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: John Hopkins says third in MotoGP is ‘realistic’ target

11 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

American John Hopkins believes he has a realistic chance of catching Honda rival Dani Pedrosa to snatch third place in the MotoGP world championship. Two successive podium finishes in Brno and Misano...

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi set to stay with Michelin for 2008

11 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha boss Davide Brivio has told MCN that the Italian is likely to remain on Michelin tyres for the 2008 MotoGP world championship. Davide Brivio says he has told the...

Riding Solo to the top of the World

10 September 2007 by battleaxe1973

Cubicle dwellers who also love motorcycles are often enchanted by the idea of motorcycle travel. We fantasize about setting off on that really long journey, riding off into the sunset someday. We watch, again and again, our favourite bits in the Long Way Round series and promise ourselves we’ll do something similar, someday. And then the weekend ends, and it’s back to the office cubicle on Monday...

MotoGP: Michelin still waiting on Yamaha and Honda decision

07 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Michelin is still to learn whether Honda and Yamaha’s factory MotoGP teams will continue in 2008 or make a switch to Japanese rivals Bridgestone. Both factories have held discussions with Bridgestone...

MotoGP: Colin Edwards urges Yamaha to improve 2008 engine

07 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

American Colin Edwards has urged Yamaha engineers to improve engine performance on the 2008 factory YZR-M1 800 machine. While the main criticism of Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi has focused on...

MotoGP: Michelin man admits poor effort

07 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Michelin boss Jean-Philippe Weber admits the French company simply hasn’t work hard enough to fend off Bridgestone. In a brutally honest assessment of Michelin’s performances in the new 800cc era,...

Message for Rossi

07 September 2007 by Anthony

Hey Rossi, until now I have admired and enjoyed your riding success in MotoGP, but now you are just a dead set w*nker. Stop f*ckin’ crapping on about tyres and bullshit excuses and get out on the track and ride ya bike hard. Too bad if you keep getting whipped by Stoner, he has got it, you have lost it!

MotoGP: John Hopkins to complete night test in America

06 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins has confirmed he is to take part in a special test session under floodlights in America later this year as part of the assessment into plans to stage the 2008 Qatar MotoGP race at...

Me and Aoyama

05 September 2007 by karl thomas

Just got back from Misano. A bit disappointed with Valentino not getting going but met Hiroshi Aoyama in our hotel the next day.

Rossi: Tax and his home town

05 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

The taxman is investigating a claimed £40 million in unpaid revenue, he’s being caned on the track by Casey Stoner and has virtually given up on the title. Matthew Birt went to his home town of Tavullia to find out what the locals make of the situation.

MotoGP: February test key for Qatar night race plan

05 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Next February’s MotoGP test in Qatar will be make or break on whether the Middle East venue will create motorcycling history by becoming the first to be run at night under floodlights. The...

MotoGP: Kawasaki focus on more horsepower for 2008

04 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki’s Technical Director Ichiro Yoda said the key focus of winter development for the Japanese factory is going to be on reducing the horsepower gap to rivals Ducati. Preparing for the arrival of...

MotoGP: Illness rules Chris Vermeulen out of Misano MotoGP test

03 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Factory Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen has taken only a minor part in today’s Misano MotoGP test session having been sidelined by illness. Less than 24 hours after his impressive second place finish...

MotoGP: Qatar night race plan angers Marco Melandri

03 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Italian Marco Melandri has said it is ‘terrible’ MotoGP riders were not consulted before last weekend’s announcement the 2008 Qatar MotoGP will be run at night under floodlights. Dorna and Qatar...

MotoGP: 2008 MotoGP calendar revised

03 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

The 2008 provisional MotoGP calendar has been revised with the dates of four races changed for next year’s 18-round world championship. The Estoril clash in Portugal has been moved forward a week and...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: John Hopkins takes third behind Aussie duo in Misano

02 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins scored his second successive podium in Misano this afternoon, but admitted he was powerless to fight with Suzuki team-mate Chris Vermeulen and dominant race winner Casey Stoner. Like in...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Chris Vermeulen makes it an Aussie 1-2 in Misano

02 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Chris Vermeulen made it a second Aussie 1-2 finish in the last three MotoGP races as he strengthened his bid to snatch third in the championship from Dani Pedrosa. Vermeulen’s fourth podium of the...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi vows to fight on after Misano disaster

02 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi needs a miracle to win back the MotoGP world championship crown after he suffered a disastrous afternoon in front of his home crowd in Misano. The Italian, roared on by massive home...

