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

China MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista secures 250 pole

03 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

China MotoGP: Alvaro Bautista secures 250 pole

Aprilia’s Alvaro Bautista will begin tomorrow’s 250GP race from pole position after hanging on to his dominance from yesterday in Shanghai. The Spaniard did improve on his time from the first...

China MotoGP: Colin Edwards claims Shanghai pole

03 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

China MotoGP: Colin Edwards claims Shanghai pole

Yamaha has secured a pole position for the fourth time this season at the China MotoGP, but this time it was veteran rider Colin Edwards who shot to the top of the timesheets on his final lap of the...

China MotoGP: Bradley Smith takes third pole of the season

03 May 2008 by Sarah Carnell

China MotoGP: Bradley Smith takes third pole of the season

Britain’s Bradley Smith will start the China 125GP from pole position for the third time this season after putting in an impressive display in the second qualifying session this morning. The Polaris...

China MotoGP: John Hopkins targets podium

02 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: John Hopkins targets podium

John Hopkins is confident he can mount a serious challenge for a repeat podium in Shanghai this weekend after he finished the opening day of free practice in an encouraging fifth place. The American...

China MotoGP John Surtees supported 125GP team unveiled

02 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP John Surtees supported 125GP team unveiled

A new 125GP team spearheaded by British motorsport icon John Surtees has been officially unveiled on the first day of the China MotoGP in Shanghai today (Friday). The Maxtra team, which will have...

China MotoGP: James Toseland upbeat despite 13th place

02 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: James Toseland upbeat despite 13th place

British rider James Toseland says he’s not overly concerned after his China debut saw him finish the opening day of free practice down in 13th place. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider had only ever seen the...

China MotoGP: Valentino Rossi hails best day of 2008

02 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Valentino Rossi hails best day of 2008

Valentino Rossi reckons the opening day of the China GP was his best of 2008 as he topped the timesheets after the first two free practice sessions at a hot and humid Shanghai. The Fiat Yamaha rider...

China MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo major doubt after massive high-side

02 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo major doubt after massive high-side

MotoGP world championship leader Jorge Lorenzo will bravely try and ride through the pain barrier tomorrow after he suffered a fractured left ankle in a massive high-side crash in Shanghai earlier...

China MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ‘curious’ ahead of Shanghai showdown

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ‘curious’ ahead of Shanghai showdown

Valentino Rossi reckons he is curious to discover whether his factory Yamaha can mount a sustained victory challenge on a track suited to Bridgestone tyres when he bids to end a seven race losing...

China MotoGP: Nicky Hayden admits speed fear

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Nicky Hayden admits speed fear

American Nicky Hayden has admitted a lack of top speed could prove to be a severe handicap in this weekend’s Shanghai MotoGP clash. The China venue features the longest straight on the world...

China MotoGP: Colin Edwards wants new Yamaha deal

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Colin Edwards wants new Yamaha deal

Texan Colin Edwards has again stated his desire to remain in MotoGP after the 2008 season. Talking on the eve of this weekend’s China MotoGP clash in Shanghai, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider confirmed he no...

China MotoGP: Toni Elias confident in Ducati

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Toni Elias confident in Ducati

Struggling Spaniard Toni Elias has backed Ducati and Bridgestone to help him turn round his fortunes after a dismal start to 2008. Elias has scored just four points in the opening three races and like...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ready for Shanghai showdown

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ready for Shanghai showdown

Valentino Rossi believes the acid test of how much Bridgestone tyres have enhanced his chances of claiming back the MotoGP world crown will come in this weekend’s China clash. Rossi heads to the Far...

China MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo confident after arm operation

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo confident after arm operation

Rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo has admitted he is confident he will pose a serious threat in this weekend’s China MotoGP clash having recovered from recent arm surgery. The 20-year-old Spaniard had a...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner bullish about title prospects

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner bullish about title prospects

Casey Stoner reckons it is too early to begin to worry about the defence of his world title slipping away as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing run in Shanghai this weekend. The Aussie...

China MotoGP: Eugene Laverty ready after nightmare build-up

01 May 2008 by Matthew Birt

China MotoGP: Eugene Laverty ready after nightmare build-up

Irish 250GP privateer Eugene Laverty is confident he can register another points-scoring finish in Shanghai this weekend after he endured a nightmare journey to the Far East. The Blusens Aprilia has...

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess confident for China clash

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess confident for China clash

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess is confident the Italian will be able to register a third successive Bridgestone podium finish when the MotoGP season resumes in China this weekend. Rossi...

MotoGP: Ducati advantage has decreased, says factory boss

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Ducati advantage has decreased, says factory boss

Ducati’s factory team boss has said the advantage the Bologna marque held in the inaugural 800c MotoGP world championship last season has been virtually wiped out by rivals Honda and Yamaha. Livio...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi believes he has plenty to offer

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi believes he has plenty to offer

Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi believes he still has plenty to offer the MotoGP world championship with talks on extending his Yamaha contract expected to start imminently. Rossi hasn’t...

