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.
Sete grabs pole in Shanghai shake-up.
Sete Gibernau has taken the first ever Chinese Grand Prix pole position after leading a Movistar Honda one-two at the end of a tense qualifying hour at Shanghai, which saw a Ducati and Suzuki in the top four while world champion Valentino Rossi was left clinging to the tail of row two.
Tamada out, van den Goorbergh in.
Following yet another medical examination, requested by Makoto Tamada himself, a fracture to the scaphoid bone in his right wrist has now been found - ruling the Japanese out of this weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix.
Gibernau still defiant.
After falling from the lead of the Portuguese Grand Prix almost two weeks ago, dropping him from second to fifth in the early world championship chase, some may have expected Sete Gibernau to be in a slightly apologetic or regretful mood heading into this weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix -
Tamada should make Shanghai.
Konica Minolta Honda rider Makoto Tamada should be able to compete at next weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai after a CAT scan on his injured wrist revealed that, despite initial fears, he has no fracture.
Eight Chinese go wild at Shanghai.
No less than eight Chinese riders will attempt to qualify for next weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai. Five of the riders will compete in the 250cc class - riding Yamaha, Honda and Aprilia machinery - while the other three will enter the 125cc class, on Hondas.
Jacque plans Shanghai set-up, Le Mans attack.
As previously indicated, the Kawasaki Racing Team has today (Wednesday) officially confirmed that former 250cc world champion, Olivier Jacque, will make his MotoGP return by substituting for the injured Alex Hofmann at the Chinese Grand Prix and the following French Grand Prix.
Jacque to replace Hofmann?
Following the news that Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann will miss the next two GPs due to injury, it appears likely that former 250cc world champion Olivier Jacque could be called up to steer his ZX-RR at Shanghai and Le Mans.
Exclusive: Team Roberts to miss Chinese GP.
Team Roberts will not be going to the Chinese MotoGP on May 1 after a lack of engines caused them to think again before the big trip.
WCM delight at Ellison point.
James Ellison took full advantage of the conditions to grab a hard earned Championship point after finishing a brave 15th, riding the Blata WCM machine.
Byrne: I didn't want to torpedo everyone...
Team Roberts rider Shane Byrne nearly scored a point despite missing the start of Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril with a throttle problem.
Biaggi podium protects HRC status?
It is no secret that Max Biaggi has been under pressure to perform for his new Repsol Honda team after a troublesome end to pre-season testing and then a forgettable performance at the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix, but the Italian's Estoril podium - combined with a DNF for Sete Gibernau and
Hofmann's injury woes worsen...
Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann will be forced to sit out the next two GPs in China and France as a result of the injuries sustained when he was highsided from his Ninja ZX-RR during a promotional event (pictured) ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Tamada out with 'suspected fracture'.
Makoto Tamada, who took pole position for the 2004 Portuguese Grand Prix last September, will miss today's 2005 edition of the event due to a wrist injury sustained in qualifying.
Barros wins first ever 'flag-to-flag', Sete falls.
History was made at today's Portuguese Grand Prix as Camel Honda's Alex Barros completed a perfect weekend by winning the first ever 'flag-to-flag' MotoGP race, after intermittent rain showers which would previously have seen the race stopped instead saw racing continue - and early leader Sete Gi
Injured Tamada hoping to race.
Last September saw Makoto Tamada start the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril from pole position, but the 2005 edition of the race will see the Japanese line-up in last place on the grid - if at all.
Barros flawless for Estoril pole.
Having led every one of the three free practice sessions that preceded today's qualifying session for the Portuguese Grand Prix, Camel Honda rider Alex Barros then completed a perfect sweep by taking a tense pole position at Estoril this afternoon.
Rossi: Left turns are the problem.
World champion Valentino Rossi and Gauloises Yamaha team-mate Colin Edwards will start from the second and third row of the grid respectively in tomorrow's Portuguese Grand Prix after experiencing a tough qualifying session at Estoril this afternoon.
Bayliss suffers memory loss after huge highside.
Troy Bayliss may have walked away from his huge highside in this afternoon's second free practice session - and even returned on his spare bike - but the fall wasn't without consequences as the tough Australian was left suffering from memory loss and a sore shoulder.
Kawasaki: Big-bang - big change?
Kawasaki riders Shinya Nakano and Alex Hofmann plan to capitalise on a strong start to the season in round two of the MotoGP World Championship, in Portugal this weekend.
Hofmann hurt in 'embarrassing' demo fall.
The Portuguese Grand Prix got off to a painful and embarrassing start Alex Hofmann after the 24-year-old crashed his Kawasaki during an exhibition ride at Estoril's seafront Casino on Wednesday afternoon - injuring his hand in the process.
Hofmann ruled out of Estoril.
Kawasaki's Alex Hofmann will not race in this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril after being diagnosed with a fractured scaphoid in his left wrist, sustained after a high-side during a pre-event promotion on Wednesday afternoon.
Biaggi applauded by Repsol Honda.
Max Biaggi saw the season-opening Spanish Grand Prix as little more than a nightmare - but the Roman was boosted by a gesture from his new Repsol Honda team as he returned to the pits after rising from 17th on lap one to seventh at the chequered flag despite his 'chattering' machine.
Shakey 'skinned' in scooter crash.
Former British Superbike Champion, Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will be fit to ride his KTM powered Proton KR machine in this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, at Estoril, despite crashing his scooter on Sunday night in Jerez.
Gibernau 'still a doubt' for Portugal.
Spanish favourite Sete Gibernau remains a possible absentee from this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix following his last corner collision with arch-rival Valentino Rossi at Jerez on Sunday.