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2009

Jerez MotoGP: Lorenzo scores first pole this year

02 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Lorenzo scores first pole this year

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo scorched his Fiat Yamaha to his first pole position of the year at Jerez today, and held off desperate attempts by his rivals to dethrone him in the closing minutes...

Jerez MotoGP: Smith leads Brit trio in top 8

02 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Smith leads Brit trio in top 8

Aspar Aprilia rider Bradley Smith scored a slot on the front of the 125cc Spanish GP in qualifying today, and led a trio of Brits into the top eight positions for tomorrow’s 23-lap race. Smith punted...

Jerez MotoGP: Pedrosa Bursts Ahead for Repsol Honda

02 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Pedrosa Bursts Ahead for Repsol Honda

The 23-year-old Spaniard Dani Pedrosa continued his remarkable comeback to form by leading the second practice for the Spanish MotoGP on the sun-blessed Jerez circuit. Pedrosa speared his Repsol Honda...

Jerez MotoGP: Bradley Smith Finds the Groove Again

02 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Bradley Smith Finds the Groove Again

Oxfordshire rider Bradley Smith continued his weekend-long duel with Aspar Aprilia team-mate Julian Simon in the second practice session for the 125cc Spanish GP, finishing just 0.321s slower than his...

Jerez MotoGP: Rossi lands in paradise

01 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Rossi lands in paradise

“Compared to the past two races, this is paradise!” This was an ebullient Valentino Rossi speaking after the reigning MotoGP world champion had set fastest lap in the opening practice session at Jerez...

Jerez MotoGP: James Toseland promises plenty more

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: James Toseland promises plenty more

British rider James Toseland reckons he’s not shown anywhere near his full potential on the opening day of practice for Sunday’s Spanish MotoGP clash in Jerez. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider was 11th...

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi unstoppable in practice

01 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi unstoppable in practice

Still seeking his first MotoGP win of the year, reigning champion Valentino Rossi dominated the opening free practice session here at the Spanish round at Jerez with a lap in 1m 39.647s on the Fiat...

Jerez Motogp: Bradley Smith Flying at Hot and Sunny Jerez

01 May 2009 by Mike Nicks

Jerez Motogp: Bradley Smith Flying at Hot and Sunny Jerez

Britain’s Bradley Smith got off to a blazing start in practice for the 125cc Spanish GP here at Jerez this weekend by snatching provisional pole on his Aspar Aprilia in the opening session. The...

Jerez MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso urges Honda action

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso urges Honda action

Andrea Dovizioso has urged Honda to find a quick solution to some of its early season problems. The 2009 factory RC212V has struggled to match the pace of Yamaha and Ducati, though Dani Pedrosa did...

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Ross admits single tyre struggle

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Ross admits single tyre struggle

Valentino Rossi has admitted that he is struggling to get his factory Yamaha YZR-M1 adapted to the new Bridgestone tyres. Get all the latest MotoGP news Under the single tyre rule introduced for...

Jerez MotoGP: Suzuki must improve, says factory boss

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Suzuki must improve, says factory boss

Suzuki MotoGP boss Paul Denning has admitted that the poor early performance of the 2009 factory GSV-R has been the biggest disappointment of his time at the helm of the Japanese factory team. Suzuki...

Jerez MotoGP: Suzuki exempt from rookie signing ban

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Suzuki exempt from rookie signing ban

Suzuki will be given special exemption from the new rule that prevents a factory team signing a rookie rider from the start of the 2010 MotoGP world championship. The Japanese factory will be allowed...

Jerez MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa silent on Motegi tyre issue

01 May 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa silent on Motegi tyre issue

Dani Pedrosa ducked and weaved from questions about the serious Bridgestone front tyre wear that hit the Spaniard during last weekend’s Japanese MotoGP race. Bridgestone promised a full investigation...

Jerez MotoGP: Danny Webb eyes podium challenge

30 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Danny Webb eyes podium challenge

Danny Webb has targeted a career first podium finish in this weekend’s Spanish GP at Jerez. The British rider’s confidence has soared after he led for more than half of last weekend’s Japanese GP at...

Jerez MotoGP: Bradley Smith expects fierce Spanish challenge

30 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Bradley Smith expects fierce Spanish challenge

Bradley Smith expects Spanish team-mates Julian Simon and Sergio Gadea to pose the biggest threat to his hopes of a maiden 125GP victory in Jerez this weekend. The Oxfordshire rider has had an...

Jerez MotoGP: Scott Redding looking for confidence boost

30 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Scott Redding looking for confidence boost

British teenager Scott Redding is hoping this weekend’s Spanish GP at Jerez will help fire his season into life after a disappointing start. Redding finished outside the top ten in the shortened Qatar...

Jerez MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo aiming to build on Motegi success

30 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo aiming to build on Motegi success

Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo is confident he can build on his brilliant start to the 2009 MotoGP campaign in front of a massive home crowd in Jerez this weekend. His second premier class victory in...

Jerez MotoGP: Honda still not competitive, says Dani Pedrosa

29 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Honda still not competitive, says Dani Pedrosa

Dani Pedrosa has played down his hopes of victory in this weekend’s Spanish GP in Jerez, the Repsol Honda rider insisting his factory RC212V is still not competitive enough. The triple world champion...

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi expects Casey Stoner backlash

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi expects Casey Stoner backlash

Valentino Rossi is expecting a backlash from Ducati rival Casey Stoner in this weekend’s Spanish GP in Jerez. The Italian is still chasing his first win of the 2009 campaign having been beaten by...

