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

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland bounces back to claim sixth

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland bounces back to claim sixth

James Toseland shrugged off the pain of a badly twisted right ankle to clock the sixth fastest time on the final day of testing in Jerez. In blustery conditions, Toseland escaped injury on only his...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland in the clear after injury scare

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland in the clear after injury scare

Relieved James Toseland has confirmed he has no broken bones after he was involved in a first corner spill in testing at Jerez this afternoon (Monday). X-rays taken in the Clinica Mobile have shown no...

MotoGP: Jerez test: James Toseland undergoing medical checks

18 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Jerez test: James Toseland undergoing medical checks

British rider James Toseland is currently undergoing medical checks at the Jerez circuit after he crashed on only his second lap of the final day of testing this afternoon. The double World Superbike...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland rues rain error

17 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland rues rain error

James Toseland was left to rue his decision to wait for track conditions to improve as he finished outside of the top ten in this afternoon’s 40-minute BMW qualifying shootout. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider...

MotoGP Jerez test: Valentino Rossi beaten by Casey Stoner again

17 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Valentino Rossi beaten by Casey Stoner again

Valentino Rossi said today’s BMW shootout in Jerez was another reminder of why Casey Stoner will start the 2008 MotoGP season next month as the red-hot favourite. Stoner produced another brilliant...

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden third in BMW shootout

17 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden third in BMW shootout

Nicky Hayden saw his hopes of collecting the keys to a new BMW car dashed by rain and the super fast performances of Bridgestone rivals Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi today. Having set the fastest...

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner hammers rivals to win BMW car

17 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Casey Stoner hammers rivals to win BMW car

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner claimed the first big prize of 2008 when he collected the keys to a new BMW in today’s televised 40-minute qualifying shootout. The Aussie started 2008...

MotoGP Jerez test: Birthday boy Valentino Rossi eighth fastest

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Birthday boy Valentino Rossi eighth fastest

Valentino Rossi marked his 29th birthday celebrations by setting the eighth fastest time on the opening day of testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain. Returning to the track where he made his...

MotoGP: Danny Webb in injury scare

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Danny Webb in injury scare

British teenager Danny Webb suffered a major injury scare today less than a month before the start of the 2008 125GP world championship. The Molenaar Aprilia rider was given the all-clear after...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland boosts confidence on first day

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland boosts confidence on first day

James Toseland got a major confidence boost in Jerez today when he posted the fifth fastest time to beat a host of big name MotoGP rivals including Valentino Rossi and reigning world champion Casey...

MotoGP Jerez test: Rain fear for struggling Dani Pedrosa

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Rain fear for struggling Dani Pedrosa

Rain forecast for the final two days of testing in Jerez is likely to end injured Dani Pedrosa’s participation in the penultimate pre-season test. Pedrosa made a painful return to action on home soil...

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden fastest on day one

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: Nicky Hayden fastest on day one

Former world champion Nicky Hayden has topped the timesheets on the opening day of the three-day IRTA test session at a blustery Jerez today. The American posted an impressive best of 1.39.200 on a...

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland’s new look for 2008

16 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: James Toseland’s new look for 2008

These are the first pictures of James Toseland riding his 2008 factory Yamaha YZR-M1 in full livery on the opening day of testing in Jerez today (February 16, 2008). Sporting a striking blue and...

MotoGP Jerez test: John Hopkins will brave the pain

15 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Jerez test: John Hopkins will brave the pain

John Hopkins has confirmed he will ride during this weekend’s IRTA test session at the Jerez circuit in Spain. Factory team boss Michael Bartholemy said the American will be able to take some part in...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden aiming to reclaim MotoGP title in 2008

15 February 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden aiming to reclaim MotoGP title in 2008

“It may seem madness, by my aim is to win the title. I will not take this chance lightly” After a tough year wearing No. 1, Nicky Hayden is ready to fight again for the title in the top category. The...

MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa keen to gauge broken hand progress

15 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa keen to gauge broken hand progress

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa has said he is keen to check how much his broken right hand has recovered when he returns to action tomorrow (Saturday) for the opening day of the IRTA test session in...

MotoGP: Italian tax authorities praise Valentino Rossi

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Italian tax authorities praise Valentino Rossi

Italy’s tax authority has praised Valentino Rossi for his full co-operation in the multi-million pound tax probe that the Yamaha star finally resolved this week. Valentino Rossi ends tax saga A...

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo confident in Yamaha treatment

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo confident in Yamaha treatment

Double world 250 champion Jorge Lorenzo has said he is no doubt that he will get exactly the same treatment as Valentino Rossi in Yamaha’s factory MotoGP squad in 2008. Rossi and Lorenzo will both run...

MotoGP: Honda rookie’s eye braking improvement

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Honda rookie’s eye braking improvement

New Honda MotoGP duo Andrea Dovizioso and Alex de Angelis have both admitted that confidence in braking is still their biggest issue with the new premier class world championship fast...

