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.
Espargaro: KTM suffering in colder conditions
Pol Espargaro fears Red Bull KTM’s charge at the Japanese MotoGP is restrained by the cooler conditions compared to its rivals as poor weather takes hold at Motegi.
Dovizioso: We’re in the first group
Andrea Dovizioso believes his speed in MotoGP FP1 demonstrated he has the pace to be fighting for the major honours at this season’s Japanese Grand Prix, but was left to bemoan track conditions in the afternoon.
Vinales: We tried many things on the bike
Maverick Vinales has been buoyed by a productive Friday practice with his Monster Yamaha at Motegi in preparation for the Japanese MotoGP and feels confident regardless of what weather conditions he faces tomorrow.
Japan: Marquez: Not the best day for us
Marc Marquez's first day on track as an eight-time champion ended with the Spaniard in third position, behind a pair of Yamahas, after Friday practice for the Japanese MotoGP.
Quartararo enjoys ‘really impressive day’
Fabio Quartararo shrugged off Yamaha’s recent record at the Japanese Grand Prix to post the fastest MotoGP time on Friday, calling it “a really impressive day for us” and all of the Iwata factory.
Japan: Miller: I did the same thing last year!
Jack Miller secured a provisional place in Qualifying 2 for the Japanese MotoGP, despite falling on an even better lap at the end of Friday afternoon practice.
Quartararo fights back against Vinales as Yamaha impress at Motegi
Full Japanese MotoGP FP2 results
2019 Japanese MotoGP, Motegi - Friday LIVE!
Live updates from Friday's Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP practice sessions at Motegi!
Vinales sees off Quartararo to lead Japanese MotoGP FP1 at Motegi
Full Japanese MotoGP FP1 results
Japan: Rossi: Zarco would have been good for us
Johann Zarco's three-race MotoGP deal with LCR Honda signals that the Frenchman won't be joining Yamaha as a test rider next season. That's the opinion of factory star Valentino Rossi, who admitted it was a shame that the six-time Tech3 podium finisher has slipped away.
Dovizioso: Our bike will work well here
Andrea Dovizioso believes the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix should be positive for both him and Ducati due to the Motegi circuit’s layout, which could prove timely considering the improvements of his rivals for second in the 2019 MotoGP championship.
Japan: Espargaro ‘surprised, curious’ at Zarco’s Honda fill in role
Pol Esparagaro says he’s eager to see how Johann Zarco performs while standing in at LCR Honda for the final three rounds compared to his Red Bull KTM exploits but accepts he will be “another rider on the grid that is competitive”.
Nakagami: I’ve had pain since Assen
Takaaki Nakagami has confirmed his race crash at Assen, where he was taken out by Valentino Rossi, was the moment that ultimately led to him deciding to skip the final three MotoGP races of 2019.
Vinales: Crew chief change created honesty, good feeling at Yamaha
Maverick Vinales says open and honest trust with new crew chief Esteban Garcia has been the biggest change to his Yamaha team setup having made the switch last winter.
Japan: Lorenzo: Objective to stay at Honda
Jorge Lorenzo insists he has no plans to seek an early exit from his two-year Repsol Honda MotoGP contract.
Quartararo: I don’t think about Yamaha or Honda tracks
Fabio Quartararo feels the assumption certain circuits play to the strengths of manufacturers in MotoGP isn’t a belief he holds having seen trends broken throughout the 2019 MotoGP campaign.
Marquez: Nakagami must listen to doctors
Marc Marquez has given advice to Takaaki Nakagami ahead of his shoulder surgery which will rule him out of the final three races of the 2019 MotoGP campaign having undergone a similar recovery process last winter.
Japan: Nakagami 'curious' to see how Zarco handles Honda
Following Sunday's Japanese MotoGP, Takaaki Nakagami's name and number will be peeled from his LCR Honda and replaced by those of Johann Zarco.
Japan: Rossi: Obviously, we are not happy
Valentino Rossi and his Monster Yamaha crew will continue their quest for a MotoGP podium return by trying 'other solutions, something different' at Motegi this weekend.
Official: Johann Zarco steps in at LCR Honda
Johann Zarco has been confirmed as returning to MotoGP action as a replacement for Takaaki Nakagami at LCR Honda. The Frenchman, who split from the factory KTM team after Misano, will take over at Phillip Island, Sepang and Valencia while Nakagami undergoes shoulder surgery.
Suzuki: Anti-wheelie aero makes 'big difference' at Motegi
Front-end downforce generated by the MotoGP wing fairings will be especially important during this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.
Japan: Vinales: I feel incredible with the bike
An 'incredible' feeling with his Yamaha means Maverick Vinales will be looking to continue his march up the world championship standings at this weekend's Japanese MotoGP.
HRC confirms Nakagami 2020 contract, shoulder surgery
HRC has confirmed that Takaaki Nakagami will remain at the LCR Honda team for the 2020 MotoGP season, but also that the Japanese is to undergo shoulder surgery following this weekend's home round at Motegi.
Japan: Dovizioso, Petrucci chasing 'best of the rest'
With Marc Marquez winning the 2019 MotoGP title last time in Thailand, Ducati team-mates Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci now have their focus firmly set on finishing as 'best of the rest' in the world championship.