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.
Suzuki's side-by-side after engine gremlins.
Team Suzuki riders John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr. qualified side by side in the final time sheets for tomorrow's Africa's Grand Prix, placed 16th and 17th in an ultra-close list - Hopkins barely a second off pole time.
Mission accomplished for top Yamaha Nakano.
D'Ant?n Yamaha star Shinya Nakano finished an impressive fifth fastest in the final qualifying session for the Africa's GP, having been as high as third heading into the final minute.
Advantage Rossi, but Ducatis on front row.
Valentino Rossi set a pace as scorching as his fever at Welkom today, beating the previous circuit record by over a second - but he didn't have things all his own way and only took provisional pole after the hour had officially finished, responding to the challenge of the Ducatis - led by a dete
Harris WCM disqualified.
The FIM has disqualified the Harris WCM team from this weekend's Africa's Grand Prix for failing a technical inspection.
Riders to boycott Suzuka?
A possible outcome of the expected riders meeting at Welkom this weekend, is the boycotting of the Suzuka circuit, following the events of three weeks ago.
Globe Hopper: Coldplay and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Desiree Crossman, girlfriend of Suzuki star John 'Hopper' Hopkins, continues her reports with the couples journey to South Africa (via London) for this weekends GP during which - amongst other things - they spotted a celebrity couple... "Hello from way down south!
Preview - Africa's Grand Prix.
The MotoGP community will compete in the Africa's Grand Prix on Sunday to honour the memory of the one of their favourite sons, Daijiro Kato, who passed away last Saturday following his accident at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Gresini 'destroyed' by Kato loss.
Fausto Gresini, Daijiro Kato's only team boss during his full time Grand Prix career from 2000-2003, is on his way to Japan to say his final goodbye to the former 250cc World Champion.
Suzuki: Kato was a true racing hero.
Suzuki and Aprilia have paid tribute to Honda rider Daijiro Kato, who passed away on Saturday night (GMT) after battling his Suzuka injuries for almost two weeks.
Kato dies from injuries.
After a two week battle against horrendous injuries sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix, former 250cc World Champion Daijiro Kato has passed away at the intensive care unit of Yokkaichi hospital.
Daijiro Kato 1976 - 2003.
Daijiro Kato only commenced his full-time World Championship career in 2000 but was already on his way to becoming Japan's most successful GP rider. By the end of 2001 when he secured the 250 world title, he had scored 17 GP wins to equal Japan's greatest GP winner Tetsuya Harada.
Dorna pay tribute to Kato.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, on behalf of all of Dorna Sports, has led the tributes to Daijiro Kato, who passed away tonight (Saturday) at the Yokkaichi Central Hospital.
De Gea confirmed at WCM.
The FIM has today released the official entry list for round two of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship, the Africa's Grand Prix, which confirms that David de Gea will ride the second Harris WCM machine in Welkom, on April 27.
Rule change for exhaust systems.
The Grand Prix Commissionhas unanimously approved the following modification to the Road Racing World Championship Regulations, regarding exhaust design, for immediate application. The new text is shown in italics : Technical Regulations - Exhausts:
Chaz checks in: Suzuka.
In the first of what will be regular reports on Crash.net , rising Motorcycle Grand Prix star Chaz Davies reviews round one of the 250cc series, the Japanese Grand Prix, at Suzuka - held last Sunday.
Ukawa regrets 'Kato collision' claim.
Camel Pramac Pons rider Tohru Ukawa has today issued the following statement regarding his fellow countryman Daijiro Kato, following his tragic accident last Sunday in Japan.
HRC: Kato accident still a mystery.
Honda Racing Corporation today (Friday) released the following statement regarding Daijiro Kato's accident in last Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix. The statement explains that Kato remains in a coma and that despite a Police Investigation the cause of the accident remains unknown.
Abe to replace Melandri in Africa.
Fortuna Yamaha has today confirmed that Norick Abe will ride as a replacement for the injured Marco Melandri in the Africa's Grand Prix, at Welkom, on Sunday 27th April.
'Angry' Checa asks for unity.
In the aftermath of Daijiro Kato's Suzuka accident, Carlos Checa has called for the MotoGP riders to stick together and work more closely in the future.
Rossi's sunglasses sponsor extends involvement.
Sunglasses producer Arnette have acquired the Title Sponsor package for the second round of the 2003 MotoGP World Championship to be held in Welkom, South Africa, on April 27th, which will officially be called Arnette Africa's Grand Prix.
Sete: I don't want Kato's bike.
Sete Gibernau, who has handled himself admirably in the aftermath of his team-mates tragic accident at Suzuka, has ruled out using Daijiro Kato's full factory RC211V - and won't even ask for it.
Kato 'surprising doctors' with some improvement.
Today (Thursday evening), there has been some promising news regarding Daijiro Kato's condition: The Japanese is reported to have passed through the most dangerous period, and is now even surprising those treating him.
Kato keeps fighting, but career over.
Over three days after his horrific accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, Daijiro Kato is showing signs that he can achieve what Dr. Claudio Costa of the Clinica Mobile called 'impossible' - survival.
Hopper launches website.
John Hopkins has announced the launch of his personal website, designed to keep fans up to date with what's going on with the Suzuki MotoGP rider. At the site, fans will find Hopper's bio in the "#21" section, complete with photos of his early racing career.