MotoGP Features
In-depth MotoGP features and MotoGP exclusive articles from Crash.
Who peaked when?
By Peter McLaren A quick look at when each rider set their fastest race laps were distributed during the 2004 MotoGP season contains some interesting figures.
'Saint' Byrne seeks KTM aggression, thanks Aprilia
By Peter McLaren and Andy Stobart Former British Superbike champion Shane Byrne will get his second bite at the MotoGP cherry this season, after signing an eleventh hour contract to ride a Team Roberts run Proton KR-KTM in the 2005 world championship.
Hopkins 'expects' home wins, Hayden first target.
By Peter McLaren and Andy Stobart There comes a time in every rider's career where they must cross the line from potential star to proven performer - and Team Suzuki's John Hopkins needs, and expects, 2005 to be the year in which he takes that step.
Hopper '100% fit and raring to go'.
Suzuki's John Hopkins looks set to start pre-season testing '100% fit' after a speedy recovery from surgery to remove a rod from his femur and pins from each of his ankles.
Zanardi: I enjoy MotoGP more than F1.
Former Formula One, CART and IndyCar star Alex Zanardi has revealed he enjoys watching MotoGP more than F1 these days.
Kanemoto leaves Suzuki, V4 will stay.
Suzuki has told Crash.net that legendary race engineer and team manager Erv Kanemoto will not be working for the factory MotoGP team next season.
Montiron: We'll probably take an existing entry.
Luca Montiron, formerly of Pramac and now managing director of the Konica Minolta Honda team, has revealed that he expects his new team to occupy an existing grid place next season - but will be able to find a new entry if needed.
Where will Abe go?
Following Wednesday's announcement that Ruben Xaus and Toni Elias will ride for the Tech 3 Yamaha team next season, the future of Norick Abe - one of the team's 2004 riders - remains uncertain.
Another Bridgestone team in 2005?
Bridgestone, who won their first two MotoGP races with Camel Honda's Makoto Tamada this season, look set to expand their premier-class line-up further for 2005.
Michael Jordan makes MotoGP debut!
Basketball legend Michael Jordan made his MotoGP debut at the Valencia Grand Prix today - riding the Ducati Desmosedici two-seater!
Rossi: 'Big bang' then 'big three' were decisive.
Newly crowned 2004 world champion Valentino Rossi has highlighted Yamaha's introduction of a 'big bang' engine, plus his three-race win streak from Mugello to Assen, as the most significant moments in his title winning season - and credited Sete Gibernau as perhaps his greatest on track rival.
Mladin rules out MotoGP, WSBK.
Newly crowned five-times AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin has stated that he's unlikely to return to premier-class GP racing - and has no interest in World Superbikes.
2005 MotoGP calendar confirmed.
The FIM has confirmed that the 17 round 2005 MotoGP World Championship season will feature two news events - in China and America - but will not return to South Africa.
Biaggi vs. jet lag.
It just falls short of Around the World in Eighty Days but it's very close: In just 47 days the MotoGP riders will travel approximately 55,000 kilometres, visit five countries in three separate continents and unlike those characters in the book, they are not doing it for a bet.
Updated: McCoy gets Aprilia ride!
Aprilia has now confirmed that Garry McCoy will make a surprise MotoGP return, by replacing the injured Shane Byrne in the three remaining rounds that follow this weekend's inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.
Rossi rejects F1 rumours.
by Peter McLaren Valentino Rossi has rejected rumours that he is set to switch to Formula One next season - by confirming that he'll stay in MotoGP, with Yamaha, until at least the end of 2005.
Motegi 2001: The birth of a Honda dream.
It gets dark pretty early at this time of year in Japan, and dusk was already settling in the wooded hillsides surrounding the Motegi circuit in 2001 when the peace and tranquillity was suddenly shattered by a roar that sent the MotoGP fraternity running to the pit wall to witness history in the
No stopping for rain from 2005.
Two rule amendments have been agreed by the Grand Prix Commission ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix; the first involves yellow flag infringements and will be effective immediately, while a more significant change sees the end of race stoppages due to rain in the MotoGP class and will be
China joins USA on provisional 2005 calendar.
The provisional 2005 MotoGP world championship calendar has been released by the FIM - and shows several significant changes are planned for next season.
Press Snoop: MotoGP coming to Laguna.
the latest news from around the world, courtesy of press snoop Lynne Huntting.
Rossi: Sete better rider, Biaggi quicker bike.
by Peter McLaren and Andy Stobart World championship leader Valentino Rossi believes Sete Gibernau is his toughest rival for the 2004 world championship - but that Max Biaggi has a quicker bike.
Win Bikes Aloud Uncut DVDs!
The Men and Motors TV magazine, Bikes Aloud is now available on DVD and Crash.net has ten copies to give away.
Biaggi gets Repsol backing.
by Peter McLaren In an added twist to the thorny issue of who gets factory Honda machinery, the satellite Camel Honda team has today announced that Max Biaggi will receive Repsol backing for the rest of the season.
Tamada - the smiling samurai.
Makoto Tamada may carry the hopes of the Honda and the Japanese sporting nation on his shoulders, but it seems such pressure does little to change his positive attitude to grand prix racing and life in general.