Jerez MotoGP: Bridgestone investigate Dani Pedrosa tyre issue

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Bridgestone investigate Dani Pedrosa tyre issue

Dani Pedrosa will find out the result of a Bridgestone investigation in Jerez this weekend after the Spaniard managed to claim a podium finish in the Japanese GP, despite serious front tyre wear. An...

Jerez MotoGP: Honda and Yamaha await Moto2 engine decision

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Honda and Yamaha await Moto2 engine decision

Honda and Yamaha have submitted bids to be the exclusive engine supplier to the new Moto2 600cc four-stroke class in 2010, MCN can reveal. Kawasaki had been installed as early frontrunners but didn’t...

Jerez MotoGP: Nicky Hayden hoping for change in fortune

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Nicky Hayden hoping for change in fortune

American Nicky Hayden is hoping some good fortune will finally go his way in this weekend’s Spanish GP at Jerez after a nightmare start to his factory Ducati career. Get all the latest MotoGP...

Jerez MotoGP: Casey Stoner expects strong Jorge Lorenzo challenge

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Casey Stoner expects strong Jorge Lorenzo challenge

Aussie Casey Stoner is expecting another strong challenge from Japanese GP winner Jorge Lorenzo when the European leg of the MotoGP campaign gets underway in Jerez this weekend. Fiat Yamaha rider...

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner disagree on tyre rule

28 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Jerez MotoGP: Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner disagree on tyre rule

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner have clashed over the controversial single tyre rule introduced for the 2010 MotoGP world championship. Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi has been a vocal opponent of the limit...

Motegi MotoGP: James Toseland boosted by top ten

27 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: James Toseland boosted by top ten

British rider James Toseland believes his first top ten finish of 2009 has given him the perfect platform to become a consistent top six contender in MotoGP. The 28-year-old shrugged off a disastrous...

Motegi MotoGP: Tyre gamble backfires on Danny Webb

27 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Tyre gamble backfires on Danny Webb

Danny Webb’s gamble on running full wet Dunlop front and rear tyres backfired as he had to settle for 11th in the Japanese 125GP – despite leading for over half the race. The Degraaf Aprilia rider...

Motegi MotoGP: Brake issue slows Casey Stoner

27 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Brake issue slows Casey Stoner

A front brake vibration ruined any hopes Casey Stoner had of continuing his stunning start to the 2009 MotoGP world championship in Japan. The runaway winner of the season’s opening race in Qatar...

Motegi MotoGP: Nicky Hayden unhappy with Yuki Takahashi

27 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Nicky Hayden unhappy with Yuki Takahashi

American Nicky Hayden blasted home rookie Yuki Takahashi as his factory Ducati nightmare continued in Japan. Scot Honda RC212V rider Takahashi torpedoed Hayden out of the 24-lap race at just the third...

Motegi MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo wins in Japan

27 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo wins in Japan

Jorge Lorenzo won only his second MotoGP race in Japan yesterday with a brilliant ride to defeat Fiat Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi in a captivating Twin Ring Motegi race. The Spaniard, who hadn’t...

You only have yourself to blame

26 April 2009 by baldy28

With all the arguments being made about the cost of GP racing and racing being a boring spectacle I put the blame firmly in the factory’s hands for this. There is no way factories should be charging race teams ie 250 teams £800,000 to lease a race bike. Their biggest mistakes is pricing out the private race teams. 250cc & 125cc racing is some of the best you would see at a GP but because of...

Motegi MotoGP: Matt Hoyle’s Haojue team withdraw from 125GP race

25 April 2009 by Matt Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Matt Hoyle’s Haojue team withdraw from 125GP race

Matt Hoyle’s Haojue 125GP team has withdrawn from tomorrow’s Japanese GP at the Twin Ring Motegi. Undisclosed technical issues with new engine parts hand carried to the Far East were cited as the...

Motegi MotoGP: Moto2 engine supplier decision delayed

25 April 2009 by Matt Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Moto2 engine supplier decision delayed

The decision on which manufacturer will supply engines for the new Moto2 four-stroke class has been delayed until next weekend’s Spanish GP in Jerez. Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta spent two days in the...

Motegi MotoGP: Qualifying scrapped after Motegi monsoon

25 April 2009 by Matt Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Qualifying scrapped after Motegi monsoon

Torrential rain that battered the Twin Ring Motegi circuit today forced the cancellation of all qualifying sessions for the Japanese Grand Prix. This morning’s free practice sessions all took place in...

Motegi MotoGP: Valentino Rossi stops Casey Stoner’s charge

24 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Valentino Rossi stops Casey Stoner’s charge

Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi stopped Casey Stoner’s early season domination by clocking the fastest time in opening practice for Sunday’s Japanese GP. The Italian lapped the Twin...

Motegi MotoGP: James Toseland fights back in Japan

24 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: James Toseland fights back in Japan

British rider James Toseland proved that his motivation and determination haven’t suffered after a torrid start to the 2009 MotoGP world championship. A bitterly disappointing 16th place finish in the...

Motegi MotoGP: Moriwaki unveil latest Moto2 contender

24 April 2009 by Matthew Birt

Motegi MotoGP: Moriwaki unveil latest Moto2 contender

Japanese engineering specialists Moriwaki unveiled the third version of its MD600 bike today ahead of a proposed 2010 assault on the new Moto2 class. The latest version of the bike, which has yet to...