MotoGP: Randy de Puniet keen to assess new Honda engine

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Randy de Puniet keen to assess new Honda engine

French rider Randy de Puniet says he can’t wait to assess Honda’s new V4 motor when the LCR Honda rider resumes his winter testing schedule in Jerez this weekend. All of Honda’s satellite team riders...

MotoGP: Colin Edwards wants more work on new Michelin rear

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Colin Edwards wants more work on new Michelin rear

Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards says he’s in no rush to race Michelin’s new 16-inch rear tyre until further improvements can be made. The Texan has extensively tested the 16-inch rear tyre during...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi happy going solo

13 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi happy going solo

Valentino Rossi has spoken of his delight at being in a ‘one-man’ factory Yamaha team for the 2008 MotoGP world championship. Although Rossi will run under the Fiat Yamaha banner with double world 250...

MotoGP: Traction control key to Casey Stoner's success

12 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Traction control key to Casey Stoner's success

Struggling new factory Ducati rider Marco Melandri believes a huge part of Casey Stoner’s success is down to the Australian’s skill and confidence with the increased influence of rider aids in...

MotoGP: Suzuki predict tough challenge in 2008

12 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Suzuki predict tough challenge in 2008

Factory Suzuki team boss Paul Denning believes the task of improving on a brilliant 2007 campaign will be tougher than ever for the Japanese factory. A new engine, chassis, fairing and electronics...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ends tax saga

12 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi ends tax saga

Valentino Rossi will start the 2008 season without the added distraction of an on-going tax investigation hanging over his head after the Yamaha rider finally reached a settlement with Italian...

MotoGP: Kawasaki unveil new Kawasaki ZX-RR for 2008

12 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP: Kawasaki unveil new Kawasaki ZX-RR for 2008

Kawasaki’s MotoGP team has unveiled the new 2008 ZX-RR for the first time. These pictures are being seen for the first time today (Tuesday), just under a month ahead of the first MotoGP which will...

I love motorcycles & I love mcn

12 February 2008 by ludwig balbuena

I love motorcycles & I love mcn

Plain & simple I love motorcycles & I love mcn

MotoGP: Suzuki unveil 2008 MotoGP contender

11 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Suzuki unveil 2008 MotoGP contender

Suzuki has unveiled the new 2008 factory GSV-R machine Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi will debut in less than a month’s time in the historic night race in Qatar. The second generation 800cc...

MotoGP: Acceleration main focus for Suzuki

11 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Acceleration main focus for Suzuki

Improving acceleration was the main development focus for Suzuki’s engineers in preparation for the 2008 MotoGP world championship. Suzuki Race Group Leader Fumihiro Oonishi said improving drive...

MotoGP: Injury won't harm Dani Pedrosa's title hopes says Casey Stoner

08 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Injury won't harm Dani Pedrosa's title hopes says Casey Stoner

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner reckons Dani Pedrosa will have no problems in being able to fight for victories from the start of the 2008 season next month. Dani Pedrosa has missed eight days of...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi highly motivated for 2008

08 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi highly motivated for 2008

Yamaha bosses reckon Valentino Rossi’s motivation to bounce back from a disastrous 2007 MotoGP campaign is higher than ever. Valentino Rossi gave himself another big lift this week when he completed a...

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden looking for more improvement from Michelin

08 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Nicky Hayden looking for more improvement from Michelin

Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden reckons he is still looking for a significant improvement from Michelin, with just two winter tests remaining before the new season starts in Qatar next...

MotoGP: Shinya Nakano supports rider aid reduction

08 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Shinya Nakano supports rider aid reduction

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano has backed Valentino Rossi’s calls for a reduction in the amount of electronics that have now become a major influence in MotoGP racing. Shinya Nakano is one of only four...

MotoGP: Amended entry list shows Dani Pedrosa on number two

08 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP: Amended entry list shows Dani Pedrosa on number two

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa will switching from his customary number 26 and will run number two for the 2008 MotoGP championship. The Spaniard announced his decision yesterday, and it has been...

MotoGP Sepang Test: Q&A with Bridgestone Motorsport’ s Manager of Motorcycle Race Tyre Development

08 February 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

MotoGP Sepang Test: Q&A with Bridgestone Motorsport’ s Manager of Motorcycle Race Tyre Development

With barely time to regroup after last week’s test in Australia, Bridgestone Motorsport was back in action at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this week with three of its teams completing...

Video: Toseland talks Phillip Island success

07 February 2008 by Michael Guy

After setting an impressive and morale boosting fourth fastest lap time in last weeks MotoGP test at Phillip Island, James Toseland sat down with MCN for an exclusive interview at his Mum’s house in Sheffield just days after landing back in the UK. Toseland’s pace in his fourth test on the bike has shown that the 27 year old Brit has the potential to make a real impact into the series especially...