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.
Ducati to enter MotoGP 'in the near future.'
Ducati announced today, at a press conference prior to the start of 125cc first qualifying in Jerez, that they are building a prototype machine to enter in the premier MotoGP class, with official involvement in the World Superbike Championship set to continue.
Preview: Spanish Grand Prix.
The MotoGP teams make their return to Europe this weekend, after two 'fly-away' races, for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, round three of the 2001 World Championship.
West to remain in GP500.
Australian teenager Anthony West will continue racing a Honda V-Twin for the remainder of this year's 500cc motorcycle world championship, which resumes with the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez on Sunday.
Honda's Spanish GP memories.
It was even before the Beatles made their first recording and the idea of a Man on the Moon was still regarded as science fiction, that history was made at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Suzuki's Garry Taylor: Roll on Jerez.
"We have just received our new race transporter and are getting it ready to go to Jerez. Getting it ready means filling it with more than 10 tonnes of equipment that has to be taken out of boxes after being flown to Japan and South Africa and then finding new homes for it all in the truck.
Sanna: I've seen my crash - it looked impressive!
Simone Sanna was forced to withdraw from yesterday's 125cc South African Grand Prix, following a heavy first qualifying crash, but will make his return at the Spanish Grand Prix on May 6.
Ui walks away with 125 win.
Derbi's Youichi Ui took a lights to flag victory today in the 125cc race from Welkom, South Africa, with Manuel Poggiali taking his best ever finish in second behind the Japanese rider.
Anthony West scores points on 500cc debut.
Australian teenager Ant West made an encouraging 500cc World Championship debut today, with a points-scoring performance in the South African Grand Prix.
Capirossi: We can win this GP.
Despite losing out on pole to Valentino Rossi in the dying seconds of final qualifying, West Honda Pons rider Loris Capirossi believes he can claim victory in tomorrows South African Grand Prix.
Rossi takes first ever 500cc pole.
Valentino Rossi took his first ever 500cc pole position today, beating overnight pole sitter Loris Capirossi, with a last gasp effort in final qualifying for the South African Grand Prix.
Engine mishap hampers Biaggi.
The Marlboro Yamaha Team had a tough final day of qualifying at Welkom this afternoon, with lone rider Max Biaggi making the second row in parching heat at Welkom.
West to make 500cc Grand Prix debut.
Australian teenager Anthony West will make his 500cc motorcycle world championship debut on Sunday, riding a Honda V-Twin in the South African Grand Prix at Welkom.
Roberts goes back to the front.
Kenny Roberts, the defending World Champion, put himself back with the front men on the first day of practice for Sunday's South African Grand Prix, claiming fourth-fastest time and a place on the front row of the provisional starting grid after a "drastic improvement" since the opening round in
Checa withdraws from South African Grand Prix.
Marlboro Yamaha Team rider Carlos Checa has withdrawn from the South African Grand Prix that takes place this weekend at Welkom after injuring himself in a testing fall.
MotoGP champs to meet Nelson Mandela.
Reigning World Champions Kenny Roberts Jr, Olivier Jacque and Roberto Locatelli are to meet former South African president and international freedom icon, Nelson Mandela, on the eve of next weekend's South African GP.
Honda: 500 Motorcycle Grand Prix wins.
Honda reached a glorious landmark with its 500th Motorcycle Grand Prix victory in Suzuka last Sunday, setting a record unmatched by any manufacturer since the world championships began in 1949.
Contrasting 500cc debuts for Walker / Haslam.
Shell Advance Honda riders Chris Walker and Leon Haslam suffered mixed fortunes in the opening round of the world championship in Japan today.
Haga: I couldn't save it.
After struggling through qualifying, Red Bull Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga found enough speed to produce the fourth fastest time during the race - while challenging the likes of Biaggi and McCoy for a podium finish.
Sauber Petronas to enter MotoGP in 2002.
The change to next year's MotoGP regulations - that will allow four-stroke engines - has attracted the interest of Formula One car manufactures headed by Sauber Petronas.
Rossi: I had a big fight with Biaggi.
Valentino Rossi made history today by scoring Honda's 500th GP win, almost exactly 40 years after Tom Phillis claimed the marque's first GP success at the 1961 Spanish 125 GP.
Katja Poensgen makes history.
Female racer Katja Poensgen made history in final 250cc qualifying today by becoming the first woman to qualify for a 250cc Grand Prix.
Superbike star Ryo to race at home GP.
Suzuki's Superbike sensation Akira Ryo will take part in the season-opening Japanese GP at Suzuka on Sunday as the only Wild Card rider in the class. Ryo will switch from his usual GSX-R Superbike to a factory-backed RGV500 Gamma, in the colours of Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki.
TSR: We must work harder tomorrow.
Nobby Ueda rode his AC11M to 4th fastest time in the 125cc first qualifying today, while teammate Stuart Edwards endured a difficult session on his 250cc machine.