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

Nicky Hayden begins Honda talks as Ducati rumour hots up

11 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden begins Honda talks as Ducati rumour hots up

Nicky Hayden has started talks with Honda as rumours intensify that he is a red-hot favourite to join reigning world champion Casey Stoner in Ducati’s factory squad. Hayden is out of contract at the...

Big rise in BBC MotoGP audience

11 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Big rise in BBC MotoGP audience

The number of MotoGP fans tuning into watch live coverage on the BBC has swelled by 21 per cent during the first seven races of 2008. Largely thanks to the arrival of double World Superbike champion...

Yamaha to ease pressure on Jorge Lorenzo

11 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha to ease pressure on Jorge Lorenzo

Yamaha will drastically reduce Jorge Lorenzo’s off-track commitments for the foreseeable future to help the Spaniard get his rookie MotoGP campaign back on track. Lorenzo is still recuperating from...

Casey Stoner reserves judgement on new 600cc proposal

11 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner reserves judgement on new 600cc proposal

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has said he will reserve judgement on the merits of a new 600cc four-stroke series to replace the current 250GP two-stroke world championship. The Motorcycle Sport...

Bid for signed Bradley Smith shirt

10 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Bid for signed Bradley Smith shirt

You could meet rising star Bradley Smith at the British MotoGP at Donington Park by bidding for a limited edition Polaris World Aprilia team shirt. Smith, who is the youngest British rider in history...

Jorge Lorenzo to leave Barcelona hospital

10 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo to leave Barcelona hospital

Jorge Lorenzo will leave hospital in Barcelona today (Tuesday), five days after he suffered severe concussion in a practice crash for the Catalunya MotoGP. The 21-year-old underwent a successful skin...

Casey Stoner baffled at struggling Ducati colleagues

10 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner baffled at struggling Ducati colleagues

Casey Stoner has admitted he is baffled as to why he is the only rider capable of producing wins and podiums for Ducati. With ten wins on his way to a dominant success in last year’s MotoGP title...

Dani Pedrosa in Catalunya test crash scare

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa in Catalunya test crash scare

Just over 24 hours after his dominant victory in the Catalunya GP, Dani Pedrosa has been taken to hospital in Barcelona for precautionary checks on a back injury suffered in a massive testing crash...

MotoGP World Exclusive: Ducati roll out 2009 prototype

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP World Exclusive: Ducati roll out 2009 prototype

This is the first world exclusive look at Ducati’s new 2009 prototype MotoGP motorcycle, which has just broken cover in Catalunya. Tested behind closed doors in Mugello and Estoril since the beginning...

MotoGP: Loris Capirossi out of British GP

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Loris Capirossi out of British GP

Italian veteran Loris Capirossi is definitely out of the British GP at Donington Park on June 22. The factory Suzuki rider suffered a badly broken right hand in yesterday’s Catalunya GP after Gresini...

MotoGP: John Hopkins to see UK specialist after Catalunya crash

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: John Hopkins to see UK specialist after Catalunya crash

John Hopkins will fly to England tomorrow (Tuesday) to see a back specialist after the toughest race of his career in Catalunya. The American rode to a brave 10th place with a cracked vertabrea after...

Racing results round-up: June 2- June 8

09 June 2008 by MCN Sports desk

Racing results round-up: June 2- June 8

Each week we will have a full list of the racing results from the previous weekend. Click on the name of the championship you wish to see the results of. MotoGP 250GP 125GP AMA Superbikes Isle of Man...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner disappointed with third

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner disappointed with third

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner could not hide his disappointment as third in Catalunya this afternoon saw him lose more ground in the title race. With Dani Pedrosa romping to an easy win and...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Loris Capirossi in doubt for Donington Park

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Loris Capirossi in doubt for Donington Park

Loris Capirossi is a major doubt for the British GP at Donington Park on June 22 after he broke his right hand in Catalunya today. The veteran Italian was involved in an incident with Alex de Angelis...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Grip issues halt Colin Edwards’ charge

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Grip issues halt Colin Edwards’ charge

A rear grip problem cost Colin Edwards the chance to fight for a podium finish as he scored a third successive top six finish in Catalunya. The Texan ran in fourth place for the opening eight laps...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Andrea Dovizioso satisfied with fourth

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Andrea Dovizioso satisfied with fourth

Italian rookie Andrea Dovizioso equalled his best MotoGP result with a brilliant fourth place finish in today’s Catalunya clash. The JIR Scot Honda rider was second for the opening two laps before he...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi surges through to second

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi surges through to second

Valentino Rossi produced an overtaking masterclass today to finish second in the Catalunya MotoGP clash. Starting from ninth on the grid, Rossi needed just nine laps to fight his way through the field...

