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.
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.
`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.
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.
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.
`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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
`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.
Hot start for Hayden.
The reigning world champion, yet to finish higher than seventh this year and a faller on race day at Donington, was third fastest in both sessions to finish 0.286secs behind current MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner.
Elias: I tried to put broken leg back.
The 24-year-old fractured his left femur during Thursday morning's first free practice session at Assen; the Spaniard losing the front of his Gresini Honda through the fast sequence of left handers that end the lap.
`50s-style Rossi threatens at Assen.
The livery - inspired by Fiat's famous '500', which will be re-launched on 4th July, exactly 50 years after it was first launched in 1957 - features art and discography from that era, including Elvis Presley and Italy's Rita Pavone (see separate story).
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.
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.
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.
Mike Nicks: Where Stoner Got The Steel
by Mike Nicks Colin Stoner, the father of the MotoGP phenomenon Casey, has shed light (during a European tour to watch his son race) on how the youngster honed the skills and the coolness of mind that allow him to consistently beat Valentino Rossi at the age of only 21.
Rossi, Edwards to run special Assen livery.
The factory Yamaha team has rolled out several special liveries over the past few seasons, but Edwards refused to be drawn on any details of the latest design.
Edwards out to avenge last-turn `disaster`.
The 33-year-old Texan took three Assen wins during his World Superbike days, but would probably trade them all for a debut grand prix triumph. Last year he came within a few metres, leading the race from countryman Nicky Hayden as the pair charged for the final chicane.
Ducati: Stoner is a genius.
Stoner had to overcome a poor start, which left him just twelfth at turn one, and a treacherously slick - but drying - Donington track to record his latest triumph.
Stoner storms Donington.
Ducati Marlboro's amazing young star had fluffed his start and plummeted from fifth on the grid into turn one, while pole sitter Colin Edwards took an early lead.