2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

Nicky Hayden begins Ducati career in Valencia

27 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden begins Ducati career in Valencia

Nicky Hayden has just completed his first laps on Ducati’s MotoGP machine in Valencia. After sitting looking somewhat anxious and apprehensive at the back of the Ducati garage, Hayden finally went out...

Jonathan Rea gets early Superbike ride at Parkalgar

27 October 2008 by Rob Hull

Jonathan Rea gets early Superbike ride at Parkalgar

Jonathan Rea will make an early graduation up to the World Superbike class this weekend at Parkalgar. Rea has already signed a deal to ride for the Ten Kate Honda World Superbike team after a season...

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi breaks points record with third

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi breaks points record with third

Valentino Rossi wrote another chapter in the history books today with his third place in Valencia taking his points haul to a record tally of 373-points. In a terribly dull final race of 2008, Rossi...

Valencia MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to final race victory

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to final race victory

Casey Stoner ended the 2008 MotoGP campaign just as he started the season with a dominant performance to take his sixth win of the season in Valencia. Stoner cruised to his 23rd career victory – a win...

Valencia MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso delighted with fourth

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso delighted with fourth

Italian Andrea Dovizioso was delighted to end his rookie premier class campaign with fourth place in Valencia today. Fifth in the early stages, the former world 125 champion was dropped to sixth on...

Valencia MotoGP: Colin Edwards ends 2008 in positive fashion

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Colin Edwards ends 2008 in positive fashion

Texan Colin Edwards scored his first top six finish since the Dutch GP in Assen back in June to make it a fantastic last race of 2008 for the Tech 3 Yamaha squad in Valencia today. Edwards’ seventh...

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden disappointed with last Honda race

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden disappointed with last Honda race

American Nicky Hayden could not hide his disappointment as he bowed out of Honda’s factory Honda squad with fifth place in Valencia today. Hayden was quickly passed on the first lap by compatriot...

Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa powerless to deny Casey Stoner

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa powerless to deny Casey Stoner

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa failed to prevent Casey Stoner from romping to victory in front of a 117,000-strong Valencia crowd for the final MotoGP clash of the season. The Repsol Honda rider got the...

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland frustrated to finish outside of top ten

26 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland frustrated to finish outside of top ten

James Toseland brought the curtain down on his rookie MotoGP campaign in Valencia today with a disappointing 11th place finish. The British rider survived intense late pressure from Sylvain Guintoli...

Valencia MotoGP: Stoner takes final 2008 MotoGP win

26 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Stoner takes final 2008 MotoGP win

Casey Stoner has taken the win at Valencia for the final MotoGP race of 2008. Stoner took the lead on the first lap and held it to the flag, pulling out a massive lead over second placed man Dani...

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP win

26 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP win

Marco Simoncelli has taken an incredible win at the final 250 GP of the year at Valencia. The Gilera rider worked his way through the field after a bad start to take the lead by the half way mark and...

Valencia MotoGP: Smith fourth, Corsi wins in Valencia 125GP

26 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Smith fourth, Corsi wins in Valencia 125GP

Bradley Smith narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the final round of the 125GP championship in Valencia with Simone Corsi taking the win. Smith started from fifth on the grid but slipped back to...

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden frustrated to slip to third

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden frustrated to slip to third

Having dominated all three free practice sessions in Valencia this weekend, American Nicky Hayden had to settle for third place in qualifying for his last Honda appearance tomorrow. The 27-year-old...

Valencia MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to ninth pole position

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Casey Stoner romps to ninth pole position

Casey Stoner extended his incredible qualifying record in Valencia today, the Aussie notching his ninth pole position to deny home favourite Dani Pedrosa. The 23-year-old equalled the season record...

Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa ready for victory challenge

25 October 2008

Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa ready for victory challenge

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa believes he will be able to mount a strong challenge for a second successive MotoGP victory in tomorrow’s season-ending Valencia clash. The Repsol Honda rider produced an...

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi frustrated with 10th

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Valentino Rossi frustrated with 10th

Valentino Rossi’s hopes of burying his Valencia jinx were seriously dented today as he slumped to a shock 10th place in qualifying. Having lost the world title in 2006 in the last race at Valencia to...

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland relieved with second row

25 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: James Toseland relieved with second row

British rider James Toseland has spoken of his relief at claiming fifth place in the final qualifying session of 2008 in Valencia today. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider had only one Michelin qualifying tyre...

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP pole

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Simoncelli takes 250GP pole

Marco Simoncelli has taken the pole position for the final 250GP race of the season. The Gilera rider lead for most fo the session only to be knocked off the top spot by Alex Debon with just under 10...

Valencia MotoGP: Toseland to start from fifth at final round

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Toseland to start from fifth at final round

James Toseland has qualified in fifth place for the start of the final MotoGP race of the year with Casey Stoner taking pole. Nicky Hayden lead for the majority of the session but with 13 minutes to...