Misano MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner closes in on MotoGP world title with Misano win

02 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner’s third successive victory put him on the brink of claiming a maiden MotoGP world championship crown in Misano this afternoon. The Australian’s eighth win in 2007 saw him extend his...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner wins as Valentino Rossi retires

02 September 2007 by MCN Sports Desk

Casey Stoner has almost sealed the 2007 MotoGP world championship with a dominant display at Misano, leading from start to finish as his rivals failed to finish. The drama and excitement was confined...

Misano MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo wins 250cc GP

02 September 2007 by MCN Sports Desk

Jorge Lorenzo has won the 250cc Grand Prix at Misano, taking his eighth race win of the year and extending his championship lead to 54 points. Hiroshi Aoyama took second, with Hector Barbera...

Misano MotoGP: Pasini wins Misano 125cc GP in dramatic finish

02 September 2007 by MCN Sports Desk

Mattia Pasini has taken victory at the Misano MotoGP round, as the penultimate lap saw huge drama as championship rivals and team-mates Gabor Talmacsi and Hector Faubel clashed in a three-rider...

Misano MotoGP: Valentino Rossi to gamble with new Yamaha engine

01 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi is planning to gamble on running Yamaha’s new pneumatic valve factory YZR-M1 engine in tomorrow’s Misano MotoGP, despite concerns over whether he’ll finish the 28-lap race. The Italian...

Misano MotoGP: Colin Edwards struggles with grip in Misano

01 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

American Colin Edwards was disappointed to have only qualified in ninth place for tomorrow’s Misano MotoGP race after he struggled with rear grip on the left side of his Michelin tyre. The 33-year-old...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner claims Misano MotoGP pole position

01 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner produced a brilliant late surge to claim his fourth successive pole position as he edged out Valentino Rossi in Misano MotoGP qualifying this afternoon. In front of on-looking Ducati...

Misano MotoGP: Casey Stoner denies Valentino Rossi in Misano MotoGP practice

01 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner denied Valentino Rossi the chance to thrill a passionate home crowd when he topped the timesheets in this morning’s extended free practice in...

Misano MotoGP: Marco Melandri escapes injury in massive Misano crash

01 September 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri’s wretched run of luck has continued in Misano after he suffered a massive crash in this morning’s extended two-hour free practice session. The Gresini Honda rider crashed at the second...

Misano MotoGP: Misano staff work non-stop to ensure MotoGP goes on

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Officials at the Misano circuit have 50 people working throughout the night to ensure the track is ready for action tomorrow morning after torrential rain ruined the first day. Misano officials...

Striking Misano MotoGP image

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Take a look at this striking image to see the weather being enjoyed by the MotoGP teams at Misano.

Misano MotoGP: Night race for Qatar MotoGP in 2008

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

The 2008 Qatar MotoGP will create motorcycle racing history by becoming the first to be run under floodlights. Dorna chief Carmelo Ezpeleta confirmed in a press conference in Misano today (Friday)...

MotoGP: Qatar goes floodlit for 2008

31 August 2007 by MCN

It’s been a year in the coming, but the 2008 Qatar MotoGP race has been confirmed as being run under floodlights in the series’ first ever night race. The venue will be festooned with spot and...

Misano MotoGP: Revised Misano schedule unveiled

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

After today’s deluge at the Misano circuit which saw afternoon practice abandoned, MotoGP riders will get a two-hour practice session tomorrow morning. Today’s action was abandoned shortly after lunch...

Misano MotoGP: Serious flooding ends Misano first day

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Misano’s first day of MotoGP action in 14 years ended in disaster with all remaining Friday practice sessions abandoned due to serious flooding. Torrential rain has forced MotoGP bosses to cancel the...

Misano MotoGP: Britian's Dan Linfoot second in wet 250 free practice one

31 August 2007 by Sarah Carnell

The Aprilia rider managed a 1:48.527, with only he and fastest man Andrea Dovizioso going under the 1min 49sec mark. Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso recorded a best lap time of 1:48.460 on his 20th lap...

Misano MotoGP: Marco Melandri fastest, Aussie trio crash at rain-soaked Misano

31 August 2007 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri topped the timesheets in a rain-soaked first free practice sessions at the Misano circuit this morning, as MotoGP world championship leader Casey Stoner escaped injury in a crash. The...

Misano MotoGP: Gabor Talmacsi quickest in 125 free practice one

31 August 2007 by Sarah Carnell

Aprilia’s Gabor Talmacsi was the fastest rider in the first 125 free practice at a rain beaten Misano this morning. The Hungarian recorded a best time of 1:55.450 around the Italian circuit. Fellow...