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.
Gibernau silent, Rossi says it's racing.
Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi were using measured words to describe their last lap collision in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, which ended with victory for Rossi while Gibernau limped home second after being forced off track.
Updated: Rossi wins after last turn Sete take-out!
Valentino Rossi has won the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix after a controversial collision with title rival Sete Gibernau on the final corner of the final lap, which sent the then race leader into the gravel trap.
Rossi falls in Jerez warm-up.
World champion Valentino Rossi has fallen from his pole sitting Gauloises Yamaha on just his third lap of this morning's 20-minute warm-up session, which precedes this afternoon's season-opening Spanish Grand Prix.
Rossi reminds rivals with record Jerez pole.
Valentino Rossi reminded his MotoGP rivals that he'll be the man to beat in tomorrow's season-opening Spanish Grand Prix by taking pole position to the tune of 0.496secs, after delivering a record breaking lap of the Jerez circuit this afternoon.
Ducati runs engine-braking system, Checa falls.
Ducati Marlboro riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa used today's opening two practice sessions for Sunday's Spanish GP to continue development work on Ducati's innovative new engine-braking system.
Ludacris at Le Mans?
By Peter McLaren One of the more interesting sponsor announcements over the winter was the news that a record label owned by American hip-hop giant Ludacris would be backing the Blata-WCM team.
Moody Blues: 2005 starts now!
With the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix now just days away, renowned Eurosport MotoGP commentator Toby Moody has arrived in Jerez - from where he's sent Crash.net this exclusive preview for the upcoming 17-round battle for Valentino Rossi's world crown...
Ukawa to race Moriwaki at Chinese GP.
Former Repsol Honda MotoGP race winner Tohru Ukawa will return to the premier-class for the first time since his wild-card ride for HRC at Motegi last season, when he makes his Moriwaki debut at the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix, to be held at Shanghai, on May 1.
Pre-season ends with Hayden fastest.
Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden has finished the final day of 2005 MotoGP pre-season testing at the head of the field, the third-year Repsol Honda rider setting a new Jerez lap record of 1min 39.983secs to hold off Movistar Honda rider Marco Melandri and Team Suzuki's John Hopkins.
Jerez MotoGP test times - Sunday/Overall.
Full MotoGP test times from the third and final day of the Jerez IRTA test. The overall fastest times from all three days are also listed: Jerez MotoGP test times - Sunday:
Rossi sings in the rain.
Rain at Jerez for the 2004 Spanish Grand Prix saw Valentino Rossi fighting to save his high-siding Yamaha (top pic) - but the Italian is confident there will be no repeat of such lurid bike behaviour after declaring himself 'very happy' with the wet weather ability of the latest generation YZR-M1
Byrne: Kenny understands what we need.
Former Aprilia rider Shane 'Shakey' Byrne improved on his best time from the 2004 Catalan Grand Prix by almost 1.5secs on his new Team KR-KTM, by the completion of the three-day official MotoGP test session at the Circuit de Catalunya.
Barcelona MotoGP test times - BMW Award.
Full times from the 40-minute BMW qualifying award held during the Barcelona IRTA test, at the Circuit de Catalunya, today:
'I need to control myself' - Xaus falls again.
New Fortuna Yamaha rider Ruben Xaus saw his second day of testing at Barcelona brought to a premature end after the spectacular Spaniard let his enthusiasm get the better of him - again.
Barcelona MotoGP test times - Saturday.
Full MotoGP test times from day two of the Barcelona IRTA test, at the Circuit de Catalaunya, Spain:
Ducati denies semi-automatic gearbox.
Ducati Marlboro technical director Corrado Cecchinelli has denied that the Italian team's new engine-braking system, tested for the first time by factory riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa at Barcelona today, is actually a semi-automatic gearbox.
Assen changes two corners for 2005.
TT Circuit Assen has been the scene of hard work over the past few months for the completion of the 'floating' Geert Timmer grandstand, and has now announced that two corners of the legendary race track have also been changed for the 2005 season.
BMW PowerCup to debut at French GP.
The French Motorcycle Grand Prix on May 13-15 will mark the opening round of the new BMW Motorrad PowerCup series - the replacement for the popular BoxerCup - which features race bikes based on the German marque's new K1200 R.
Barcelona MotoGP test times - Friday.
Full MotoGP test times from day one of the Barcelona IRTA test, at the Circuit de Catalaunya, Spain:
Hayden tests headset.
Nicky Hayden has revealed that he tested a radio headset to communicate with his Repsol Honda team while out on track at Barcelona today (Friday).
Rossi: Two days to solve these problems.
Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi finished the first day of the official Barcelona IRTA test as the top Yamaha rider, albeit in just fifth place, and is eager to solve nagging front end problems and find more top speed in the two days that remain.
Luthi fastest 125 on Catalunya day one.
Swiss teenager Thomas Luthi was the quickest 125cc rider on the first day of official tests at the Catalunya circuit near Barcelona, Spain, on Tuesday.
Ukawa, Matsudo join Moriwaki.
Moriwaki Racing have revealed that former MotoGP winner and HRC test rider Tohru Ukawa has joined their MotoGP development programme, while 250 GP veteran Naoki Matsudo will race for the team in the 2005 All Japan Superbike Championship.