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.
700th premier-class grand prix.
The MotoGP riders will have a little extra motivation for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, since it will mark the 700th premier-class race since the world championships began in 1949.
Takahashi looking to improve for home race
Yuki Takahashi is eager to give his local fans something to celebrate when he makes his Japanese Grand Prix debut at Motegi as a MotoGP rider.
Hayden heads to Japan.
Nicky Hayden will start his first Japanese Grand Prix without the pressure of being a 'home' Honda rider this weekend, as the American's attention is instead focussed on getting up to speed with his new Ducati machinery.
Rossi's brake discs glowing.
The unique Qatar MotoGP night race produces images not often seen in the daytime - in this case Valentino Rossi's carbon front brake discs glowing red hot as he approaches a corner.
Leaders further ahead at Qatar 2009.
Monday's season-opening Qatar night race was the first event of the single-tyre MotoGP era, with all 18 riders offered the same limited range of tyres for the first time.
Lorenzo delight at Bridgestone podium debut.
Jorge Lorenzo was delighted to claim a podium finish on his Bridgestone debut in Monday night's Qatar MotoGP season-opener, but also alarmed at the distance between himself and top two finishers Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.
Qatar MotoGP rescheduled.
The season-opening Qatar MotoGP, cancelled due to rain on Sunday night, will now take place at 9pm on Monday night.
Qatar MotoGP called off.
The season-opening Qatar MotoGP night race has been cancelled due to rain, but may now be run on Monday!
Hayden returns in warm-up.
Following his huge qualifying accident, Nicky Hayden returned to the Losail circuit during Sunday evening's warm-up session. Hayden was launched through the screen of his Desmosedici GP9 by a vicious highside at the end of the 45-minute Qatar qualifying session.
Hayden accident update.
Nicky Hayden has been transferred to hospital for further checks after a disastrous end to his MotoGP qualifying debut for Ducati, at Qatar on Saturday.
Rossi rides with 'Abruzzo' sticker.
Reigning six time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will ride at Qatar with a sticker in support of the people of Abruzzo, where over 200 people lost their lives in Monday's earthquake.
250: Talmacsi leads Friday practice.
Former 125cc world champion and 2009 250cc rookie Gabor Talmacsi has set the fastest lap time during the single 45-minute Friday free practice session ahead of Sunday night's season-opening Qatar Grand Prix.
Rossi, Gibernau call Qatar truce.
Valentino Rossi and former arch-rival Sete Gibernau put their past conflict behind them during a public reconciliation on the eve of the Spaniard's MotoGP return, in Sunday's 2009 Qatar season opener.
Fiat Yamaha announces Petronas deal.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd has signed a three-year agreement with Petronas that will see the Malaysian oil and gas corporation become a new Official Sponsor of the Fiat Yamaha Team.
Rossi, Stoner dominate 800cc era.
Valentino Rossi or Casey Stoner have taken victory in 80% of the races held since the 800cc MotoGP era began in 2007. Between them, the pair have won 29 of the 36 races, with Stoner (Ducati) winning the 2007 title and Rossi (Yamaha) the 2008 crown.
250: Simoncelli doubtful for Qatar.
Reigning 250cc world champion Marco Simoncelli could be forced to miss this weekend's Qatar season-opener after fracturing the scaphoid bone in his wrist during a training fall.
JiR back on track.
JiR, which helped take Andrea Dovizioso to fifth in the 2008 MotoGP World Championship as part of 'JiR Team Scot', will return to the racetrack at Valencia this weekend.
Toseland wants to calm Edwards rift.
James Toseland wants an end to the 'playground' feud with team-mate Colin Edwards, which has literally divided the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team in two heading into the 2009 MotoGP season.
Hayden: Stoner has shown the GP9 is good.
Nicky Hayden's 2009 MotoGP preparations came to a modest conclusion at Jerez on Sunday, when the new Ducati Marlboro rider recorded the eleventh fastest lap time in the red flag interrupted and rain-shortened 'qualifying' session.
Rossi second in Jerez 'qualifying' shootout.
Valentino Rossi concluded his 2009 pre-season preparations with a distant second place behind Casey Stoner during the special 45-minute 'qualifying' shootout, to win a new BMW, during the final day of testing at Jerez on Sunday.
Stoner dominates at Jerez test.
The final pre-season MotoGP test of 2009 has fallen to Casey Stoner, courtesy of a stunning lap time set during the 45-minute 'qualifying' shootout at Jerez on Sunday.
MotoGP rule changes announced.
Following Saturday's press conference at Jerez - in which the main cost-cutting rule changes for the 2009 and 2010 MotoGP were outlined (see separate story) - the FIM has today (Sunday) released the full official version of the regulation changes, as agreed by the Grand Prix Commission.
Rule changes prevent rookie factory riders.
MotoGP rookies will be banned from riding for a factory team, as part of new rule changes to be introduced for the 2010 season (see separate story).
Future MotoGP rule changes revealed.
On Saturday at Jerez, the FIM and Dorna gave a further update on the MotoGP rule changes, aimed at cutting costs during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.