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.
Top female racer joins Aprilia.
German motorcycle racer Katja Poensgen will compete in the 2001 World Championship as part of Aprilia's assault on the 250cc crown - which will include Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams.
Champion Kenny ties the knot.
MotoGP king Kenny Roberts Jr has finally married long-time girlfriend Rochelle at a ceremony in his home town of Modesto, California.
van der Goorbergh breaks lap record.
New Proton Team Roberts rider Jurgen van der Goorbergh ended his first full test on the three-cylinder KR3 500 by smashing the lap record at the Spanish Almeira circuit.
Vincent lands QUB ride.
Britain's Jay Vincent is to ride a Yamaha for QUB Team Optimum in next year's MotoGP 250cc World Championship.
Italjet announce second signing.
Following last week's announcement that Gianluigi Scalvini would ride for the Bologna based team in 2001, Stefano Perugini has now been confirmed alongside his countryman in the 125cc class.
Promising performance from Ueda on new TSR Honda.
Nobby Ueda tested the all-new TSR Honda AC10M, nicknamed the "Nobby Special" at Suzuka, today (30 Nov). This first shakedown test of the prototype machine took place under typical conditions for a winter's day at Suzuka, fine in the morning but with a temperature of only 9.5C.
Riders DQ'd after fuel irregularities.
Although the season may be done and dusted, the FIM continues to hand out punishments arising from the final few races.
Criville injured in Jerez crash.
On day two of Team Repsol YPF Honda's three-day test at Jerez, Alex Crivill? crashed out - injuring his right little finger, and handing the teams testing duties over to Tohru Ukawa.
Criville under surgery after Jerez crash.
Team Repsol YPF Honda suffered a double blow when Alex Crivill? needed surgery for an injured tendon on his right little finger, and bad weather forced the team to abandon their third day of testing.
Aprilia completes first winter test.
The Aprilia MotoGP squad left Jerez last week pleased with the progress it had made towards the 2001 campaign.
Nobby swaps LCR for TSR in 2001.
Japan's Noboru Ueda joins the TSR-Honda team next season, ending a fruitful relationship with Italian Lucio Cecchinello.
Coates' flying form brought to early end.
Adrian Coates' good qualifying form was brought to an unfortunate end in the final race of the year in Australia, when he was thrown from his bike early in the race.
Azuma wins frantic 125cc season finale.
Benetton Playlife rider, Masao Azuma, won the 125cc Australian Grand Prix from Youichi Ui, as many of the pre-race favourites failed to finish.
Magic McWilliams!
Ulsterman Jeremy McWilliams dominated the final qualifying at Phillip Island - becoming the first British rider to take a 500cc pole for thirteen years. He then warned "we can go faster".
Injured West to race with painkillers.
Ant West will be given painkilling injections and tablets before racing in tomorrow's 250cc motorcycle grand prix at Phillip Island, after injuring a hand in first practice yesterday.
Quotes from Phillip Island final qualifying.
Jeremy McWilliams produced the shock of the 500cc season when he rode to his first-ever 500 pole position, dominating the final qualifying aboard his Aprilia RSV500 twin. The achievement gave Britain its first 500 pole since Niall Mackenzie at the 1987 Japanese Grand Prix.
Barros the man to beat - just.
Emerson Honda Pons rider Alex Barros took provisional pole from Kenny Roberts Jr. by the narrowest of margins, in difficult conditions at Phillip Island.
Kenny: It's like windsurfing on a motorcycle!
Team Telefonica MoviStar Suzuki rider Kenny Roberts recorded second-fastest time in today's windswept first qualifying session at Phillip Island - but didn't enjoy the experience.
Walker offered Honda GP ride.
British Superbike rider Chris Walker is hotly tipped to land a MotoGP seat next season, after an approach from the Shell Advance team.
Willis races for home track reward.
500cc Proton Team KR rider Mark Willis will compete in his home Grand Prix at Phillip Island this weekend, with his chances bolstered by good track knowledge and recent bike development.
2001 calendar confirmed.
Motorcycle racing's governing body has ratified next year's grand prix campaign, confirming the schedule over which Kenny Roberts Jr will defend his crown.
Tough race for Red Bull Yamaha.
Red Bull Yamaha team riders, Garry McCoy and Regis Laconi, struggled to carry the team's recent good form through into the 500cc race at Motegi.
Winner takes all.
Roberto Locatelli won the 125cc Pacific Grand Prix while rival Youichi Ui crashed out, handing the Italian his first World championship.
Qualifying quotes from the Pacific Grand Prix.
"I was surprised (the time) was good enough for pole." - Max Biaggi.