February

Year: 2012

Month: February

Valentino Rossi faces wait for Ducati improvements

29 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi faces wait for Ducati improvements

Ducati has told Valentino Rossi a range of improvements for the radically revamped GP12 will not be ready in time for the start of the inaugural 1000cc MotoGP world championship in early April. The...

Ben Spies quickest at rain-soaked Sepang

29 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies quickest at rain-soaked Sepang

Ben Spies ended another rain-hit day of testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia on top of the timesheets after Honda failed to complete a lap. An engine failure suffered by Dani Pedrosa in the final...

Jorge Lorenzo: “We’re closer to Honda”

29 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo: “We’re closer to Honda”

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo is confident that Yamaha’s new factory YZR-M1 1000cc machine will be a bigger threat to Honda and Casey Stoner in 2012. The Australian dominated the final 800cc world...

Engine failure sidelines Honda quartet in Sepang

29 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Engine failure sidelines Honda quartet in Sepang

An engine failure experienced by Dani Pedrosa on the opening day of MotoGP testing in Sepang yesterday forced HRC to prevent all four of its riders from participating on a rain-hit second day in...

Casey Stoner predicts much faster times in Sepang

28 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner predicts much faster times in Sepang

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner expects lap times to fall sharply over the remainder of the second Sepang test in Malaysia after he dominated a rain-hit opening day. The Repsol Honda rider...

Valentino Rossi aims for big progress in Sepang

28 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi aims for big progress in Sepang

The start of Valentino Rossi’s second test on board Ducati’s heavily revamped GP12 MotoGP machine proved to be a frustrating affair for the Italian after he finished in a lowly eighth on the opening...

Cal Crutchlow needs more time to evaluate revised Yamaha motor

28 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow needs more time to evaluate revised Yamaha motor

Cal Crutchlow ended the opening day of the second Sepang test in Malaysia with the seventh fastest time as scorching hot temperatures and then torrential rain thwarted his bid to properly assess a...

Casey Stoner quickest as storm disrupts first day in Sepang

28 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner quickest as storm disrupts first day in Sepang

Casey Stoner topped the timesheets on a rain disrupted opening day of MotoGP testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The reigning MotoGP world champion needed only three laps in baking hot...

Karel Abraham withdraws from Sepang test

28 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Karel Abraham withdraws from Sepang test

Karel Abraham has withdrawn from the Sepang MotoGP test with the right shoulder and back injuries he suffered in a big high-side crash at Jerez last week proving too painful to continue. The Czech...

New kids on the block!

27 February 2012 by Anonymous

New kids on the block!

These three new hot shots flew in from the UK to the Circuito de Almeria for a pre-season test: Ben Gilbert, 18 and brother Jordan, 15 winner of the 2010 Bemsee Most Promising Newcomer Award and...

Valentino Rossi to focus on new electronics in Sepang

27 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi to focus on new electronics in Sepang

Valentino Rossi will use this week’s second Sepang test in Malaysia to concentrate on new electronics aimed at improving stability under acceleration with the radical new Ducati GP12 machine. Rossi...

Honda and Yamaha ready chassis updates for Sepang

27 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Honda and Yamaha ready chassis updates for Sepang

Honda and Yamaha are both likely to roll out new frames at this week’s second Sepang test to try and solve a chronic chatter issue with their new 1000cc projects. The new safer rear Bridgestone tyres...

James Ellison eyes big step in Aragon test

27 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

James Ellison eyes big step in Aragon test

British rider James Ellison is confident he will be able to get much closer to the pace of the fastest CRT machines when he returns to the track on the new Aprilia ART 1000cc bike at the Motorland...

Phillip Island WSB: Checa bounces back to win race two

26 February 2012

Phillip Island WSB: Checa bounces back to win race two

World Superbike champion Carlos Checa won the second race at Phillip Island after a high-side in the first race. Checa bounced back from his first race misery to put an a dominating performance,...

Phillip Island WSB: Biaggi takes race one win

26 February 2012 by MCN

Phillip Island WSB: Biaggi takes race one win

Factory Aprilia rider Max Biaggi has won the first WSB race of the season at Phillip Island after Carlos Checa crashed out of the lead early in the race. World champion Checa was out in front when he...

Superpole cancelled due to serious accident, Sykes on pole

25 February 2012 by Michael Guy

Superpole cancelled due to serious accident, Sykes on pole

Following a serious accident in the Australian Supersport race, which resulted in the death of 17 year old Oscar McIntyre, organisers were forced to abandon the Superpole session due to on track...

Sykes back on top after second qualifying, Davies brakes left wrist

25 February 2012 by Michael Guy

Sykes back on top after second qualifying, Davies brakes left wrist

Tom Sykes bounced back to the top of the timesheets during second qualifying today with a blistering 1m 31.323s lap – half a second under the 2007 lap record set by Troy Corser. The factory Kawasaki...

Randy de Puniet targets factory scalps

24 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Randy de Puniet targets factory scalps

Randy de Puniet says his priority for 2012 is to finish top CRT rider and at some races defeat the new 1000cc factory prototypes after an encouraging test in Jerez this week. The Frenchman ended the...

Meet and ride with Crutchlow and Smith at Silverstone

24 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Meet and ride with Crutchlow and Smith at Silverstone

You still have chance to grab a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride the spectacular Silverstone Grand Prix track with Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith on March 8. MCN has joined forces with...

