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

Moto2: MotoGP pays tribute to Luis Salom

04 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: MotoGP pays tribute to Luis Salom

MotoGP pays tribute to Luis Salom with the highlights of his career.

MotoGP: Marquez breaks Catalan jinx with pole position

04 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez breaks Catalan jinx with pole position

Marc Marque has broken his MotoGP pole position jinx at his home race by cruising to the top spot by nearly half a second at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit this afternoon. He looked to be in control for...

Moto3: Late lap for title leader Binder hands him pole

04 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Late lap for title leader Binder hands him pole

Moto3 championship leader Brad Binder will start tomorrow’s race at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit from pole position, after a late lap handed him the top spot in this afternoon’s qualifying...

MotoGP: Track changes at Montmelò for remainder of the weekend

04 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Track changes at Montmelò for remainder of the weekend

The remainder of this weekend’s action at Montmelò will see the circuit revert from the usual MotoGP layout to that traditionally used by Formula One, in the wake of the tragic incident that cost Luis...

Moto2: Nakagami tops tragedy-struck day

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Nakagami tops tragedy-struck day

Takaaki Nakagami has topped the opening day of Moto2 action at Montmelò, finishing first in FP1 and sitting at the top of the time sheets when the red flags came out following Luis Salom’s tragic...

MotoGP: Lorenzo powers to top of the times

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Lorenzo powers to top of the times

Jorge Lorenzo has powered to the top of the time sheets at his home MotoGP race in Barcelona this afternoon, demoting FP1 leader Maverick Viñales to second place as he topped the day’s action by a...

Moto3: Antonelli tops opening day in Barcelona

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: Antonelli tops opening day in Barcelona

Niccolo Antonelli has topped the opening day of action in the Moto3 class at Barcelona’s Montmelo circuit, finishing up nearly 0.3 clear after topping both of the day’s sessions. The Italian was ahead...

Tragedy strikes Moto2 star Luis Salom

03 June 2016 by MCN

Tragedy strikes Moto2 star Luis Salom

Spanish Moto2 rider Luis Salom has died following an incident during today’s Moto2 free practice two session at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit. He crashed at turn twelve during the session and was taken...

MotoGP: Yamaha explains Rossi and Lorenzo engine failures

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Yamaha explains Rossi and Lorenzo engine failures

Yamaha have released a statement explaining the cause of the engine failures that saw Valentino Rossi drop out of the fight for the lead two weekends ago in Mugello and teammate Jorge Lorenzo narrowly...

Moto2: Lowes hoping for boost from Montmelò test

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto2: Lowes hoping for boost from Montmelò test

Moto2 championship leader Sam Lowes is hoping for an extra boost this weekend at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit, as he sets out to capitalise on a test at the Spanish track earlier this season. Testing...

Moto3: McPhee geared up for Catalunya after testing success

03 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

Moto3: McPhee geared up for Catalunya after testing success

Scotsman John McPhee says he’s geared up for a more successful weekend at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit, after enjoying a successful test following the last round of the Moto3 championship at...

MotoGP: Estrella Galicia 0,0 MarcVDS Honda unveil special Catalan livery

02 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Estrella Galicia 0,0 MarcVDS Honda unveil special Catalan livery

The Estrella Galicia 0,0 MarcVDS Hondas of Jack Miller and Tito Rabat, as well as their Moto2 bikes and the Estrella Galicia-backed Moto3 machines of the Monlau Technical School team, will sport a...

MotoGP: Marquez and Honda renew their link

02 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Marquez and Honda renew their link

Marc Marquez has as expected signed a new two-year deal that will see him remain at the Repsol Honda team until at least the end of the 2018 season. The Spaniard finally announced the extension to his...

MotoGP: Espargaró confirmed at KTM alongside Smith

02 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Espargaró confirmed at KTM alongside Smith

KTM have confirmed that Pol Espargaró will join his current teammate Bradley Smith for two more years at the Austrian manufacturer, as he makes the move from Monster Tech 3 Yamaha after two...

MotoGP: Yamaha confirm departure of Espargaró

02 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Yamaha confirm departure of Espargaró

Yamaha have officially confirmed the departure of Pol Espargaró for 2017, with the Spaniard expected to announce his move to join teammate Bradley Smith at the new KTM factory team for the next two...

MotoGP: Progress from Valencia test set to help Suzuki in Catalunya

02 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Progress from Valencia test set to help Suzuki in Catalunya

The factory Suzuki pairing of Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró are looking towards an improvement in form this weekend in Catalunya, after a successful test for the pair during the break since...

MotoGP: Smith out to ‘carry on the positive momentum’

01 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Smith out to ‘carry on the positive momentum’

Bradley Smith says he needs to carry on the positive momentum he got started last time out t Mugello, if he wants to get his 2016 MotoGP campaign properly underway this weekend in Barcelona. Finally...

MotoGP: Laverty set for strong weekend in Barcelona

01 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Laverty set for strong weekend in Barcelona

Aspar Ducati racer Eugene Laverty says that the team should be set for a strong weekend this weekend at Barcelona’s Montmelò circuit, as he looks to continue his impressive start to the 2016 MotoGP...

