aussie has had a torrid time during his first full premier class campaign and Kawasaki bosses...

Shinya Nakano to kick off Honda’s ‘09 preparations

12 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano will begin Honda’s 2009 MotoGP preparations in Brno this weekend when he rides next year’s satellite RC212V for the first time. The Gresini Honda rider will campaign a V4...

Jorge Lorenzo recovered and raring to go

12 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo is confident he can put his injury-hit recent run behind him with a morale-boosting performance in this weekend’s Czech Republic MotoGP clash. Lorenzo has spent the majority of...

X Games injury forces Nicky Hayden out of Brno clash

12 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden has been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s Czech Republic GP in Brno following a foot injury he suffered in the X Games. Get all the latest MotoGP news here The factory Honda rider...

Valentino Rossi wary of Casey Stoner threat

11 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi is in no doubt Casey Stoner will again provide the toughest opposition when the season resumes in Brno this weekend. Refreshed after his classic...

John Hopkins fighting fit for Brno

11 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins will end a frustrating spell on the sidelines when he returns to action in this weekend’s Czech Republic GP. Hopkins has missed the last three races in Assen, Sachsenring and Laguna Seca...

Dani Pedrosa eager to return to action

11 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa will return to action in Brno this weekend fully recovered from the injuries that forced him to withdraw from the American GP last month. The factory Honda rider has used the summer break...

Injury concern for Nicky Hayden

11 August 2008 by Matthew Birt

An ankle injury suffered by former world champion Nicky Hayden in his shock X-Games appearance earlier this month has cast doubt on his fitness for this weekend’s Czech Republic GP in Brno. The Repsol...

Career change for Uccio?

04 August 2008 by Jonathan Millington

Looks like Uccio has started car racing! Taken at the Day of champions 08 paddock.

Laguna Seca- best GP in years!

04 August 2008 by Nick from North Wales

Jut like everyone else I was thrilled, amazed and completely entertained by Rossi and Stoner at Laguna Seca (Stoner’s post race reaction was nothing new). However I wonder how many of you, like me, much prefer the commentary on Eurosport and only tune in to the BBC during the breaks! I therefore wonder how many of you, like me, had to stop and check that it was the same race, as going from the BBC...

Casey "the moaner" Stoner

01 August 2008 by lee musselwhite

Casey “the moaner” Stoner would not be doing anywhere near as good on any other bike, especially if he swopped rolls with Vale and he rode the yamaha (although it is now twice the bike it was pre...

Melandri to keep Ducati ride?

29 July 2008 by matto3227

Marco Melandri will race for the Ducati Marlboro team at Brno in three weeks’ time, according to team boss Livio Suppo. The Italian’s place had been in doubt after his dismal start to the season, and...

Donington new track layout

26 July 2008 by wackjonny

Photograhed at Donington at a board meeting via a mobile telephone. The future of the British Grand Prix has been secured in a new 10 year agreement between Donington Ventures Leisure Limited and...

How to race in MotoGP!

25 July 2008 by paul baldock

Having watched the USA MotoGP a few times I cannot understand what he is moaning about. That has to be the first GP for a long time where you could say that was a real proper race. I am a fan of Casey’s but you have to learn to take defeat in this sport Casey. It’s a good job it wasn’t the old Pro-AM days, that would have done his head in. Pick yourself up from this Casey – Valantino is the man to...

2009 MotoGP Calendar announced

25 July 2008 by Michael Guy

The 2009 provisional MotoGP calendar has been announced today. The 18 round series includes two USA rounds along with new addition Lake Balaton in Hungary. DATE GRAND...

Jorge Lorenzo confirms broken metatarsals

24 July 2008 by Liam Marsden

Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo has confirmed he has broken his third, fourth and fifth metatarsal bones in his foot after his high-side at Laguna Seca. Lorenzo crashed out of the Laguna Seca MotoGP...

Stoner's rant

24 July 2008 by tony patterson

How this “boy” can pass comment one one of the worlds motorcycle racing legends is beyond belief. Stoner hasnt even served his time yet. Valentino has been racing and winning for many years and is a very charismatic, colourful and talented character! Can the same be said about Casey? I think not. Back in the late 90’s Vale was winning on very basic machinery, nothing like caseys “scalextric”...

Melandri's new ride

24 July 2008 by Marc46

Photographed at Wroclaw (Poland) on Tuesday, this is what Melandri thinks he’s been riding all season.

That's the racing we want!

24 July 2008 by DAVID WHITELEY

Just a few words regarding the story with Casey Stoner in MCN this week. I’ve got to be one of Rossi’s biggest fans but will always lift a glass to who ever wins the GP, but this time going on about Rossi with aggressive riding. Come on Casey it’s nice to see some old school battles like we get on WSB just watch them Casey! This is what the fans want! From all at the Boot and Shoe Inn, Holmfirth.

Valentino Rossi's replacement

23 July 2008 by Lynsey Hattersley

Henri is hoping to take over from Valentino Rossi when he retires.

Casey 'Moaner' Stoner

23 July 2008 by Dan Moore

What is Casey Stoner’s problem? I had the utmost respect for his ability and that cannot be in doubt but you have to worry when the riders – who should be the last line of defence for battles and real fairing to fairing dicing – start complaining that racing is too close! Admittedly there was one overtake at the Corkscrew when Valentino Rossi properly ballsed it up and they touched but it was a...

The greatest MotoGP race ever?

23 July 2008 by Rod Stines

The real winners at the Laguna Seca GP were the fans! I have been chasing the GP bikes for over fifteen years and this might be the best race that I have seen. This is what MotoGP should be. I live clost to Indianapolis and I can hardly wait for the Indy Moto GP.

Stoner needs to learn how to race properly

21 July 2008 by MARCO

Is it a criminal offence for Valentino Rossi to win a race? Just because the man showed the boy how to race! I haven’t seen racing like that since Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts. Since Stoner has been racing since he was four he doesn’t seem to have learnt a lot.

Moaning Stoner

21 July 2008 by alan-mac1

I have watched the Laguna GP twice. I am infuriated with Stoner. What a winger and he doesn’t deserve to be number 1. So the racing was hard, so the overtaking a bit full on… Well grow up Casey, this is the pinical of racing, and that’s just what Rossi did. His bike was under powered to yours, and he used whatever he could to win the race, cleanly. Sour grapes, that’s the only phrase that comes to...

Stoner should grow up

21 July 2008 by Stephen Scragg

Oh well Casey Stoner, what can you say a great race to watch in Laguna Seca. Probably the best so far this year, I was glued to my seat right through but he (Stoner) again spoils the moments after with his bratish, childish behaviour. Was it just my imagineation or did anyone else see his poor mechanic wince & brace himself after Stoner had his helmeted face in the poor guys space then brace...

My love for the God - Valentino Rossi!

21 July 2008 by Ninja.chick

I sent a letter and some photos in of me with your fantastic paper in Tunisia a while ago. In it I mentioned my love and tribute for the God who is ValentinoRossi! Have a look and let me know what you...

What a race at Laguna Seca

21 July 2008 by Keith Mc Gowan.

Stoner in parc ferme post race BBC 2 interview showed his true colours. Just like a baby throwing toys out of his pram. What does he expect?! It’s a race and what a race it was – one of the best by far. Stoner is so used to being way out in front which to be honest gets a bit boring. We need more races like Laguna Seca