Catalunya MotoGP: Faultless Dani Pedrosa closes gap in title chase

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Faultless Dani Pedrosa closes gap in title chase

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa slashed Valentino Rossi’s world championship lead to just seven-points with a crushing victory in front of a record 113,150-strong crowd in Catalunya. The factory Honda...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland content with sixth

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland content with sixth

James Toseland admitted he was content with a hard fought sixth place in today’s Catalunya GP, despite running off track after a tangle on lap two with Valentino Rossi. The British rider scored his...

Catalunya MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins home GP

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins home GP

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has taken the win at his home MotoGP from championship leader Valentino Rossi. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa led from the start and at one point stretch out a commandin lead...

Catalunya MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli takes 250GP win

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli takes 250GP win

Metis Gilrera rider Marco Simoncelli has taken victory in the 250GP after Alvaro Bautista ran wide on the penultimate lap. Marco Simoncelli is now second in the championship behind Mika Kallio. Aspar...

Catalunya MotoGP: Mike Di Meglio takes 125GP win

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Mike Di Meglio takes 125GP win

Frenchman Mike Di Meglio has taken victory at the Catalunya GP after Nicolas Terol and Joan Olive crashed out during the final stages of the race. Mike Di Meglio now leads the 125GP world...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner shocked at pole position

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner shocked at pole position

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner admitted he was shocked at scoring his first pole position for nine months with a brilliant qualifying display in Catalunya today. Stoner bagged his first pole...

Catalunya MotoGP: Valentino Rossi slumps to third row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Valentino Rossi slumps to third row

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi will need to produce another brilliant surge through the field if he is to extend his winning streak to four races in tomorrow’s Catalunya GP. The Fiat...

Catalunya MotoGP: Nicky Hayden secures first front row of 2008

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Nicky Hayden secures first front row of 2008

American Nicky Hayden maybe disappointed at the on-going delay in him racing Honda’s pneumatic valve motor, but he shrugged his frustration aside today to claim his first front row start of the...

Catalunya MotoGP: 600cc proposal unveiled as 250GP replacement

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: 600cc proposal unveiled as 250GP replacement

Engine capacity for the new 250GP replacement class will now be 600cc, despite fears such a proposal would be in direct conflict with the current World Supersport series. To avoid any clash, Dorna...

Catalunya MotoGP: James Toseland delighted with second row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: James Toseland delighted with second row

Tech 3 Yamaha rider James Toseland scored his best qualifying result since the Estoril round in Portugal with sixth place in Catalunya. The double World Superbike champion posted a best time of...

Catalunya MotoGP: Bradley Smith cleared by doctors to race

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Bradley Smith cleared by doctors to race

Bradley Smith has been given the green light to start tomorrow’s 22-lap Catalunya 125GP clash after he escaped serious injury in a massive qualifying crash this afternoon. Smith lost control of his...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner takes first pole of season

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner takes first pole of season

World champion Casey Stoner has come back to form in Catalunya to take pole position for the MotoGP with a time of 1:41:186. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who was fastest in free practice yesterday has...

Catalunya GP: Scott Redding talks stunning front row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya GP: Scott Redding talks stunning front row

British rookie Scott Redding was in superb form in Catalunya today to claim his second front row start in just seven 125GP races. The Gloucester rider finished today’s qualifying session in fourth to...

Catalunya MotoGP: Pol Espargaro on pole for 125GP

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Catalunya MotoGP: Pol Espargaro on pole for 125GP

Spaniard Pol Espargaro has taken pole position for his home round of the 125GP championship at Catalunya with a time of 1:50:557. The Belson Derbi rider was near the top of the timesheets for the...

Spanish MotoGP: Spaniards take top three places in free practice for 250GP

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Spanish MotoGP: Spaniards take top three places in free practice for 250GP

Three Spaniards have topped the time sheets at Catalunya with Alvaro Bautista setting the fastest time in the 250GP free practice session with a time of 1:46:181. The Spanish riders in second and...

Spanish MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest in rain-hit free practice

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Spanish MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest in rain-hit free practice

Casey Stoner was fastest in the MotoGP free practive at Catalunya with a time of 1:43:013 after rain fell with 15 minutes of the session remaining. Second fastest was ex-World champion Nicky Hayden.

Spanish MotoGP: Nicolas Terol fastest in 125GP free practice

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Spanish MotoGP: Nicolas Terol fastest in 125GP free practice

Jack and Jones Aprilia rider Nicolas Terol has set the fastest time in the 125GP free practice session at Catalunya with a time of 1:51:065. Second fastest of the session was Mike Di Meglio of the Ajo...

Catalunya MotoGP: John Hopkins facing fitness test

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: John Hopkins facing fitness test

American John Hopkins is a major doubt for Sunday’s Catalunya GP after he suffered back injuries in a big crash in today’s second free practice session. Hopkins was on his seventh lap lost the front...

Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo ruled out of MotoGP race

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo ruled out of MotoGP race

Jorge Lorenzo is out of this weekend’s Catalunya GP after suffering concussion in a heavy crash during today’s second free practice session. The Fiat Yamaha rider high-sided at the penultimate corner...