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.
MotoGP safety.
By Lynne Huntting Safety is a big concern for the FIM (Federation Internationale Motorcyclist) and motorcycle riders.
Vermeulen, Capirossi to Suzuki in 2008?
Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi are being tipped to form next year's Suzuki MotoGP line-up, according to paddock rumour at Laguna Seca.
Indianapolis in, Turkey out on 2008 calendar.
As expected, the existing 18 round season will thus remain, starting at Qatar on March 9 (a Sunday rather than Saturday race) and concluding at Valencia on November 2.
Stoner takes `poisoned chalice` pole
No rider has won from pole so far this season, marking a twelve race 'curse' that also includes the final two races of 2006, but Stoner - as last weekend at the Sachsenring - has now dominated every single on-track session at the US GP.
PICTURES: Edwards` Texas Tornado livery.
"I'm really happy with the final result!" said the 33-year old Fiat Yamaha rider, who helped design the livery. "The finished article is exactly how I imagined with the American flag.
Stoner starts fastest, Hofmann injured and out.
By Lynne Huntting Honda Gresini's Marco Melandri was second fastest, followed by Americans Colin Edwards (Fiat Yamaha) and John Hopkins of Rizla Suzuki MotoGP.
Indianapolis confirms MotoGP.
Indianapolis thus joins California's Laguna Seca circuit on next year's calendar although - unlike Laguna - the Indy event will feature all three grand prix classes, with the support 125 and 250cc World Championships also making the trip across the Atlantic.
PICTURES: Rossi`s Sachsenring fall.
Rossi suffered his first DNF of the season when he lost the front of his Fiat Yamaha moments after lunging inside a hard-to-pass Randy de Puniet for sixth position, on lap five of 30. More pictures of the former five-times MotoGP world champion's rare mistake can be seen below.
Honda apologise for Hayden explosion.
Hayden arrived at the Sachsenring fresh from his first podium of the season, at Assen, but suffered a fall when he lost the front of his factory RC212V in the morning session.
`Warrior` Barros `loses some meat`.
The Brazilian suffered a nasty highside during Friday morning's free practice session at the Sachsenring - throwing him from his bucking Desmosedici, which then fell on his arm.
Official: Hopkins to Kawasaki.
With his name at the top of most team managers' wish list, Hopkins turned down a number of lucrative offers - not least from Suzuki - to sign with Kawasaki.
Rossi: I`ll retire by 32.
"I have a contract with Yamaha for 2008, after that we will see," said Rossi at the Misano based event. "Maybe I will stop. What is certain is that I won't race beyond 31 or 32 - there is a limit for us all. I might need new a challenge in the years ahead, but for now I'm fully motivated."
Fabrizio, DuHamel to replace Elias.
Fabrizio completed a partial, but at times impressive, MotoGP season with underdogs WCM in 2004, before splitting from the team mid-season and heading for the World Supersport championship with Honda.
PICTURE: Edwards with Elvis wig.
Edwards and Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi appeared in the one-off colours to celebrate the forthcoming launch of the new Fiat 500 - exactly 50 years after the original first appeared.
Hayden ends horror with Assen podium.
The Repsol Honda rider made a fantastic start from the fifth row and rode round the outside of nearly half the field to arrive at the first corner in fourth.
`Incredible` 11 to 1 win puts Rossi on the attack.
Rossi came into Assen having lost the last two rounds to MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner, pushing the Australian 26 points clear in the title chase, while Rossi was dealt a further blow when qualifying rain left him just eleventh on the grid - nine places behind Stoner's Ducati.
Warm-up times - Assen.
MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner was bounced from his Ducati after it became unsettled through the final chicane with five minutes to go.
`Rain champion` Vermeulen strikes again.
Vermeulen, who took his first MotoGP pole in the wet as a rookie at Istanbul last year and his first win in the wet at Le Mans this year, had been just 15th in the dry on Friday morning - but the arrival of rain propelled him back into the fray.
Vermeulen sails to Assen pole, Rossi washed away.
The Rizla Suzuki star, who took his first MotoGP pole in the wet at Istanbul last year and his first win in the wet at Le Mans this year, had been just 15th fastest in the dry morning session - but the arrival of rain once again transformed his fortunes.
Elias operation a success.
Surgery was completed yesterday by Dr Wiesmar in consultation, by telephone, with the Clinica Mobile's Dr Costa and Barcelona specialist Dr Xavier Mir.
Ilmor handed Goodwood award.
McWilliams accepted the 'Most Impressive Motorcycle' award on behalf of the Ilmor GP team on Sunday evening as the event drew to a wet and windy close.
Elias breaks leg at Assen.
The Gresini Honda rider, a race winner last season and a best of second so far this year, sustained the injury after tumbling awkwardly in the gravel following a fast low-side fall from his RC212V.
PICTURES: Yamaha`s Assen livery.
The livery is inspired by Fiat's famous '500' and celebrates the forthcoming re-launch of the iconic car on 4th July, exactly 50 years after it was first launched in 1957. The design is inspired by the art and discography of the era, including Elvis Presley and Italy's Rita Pavone.