MotoGP: Rossi looking to build on Mugello speed

01 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Rossi looking to build on Mugello speed

Valentino Rossi is looking to build on the speed that saw him in contention for a race win at Mugello when the 2016 MotoGP championship resumes this weekend at Catalunya. Only halted by an engine...

MotoGP: Espargaró set to join Smith at KTM?

01 June 2016 by Simon Patterson

MotoGP: Espargaró set to join Smith at KTM?

Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider Pol Espargaró looks set to joins his current teammate Bradley Smith next year at KTM’s new MotoGP operation, with MCN’s sources in the paddock believing that the Catalan...

Rabat set for Barcelona return

31 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Rabat set for Barcelona return

Tito Rabat will make a return to the MotoGP championship this weekend at Barcelona, only two weeks after braking his left collarbone and having surgery to fix the damage. Rabat fell heavily during FP3...

Laverty dedicates Catalunya helmet to TT racer McDonnell

30 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Laverty dedicates Catalunya helmet to TT racer McDonnell

Northern Irish MotoGP racer Eugene Laverty will wear a special helmet this weekend at the Catalan MotoGP round to commemorate his namesake, Isle of Man TT racer Gene McDonnell. McDonnell, the 1985...

Lorenzo and Marquez’s Mugello lucky escape

30 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Lorenzo and Marquez’s Mugello lucky escape

Both Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez were lucky to get away with a huge moment in the final stages of last Sunday’s MotoGP race at Mugello, after a tiny mistake from Lorenzo on the last lap left the...

Yamaha boss Jarvis admits Pedrosa deal was ‘at advanced stages’

30 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Yamaha boss Jarvis admits Pedrosa deal was ‘at advanced stages’

Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis has admitted that they were at an advanced stage of negotiation with Honda rider Dani Pedrosa for the 2017 season, as they sought to tempt him away after a career at...

Suzuki complete successful Valencia test

27 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Suzuki complete successful Valencia test

The Suzuki MotoGP squad of Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró have completed a successful two-day private test at Spain’s Valencia circuit, taking to the track to test numerous parts including two...

Video: Part two of ‘Valentino Rossi: The Doctor Series’ released

27 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Video: Part two of ‘Valentino Rossi: The Doctor Series’ released

The second episode in the ‘Valentino Rossi: The Doctor Series’ ventures to one of the most intense, emotional and important places in Rossi’s life: Mugello. In the spectacular Tuscan hills lies the...

Pirro to replace Baz in Catalunya

27 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Pirro to replace Baz in Catalunya

Michele Pirro will replace the injured Loris Baz for the Catalan round of the 2016 MotoGP championship next weekend in Barcelona, after the Frenchman sustained injuries to his foot in a crash last...

Binder not thinking about title race

26 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Binder not thinking about title race

Brad Binder says he’s doing his best not to think about the 2016 Moto3 title race, despite now holding an advantage of nearly two race victories over Jorge Navarro after only six races. But, learning...

Redding’s race ended by warning lights

26 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Redding’s race ended by warning lights

Scott Redding’s chances at a strong finish in front of Ducati top brass in Mugello was once again been thwarted by mechanical problems on the Pramac bike at the weekend, when warning lights forced him...

Mugello Expert Opinion: Casey Stoner

26 May 2016 by Casey Stoner

Mugello Expert Opinion: Casey Stoner

Without doubt Andrea Iannone and the Desmosedici GP had the pace to run with the front guys and go for the race win at Mugello. Unfortunately he missed the boat at the start and lost a lot time stuck...

Get set for the OCTO British Grand Prix

25 May 2016 by MCN

Get set for the OCTO British Grand Prix

Promotion: Find your perfect fanstand at this year’s British Grand Prix MotoGP fans intending to head to Silverstone for this year’s OCTO British Grand Prix this September 1-4 should book fastto take...

Damage control for Lowes in Mugello

25 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Damage control for Lowes in Mugello

Sam Lowes has ran an exercise in damage limitation at Mugello to wrestle control of the championship race back to himself fro main rival Alex Rins, after a chaotic Moto2 race saw him lose his chances...

Smith back to 2015 form at long last

25 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Smith back to 2015 form at long last

Bradley Smith says that the pace that took him to sixth place and top satellite bike in Mugello isn’t a one-off – and insists that he’s now back to the level that saw him finish the championship in...

Rabat undergoes successful surgery for broken collarbone

25 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Rabat undergoes successful surgery for broken collarbone

Tito Rabat has undergone successful surgery on the left collarbone that he broke in Mugello on Saturday. His surgery was performed at the Hospital Universitario Dexeus in Barcelona by the highly...

Yamaha engines set for Japanese analysis

24 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Yamaha engines set for Japanese analysis

The failed engines of both Valentino Rossi will now be sent straight back to the firm’s Japanese R&D headquarters for a detailed analysis to identify the cause of the problems, according to Yamaha...

Mugello test hit by heavy rain

24 May 2016 by Simon Patterson

Mugello test hit by heavy rain

A test for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes on Monday at Mugello, following on from Sunday’s race at the Italian circuit, ended up a washed out affair, after heavy rain saw many of the field pack up rather...