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

Moto3: McPhee’s guide to a flying Silverstone lap

25 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: McPhee’s guide to a flying Silverstone lap

With the long, fast and technical nature of Silverstone making it one of the most challenging circuits of the MotoGP season, we sat down with Moto3 contender John McPhee to find out his secrets to a...

Moto3: Canet leads opening session at Silverstone

25 August 2017 by Oli Rushby

Moto3: Canet leads opening session at Silverstone

The 2017 British Grand Prix got underway in glorious conditions with the sun beaming down on Silverstone this morning. Estrella Galicia’s Aron Canet led the way in the day’s opening Moto3 practice...

MotoGP: Smith 'just glad to be on the grid' at Silverstone

25 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Smith 'just glad to be on the grid' at Silverstone

2017 has seen a very different start to the season for Bradley Smith, as he and teammate Pol Espargaró handed over the chance to battle for podium positions on the Tech 3 Yamahas to Johann Zarco and...

MotoGP: New flag to flag system to be tested in FP2

24 August 2017 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: New flag to flag system to be tested in FP2

MotoGP riders will trial a new flag-to-flag pit-stop system following the second free practice session tomorrow after concerns raised during the Czech Grand Prix earlier this month. The calls came...

MotoGP: Redding out with a point to prove at home

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Redding out with a point to prove at home

It’s been a difficult start to the 2017 season for Scott Redding on the Pramac Ducati, fighting to get the best out of the bike and seemingly suffering one step back every time he takes two...

MotoGP: Rossi rides prototype 2018 bike at Misano test

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Rossi rides prototype 2018 bike at Misano test

Valentino Rossi has tested the 2018 model Yamaha M1 machine for the first time at last weekend’s one-day private test in Misano, admitting today at Silverstone that he was given the chance to take to...

MotoGP: Luthi confirmed at Marc VDS for 2018

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Luthi confirmed at Marc VDS for 2018

Moto2 championship contender Thomas Luthi will, as first reported last week by MCN last week, step up to the premier class in 2018 with the Marc VDS squad. The news was confirmed on Thursday morning...

Video: Big changes for Smith at Silverstone

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Video: Big changes for Smith at Silverstone

We caught up with Red Bull KTM rider Bradley Smith ahead of his home race this weekend at Silverstone – and the Oxfordshire racer admitted that there have been big changes made in his camp in the...

Moto2: Mackenzie out to make a point at Brit GP

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Mackenzie out to make a point at Brit GP

There’s one racer for whom the British Grand Prix will being a very new experience in 2017, as Tarran Mackenzie lines up on the grid for his first ever home race in the top level of racing. But while...

MotoGP: Ducati duo relishing ‘beautiful Silverstone’

24 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Ducati duo relishing ‘beautiful Silverstone’

The Ducati MotoGP duo of Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo say they’re relishing the chance to ride one of the best circuits on the calendar when action kicks off tomorrow for the British Grand Prix...

MotoGP: Viñales out to defend his Silverstone title

23 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Viñales out to defend his Silverstone title

Reigning British Grand Prix champion Maverick Viñales says he’s out to defend his title come Sunday, as he sets out to repeat last year’s Suzuki-mounted feat on a Yamaha come Sunday’s race at the...

MotoGP: British Talent Cup competitors revealed

23 August 2017 by Oli Rushby

MotoGP: British Talent Cup competitors revealed

22 riders will line-up on the grid for the inaugural British Talent Cup next year after an intense selection event at Silverstone ahead of the 2017 British Grand Prix. Out of around 200 applicants, 90...

MotoGP: British Grand Prix pub ammo

23 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: British Grand Prix pub ammo

Ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, official MotoGP statistician Doctor Martin Raines has compiled some great stats and figures that are perfect for wowing your mates with! The...

MotoGP: Crutchlow ‘out to go one better’ at home

23 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow ‘out to go one better’ at home

Cal Crutchlow says he’s out to go one better than last year at his home race this weekend, as he sets out to improve on last year’s second place at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. The LCR Honda...

MotoGP: ‘Special demands’ on Michelin at Silverstone

23 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: ‘Special demands’ on Michelin at Silverstone

This weekend’s British Grand Prix will place ‘special demands’ on Michelin’s tyres, as the 2017 MotoGP championship heads to one of the fastest, bumpiest and longest tracks of the season – coupled...

Moto3: McPhee geared up for busy weekend at home

22 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: McPhee geared up for busy weekend at home

British Talent Team Honda rider John McPhee says he’s geared up for a busy weekend in front of his home crowd at the British Grand Prix, as the 2017 Moto3 title contender looks to close the gap down...

MotoGP: Marquez ‘finding a good base’

22 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez ‘finding a good base’

Marc Marquez is positive that he and his Repsol Honda squad are in a better position than they have been all season as they go into this weekend’s British Grand prix, building off a series of strong...

MotoGP: Silverstone winner Baz with mixed emotions ahead of Brit GP

22 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Silverstone winner Baz with mixed emotions ahead of Brit GP

Former Silverstone World Superbike race winner Loris Baz says he’s going into this weekend’s British Grand Prix on the Reale Avintia Ducati with mixed emotions, thanks to his up and down results at...

