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.
New fairing as Stoner form continues.
Stoner tested a new fairing - believed to offer more agility - and was fastest on both qualifying and race tyres, before rain put an early end to the test at 4:00 pm. The Australian was a fraction shy of his pole position pace on the soft rubber, but beat his best lap on race tyres.
Yanagawa back for Kawasaki at Motegi.
"Obviously, as a Japanese factory team, the grand prix at Motegi is an important race for us.
Pedrosa admits frustration.
After qualifying third, then leapfrogging team-mate Nicky Hayden at the start, Pedrosa looked well positioned to challenge Casey Stoner for victory. Instead, the 21-year-old struggled to generate heat in his tyres and slipped quickly back to fifth.
Warm-up delayed by Sekiguchi smash.
Marco Simoncelli fell without harm from his Gilera after running wide over some kerbing, but his bike - hidden in a cloud of dust - then slid back across the track, where it was hit flat out by the unsighted Sekiguchi.
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Hayden heats up with first front row.
The Repsol Honda rider was on form from the start of the afternoon session, heading the times on race tyres at the beginning of hour then closing to within 0.280secs of the Ducati star on qualifying tyres.
`Part time` Stoner strolls to pole.
The Ducati Marlboro star suffered some form of mechanical problem during the opening part of the hour, but preferred to wait patiently for it to be fixed rather than ride his spare bike.
Hopkins in the hunt.
The outgoing Rizla Suzuki rider was effectively MotoGP World Championship leader Casey Stoner's nearest rival in both sessions - since Sylvain Guintoli used a qualifying tyre to go fastest in the afternoon hour.
Suzuki wraps up Rizla deal.
The news comes just a day after Ducati's Loris Capirossi confirmed that he will ride alongside Chris Vermeulen at Suzuki next season, in place of the departing John Hopkins.
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Greenpeace? Kawasaki change colour.
For the remainder of the 2007 season, Randy de Puniet and Anthony West will run in 'traditional' Kawasaki lime green - rather than the new metallic green that made it's first appearance on the Japanese manufacturer's Ninja ZX-RR machines during pre-season testing.
`Excited` Hayden expecting HRC boost.
Hayden, seeking his first win with the #1 plate, arrives in the Czech Republic looking to erase the disappointment of his home US GP and return to the podium form of the two rounds prior to Laguna Seca.
Pramac goes with Silva.
Despite an impressive debut performance at Laguna Seca, Chaz Davies has missed out on the chance to extend his run in MotoGP after the Pramac d'Antin Ducati team confirmed that Ivan Silva will replace the injured Alex Hofmann in the Czech Republic next weekend.
Czech Grand Prix wild cards confirmed.
The FIM has announced that the wild-card riders who will race in the Czech Grand Prix, at Brno on August 16, are the following: 250cc class:
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Hofmann made to wait.
Alex Hofmann will have to wait and see whether he is fit to resume his season at the Czech Republic Grand Prix as doctors continue to monitor his recovery from severe hand injuries sustained at Laguna Seca.
Stoner slams Rossi `more tyres` plea.
World champion elect Casey Stoner has hit out at MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi's call for a change in the current tyre regulations, accusing the Italian of not being able to cope with a difficult season.
Yamada welcomes tyre war.
Bridgestone's Hiroshi Yamada has said that the battle between rival tyre manufacturers is good for his company, as well as for MotoGP, despite up-and-down results in the past two rounds.
Fortuna Aprilia names Lorenzo replacement.
Jorge Lorenzo's appointment to the factory Yamaha team for next season's MotoGP championship has left a gap at Fortuna Aprilia in the 250cc class that will be filled by fellow countryman Alex Debon.
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Hofmann far from amused.
The German rider was left watching on the sidelines after suffering an injury to his left hand in his fall during the opening free practice session on Friday - a fall that came about when he was hit at the top of the corkscrew by rookie Guintoli.
Hopper: Well that sucks!!
On a day that didn't go to plan for any of the American riders, Hopkins had made a good start to the race, but it all came to nothing when he was involved in contact with countryman Nicky Hayden at the second turn.
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.
MotoGP safety.
By Lynne Huntting Safety is a big concern for the FIM (Federation Internationale Motorcyclist) and motorcycle riders.
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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.
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 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.
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