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: Lorenzo optimistic despite huge highside

15 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo optimistic despite huge highside

Jorge Lorenzo will go into tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix optimistic that he can pull out a good result despite a horrific highside in this morning’s free practice three session that saw him briefly...

Moto2: Crash not enough to deny Zarco top spot

15 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Crash not enough to deny Zarco top spot

Even a crash wasn’t enough to deny reigning Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco pole position for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix, with the Ajo Motorsport falling in the closing stages of qualifying but...

MotoGP: Rossi stuns for Motegi pole position

15 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Rossi stuns for Motegi pole position

Valentino Rossi has stunned the MotoGP field by pulling pole position for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix out of nowhere, coming from well down the field to demote Marc Marquez and teammate Jorge...

Moto3: Ono denied home pole position after grid penalty

15 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Ono denied home pole position after grid penalty

Japanese rider Hiroki Ono has been denied the opportunity to start his home Moto3 race from pole position tomorrow despite setting the fastest time of qualifying, after being hit with a three-place...

MotoGP: Crutchlow hits out at Pedrosa replacement calls

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Crutchlow hits out at Pedrosa replacement calls

Cal Crutchlow has hit out at people calling for him to replace the injured Dani Pedrosa this weekend in Motegi, saying that it shows a lack of respect for his fellow Honda rider. Pedrosa crashed out...

MotoGP: Pedrosa out of Motegi with broken collarbone

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Pedrosa out of Motegi with broken collarbone

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa will sit out this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi after crashing out of free practice two this afternoon. The Spaniard broke his collarbone in the crash, and...

Moto2: Former winner Luthi tops day one

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Former winner Luthi tops day one

2014 Japanese Moto2 Grand Prix winner Thomas Luthi has topped the opening day of action at Motegi, finishing well clear of home favourite Takaaki Nakagami with Franco Morbidelli in third. Indeed, none...

MotoGP: Lorenzo tops manic Motegi Friday

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo tops manic Motegi Friday

Jorge Lorenzo has topped the opening day of action at the Japanese Grand prix after a manic day that saw numerous bad crashes for some of MotoGP’s top riders. Andrea Dovizioso and Maverick Viñales led...

Moto3: Bastianini fastest on first day in Japan

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Bastianini fastest on first day in Japan

Enea Bastianini has ended the first day of action in the Moto3 class at Motegi top of the time sheets, finishing 0.121 head of local favourite Hiroki Ono and Belgian rider Livio Loi. “This first day...

MotoGP: Honda celebrate 50 years in Grand Prix racing

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Honda celebrate 50 years in Grand Prix racing

Honda have celebrated their 50th season in Grand Prix racing by uniting Repsol Honda riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa with the RC181 machine used by Jim Redman and Mike Hailwood for their first...

Red Bull Rookies: British riders need your help

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Red Bull Rookies: British riders need your help

Ten British riders have been given the chance to challenge for a place alongside Scottish rider Rory Skinner in MotoGP support series Red Bull Rookies Cup for next season, as they head to the annual...

MotoGP: Circuit of Wales in fresh political row

14 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Circuit of Wales in fresh political row

The Circuit of Wales project has become embroiled in yet another political row, after the Welsh Conservatives attacked project bosses Heads of the valley Development Company for using a £7 million...

MotoGP: Lorenzo disappointed with Yamaha testing restriction

13 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo disappointed with Yamaha testing restriction

Jorge Lorenzo has admitted that he’s very disappointed not to be allowed to join new manufacturer Ducati in November for the second test of the 2017 pre-season, after current team Yamaha informed him...

MotoGP: Barbera steps up to factory Ducati for Motegi

13 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Barbera steps up to factory Ducati for Motegi

Avintia Ducati rider Hector Barbera will be rewarded for his strong season of results so far in 2016 this weekend at Motegi, as he gets a one-round promotion to the factory team to replace the injured...

MotoGP: Rossi ‘strong on paper’ at Motegi

12 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Rossi ‘strong on paper’ at Motegi

Valentino Rossi has admitted that he’s looking forward to this weekend’s Japanese Grand prix at Motegi – a circuit that, on paper, should be strong for both the Italian rider and the Movistar Yamaha...

MotoGP: Marquez limiting damage at Honda’s home race

11 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez limiting damage at Honda’s home race

Marc Marquez has admitted that he’s out to limit the damage to his championship aspirations this weekend at Motegi, despite the significance of the race at a circuit built by Honda as a fiftieth...

Moto2: Final lunge at title glory for Lowes

11 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Final lunge at title glory for Lowes

Sam Lowes is ready to make a final lunge for Moto2 title glory this weekend, when the series moves to Asia for the first of three back-to-back weekends of action in Japan, Australia and Malaysia. The...

MotoGP: Smith excited to be back in action

11 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Smith excited to be back in action

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Bradley Smith says he’s glad to finally be over the worst of his knee injury – and is thrilled to be making his MotoGP comeback this weekend in Motegi after missing three...