MotoGP: Zarco out to build on solid Spielberg

22 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Zarco out to build on solid Spielberg

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco says he’s out to build on a strong weekend last time out in the 2017 MotoGP championship at the Austrian Grand Prix as he goes into a circuit that he’s got a...

MotoGP: Marc VDS duo out to bounce back at Silverstone

22 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marc VDS duo out to bounce back at Silverstone

The Marc VDS Honda duo of Jack Miller and Tito Rabat say they’re out to bounce back at this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, after a disappointing pair of races for the pair since the 2017...

MotoGP: Abraham to remain with Aspar for 2018

21 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Abraham to remain with Aspar for 2018

Czech rider Karel Abraham will remain with the Pull&Bear Aspar Ducati team for 2018, after resigning with Jorge Martinez Aspar’s squad to remain alongside Alvaro Bautista for another season in the...

MotoGP: Nakagami joins Crutchlow at LCR Honda in 2018

20 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Nakagami joins Crutchlow at LCR Honda in 2018

As first reported by MCN in May, Cal Crutchlow will be joined at LCR Honda for the 2018 MotoGP season by Japanese Moto2 racer Takaaki Nakagami, as the twelve-time Grand Prix podium finisher confirms...

MotoGP: Two Wheels for Life reveal Day of Champions auction lots

18 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Two Wheels for Life reveal Day of Champions auction lots

MotoGP’s official charity Two Wheels for Life have revealed some of the amazing lots they have up for auction at the highlight of their annual fundraising, next Thursday’s auction at the Day of...

MotoGP: ‘Stressful’ last lap for Dovi

18 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: ‘Stressful’ last lap for Dovi

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted that despite his stunning final corner success over Marc Marquez at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, the final lap of the race was ‘stressful’ for him, knowing that...

MotoGP: Lowes confident about his GP future

18 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lowes confident about his GP future

Sam Lowes’ tenure as a factory MotoGP racer will come to an end at the end of the 2017 season, after Aprilia bosses finally confirmed to the Lincolnshire rider at the Austrian Grand Prix that they...

MotoGP: Tardozzi ‘we can call him Professor Dovi’

17 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Tardozzi ‘we can call him Professor Dovi’

Ducati MotoGP boss Davide Tardozzi has admitted that Sunday’s race went perfectly to the plan that Andrea Dovizioso had laid out to his squad beforehand, as he delivered a flawless victory over Marc...

MotoGP: €1 million for a seat at Avintia Ducati?

17 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: €1 million for a seat at Avintia Ducati?

While much of the focus of the 2017 MotoGP silly seasons remains on the final seat up for grabs at Marc VDS Honda, there’s also options available at Avintia Reale Ducati, with it looking like both...

MotoGP: Zarco gunning for Rossi's job

17 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Zarco gunning for Rossi's job

Johann Zarco has once again shown up his factory Yamaha brethren at the Red Bull Ring, by taking the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 bike to an impressive fifth place finish ahead of both Valentino Rossi and...

MotoGP: Safety woes at Red Bull Ring

16 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Safety woes at Red Bull Ring

The weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix action at the Red Bull Ring was plagued with rider safety concerns and even threats of the first rider strike since Misano in 1989, after a series of crashes during...

MotoGP: Kallio out to gain at Smith’s expense?

16 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Kallio out to gain at Smith’s expense?

One of the most impressive rides of the weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring was that of KTM test rider Mika Kallio, who took his wildcard machine to only the firm’s second ever top ten...

Moto2: Appeal for information as Rabat's bike stolen

16 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Appeal for information as Rabat's bike stolen

In the early hours of the morning on Wednesday 16th August thieves broke into the Marc VDS workshop in Gosselies, Belgium and stole the Kalex Moto2 machine on which Tito Rabat won the 2014 Moto2 World...

Moto2: BSB race winner Dixon set for Silverstone wildcard

15 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: BSB race winner Dixon set for Silverstone wildcard

MCE British Superbike double race winner Jake Dixon will make his Grand Prix racing debut in front of of a home crowd at next weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, as he deputises for the...

MotoGP: Chassis woes continue for Rossi and Viñales in Austria

15 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Chassis woes continue for Rossi and Viñales in Austria

The factory Yamaha pair of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales have once again chalked a difficult weekend up to the problems with their M1’s chassis, after the nine-time world champion finished the...

Moto2: Kent ruled out of Austrian race by whiplash

15 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Kent ruled out of Austrian race by whiplash

2015 Moto3 world champion Danny Kent was forced to sit out Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring thanks to an unfortunate crash on Friday, taken out by Alex Marquez and left struggling for...

MotoGP: Marquez ‘couldn’t have slept’ if he didn’t try last corner move

15 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez ‘couldn’t have slept’ if he didn’t try last corner move

Marc Marquez has admitted that he couldn’t have slept easy on Sunday night if he hadn’t tried an incredible last corner move on Andrea Dovizioso in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix, even though he...

MotoGP: Redding confirmed as Lowes’ replacement at Aprilia

14 August 2017 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Redding confirmed as Lowes’ replacement at Aprilia

Gresini Aprilia have confirmed that Scott Redding will replace fellow Brit Sam Lowes in their MotoGP squad for 2018, after Lowes confirmed at the weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix that they would be...