Valencia MotoGP: Talmasci takes 125 pole

25 October 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Valencia MotoGP: Talmasci takes 125 pole

Gabor Talmasci has taken pole position for the final 125GP race of the season at Valencia. The Hungarian rider finished the session almost two tenths of a second ahead of Sergio Gadea with Simone...

Dani Pedrosa content with second

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa content with second

Dani Pedrosa declared himself satisfied with second place at the end of a weather-hit opening day in Valencia. Get all the latest MotoGP news Bidding for a second successive victory at the Valencia...

Valentino Rossi relieved after Valencia crash

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi relieved after Valencia crash

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi admitted he was lucky to get away with just a small crash when he tumbled out during this afternoon’s second practice session in Valencia. On a weather-hit...

James Toseland unhappy after dismal first day

24 October 2008 by Matthwe Birt

James Toseland unhappy after dismal first day

British rider James Toseland admitted he was bitterly unhappy as he kicked off the Valencia GP – the final race of his rookie premier class campaign – down in 16th place. Get all the latest MotoGP...

Shinya Nakano in talks with Aprilia’s WSB squad

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Shinya Nakano in talks with Aprilia’s WSB squad

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano is poised to clinch a deal to partner Max Biaggi in Aprilia’s new World Superbike squad in 2009, MCN can reveal. Nakano has been frozen out of MotoGP after the San Carlo...

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden fastest in first practice

24 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valencia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden fastest in first practice

Nicky Hayden made the perfect start to his last race for Honda’s factory MotoGP team this morning after the American set the fastest time in a rain-lashed and cold opening practice session in...

Q&A: James Westmoreland

24 October 2008 by Tom Mckenzie

Q&A: James Westmoreland

James Westmoreland was arguably the surprise package of 2008 in the British Supersport Championship. The former 125cc front-runner proved his Supersport prowess in his second year with Centurion...

Casey Stoner eager to test 2009 Ducati

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner eager to test 2009 Ducati

Former world champion Casey Stoner says he can’t wait to begin serious testing on Ducati’s 2009 MotoGP contender in Valencia next week. The Aussie will make his second appearance on the GP9 on Monday...

Sete Gibernau returns to MotoGP with new Ducati team

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Sete Gibernau returns to MotoGP with new Ducati team

As expected, Sete Gibernau has confirmed he will step out of retirement in 2009 to return to MotoGP action in the new Onde 2000 Ducati team in Valencia tonight. The 35-year-old, who quit the world...

Andrea Dovizioso relishing factory Honda move

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Andrea Dovizioso relishing factory Honda move

Italian Andrea Dovizioso reckons he can’t wait to begin his factory Honda career in Valencia next week. Get all the latest MotoGP news The former world 125 champion, who scored his debut premier...

Jorge Lorenzo rues injury-hit mid-season

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo rues injury-hit mid-season

Jorge Lorenzo reckons his injury-hit spell during the mid-season point of his rookie MotoGP campaign ruined his hopes of a top three world championship finish. The double world 250 champion suffered...

Valentino Rossi confirms Ford drive in Rally GB

23 October 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi confirms Ford drive in Rally GB

MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has confirmed he will drive a Ford Focus in the Rally GB in early December. The Italian had been weighing up Ford and Subaru options for the Rally GB, which he...

HM Plant Honda complete day one of Parkalgar test

23 October 2008 by Rob hull

HM Plant Honda complete day one of Parkalgar test

HM Plant Honda are just coming to an end of their first day of testing at the new Parkalgar circuit in Portugal. The BSB team has headed out for a two-day test ahead of their World Superbike wildcard...

Who Goes Where in World Superbike?

23 October 2008 by Tom Mckenzie

Who Goes Where in World Superbike?

Take a look at this week’s issue of MCN where you’ll find the full low-down on riders swapping and changing teams in the World Superbike paddock for 2009. With the top four in the 2008 British...

Max Biaggi seen testing Aprilia RSV4 superbike

23 October 2008 by Tom Mckenzie

Max Biaggi seen testing Aprilia RSV4 superbike

Three time 250 Grand Prix Champion Max Biaggi has been spotted testing his 2009 Aprilia RSV4 race motorcycle at Valencia last week. The Roman Emperor still has one round left of the 2008 WSB...

Tommy Searle stars in British Supercross season opener

23 October 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Tommy Searle stars in British Supercross season opener

Imagine off road motorcycles soaring through the air, glamorous pom pom girls, flashing lights and spectacular racing. Welcome to the British Supercross season, which kicks off this weekend with a...

Stanley Gamble Gets GSX-R Title

23 October 2008 by Tom Mckenzie

Stanley Gamble Gets GSX-R Title

Ulsterman Stanley Gamble has won the 2008 ACU Suzuki GSX-R 600 Trophy at Pembray this weekend. His second place in race one and victory in race two was enough to secure the championship after a...