WSB First Qualifying: Rea sets the pace in Phillip Island

24 February 2012 by Michael Guy

WSB First Qualifying: Rea sets the pace in Phillip Island

Honda Superbike rider Jonathan Rea claimed provisional pole position at the end of first qualifying today. The 25 year old was the one and only man to dip under the 1m 32s bracket with a best lap of...

WSS Qualifying: Parkes secures provisional pole, Lowes takes third

24 February 2012 by Michael Guy

WSS Qualifying: Parkes secures provisional pole, Lowes takes third

Ten Kate Honda rider Broc Parkes secured the top spot in the opening qualifying session of the season at Phillip Island today. The 30 year old Australian posted a 1.34.532 second best on his...

Haslam to miss first free practice, undecided on race participation

23 February 2012 by Michael Guy

Following surgery yesterday where he had two screws inserted into his broken right tibia, Leon Haslam will miss the opening Free Practice session at Phillip Island this morning. The factory BMW rider crashed heavily in testing on Tuesday, but despite the seriousness of the injury has not ruled out participating in this weekend’s race. Speaking at Phillip Island today, Haslam said: “I’m not going...

Moto Rapido confirm two-man team for 2012

23 February 2012 by MCN Sports Desk

Moto Rapido confirm two-man team for 2012

Winchester-based Moto Rapido Ducati have confirmed they will run a two-bike team in partnership with the Saudi Falcons racing team in the 2012 British Superbike Championship. Existing rider Scott...

James Ellison makes Aprilia MotoGP debut

22 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

James Ellison makes Aprilia MotoGP debut

James Ellison made his long-awaited return to MotoGP action in Jerez yesterday (Tuesday) when he got his first chance to test Aprilia’s new CRT machine. The former Tech 3 Yamaha rider, who will ride...

WSB heads to Indonesia in 2013

22 February 2012 by Michael Guy

WSB heads to Indonesia in 2013

The World Superbike calendar is set to expand to 15 rounds in 2013 following confirmation that there will be a race at the Sentul circuit in Indonesia next year. Series owners Infront Motor Sports...

Cal Crutchlow boosted by 1000cc MotoGP switch

21 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow boosted by 1000cc MotoGP switch

British rider Cal Crutchlow is confident the switch from 800cc to 1000cc for the MotoGP world championship will boost his hopes of fighting consistently for the top six in 2012. The Monster Yamaha...

Casey Stoner gives insight into new 1000s

21 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner gives insight into new 1000s

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has given his views and opinions on what it is like to ride Honda’s new factory RC213V machine ahead of the start of the new 1000cc world championship era...

John Ingram to make TT debut with SMT

20 February 2012 by MCN Sportsdesk

John Ingram to make TT debut with SMT

Wigan rider John Ingram is set to become the latest rider from the British Championship paddock to turn his attention to the roads when he makes his debut at the 2012 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by...

Andrea Dovizioso set for style makeover

20 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Andrea Dovizioso set for style makeover

Andrea Dovizioso will use next week’s Sepang test in Malaysia to continue tweaking his riding technique to suit the new Yamaha YZR-M1 1000cc MotoGP bike. The Italian spent his entire MotoGP career...

Danny Kent thrilled but surprised at Moto3 pace

20 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Danny Kent thrilled but surprised at Moto3 pace

British teenager Danny Kent admitted he surprised himself with his blistering speed during last week’s Moto3 test at the Jerez track in Spain. The 18-year-old was in untouchable form throughout the...

Double TT winner Cameron Donald confirms Lightweight TT entry

20 February 2012 by Gary Pinchin

Double TT winner Cameron Donald confirms Lightweight TT entry

Double TT winner Cameron Donald has confirmed that he’ll be contesting the new Lightweight TT in June this year. The Isle of Man TT will be the only event where Donald will race in the class and the...

Bradley Smith confident Tech 3 bike will be podium challenger

20 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith confident Tech 3 bike will be podium challenger

British rider Bradley Smith is confident the new Tech 3 Mistral 610 machine will be a serious Moto2 podium threat in 2012 after a positive and productive test in Jerez last week. The Oxfordshire rider...

Haslam injured at Phillip Island test, Checa stays in control

20 February 2012 by Michael Guy

Haslam injured at Phillip Island test, Checa stays in control

Leon Haslam is likely to need an operation to repair a crack in his right Tibia after suffering a heavy crash at Phillip Island today. The 28-year-old Brit high sided his BMW Motorrad S1000RR exiting...

Scott Redding and Danny Kent dominate Jerez test

19 February 2012 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding and Danny Kent dominate Jerez test

Scott Redding shared top spot in the ultra-competitive Moto2 class and Danny Kent led the way in the new Moto3 series at the end of a tremendous three-day test for the Brits in Jerez. Gloucestershire...

Polita joins Jentin Doodson Ducati in BSB

17 February 2012 by Laura Stevens

Polita joins Jentin Doodson Ducati in BSB

The newly-amalgamated Jentin Doodson Motorsport team have today (Friday) confirmed their return to MCE BSB, switching to Italian machinery as they campaign the exotic new Ducati Panigale with former...

Anthony West joins Supersonic BMW in BSB

17 February 2012 by Laura Stevens

Anthony West joins Supersonic BMW in BSB

Former Grand Prix race winner Anthony West has today (Friday) become the latest world-class rider to join the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as the Australian was signed up by the...