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.
Rossi sets fast pace at Sepang.
Reigning 500cc world champion Valentino Rossi returned to winter testing at Sepang today [Saturday] in preparation for the 2002 season when four-strokes are introduced to the fray.
Rossi and HRC reach agreement.
After weeks of speculation whether Valentino Rossi would be riding a Honda in the coming season, the team can breathe a sigh of relief. A contract has at last been signed, settling the differences between Rossi and the Japanese manufacturer.
Cardoso lands MuZ four-stroke ride.
Released from what many thought was a dream ride with Luis d'Antin's Yamaha squad at the end of 2001, Jose Luis Cardoso has bounced back by signing a deal to ride the new MuZ four-stroke in the 2002 MotoGP world championship.
Record times for Tohru Ukawa and RC211V.
The second day of the HRC RC211V test at Sepang, Malaysia, saw Tohru Ukawa and the five-cylinder Honda four stroke circulating at lap record time. The daily monsoon rain held off until late afternoon allowing Ukawa and HRC test rider Shinichi Itoh a trouble free day of testing.
First HRC test of new year interrupted by rain.
The first official HRC test of 2002 begun today in Malaysia at a rain drenched Sepang Circuit. Riders Tohru Ukawa and Shinichi Itoh took to the track on the RC211V four-stroke bike, but there was no sign of 2001 World Champion Valentino Rossi.
Alex Criville makes debut with Team D'Antin.
Alex Criville's debut aboard the Team D'Ant?n Yamaha YZR500 yesterday was limited to just five laps of the Almer?a circuit and a photograph session.
BMW Motorrad GB unveils line-up for Boxercup 2002.
BMW Motorrad GB has confirmed its team line-up for this year's International BoxerCup, the one-make series that supports the MotoGP and World Endurance Championships.
Schoolboy Chaz Davies enters 125cc Championship.
Chaz Davies is the newest Brit to be signed up to compete in the 2002 MotoGP Championship. Davies, who is fourteen-years-old, will be racing in the 125cc class on an Aprilia for the Italian Matteoni racing team.
BQR surprised to find Brits available.
Contrary to recent reports suggesting that British riders Jay Vincent and Leon Haslam were second choices at the BQR team, the Spanish outfit admits that it could not believe its luck on discovering that they were still uncontracted.
Suzuki working flat out on XERO.
Development of Suzuki's new for 2002 four-stroke Grand Prix bike the XRE0 is racing ahead in Japan. After revealing the decision to race the bike in 2002, Suzuki's engineering department has been flat out working on the electronic fuel injection and engine management systems.
FIM announces 2002 entry list.
The FIM today revealed the provisional entry list for the 2002 MotoGP - Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix - series. 2002 - Provisional Entry List: No. / Rider / Nationality / Machine / Team.
FIM clarifies MotoGP rule changes.
Further to the outline issued prior to the end of last season, motorcycling's governing body - the FIM - has amended several points regarding the new look MotoGP championship to be introduced in 2002.
Honda clones RC211V in new-look NSR500.
Honda has decided to give its various MotoGP entries a uniform look by revising the design of the venerable NSR500 two-stroke to resemble that of the new RC211V.
500cc World Championship 2001 season review.
The 2001 season saw the continuation of Italian dominance in the 500cc World Championship. Valentino Rossi stormed his way to the title, showing little compassion for his competitors and allowing no-one to doubt his supremacy.
TM Junior Team kick off 125cc testing.
The 125cc class has begun its testing, with the Telefonica Movistar Junior team travelling the Jerez this past week. Team riders Daniel Pedrosa and Joan Oliv?
Conditions hinder Honda test.
The second day of the HRC winter test at Phillip Island was hampered by rain and high winds as riders continued to get used to their new mounts for the 2002 campaign.
Laconi stays with Aprilia - in GP1.
Regis Laconi will remain a factory Aprilia rider for the 2002 season but not in World Superbikes as expected but aboard the new GP1 Aprilia RS3 as the Italian firm return to the premier MotoGP category after a one-year sabbatical.
Proton Team KR signs Japanese star Aoki.
Proton Team KR have finalised contract details with Japanese star Nobuatsu Aoki, the first of two riders to be confirmed for the England-based two-rider team for next year's premier World Championship series.
World champions attend Bologna Motor Show.
The Bologna Motor Show, held in Italy over the weekend, saw World Champions Valentino Rossi and Manuel Poggiali put in an appearance.
Pogialli races at the Bologna Motor Show.
The Bologna Motor Show last weekend hosted a 'Superbiker' event in which MotoGP riders Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi and Manuel Poggiali competed. The presence of the big names ensured a large public attendance and the crowd were energetic for the Saturday and Sunday races.
Yamaha confirms Marlboro line-up.
Yamaha has confirmed that the Marlboro-backed factory team will contest the 2002 MotoGP championship with Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa riding the all-new four-stroke Yamaha YZR-M1.
McWilliams takes Proton GP lifeline.
Jeremy McWilliams has signed a contract to ride for Kenny Roberts' Proton KR team in the MotoGP series next season, ending speculation that he may move to superbikes.
Katoh happier with NSR500 handling.
The Honda Gresini team attended the Barcelona test with reigning 250cc World Champion Daijiro Katoh testing the NSR500 he will race in 2002, and the team's new 250cc rider Roberto Rolfo who continued to acquaint himself with the individual characteristics of the Honda, and the workings of his new
FIM awards celebrate the successes of 2001.
The Italian mountain resort of Valle d'Aosta is the scene of excited activity as final preparations are made for the 2001 FIM World Champions Award Ceremony.