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

Australian MotoGP: Casey Stoner happy despite crash in Phillip Island

12 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Casey Stoner happy despite crash in Phillip Island

Casey Stoner declared himself happy and satisfied as his homecoming as new MotoGP world champion got off to a perfect start today in Phillip Island. The factory Ducati rider dominated a weather...

Australian MotoGP: Impressive start for Chaz Davies in Phillip Island

12 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Impressive start for Chaz Davies in Phillip Island

A crash, a technical failure and tricky weather conditions couldn’t stop impressive British rider Chaz Davies from beating home favourite Chris Vermeulen and Colin Edwards on the opening day of action...

Australian MotoGP: Casey Stoner makes perfect start in Phillip Island

12 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Casey Stoner makes perfect start in Phillip Island

Casey Stoner made the perfect start to his reign as new MotoGP world champion by topping the timesheets on the opening day of practice for his home race in Australia. On a weather-hit opening day at...

Australian MotoGP: Perseverance pays off for Anthony West

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Perseverance pays off for Anthony West

Home favourite Anthony West has spoken of his relief his never say die attitude has landed him a full-time factory contract in the 2008 MotoGP world championship. Preparing for his first home MotoGP...

Australian MotoGP: Marco Melandri relishing prospect of partnering Casey Stoner

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Marco Melandri relishing prospect of partnering Casey Stoner

Italian Marco Melandri has said he is undaunted at the prospect of joining new world champion Casey Stoner in Ducati’s factory MotoGP squad next season. Marco Melandri signed a two-year deal to...

Australian MotoGP: Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen unveils Barry Sheene colours

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen unveils Barry Sheene colours

Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen unveiled the one-off Barry Sheene paint-scheme he will use for this weekend’s Australian MotoGP at the Phillip Island circuit earlier today. The Australian is running...

Australian MotoGP: Yamaha to continue fighting with Michelin

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Yamaha to continue fighting with Michelin

Valentino Rossi’s factory Yamaha boss Davide Brivio says the Japanese factory will continue as if they are going to be using Michelin tyres in 2008, despite a controversial one-make tyre rule proposal...

Australian MotoGP: World title success still sinking in says Casey Stoner

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: World title success still sinking in says Casey Stoner

New MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner said his first premier class world championship success has still not properly sunk in as he prepares for a rapturous reception in his home race in Phillip...

Australian MotoGP: Nicky Hayden’s support for one-make tyre rule grows

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Nicky Hayden’s support for one-make tyre rule grows

Former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden says his support for a controversial one-make tyre in next year’s world championship is increasing ahead of the final decision next weekend in Malaysia. The...

Australian MotoGP: Valentino Rossi pays tribute to 'inspirational' Norick Abe

11 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

Australian MotoGP: Valentino Rossi pays tribute to 'inspirational' Norick Abe

Valentino Rossi has paid tribute to Japanese rider Norick Abe, who was killed in a road accident last weekend. Italian Rossi was a huge fan of Norick Abe and when he started his world championship...

Video: MotoGP: Casey Stoner meets Aussie fans

10 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP champion Casey Stoner delighted thousands of fans with an appearance in Melbourne ahead of this weekend’s Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island. The Ducati rider took part in a question and answers session with MotoGP’s Gavin Emmett and then stayed behind to sign autographs for his fans. Check out the video below to see what Casey Stoner had to say about the season so far and his hopes for...

MotoGP: Dan Linfoot dropped by 250 MotoGP team

09 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Dan Linfoot dropped by 250 MotoGP team

British rider Dan Linfoot has been axed from the Sicilia Aprilia 250 MotoGP team with three rounds of the 2007 season still remaining. Linfoot had clinched a deal at Donington Park to replace Anthony...

MotoGP tyre war. Boo!

05 October 2007 by Anonymous

Dunlop, Michelen, Bridgstone should not decide the outcome of a race. It’s the rider and machine he or she rides that decide the race. MotoGP will allways be the top sport. Fair play is fair play and what is wrong with that in racing and not a bunch of show-offs caring about themselves looking good in a race. AMA superbike is going through that problem right now with no fair playing field, with...

MotoGP: Colin Edwards doubts Michelin can reach Bridgestone level

05 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Colin Edwards doubts Michelin can reach Bridgestone level

Colin Edwards has cast doubt on Michelin’s capability to match the performance of rivals Bridgestone as the Texan continues to back plans for MotoGP to switch to a one-make tyre rule next...

MotoGP: Michelin ‘shocked’ at one-make tyre plan for 2008

04 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Michelin ‘shocked’ at one-make tyre plan for 2008

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber has spoken of his shock and disappointment at plans for MotoGP to implement a one-make tyre rule next season. Plans unveiled in Japan, as it became apparent that...

MotoGP: Dunlop boss concerned about one-make tyre plan

04 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Dunlop boss concerned about one-make tyre plan

Dunlop boss Jeremy Ferguson has expressed concerns about MotoGP switching to a one-make tyre rule for 2008. And Ferguson admitted it is too early to contemplate whether Dunlop will bid to become the...

MotoGP: Bridgestone blame Valentino Rossi for one-make tyre proposal

03 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Bridgestone blame Valentino Rossi for one-make tyre proposal

Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada believes Valentino Rossi has been the ringleader of a campaign to switch MotoGP to a one-make tyre rule in 2008. Hiroshi Yamada admitted he was ‘very disappointed and...

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess urges caution on one-make tyre proposal

03 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Jerry Burgess urges caution on one-make tyre proposal

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess said switching to a one-make tyre rule for 2008 is nothing more than a knee jerk reaction by Dorna which has no guarantee of improving MotoGP as a spectacle...