MotoGP: Baz nearing full fitness for Motegi

10 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Baz nearing full fitness for Motegi

Loris Baz says he’s nearly back to full fitness as MotoGP goes into it’s three week trip to Japan, Australia and Malaysia as he continues his comeback from his second serious injury of the 2016...

MotoGP: Iannone to sit out Motegi

10 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Iannone to sit out Motegi

Andrea Iannone will once again miss a round of the 2016 MotoGP championship, as he sits out his second consecutive race thanks to a back injury sustained during practice for the Misano round of the...

MotoGP: Michelin set for flyaway challenge

10 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Michelin set for flyaway challenge

Michelin’s Two-Wheel Motorsport group manager Piero Taramasso has admitted that the next few weeks, which see back-to-back MotoGP races in Japan, Australia and Malaysia, will be a challenge for the...

MotoGP: Details unveiled of new-look Sepang

07 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Details unveiled of new-look Sepang

The details have been revealed about the updates made to Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, ahead of MotoGP’s first visit to the track since February’s test. The series will visit at the end of the upcoming...

Moto2: Sacked Aegerter in war of words with Interwetten team

07 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Sacked Aegerter in war of words with Interwetten team

Dominique Aegerter has become locked in a war of words with his carXpert Interwetten Moto2 team, after the team issued a statement this morning confirming that they had sacked the Swiss rider after he...

MotoGP: Lorenzo gets first taste of Formula One

07 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo gets first taste of Formula One

Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has got his first taste for Formula One, after sponsors Monster Energy teamed up with Mercedes to allow the Movistar Yamaha rider the chance to lap Silverstone...

Moto2: Kent confirmed as staying at Leopard with Suter switch

05 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Kent confirmed as staying at Leopard with Suter switch

Moto3 world champion Danny Kent will remain with the Kiefer Racing squad for the 2017 Moto2 season, as the team makes the switch from Kalex to Suter machinery. Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter will join...

MotoGP: Winter test calendar confirmed

05 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Winter test calendar confirmed

MotoGP organise have confirmed the calendar for this year’s winter testing, which will kick off as is traditional at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit immediately after the 2016 season concludes. The...

MotoGP: Aragon incident to affect Pramac internal battle

05 October 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Aragon incident to affect Pramac internal battle

Pramac Ducati boss Francesco Guidotti has confirmed to MCN that the incident between his riders at last week’s Aragon Grand Prix will affect the battle that his riders are currently locked in to...

MotoGP: Honda rumoured to be experimenting with big bang

29 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Honda rumoured to be experimenting with big bang

While most of the MotoGP paddock headed home to take a few days’ valuable rest before the long slog of three back-to-back Asian races, both the Repsol Honda duo of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa and...

Moto3: ‘Sacrifices paid off’ for champion Binder

29 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: ‘Sacrifices paid off’ for champion Binder

New Moto3 world champion Brad Binder – the first ever rider to win a Grand Prix championship with four rounds in hand – says that finally tasting title success has made his sacrifices...

MotoGP: Aprilia timing is perfect for Lowes

29 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Aprilia timing is perfect for Lowes

Moto2 title contender Sam Lowes has admitted that as the factory Aprilia squad continue to improve in MotoGP, his switch to them for the 2017 season couldn’t be coming at a better time. Joining up...

Expert opinion: If MotoGP were a game of rugby...

28 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

Expert opinion: If MotoGP were a game of rugby...

Of all the injuries that riders sustain in motorbike racing, there are few as likely to bring a hush to the paddock as reports of a head injury. The human brain, while an incredible computer, is also...

MotoGP: Hayden back in the points once again

27 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Hayden back in the points once again

Nicky Hayden has completed his pre-race goal of scoring points in yet another Grand Prix season during his replacement ride at Aragon last weekend. The 2006 champion was deputising for an injured Jack...

MotoGP: Smith set for Japanese return

27 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Smith set for Japanese return

Bradley Smith will make a return to the 2016 MotoGP season and his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine next month for the Japanese Grand Prix, as he completes a month of gruelling physiotherapy following a...

Moto2: Lowes goes even faster at Aragon test

27 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Lowes goes even faster at Aragon test

Aragon Moto2 race winner Sam Lowes has come away from the Spanish circuit surprised to find even more pace in Monday’s post-race test, going even faster than he did enroute to pole position and an...

MotoGP: Redding ‘lost respect’ for teammate Petrucci

26 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Redding ‘lost respect’ for teammate Petrucci

Scott Redding has slammed Pramac Ducati teammate Danilo Petrucci, after contact between the pair on the second lap of yesterday’s MotoGP race left Redding in the gravel and Petrucci with a...

MotoGP: Marquez smashes title opposition with Aragon win

25 September 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez smashes title opposition with Aragon win

Marc Marquez has smashed his championship rivals by taking a dominant win at his home race at Motorland Aragon, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi. Marquez was...