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.
Red Bull whittle down Cup Rookies.
After two demanding days of testing at Paul Ricard in the South of France, twelve young riders are being invited to join the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2008.
Rossi`s Mugello helmet on eBay.
The special 'heart' helmet - autographed by the seven times world champion - was used during his home Italian GP at Mugello in June 2007. Designed by Aldo Drudi, only three were ever made - one of which was thrown into the crowd by Rossi after winning the race.
de Puniet: The Honda is easier.
Carlos Checa may have called it is his 'most difficult' bike, but new LCR rider Randy de Puniet seems to have adapted extremely well to the Michelin-equipped satellite Honda, after two years on a Bridgestone-shod factory Kawasaki.
Hayden kills a cobra!
A wet track in the morning delayed the start of testing until midday, when Hayden ventured out to resume engine comparison work he began yesterday aboard the 2007 machine.
Hayden: 2008 progress, 2007 faster.
After technical problems with the new RC212V on Tuesday afternoon, the hard-working Hayden completed 92 laps of the Valencia circuit on Wednesday - although his best lap, good enough for second behind world champion Casey Stoner, came on the old machine.
Dovi: It`s easier than my 250!
The Italian has been rewarded for his loyalty to Honda in the quarter-litre class, where he has finished second to Aprilia's Jorge Lorenzo for the past two seasons, with a MotoGP ride for 2008 - and Team Scot has merged with JiR to help make it happen.
Lorenzo: An emotional day!
The 20-year-old first rode a YZR-M1 during a secret test at Almeria during the MotoGP summer break, but Valencia marked his first time working with the factory Yamaha team - which will be restructured next season to allow Valentino Rossi to race with Bridgestone tyres, while Lorenzo uses Michelin
Hayden, Pedrosa debut `all new` RC212V.
The bike is described as an evolution of the 2007 machine - which won the season finale at Valencia on Sunday - but features a new V4 engine with, as rumoured, pneumatic valve springs, plus an all-new chassis and exhaust system.
<B>Schumacher shocks - on a MotoGP bike!</B>
The German legend had previously made a cautious MotoGP debut on a 990cc Ducati during a secret test at Mugello in October of 2005, but the now retired F1 ace picked a much more public 'press and guest' day for his second appearance - and didn't disappoint.
Valencia MotoGP test times - Tuesday.
1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 32.348 secs 2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 33.176 secs 3. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 33.186 secs
FIRST PICTURES: 2008 Honda RC212V.
Repsol Honda riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa made their debut on the 2008 spec RC212V during Tuesday afternoon at Valencia, at the start of the first post-season test session.
PICTURE: Michelin`s warning...
"We hate losing, but we love competition! Just wait for 2008, 2009..." warns the advert. Casey Stoner, Ducati and Bridgestone clinched the 2007 MotoGP World Championship, while five times MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres next season.
Female trial ace tests Repsol Honda.
The riders were 2007 World Indoor and Outdoor Trial champion Toni Bou and his Repsol Montesa-HRC team-mate Laia Sanz, the 2007 Women's World Outdoor Trial Championship runner-up - present at Valencia to experience Pedrosa's RC212V.
Repsol Honda confirms 2008 tyre choice.
The move was widely expected, although as recently as the Japanese Grand Prix in late September Honda had revealed that it was still discussing a switch to Bridgestone - as used by Ducati's 2007 world champion Casey Stoner - 'at the request of its riders', Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden.
Barros, Checa fight to the end.
Starting from twelfth on the grid, Pramac-d'Antin rider Barros was up to seventh by the end of lap one - and looked capable of concluding his 21-year world championship career by battling for a second podium of the season.
PICTURES: Dainese`s airbag in action.
The airbag, contained within a 'collar' around the top of the rider's leathers, supports and protects the neck and collarbone area during an accident, and can be easily removed afterwards.
JiR Team Scot is born!
"I am pleased with our agreement, which is the meeting point of two companies in the motorcycling world, leading to a joint-venture that optimises their effort for a common global project," declared Giovanni Torri, president of Scot Group.
<B>Crash.net`s Valencian GP blog: Sunday.</B>
Sunday pm - Rossi Justifies Bridgestone Move in Amazing Open-Air Conference
Hopkins leaves with podium present.
Starting from seventh on the grid, the Anglo-American made a strong start and was up to fourth by the first corner. He then passed Nicky Hayden to move in to third place on lap four, behind Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa: This is fantastic!
Despite leading for 25 of the 30 laps and crossing the line 5.447secs ahead of world champion Casey Stoner, Pedrosa was kept under pressure by the Australian for all but the closing laps, when Stoner finally settled for second.
Official: Rossi to Bridgestone.
Rossi has been with Michelin ever since his 2000 premier-class debut and won the 500cc/MotoGP title five times with the French manufacturer from 2001-2005. However, chatter problems during 2006 and especially the dominance of Bridgestone in 2007 has seen the relationship rapidly cool.
Yamaha apologises to Rossi.
Rossi, riding with three broken bones in his right hand after a huge qualifying accident, braved the pain to try and secure the single point he needed to prevent Dani Pedrosa stealing second from him at the Valencian season finale.
Konica Minolta leaves MotoGP.
"The last three seasons have proven to be a real turning point for my company: together with our title sponsor Konica Minolta we have shared some very profitable activities and I would like to say I am proud to have created the Konica Minolta Honda Team," said Montiron.
Tech 3 confirms Dunlop split.
Earlier this morning, Crash.net columnist Mike Nicks revealed that Dunlop will quit the premier-class due to Tech 3's expected switch to Michelin and a lack of interest from other teams - despite current Tech 3 riders Sylvain Guintoli and Makoto Tamada qualifying fifth and sixth for this a