MotoGP: James Toseland hoping to spring Shanghai surprise

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: James Toseland hoping to spring Shanghai surprise

British rider James Toseland is hoping he can spring a surprise in this weekend’s Shanghai MotoGP clash to continue the brilliant start to his rookie campaign. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider is fifth in the...

MotoGP Exclusive: Legend John Surtees to spearhead new GP team

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Exclusive: Legend John Surtees to spearhead new GP team

A new 125GP team spearheaded by British motorsport legend John Surtees will be officially unveiled in Shanghai on Friday, MCN can exclusively reveal. Icon Surtees, who holds the unique distinction of...

MotoGP: John Hopkins praises Kawasaki ahead of 100th race

30 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: John Hopkins praises Kawasaki ahead of 100th race

John Hopkins has praised his factory Kawasaki team as he prepares to make his 100th MotoGP appearance in Shanghai this weekend. Hopkins, who scored his career first rostrum finish in China last season...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi admits quit decision motivated Michelin

29 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi admits quit decision motivated Michelin

Valentino Rossi has admitted that Michelin used his controversial defection to tyre rivals Bridgestone has played a part in the early races of the 2008 season. Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi goes into this...

MotoGP: Yamaha satisfied with Valentino Rossi’s Bridgestone form

29 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Yamaha satisfied with Valentino Rossi’s Bridgestone form

Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha team boss has declared his satisfaction with two podiums from the first three races after the Italian’s switch to Bridgestone tyres for 2008. Rossi is yet to break his...

Colin Edwards crucial to Jorge Lorenzo’s early success

28 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards crucial to Jorge Lorenzo’s early success

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal reckons the key role Colin Edwards played in Yamaha’s early 2008 success should not be underestimated. The Japanese factory has made a brilliant start to 2008, with...

MotoGP: Ducati won't roll out 2007 motorcycle

28 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Ducati won't roll out 2007 motorcycle

Ducati bosses have denied they are considering rolling out last year’s world championship-winning factory GP7 machine to help Casey Stoner understand some of his early season problems. The Aussie...

MotoGP: John Hopkins happy with Kawasaki progress

28 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: John Hopkins happy with Kawasaki progress

American John Hopkins says he is happy that Kawasaki is now making big strides with the performance of its factory ZX-RR after his injury disrupted pre-season. Hopkins, who scored his best result of...

Nicky Hayden 2007 leathers!!!!!!!!

28 April 2008 by Anonymous

I was looking at the Powersport.co.uk website and to my surprise saw Nicky Hayden’s Repsol Honda suit advertised in their marketplace!!!

MotoGP: Casey Stoner doubts Ducati test plan

28 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner doubts Ducati test plan

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has doubted whether Ducati engineers will learn anything significant from veteran duo Troy Bayliss and Max Biaggi testing his factory GP8 machine. Ducati want...

MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso benefits from new approach

25 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso benefits from new approach

Honda rookie Andrea Dovizioso reckons a new outlook will help him challenge consistently for MotoGP podium places for the remainder of the 2008 campaign. The former world 125 champion was running in...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi still looking for qualifying improvement

25 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi still looking for qualifying improvement

Factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi has renewed calls for Bridgestone to improve its qualifying rubber, despite claiming his first front row start in 2008 in Estoril earlier this month. Fiat Yamaha...

MotoGP: Fast rookies no surprise for Nicky Hayden

25 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Fast rookies no surprise for Nicky Hayden

Former world champion Nicky Hayden says he hasn’t been shocked by the impressive performances of MotoGP rookies Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso and James Toseland. Spaniard Lorenzo has made the...

moto gp moaning

25 April 2008 by Dave Iles

Stoner, Hayden etc… are moaning about Toseland’s overtaking, what do they expect, mirror, indicate, manoeuvre the last time I looked James’s bike wasn’t fitted with mirrors or indicators, come on guys this is racing, stick it up them James.

MotoGP: Bridgestone readying new tyres for China clash

24 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Bridgestone readying new tyres for China clash

Bridgestone will make new compounds and constructions available for the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner ahead of the Shanghai GP in China early next month. Bridgestone riders tested a range...

MotoGP: Stability key for Yamaha success

24 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Stability key for Yamaha success

Stability is the key to help Yamaha return to the top of the MotoGP world championship. Yamaha race chief Lin Jarvis believes a settled team and rider line-up will help Yamaha’s bid for success, with...

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess refusing to rule out Casey Stoner

24 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess refusing to rule out Casey Stoner

Casey Stoner can’t be ruled out of the MotoGP title race after the Australian’s tough start to the defence of his world crown in 2008. That’s the view of fellow Aussie Jerry Burgess, who helped...