MotoGP: One-make tyre rule would punish Bridgestone says John Hopkins

03 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: One-make tyre rule would punish Bridgestone says John Hopkins

American John Hopkins reckons Bridgestone are being unfairly penalised for being successful on track as he faces up to the prospect of a one-make tyre rule in 2008. John Hopkins, who has raced on...

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen to pay homage to mentor Barry Sheene

03 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen to pay homage to mentor Barry Sheene

Chris Vermeulen will run a special one-off paint-scheme to pay tribute to British legend Barry Sheene in next weekend’s Australian MotoGP clash in Phillip Island. Chris Vermeulen will run his factory...

MotoGP: Mental toughness key to Casey Stoner’s 2007 MotoGP title success

02 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Mental toughness key to Casey Stoner’s 2007 MotoGP title success

Mental toughness was the key weapon in helping Casey Stoner destroy Valentino Rossi’s hopes of reclaiming the MotoGP world crown in 2007. That’s the view of Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada, who...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner ‘unbelievable’ says Ducati crew chief

02 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner ‘unbelievable’ says Ducati crew chief

Casey Stoner’s Ducati crew chief Cristian Gabarrini has labelled the Aussie ‘unbelievable’ after he clinched his first MotoGP world title last month in Japan. Cristian Gabarrini formerly worked as...

MotoGP: Lucio Cecchinello praises Casey Stoner for incredible season

01 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Lucio Cecchinello praises Casey Stoner for incredible season

Casey Stoner’s first ever Grand Prix team boss has described the Australian as one of the best riders of the last 10 years after the Aussie won his first world championship title in Japan last...

MotoGP: Alberto Puig proud to have helped Casey Stoner

01 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Alberto Puig proud to have helped Casey Stoner

Casey Stoner’s early mentor Alberto Puig has said he is proud to have played a part in helping launch the new MotoGP world champion’s international racing career. Alberto Puig gave Casey Stoner his...

MotoGP: Chaz Davies aims to put himself in frame for 2008 MotoGP ride

01 October 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Chaz Davies aims to put himself in frame for 2008 MotoGP ride

Chaz Davies is hoping he can put himself in the shop window for a full-time MotoGP ride in 2009 after he clinched a deal to join Alex Barros in the D’Antin Ducati team for the final three rounds in...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner’s biggest test still to come

27 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Casey Stoner’s biggest test still to come

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess believes Casey Stoner’s biggest test is still to come as he paid tribute to the Australian’s brilliant 2007 MotoGP world championship-winning campaign. Casey...

MotoGP: Eugene Laverty looking to bounce back in Australia

27 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Eugene Laverty looking to bounce back in Australia

Eugene Laverty is confident he can return to form in next month’s Phillip Island 250 MotoGP in Australia after he endured a nightmare in Japan last weekend. Laverty pulled no punches after his hopes...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi threatens legal action over Ryanair advert

27 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi threatens legal action over Ryanair advert

Valentino Rossi has instructed lawyers to look at taking legal action against budget airline Ryanair after a new advertising campaign featured a reference to the Italian’s current multi-million pound...

MotoGP: Danny Webb looking to build on first points finish

27 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Danny Webb looking to build on first points finish

Danny Webb has set his sights on three top 20 finishes in the last three 125 GP races after breaking his world championship points duck with a brilliant 13th place finish in Japan last weekend. In...

MotoGP: Carlos Checa closes in on Ten Kate Honda deal

26 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Carlos Checa closes in on Ten Kate Honda deal

Carlos Checa will fly to Holland this week to finally clinch a deal to replace James Toseland in the 2008 World Superbike championship. The veteran Spaniard has been frozen out of MotoGP with no...

Moto GP: British stars pay tribute to Casey Stoner

26 September 2007 by Gary Pinchin

Moto GP: British stars pay tribute to Casey Stoner

British riders who raced newly crowned MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner early in his career paid tribute to the Aussie who kick-started his career on UK tracks. Cal Crutchlow “I raced against him...

Video: MotoGP: MCN Exclusive Video Suzuki unveil 2008 MotoGP protoype

26 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Video: MotoGP: MCN Exclusive Video Suzuki unveil 2008 MotoGP protoype

Suzuki rolled out its new 2008 prototype GSV-R V4 MotoGP machine at a test session in the Twin Ring Motegi earlier this week. The bike, which was tested by development rider Nobuatsu Aoki, featured a...

Video Exclusive: Valentino Rossi tests 2008 MotoGP Yamaha

26 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Video Exclusive: Valentino Rossi tests 2008 MotoGP Yamaha

This exclusive video shot in the Twin Ring Motegi in Japan on Monday captured Valentino Rossi completing his first laps on a prototype version of Yamaha’s 2008 YZR-M1 machine. Featuring new bodyork...

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen says give Casey Stoner credit

26 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Chris Vermeulen says give Casey Stoner credit

Chris Vermeulen believes it is time for people to stop detracting from Casey Stoner’s impressive 2007 success and start paying him some more respect for an outstanding world championship-winning...

MotoGP: Suzuki roll out 2008 prototype MotoGP bike

24 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Suzuki roll out 2008 prototype MotoGP bike

Japanese factory Suzuki gave a public debut to their new 2008 GSV-R MotoGP challenger in the Twin Ring Motegi today. Tested by development rider Nobuatsu Aoki, the new bike featured completely new...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi tests 2008 Yamaha contender in Japan

24 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi tests 2008 Yamaha contender in Japan

Valentino Rossi has tested a prototype version of the bike Yamaha hopes will help the Italian wrestle back the MotoGP world championship crown in 2008. Less than 24 hours after Rossi’s disastrous 13th...