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

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...

MotoGP Sepang test: Clue to Team Roberts future in Sepang

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Clue to Team Roberts future in Sepang

The likelihood of Kenny Roberts competing in this year’s MotoGP world championship seems more remote than ever after the British-based squad’s chief engineer turned up working for Kawasaki’s new test...

MotoGP Sepang test: Yamaha confident new engine can challenge Ducati

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Yamaha confident new engine can challenge Ducati

Yamaha is confident that a winter engine upgrade has moved them closer to the blisteringly fast top speed of world champion Casey Stoner’s factory Ducati machine. Valentino Rossi continued to log...

MotoGP Sepang test: Kawasaki made much-needed clutch progress

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Kawasaki made much-needed clutch progress

Kawasaki engineers have taken vital steps towards solving some of the clutch problems which have blighted John Hopkins since the American’s move from rivals Suzuki. John Hopkins has made fixing the...

MotoGP Sepang Test: Valentino Rossi thrilled after test

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang Test: Valentino Rossi thrilled after test

Valentino Rossi believes he will be capable of mounting a much stronger threat to Casey Stoner in 2008 after he ended a three-day test today (Thursday) in Sepang brimming with confidence. Rossi said...

Enel becomes latest Ducati sponsor

07 February 2008 by Michael Carroll

Enel becomes latest Ducati sponsor

Ducati’s MotoGP team is set to confirm Italy-based energy firm Enel as a new sponsor tomorrow, when the team conducts its official 2008 launch. See video from the launch of Ducati’s 2008 MotoGP...

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top again on day two

06 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top again on day two

Valentino Rossi was once again the fastest rider at the end of day two of the MotoGP test in Sepang. See day one results here The Italian completed 70 laps, recording a best time of 2:00.472 on his...

MotoGP Sepang test: Nicky Hayden satisfied despite small crash

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Nicky Hayden satisfied despite small crash

Nicky Hayden declared himself satisfied with the opening day of testing in Sepang, despite the American suffering a small crash at the final corner shortly before the track closed. Hayden had just...

MotoGP Sepang test: Jorge Lorenzo still chasing front-end confidence

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Jorge Lorenzo still chasing front-end confidence

Double world 250 champion Jorge Lorenzo is hoping a new chassis he will debut tomorrow might help him make some progress in trying to cure a persistent lack of front-end feel at the Sepang circuit in...

MotoGP Sepang test: No Screamer motor but Kawasaki test new parts

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: No Screamer motor but Kawasaki test new parts

Kawasaki’s new and spectacularly loud Screamer ZX-RR engine will not be tested this week in Sepang, though the Japanese factory still has a host of new parts ready for early evaluation. After the new...

MotoGP Sepang test: Michelin increase 16-inch rear tyre development

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Michelin increase 16-inch rear tyre development

Michelin has stepped up development of its 16-inch rear tyre in a bid to retaliate against rivals Bridgestone in 2008. The new spec tyre was raced towards the end of a tough 2007 campaign, but the...

MotoGP Sepang test: Alex de Angelis crashes twice

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Alex de Angelis crashes twice

San Marino rider Alex de Angelis escaped injury after crashes at the start and end on the opening day of testing in Sepang today. Boosted by a brilliant performance last week when he finished third...

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top after day one

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top after day one

Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi has topped the timesheets at the end of the first day of testing in Sepang. The Italian recorded a best time of 2:00.300 just over a second ahead of Repsol Honda’s Nicky...

Desmo Flowers!

01 February 2008 by Jakob Tamburini Krygård

We had to replace my wifes fuel tank on her 99 Monster, and then we suddenly had Norways coolest (and most expensive) flower pot!

James Toseland third, Casey Stoner fastest

01 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland third, Casey Stoner fastest

British rider James Toseland claimed a morale-boosting third place finish on the final day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today. Get all the latest from the Phillip Island...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: John Hopkins ruled out of final day

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: John Hopkins ruled out of final day

A huge high-side crash at over 100mph has ruled John Hopkins out of the final day of action in Phillip Island tomorrow. The American has a badly torn muscle between his left groin and hip after he...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: James Toseland gains first rain experience

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: James Toseland gains first rain experience

James Toseland got his first taste of riding Yamaha’s YZR-M1 in rain conditions on a weather-hit second day of testing in Phillip Island. The 27-year-old posted a best time of 1.43.719 on a dismal...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Day two roundup

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Day two roundup

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner produced a masterful exhibition of wet and dry weather riding to dominate the second day of testing in Phillip Island. In persistent rain showers that fell...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Casey Stoner rampant on home track

