MotoGP News
We’re first for the latest MotoGP news. Motorcycle racing’s elite competition is a fast paced, ever-evolving beast and here you’ll find all of the MotoGP news you could wish for. We cover everything from interviews with the major players, updates on machine reveals, team news and more. See brand new content from MotoE and insightful ‘first look’ features showing the forthcoming MotoGP season’s riders in their new colours.
Proton go to stop-and-go Motegi.
The spectacular Twin-Ring Motegi circuit is a track of surprises, and Proton Team KR is hoping to cause another if turns circumstances in favour of its lightweight three-cylinder racer next weekend.
Poggiali signs, Elias waits on 250 ride.
The two 18-year-old riders battling it out for the MotoGP 125cc championship are already thinking about next year, with one definitely remaining in the class and the other apparently 250cc bound.
Nohles loses Aprilia seat.
German Klaus Nohles will not ride in the final four MotoGP 250 races for Aprilia.
McCoy: The pain was unbelievable.
Red Bull Yamaha's Garry McCoy looked strangely off the pace in yesterday's race at Valencia, until it emerged that the Australian had injured himself - without crashing.
125cc starting grid - Valencia.
1. Toni Elias Spain Telefonica MoviStar Jr. Team 1min 40.910secs 2. Simone Sanna Italy Safilo Oxydo Race 1min 41.110secs 3. Gino Borsoi Italy LAE UGT 3000 1min 41.399secs
"I know I can go quicker," warns Rossi.
Valentino Rossi will take little comfort from today's first qualifying practice for the elite 500cc class despite controlling the session from start to finish. His best time of 1min 35.434secs is likely to be bettered tomorrow barring adverse weather conditions.
Supply & demand: Spain's love affair with MotoGP.
For the third time in the space of five short months the MotoGP teams cross the Spanish border on Sunday to compete in the last European race of the season, just outside the delightful city of Valencia. So what is it with Spain and MotoGP?
Biaggi faces final Euro showdown.
Motorcycle racing can be the toughest of sports - just ask Max Biaggi! The Marlboro Yamaha man has had a magnificent 2001 season, scoring three wins and challenging Valentino Rossi for the last-ever 500 World Championship, but the last two races have not been kind to him.
Biaggi and Checa make progress in Portugal.
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi stayed on at Estoril yesterday to prepare for the final five races of the 2001 world championship.
Sacchi, Bartol continue with Derbi.
Giampiero Sacchi, Derbi Racing Development general manager, and technical responsible Harald Bartol have signed an agreement to continue working with Derbi for the next two years.
Checa: I still have the tyre marks on my leathers...
Carlos Checa strengthened his World Championship position with a fine ride to fourth in oppressive heat at Estoril.
Poggiali: I took the final corner a bit faster...
Manuel Poggiali closed Toni Elias' Championship advantage down to thirteen points in the 125 race with a last gasp victory over Youichi Ui by just 0.011 seconds!
"That was a nightmare," says MYT's Crust.
Marlboro Yamaha Team rider Max Biaggi's World Championship hopes took a serious dent in yesterday's incident-packed Marlboro Portuguese Grand Prix.
Five privateer teams sign-up for new formula.
The Estoril circuit, scene of this weekend's Grande Premio Marlboro de Portugal, witnessed the signing of the agreement between Dorna Sports and the five private seeded teams who will compete in the new elite class of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix, which will be open to four-s
Criville: I don't know what's going on.
At today's press conference in Estoril, Spaniard Alex Criville was questioned about recent rumours surrounding his future with the Repsol Honda team.
Suzuki kiss and make up!
Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki faces the Portuguese Grand Prix with a renewed sense of commitment, and with reinforced confidence for the future following top-level talks between team management and senior factory personnel in Japan after the Czech Republic GP - another disappointing event for t
Criville chasing podium repeat.
Alex Criville took second in Brno to record his best result since he won the 2000 French GP, after a difficult run of races. The Spaniard is now hoping to continue his return to form at the year's final two races on the Iberian peninsular, following earlier outings at Catalunya and Jerez.
Rossi to sacrifice GP's for glory?
World 500 leader Valentino Rossi comes to Estoril with a burgeoning 29 point advantage over arch-rival Max Biaggi, following Biaggi's tumble at the Czech GP two weeks ago.
Engine "too sharp" for Checa.
Like team-mate Max Biaggi, Carlos Checa had strong hopes of a good finish in yesterday's Czech Grand Prix. The Marlboro Yamaha Team man had run well during qualifying but a minor change to the performance of his YZR500 caused him problems during the race.
Abe: I've got to sort out my riding style.
Norick Abe made an amazing start in yesterday's Czech Grand Prix to leap from eleventh to third by the first turn. He looked set to score a podium finish, running in third for the majority if the race.
Criville: I never imagined I'd be on the podium.
Alex Criville was justifiably delighted with his second place, his best result since he won the 2000 French GP last May.
Doohan recuperating after latest operation.
Five times World 500 Champion Mick Doohan (left on pic with countryman Ant West) may have ridden his last Grand Prix nearly two and a half years ago but he is still having operations to help him recover from his major crash at Jerez two years ago and at Assen in 1992.
Happy reunion for Vincent and QUB.
Former British Champion Jay Vincent made his 250 debut with QUB Team Optimum today at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic, after the Pulse GP team folded due to a lack of funds.