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

Jorge Lorenzo excited ahead of Laguna debut

15 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo excited ahead of Laguna debut

Jorge Lorenzo is relishing the prospect of making his Laguna Seca debut this weekend after his disappointing early exit from last weekend’s Sachsenring clash. The Fiat Yamaha rider crashed out of the...

Valentino Rossi looking to break American jinx

15 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi looking to break American jinx

Valentino Rossi will be looking to bury his American jinx and extend his MotoGP world championship lead in this weekend’s Laguna Seca clash. Laguna is one of the rare tracks where the 29-year-old has...

Dani Pedrosa injury update

14 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa injury update

The Repsol Honda team has still not ruled out the possibility of Dani Pedrosa participating in this weekend’s American GP after he underwent further medical examinations in Barcelona today. The triple...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Rain specialist Chris Vermeulen back on podium

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Rain specialist Chris Vermeulen back on podium

Chris Vermeulen did little to dispel the theory that he is a rain expert after he claimed his first podium of 2008 in a weather-hit German GP. The Aussie surged through from the fifth row to claim...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner maintains stunning recovery

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner maintains stunning recovery

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner continued his brilliant 2008 recovery with a third straight victory in a rain-soaked German GP. Just a month after virtually being written off as a title...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Alex de Angelis surprised with fourth

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Alex de Angelis surprised with fourth

Honda rookie Alex de Angelis admitted he was surprised to have made such a strong challenge for the podium today after he came close to a maiden top three finish in appalling conditions in Germany.

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards disappointed to miss out on top five

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards disappointed to miss out on top five

The best run of results in Colin Edwards’ career came to an abrupt end today when he crashed out of fifth place in today’s rain-lashed German GP. Bidding for a sixth successive top five finish,...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo sorry for early exit

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo sorry for early exit

Factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo apologised to his team after he crashed out of the top six on only the third lap in today’s wet Sachsenring race. The Spaniard had just exited turn four when he...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi snatches series lead with second

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi snatches series lead with second

Valentino Rossi moved back into the lead in the MotoGP world championship after he claimed a hard fought second in a rain-lashed Sachsenring clash. Starting from seventh on the grid, Rossi needed...

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland 11th in tough German clash

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland 11th in tough German clash

British rider James Toseland had a tough wet MotoGP debut at the Sachsenring today as he got lapped on his way to a lowly 11th place finish. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider looked to be capable of mounting a...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa in doubt for Laguna Seca

13 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa in doubt for Laguna Seca

Dani Pedrosa is a major doubt for next weekend’s American GP at Laguna Seca after he endured a disaster in Germany this afternoon. Not only did a massive first corner crash on lap six saw him...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner cruises to victory at the German GP

13 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner cruises to victory at the German GP

Casey Stoner claimed a comfortable victory at the Sachsenring in Germany after early leader Dani Pedroda crashed out of the race. Valentino Rossi took second and Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli dominated the German GP and now leads the 250 world championship

13 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli dominated the German GP and now leads the 250 world championship

Metis Gilera rider Marco Simoncelli seized the lead in the 250GP world championship with a dominant win today in a rain-hit Sachsenring GP. Starting from pole and gambling on running a new spec...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Di Meglio wins German 125 GP as Bradley Smith just misses out on a podium finish

13 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Di Meglio wins German 125 GP as Bradley Smith just misses out on a podium finish

Despite a very close race at the front, Mike Di Meglio opened up a large gap late in the race to take his third win of the season today at the Sachsenring and further secure his position at the top of...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to fourth straight pole

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to fourth straight pole

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner looks a strong favourite to notch a crucial win in tomorrow’s German GP after he stormed to a fourth consecutive pole position in today’s qualifying session. The...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards claims fifth front row start

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards claims fifth front row start

In-form American Colin Edwards is confident he can challenge for a third podium of 2008 after he secured a front row start at the Sachsenring today. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider posted a best time of...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo sorry for baulking Valentino Rossi

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo sorry for baulking Valentino Rossi

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo has apologised to Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi after he inadvertently baulked the Italian on a fast qualifying lap this afternoon. As Lorenzo rounded the final turn to...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi predicts tough race from third row

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi predicts tough race from third row

Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi reckons he’s in for a tough German GP at the Sachsenring tomorrow after he was left languishing on the third row of the grid. The Italian could only log a best time...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa surprised with second on the grid

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa surprised with second on the grid

Last year’s German GP winner Dani Pedrosa said he was surprised to have finished on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s Sachsenring clash. The Spaniard will start the 30-lap clash from second...

