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.
Abe to replace Melandri in Africa.
Fortuna Yamaha has today confirmed that Norick Abe will ride as a replacement for the injured Marco Melandri in the Africa's Grand Prix, at Welkom, on Sunday 27th April.
'Angry' Checa asks for unity.
In the aftermath of Daijiro Kato's Suzuka accident, Carlos Checa has called for the MotoGP riders to stick together and work more closely in the future.
Rossi's sunglasses sponsor extends involvement.
Sunglasses producer Arnette have acquired the Title Sponsor package for the second round of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship to be held in Welkom, South Africa, on April 27th, which will officially be called Arnette Africa's Grand Prix.
Sete: I don't want Kato's bike.
Sete Gibernau, who has handled himself admirably in the aftermath of his team-mates tragic accident at Suzuka, has ruled out using Daijiro Kato's full factory RC211V - and won't even ask for it.
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Kato 'surprising doctors' with some improvement.
Today (Thursday evening), there has been some promising news regarding Daijiro Kato's condition: The Japanese is reported to have passed through the most dangerous period, and is now even surprising those treating him.
Kato keeps fighting, but career over.
Over three days after his horrific accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, Daijiro Kato is showing signs that he can achieve what Dr. Claudio Costa of the Clinica Mobile called 'impossible' - survival.
Hopper launches website.
John Hopkins has announced the launch of his personal website, designed to keep fans up to date with what's going on with the Suzuki MotoGP rider. At the site, fans will find Hopper's bio in the "#21" section, complete with photos of his early racing career.
First Chinese start taken-away.
The first Chinese rider to compete in a motorcycle grand prix made his debut at Suzuka, but was denied what would have been a historic race start..
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Gresini to visit scene of Kato accident.
Team Telefonica Movistar Honda manager Fausto Gresini has declared that he will return to the Suzuka circuit on Sunday, to inspect the area where his star rider Daijiro Kato suffered his terrible accident during the Japanese Grand Prix.
Kato remains in a coma.
Daijiro Kato remains in a coma following his accident in the early stages of Sunday's season-opening Japanese Grand Prix.
de Gea takes second WCM seat?
Twenty-five year old Spaniard David de Gea is believed to have signed for the Harris WCM team to partner Chris Burns for the remainder of the season, starting at the Africas Grand Prix in three weeks time.
Concern for Kato.
As news of Daijiro Kato's serious condition filtered through to the MotoGP riders, the previous celebratory mood following the season opening Japanese Grand Prix has turned to one of deep concern.
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Race Reactions - Japanese Grand Prix.
Race reactions from the MotoGP riders following today's season opening Japanese Grand Prix. Please note that some quotes were given before the seriousness of Daijiro Kato's condition was known by all riders...
Rossi wins at Suzuka, Ducati on podium.
Updated: Reigning World Champion Valentino Rossi won the Japanese Grand Prix, which lived up to all pre-season expectation and more as an all-Italian top three battled race long - spectacularly sliding their GP prototypes sideways all around the figure-of-eight circuit.
Rossi ready to race, but Suzuka 'too dangerous'.
Reigning MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi will start tomorrow's 21 lap battle - in what is looking increasing likely to be a dry race - from pole position for the second year in succession, after rain ruled out any threat to his Friday pace.
Hayden targets start 'when the bell rings'.
For AMA Superbike champion and MotoGP rookie Nicky Hayden, Saturday was a day of frustrations, as he was deprived of a second chance to break into the top echelons of the starting grid. Still upbeat about his MotoGP debut, the Repsol Honda rider explained his qualifying ups and downs.
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Melandri injuries revealed after 200kph high-side.
Update: Fortuna Yamaha rider Marco Melandri suffered a huge crash in this morning's free practice at Suzuka, high-siding from his factory M1 on the exit of the fast right hander (turn 12), just after the hairpin, and being hit by his bike.
Abe, Yanagawa wild in Japan.
The wild-card riders for the 125, 250 and MotoGP classes at this Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix are the following:
Pons: Facing the fight with passion.
After a long winter break, the Camel Pramac Pons team are Suzuka eagerly awaiting the starting gun that signifies the beginning of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship.
Fortuna: Great expectations.
The Italian-based Fortuna Yamaha Team will once again lead the Yamaha charge in 2003, with the experienced Carlos Checa retained alongside MotoGP rookie Marco Melandri.
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Camier: Dad's taken out a second mortgage.
Former British Champion Leon Camier can thank his Dad for the chance to start his grand prix career in 2003.
Capirossi ready for four-stroke revenge.
Three-time World Champion Loris Capirossi hits the big 'Three O' at Suzuka on Friday - the day he officially commences his first-ever four-stroke GP season.
Rossi, Hayden relish the challenge.
Repsol Honda team-mates Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden are looking forward to the 2003 MotoGP championship with great anticipation, as neither can wait to race after the long winter testing programme that has seen them put the updated five-cylinder, 990cc Honda RC211V through its paces.
Proton face four-strokes alone.
For Proton Team KR the start of the 2003 season has come a little bit too early. With their all-new V5 four-stroke still undergoing tests back at base in Britain, MotoGP's only truly independent manufacturer will race last year's 500cc KR3 this Sunday at Suzuka.
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