30 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Casey Stoner rampant on home track

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner produced another ominously fast performance on his home track today to set the best time on race tyres in Phillip Island. While Colin Edwards claimed the fastest...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Track knowledge boosts James Toseland

30 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Track knowledge boosts James Toseland

James Toseland put his vast experience of the Phillip Island circuit to good use today with the British rider making an impressive start to his fourth winter test in Australia. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Colin Edwards solves qualifier issues

30 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Colin Edwards solves qualifier issues

A Michelin qualifying tyre used surprisingly early by Colin Edwards helped the Texan register the fastest lap on the opening day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. Edwards opted to...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Day 1 roundup

30 January 2008 by Michael Guy

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Day 1 roundup

Colin Edwards continued his impressive pace for his new Tech 3 Yamaha team by topping to the time sheets on day one of this week’s official MotoGP test in Phillip Island Australia. Edwards used his...

Kallio tops Jerez tests

29 January 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

Kallio tops Jerez tests

After two days of Aprilia dominance, Red Bull KTM returned to the forefront in Jerez at the final session of 250cc action today. Pleasant temperatures and less wind than earlier in the week allowed...

Bradley Smith fastest in Spain

28 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith fastest in Spain

Bradley Smith vowed to keep his feet firmly on the ground as Britain’s top young prospect made a sensational start to his 2008 125GP world championship bid. Making his first appearance on the 2008...

MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Monster deal

25 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Kawasaki confirm Monster deal

Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP squad has officially confirmed American energy drink giant Monster as one of its major backers in the 2008 world championship. In a deal anticipated for several months,...

MotoGP Sepang test: Qualifying tyre spares Nicky Hayden's blushes

25 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Qualifying tyre spares Nicky Hayden's blushes

A brilliant lap on a Michelin qualifying tyre spared Nicky Hayden and Honda’s blushes as the American left Sepang with the fastest overall time. A best lap of 2.00.326 late on the final morning was...

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa undergoes successful surgery

25 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa undergoes successful surgery

Factory Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has undergone a successful two-hour operation to plate a broken right hand in Spain. The triple world champion had a plate and six screws inserted into the Y-shaped...

Sepang test Photos

25 January 2008 by Peter Blackburn

Sepang test Photos

I was at the Sepang test on Thursday, I am an expat living in Singapore. I would love to see the pics I have sent used in MCN. It was taken by my friend Peter Mitchell who was with me. If you use the...

Casey Stoner signs off in ominous form

24 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner signs off in ominous form

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner began the defence of his crown in ominous form as he finished second fastest at the end of a gruelling three-day test session in Sepang. The Aussie’s best time of...

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland talks top ten

24 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland talks top ten

James Toseland claimed the eighth fastest time on the final day of testing in Malaysia today, despite the British rider continuing to be plagued by a severe tyre chatter problem on the new 2008 Tech 3...

MotoGP Sepang test: Casey Stoner rues clutch problem in Sepang

23 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Casey Stoner rues clutch problem in Sepang

A clutch problem cost Casey Stoner the chance to complete his first race simulation on Ducati’s new 2008 GP8 machine in Sepang today, but the MotoGP world champion still logged some impressive times...

MotoGP Sepang Test: James Toseland battles chatter in Sepang

23 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang Test: James Toseland battles chatter in Sepang

James Toseland managed to knock a second off his best Sepang time today despite battling with a chronic rear tyre chatter problem on the Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1. The double World Superbike champion...

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa to undergo surgery on broken hand

23 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: Dani Pedrosa to undergo surgery on broken hand

Dani Pedrosa will undergo an operation in Spain today to repair a double break in his right hand following a high-speed crash on the opening day of 2008 MotoGP testing in Sepang. Further medical...

Where's Max Biaggi?

23 January 2008 by faccipazzo

Why is it that one of the best modern day riders with any talent (Max biaggi) is not riding in MotoGP? Did he hurt someone’s feelings, or do they feel he has lost it? He could definitely hang

The state of today's racers

23 January 2008 by faccipazzo

Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read and Jim Redman, would run and hide on todays riders if they rode todays computerized race bikes. Maybe Rossi could hang if he had Casey Stoners particular Ducati – which is one fast motorcycle. The other factories need to step up

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland makes 2008 Yamaha debut

22 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP Sepang test: James Toseland makes 2008 Yamaha debut

James Toseland got his first taste of Yamaha’s new 2008 contender in Malaysia today, declaring himself satisfied with the winter improvements made on the much-maligned YZR-M1. The British rider posted...