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

Estoril MotoGP: Marco Melandri gets new electronics

11 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri is using new electronic software on his factory Ducati in Portugal this weekend to try and help him recover from a disastrous start to 2008. Melandri has endured a nightmare move to...

Estoril MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest in mixed conditions

11 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has topped the timesheets in a first free practice session run in mixed conditions in Estoril this morning. Stoner’s best time of 1.47.900 denied Valentino Rossi...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden confident for Estoril

10 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden believes he is capable of joining the fight at the front of MotoGP in 2008 after his morale-boosting fourth place in last month’s Spanish GP. The American goes into this weekend’s Estoril...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner looks to get back on track in Estoril

10 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner is confident he can get the defence of his MotoGP crown back on track this weekend in Portugal. The Aussie arrives in Estoril hoping to quickly banish the memory...

Get closer to the action with MotoGP Impact

09 April 2008 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP fans will feel a little closer to the action from this weekend as the Portugese race will see the launch of the new MotoGP Impact service. The service will include branded internet SKYPE-type...

MotoGP: Anthony West ready to gamble with new chassis

09 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Struggling factory Kawasaki rider Anthony West has said he is willing to gamble on using an untried chassis for the first time in Estoril this weekend to try and spark an improvement in his...

MotoGP: Estoril track knowledge key for James Toseland

09 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland reckons the key to him continuing the impressive start to his MotoGP career will largely depend on how quickly he can learn the Estoril circuit this weekend. Estoril is the first track...

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo keen to bounce back in Estoril

09 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Rookie star Jorge Lorenzo believes he has the mental strength to bounce back from his disappointing Spanish MotoGP with another podium challenge in this weekend’s Estoril clash in Portugal. Although...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi hopeful of more Estoril success

09 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi is confident that he can notch another Estoril victory this weekend to end his worst barren run in MotoGP since his rookie year in 2000. The Portuguese circuit was one of only four...

MotoGP: Honda electronics can improve says Nicky Hayden

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

American Nicky Hayden believes Honda can still improve its sophisticated electronics system in 2008, despite significant winter developments. Hayden got his new season up and running with fourth place...

MotoGP: Younger generation starting to takeover says Andrea Dovizioso

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

The impressive performances of rookies like Jorge Lorenzo and James Toseland is the signal that a new generation is closing in on becoming the dominant force in MotoGP. That’s the view of JIR Scot...

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen urges Bridgestone improvement

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Chris Vermeulen has called on Bridgestone to accelerate development of its new tyres, with several riders still campaigning last year’s rubber. Vermeulen was one of several Bridgestone runners to use...

MotoGP: James Toseland looking for podium places

08 April 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Britain’s James Toseland says he’s finally realising he can continue his World Superbike success in MotoGP. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider has so far enjoyed two top six finishes in Qatar and Jerez plus a...

MotoGP: Tech 3 boss praises Michelin revival

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland and Colin Edwards’ Tech 3 Yamaha team boss has praised Michelin after a promising start to the 2008 MotoGP world championship. British rookie Toseland has claimed top six finishes in...

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo flattered by world title backing

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Spanish rookie Jorge Lorenzo says he is flattered to be considered an early contender for the 2008 MotoGP world championship. The Fiat Yamaha rider has made an instant impact in MotoGP, claiming two...

MotoGP: Suzuki nearing definitive 2008 GSV-R decision

08 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki is closing in on deciding what the final specification its 2008 factory GSV-R machine will be after a disappointing start to the new MotoGP season. Having made big strides during the first...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden completes first lap of Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 1909 Indian

07 April 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden has ridden the first lap of the newly-configured Indianapolis Motor Speedway today on a 1909 Indian Motorcycle. The Kentucky rider rode the circuit, which he will compete...

Jerez just the best GP

04 April 2008 by Trevor

Just got back from a wicked week at the Jerez GP, if you’ve not been, get yourself there next year. Your seats are so close to the track you can take pics like these even on a poxy camera like mine.

Pre-race tips !

04 April 2008 by Fleetham

I took this picutre of my boyfriend Russell giving this bloke some racing tips at the Moto GP in Jerez last weekend! I think he must of been one of Rossi’s mechanics, it seemed to work as Valentino...

MotoGP: ‘Fire’ won’t affect Estoril TV coverage

03 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

TV coverage of next weekend’s Estoril GP in Portugal is expected to be unaffected after a vital Dorna production truck suffered extensive damage at last weekend’s Spanish GP in Jerez. The hi-tech...

James Toseland Superstar

02 April 2008 by Guido

Double world superbike star gone Moto GP star James Toseland has impressed us all with his two 6th places at Qatar and Jerez. The Yamaha Tech 3 team couldn’t be happier with his performance even when...

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess impressed with Jorge Lorenzo

02 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess reckons MotoGP rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo is destined for a great premier class future after being impressed by the Spaniard’s start to 2008. The double...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi happy to be competitive

02 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi has spoken of his joy and relief that his 2008 factory Yamaha machine is a vast improvement on last year after he recorded his 100th MotoGP podium in Jerez. Rossi had a torrid time in...

MotoGP: Honda boss surprised by Andrea Dovizioso

02 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Andrea Dovizioso’s new MotoGP boss has admitted he has been surprised by the Italian’s start to his rookie premier class campaign. The former world 125 champion started 2008 in brilliant fashion,...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden grateful for Michelin recovery

02 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Former world champion Nicky Hayden has praised Michelin after the French factory continued its 2008 retaliation with victory in last weekend’s Spanish GP. Hayden’s factory Honda team opted to stay on...

MotoGP: Suzuki oppose performance restrictions

02 April 2008 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki will oppose any future plans to introduce further performance restrictions in the MotoGP world championship. Further reducing the fuel tank capacity from 21 litres and introducing a rev limit...

Video: James Toseland's Jerez video diary

01 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In the second of his exclusive MotoGP video diaries, James Toseland reports back after a weekend in Jerez that saw him take sixth place despite suffering from a heavy bout of Bronchitis. Check out the...

MCN Daily 01/04/08: Your daily video motorcycle news

01 April 2008 by Angus Farquhar

In episode 76 of the MCN Daily motorcycle news show Casey Stoner has finally made a breakthrough while testing at Jerez, Valentino Rossi is happy with his progress with Bridgstone and John Hopkins is impressed by Kawasaki’s new Screamer engine. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us...