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.
<I>Crash.net`s</I> Italian GP blog: Saturday.
Saturday pm - This Was an Incredible Ride from Toseland
Worst so far for Lorenzo.
Jorge Lorenzo may have been able to overcome the effects of a double ankle fracture during the last two rounds, but set-up problems prompted by the lack of dry track time at Mugello left MotoGP's star rookie a career worst seventh on the grid for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
250: Barbera takes stunning Mugello pole.
Hector Barbera has taken pole position for Sunday's 250cc Italian Grand Prix by a mighty 0.772secs. World championship leader Mika Kallio, seventh in Friday's wet session, shot to the top early in the session and was only relegated with five minutes to go, by Barbera.
Hayden makes Indy sales pitch.
Nicky Hayden gave American fans a taste of what to look forward to ahead of MotoGP's upcoming visit to Indianapolis by completing several laps of the legendary circuit before the Indy 500.
Pedrosa bad on the brakes.
The Repsol Honda star began the event on pole position and holding the world championship lead, but was overtaken by Casey Stoner into turn one and couldn't get around the Ducati rider.
Lorenzo stuns with crutches to second.
Fractures to both ankles at the previous Shanghai round have left Lorenzo needing a wheelchair or crutches when off the bike, and the Estoril winner raised serious doubts about his ability to race at Le Mans when he fell twice in practice - in addition to several other off-track moments.
Spies confirmed.
The move, which will see Spies ride a third Rizla Suzuki GSV-R alongside regulars Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi, has been long rumoured and marks the first step towards the American's planned graduation to grand prix racing in 2009.
India eyes MotoGP.
"This is the right time to enter the market and India is set to become an important destination for premium bikes," said Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio, as the Italian manufacturer introduced its range of exotic motorcycles to India.
MotoGP tyre war `even as it could be`.
With race wins divided equally between Bridgestone and Michelin during the first four rounds of the 2008 MotoGP World championship, Tohru Ubukata, manager of Motorcycle Race Tyre Development at Bridgestone, believes the tyre war is 'about as even as it could possibly be'.
Suzuki suffers `extremely unusual` problem.
Vermeulen's chain was slipping right from start of the 22 lap race, and then came off altogether, forcing his retirement on lap 6.
Stoner disappointed, Melandri delighted.
After qualifying on the front row for the first time this year, Stoner had hoped to be fighting for his second 2008 victory - following two tough rounds - but a change in the weather prompted a tyre gamble, which backfired, leaving the Australian helpless to prevent Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Ros
Rossi smashes losing streak in Shanghai.
Slicks were the tyres of choice for the damp track conditions - the lengthy Shanghai circuit drying steadily after heavy morning rain - and Rossi earned his breakthrough victory after a tense race-long battle with Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa.
<I>Crash.net</I> review: Lorenzo`s biography.
The Struggles, The Crises, The Successes: Lorenzo Reveals It All Review by Mike Nicks
Stoner `nothing to fear`, Melandri `happy`.
The Australian bounced back from two tough rounds to take his first front row qualifying performance of the season on Saturday, and is a previous Shanghai winner in both the wet (2005) and dry (2007).
Only Ducati breaks 200mph in qualifying.
The Desmosedicis have once again dominated the top speed charts throughout the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, with only Honda's Dani Pedrosa able to prevent a perfect top four sweep of every session - the Spaniard clocking the second fastest top speed during Friday afternoon.
PICTURES: Lorenzo`s monster highside.
The 20-year-old rookie - who has taken three podiums from his first three races, including a debut win last time out in Estoril - was ejected spectacularly from his Fiat Yamaha midway through Friday's first free practice at Shanghai, ending his hopes of a fourth consecutive pole position.
Surtees launches new 125cc team.
The new 'Maxtra' team will use Haojue machinery produced by the Grand River Group (GRG), which sold over 2.7 million motorcycles last year, and be spearheaded by Surtees, who won the 500cc World Championship four times between 1956 and 1960 before claiming the 1964 Formula One World Championship
Lorenzo injury update.
The 20-year-old rookie sensation, currently holding the joint world championship lead after three podiums - including one win - from his first three MotoGP races, was propelled spectacularly into the air when his rear tyre lost traction as he switched from right to left, midway through the mornin
Bernie: Schu risks `getting seriously injured`.
Bernie Ecclestone has questioned the rationale behind Michael Schumacher's increasing outings on two wheels, suggesting the German racing legend is risking 'getting himself seriously injured'.
Rossi `lookalike` says sorry.
The Cairns Post reports that 'Holloways Beach was abuzz this week after numerous sightings of a man who appeared to be the international motorbike racing champion. 'The man even signed autographs and took a female cafe worker for a ride on his black motorcycle.
PICTURE: Colin`s incredible save.
Video clips of the incident can be found on You Tube , but this high quality picture (click to enlarge) shows in perfect detail just how far gone Edwards was - the Texan's inside foot, knee and elbow are all dragging along the ground, while his outside leg is waving in the air.
Lorenzo `happy` after arm pump surgery.
MotoGP's newest race winner - and joint world championship leader - Jorge Lorenzo is recovering well after a successful operation on his right arm.
Disappointment at Suzuki.
A double top ten finish in Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix was of little consolation for Rizla Suzuki. Chris Vermeulen was the first GSV-R rider home, the Australian getting a great start from 13th position on the grid to hold eighth by the end of lap one.
Hayden, Dovizioso defiant after falls.
'Dovi' was the first to go, the MotoGP rookie having previously ridden a brilliant race to keep his satellite Honda in close contact with the race leaders for the first 15 laps.