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland content with fourth row

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland content with fourth row

A late set-up change helped James Toseland claim a respectable 11th place on the grid for tomorrow’s German GP at the Sachsenring. The British rider has been struggling with the set-up of his Tech 3...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Bradley Smith second on grid for 125GP

12 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Bradley Smith second on grid for 125GP

British rider Bradley Smith came within just 0.093s of claiming a fourth pole position in 2008 as he had to settle for second on the grid at the end of this afternoon’s 125GP final qualifying...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli to start at the front of the grid in the Sachsenring 250 GP

12 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli to start at the front of the grid in the Sachsenring 250 GP

Italian Marco Simoncelli, racing for the Metis Gilera team, has dominated both of the 250cc qualifying sessions to earn himself pole position in tomorrow’s 250 GP at the Sachsenring in...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner qualifies in pole position for the German MotoGP

12 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner qualifies in pole position for the German MotoGP

Casey Stoner went out on track at the Sachsenring for the MotoGP qualifying session and smashed the lap record he set only yesterday, by a further half a second, giving him pole position for...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Talmacsi claims pole position for the 125cc GP

12 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Talmacsi claims pole position for the 125cc GP

Following on from his success in yesterday’s free practise session, reigning world champion Gabor Talmacsi topped the timesheets in today’s 125 qualifying session, giving him pole position on the grid...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Pedrosa tops timesheets in final free practice session

12 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP: Pedrosa tops timesheets in final free practice session

Despite a fast crash in yesterday afternoon’s second free practise session, Dani Pedrosa has come out fighting this morning and took first place on the timesheets. Pedrosa’s fastest lap was his last...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest after massive crash

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest after massive crash

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner walked away unhurt from a massive fifth gear crash in this afternoon’s second free practice session to dominate the opening day at the Sachsenring. Stoner ended...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi bemoans Yamaha set-up

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Valentino Rossi bemoans Yamaha set-up

Valentino Rossi’s bid to regain the MotoGP world championship lead in Germany this weekend didn’t get off to a great start when he languished over a second off the blistering pace set by a resurgent...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Alex de Angelis thrilled with second

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Alex de Angelis thrilled with second

Rookie Alex de Angelis caused a major surprise on the opening day of action at the Sachsenring when he claimed second place on the Gresini Honda. The San Marino rider clocked a best time of 1.21.993...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa unnerved by crash

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa unnerved by crash

MotoGP world championship leader Dani Pedrosa brushed off a fast crash in this afternoon’s second free practice session in Germany that left him only fifth on the overall timesheets. The Repsol Honda...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo pledges faster pace

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo pledges faster pace

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo believes he can improve his lap times at the Sachsenring after he ended the first day of free practice with the sixth fastest overall time. Sixth in the last two races since his...

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards third despite crash

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: Colin Edwards third despite crash

Colin Edwards declared himself satisfied with third place at the end of the opening day of free practice in Germany today, despite a crash at the final corner this afternoon. The American ended the...

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland still upbeat after tough start

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland still upbeat after tough start

British rider James Toseland refused to get too downhearted after he ended a nightmare first day at the Sachsenring with the slowest overall time. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocked a best time of...

Sachsenring MotoGP - Marco Simoncelli fastest in first 250 qualifying practice

11 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP - Marco Simoncelli fastest in first 250 qualifying practice

In the first 250cc Qualifying practice Italian Marco Simoncelli of the Metis Gilera team was the fastest on track with a time of 1’23.953, earning him provisional pole position. Spanish rider Hector...

Sachsenring MotoGP - Casey Stoner breaks Sachsenring circuit record in free practice

11 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP - Casey Stoner breaks Sachsenring circuit record in free practice

Casey Stoner dominated the field today in the Sachsenring MotoGP free practice, finishing at the top of the time sheets in both practice sessions. In the first practice this morning, Stoner set the...

Sachsenring MotoGP - Bradley Smith qualifies provisional second for the German GP

11 July 2008 by James Keen

Sachsenring MotoGP - Bradley Smith qualifies provisional second for the German GP

Polaris World rider Bradley Smith has qualified provisional second for the Sachsenring 125 race in Germany this weekend. Current world champion Gabor Talmacsi beat the British rider Bradley Smith by...

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland crashes in first session

11 July 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sachsenring MotoGP: James Toseland crashes in first session

British rider James Toseland escaped injury in a fast crash on just his third lap of this morning’s opening free practice at the Sachsenring. Toseland crashed his Tech 3 Yamaha when he lost the front...