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.
Hofmann, McWilliams `in discussions` with WCM.
WCM racing director Peter Clifford has told Crash.net that his team are developing their 2006 plans around racing KTM V4 engines - and are 'in discussion' with Alex Hofmann and Jeremy McWilliams about riding the machines.
JiR keeps Tamada, Konica - maybe Michelin.
Japan Italy Racing is set to retain title backing from Konica Minolta and again run Makoto Tamada on a Honda RC211V in the 2006 MotoGP World Championship, but is still to confirm its tyre supplier.
HRC president explains future strategy.
HRC president Suguru Kanazawa has released the following statement regarding the future MotoGP strategy of the Honda Racing Corporation which, for 2006, looks set to drop several established MotoGP stars and instead field no less than five riders - Nicky Hayden (24), Marco Melandri (23), Toni Eli
Rossi beats McRae at Monza Rally.
MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi finished his first competitive outing in a Subaru WRC car with an impressive second overall - ahead of former World Rally Champion Colin McRae - at this weekend's Monza Rally Show.
MotoGP memorabilia in charity auction.
An upcoming charity auction to raise money for the 11-year-old daughter of popular racer and journalist Gus Scott, who was tragically killed in this year's Senior Isle of Man TT race, has attracted an impressive array of MotoGP memorabilia.
Yamaha: No interest in Biaggi.
Yet another door appears to have closed in Max Biaggi's face, with his former employer Yamaha - one of the most significant manufacturers still to confirm its 2006 rider line-up - stating that they have no interest in working with the Roman.
Rossi completes ` very different` Ferrari test.
Valentino Rossi was giving nothing away about his future intentions - or even lap times - after completing his three-day Ferrari test, held at two different circuits.
Stoner `at the front in two years`.
It will take Casey Stoner less than two years to run at the front of MotoGP - that's the verdict of Honda Pons team boss, Sito Pons, after the young Australian's impressive RCV debut at Valencia on Wednesday.
Rossi back in a Ferrari.
While most of his MotoGP rivals were suffering cold and wet weather during testing at Valencia in Spain, world champion Valentino Rossi has been back behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula One car in Italy.
120,000 average attendance at each MotoGP.
Over two million spectators watched the 17 MotoGP Grands Prix during the 2005 season, producing a record breaking average attendance of just under 120,000 spectators at each event.
Valencia test times - Wednesday.
MotoGP test times from Wednesday's opening day of the Valencia test, held in cool and windy conditions. Testing concludes tomorrow... Valencia test - day one:
Pictures: Checa bins RCV!
Carlos Checa made a nightmare Honda debut during Wednesday's opening day of testing at Valencia, when the former Ducati Marlboro rider fell from his Pons run RCV at high-speed (pictured).
Stoner top rookie on Valencia day one.
Casey Stoner may have lost out on the 2005 250cc World Championship to Dani Pedrosa, but the young Australian scored a victory of sorts over the Spaniard during testing at Valencia today (Wednesday) when he took top rookie honours.
Stoner to make Honda debut.
250cc World Championship runner-up, Casey Stoner, is set to make his MotoGP debut with Honda today at Valencia - ahead of what is now expected to be a full 2006 season with the Pons team.
Team Roberts clinch Honda engine supply.
Team Roberts will enjoy Honda RCV power during the 2006 MotoGP season, with the news that HRC have reached an agreement with the independent team run by former triple 500cc world champion Kenny Roberts.
Number 17 mystery solved...
When Crash.net uploaded its pictures from Monday testing at Valencia, featuring Chris Vermeulen making his Suzuki debut and Randy de Puniet completing his first Kawasaki laps, eagle-eyed viewers soon spotted a potential contradiction...
Cartoon: Pedrosa`s new RCV.
125 and double 250cc world champion Dani Pedrosa makes his much anticipated debut as a Repsol Honda MotoGP rider today at Valencia, when the diminutive Spaniard takes part in the opening day of the first post-2005 season test.
Troy`s Story claims further award.
Following on from film festival awards in New York, Troy's Story - the feature length documentary on the career of Troy Bayliss, narrated by Ewan McGregor - has been awarded the prestigious Mention D'Honneur.
Valencia test pictures online...
The first pictures from the Valencia test, which is taking place throughout this week, are now available on Crash.net .
Kiyonari proves inconclusive.
BSB runner-up Ryuichi Kiyonari failed to convince that he is ready for a full time MotoGP return, after finishing twelfth for Camel Honda in Sunday's season-ending Valencia Grand Prix.
Vermeulen, Kurtis Roberts, de Puniet make debuts.
Monday at Valencia saw World Superbike runner-up Chris Vermeulen make his Team Suzuki MotoGP debut, while Kurtis Roberts - younger brother of outgoing Suzuki rider Kenny - also got track time on the GSV-R.
Melandri, Elias confirmed at Fortuna Honda.
As previously reported on this website, double 2005 MotoGP race winner Marco Melandri and impressive class rookie Toni Elias have today been officially confirmed as teaming up together next season when Fortuna will switch its backing from the Tech 3 Yamaha team to Gresini Honda.
Official: Gibernau joins Ducati.
The first piece in the remaining 2006 MotoGP rider line-up has fallen into place with the official announcement that Sete Gibernau has finally signed to leave Honda and ride for the Ducati Marlboro Team.
`Sad` end to Biaggi`s season - and Honda career?
Repsol Honda's Max Biaggi completed his first and last season as a factory Honda MotoGP rider with a sore sixth placed finish in Sunday's Valencia Grand Prix - a race that may also have marked his final ride on an RCV.