2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

MotoGP: Colin Edwards relishing historic night race

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Colin Edwards is relishing being part of the historic first night MotoGP race in Qatar on Sunday (March 9) as the countdown to the 2008 world championships draws closer. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider...

British Superbikes Guadix test: Cal Crutchlow - 'I didn't think Ducati would be as fast here'

04 March 2008 by Rob Hull

Shane Byrne may have been at the top of the time sheets at Almeria but HM Plant Honda rider Cal Crutchlow had thought the Airwaves Ducati team would have struggled more at the Guadix circuit. He told...

MotoGP: James Toseland happy to have Valentino Rossi on side

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Having Italian star Valentino Rossi on the same bike will boost British rider James Toseland’s hopes of making a big impression in his rookie MotoGP campaign. That’s the view of the double World...

World Superbikes: Max Biaggi breaks wrist in 170mph crash

04 March 2008 by Michael Guy

Max Biaggi saw his title campaign take a massive blow after two uncharacteristic crashes left him with no points and a badly broken left radius bone in his wrist in Phillip Island. After being the...

British Superbikes: Tena for Men Honda new for 2008 BSB grid

04 March 2008 by Sarah Carnell

A new team featuring reigning privateer champion Tristan Palmer is ready to head on to the 2008 British Superbike Championship grid. Tena for Men Honda will run Tristan Palmer in the British Superbike...

MotoGP: Temperature concern for Chris Vermeulen

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Factory Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is worried that cold temperatures could have a major impact on the historic first night race in Qatar on Sunday. Several riders complained about the length of time...

MotoGP Qatar test: Eugene Laverty gets pre-season boost

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Irish rider Eugene Laverty got a major pre-season tonic in Qatar this week after he produced some impressive lap time at the 250GP night test. Laverty, who is riding an Aprilia in 2008 after a torrid...

Stars look ahead to British Motocross Championship

04 March 2008 by Paul Harris

Sunday the ninth of March sees the gate drop on the 2008 Maxxis British Motocross championship. The crown jewels in the domestic season, and one of the strongest national series in Europe, the series...

MotoGP Qatar test: Bradley Smith finishes fastest

04 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith ended a brilliant 2008 testing campaign with the fastest time at the 125GP night test in Qatar. Just days before the new season kicks off under floodlights, Smith’s best time of 2:05.306...

MotoGP: James Toseland elated at Tech 3 Yamaha choice

03 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland believes his impressive recent testing form has fully vindicated his decision to begin his MotoGP career with the Tech 3 Yamaha team. The British rider ended his maiden winter testing...

MotoGP: Fiat Yamaha strongest team for 2008 says Valentino Rossi

03 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi believes Yamaha’s new look factory team with Jorge Lorenzo is the strongest in the 2008 MotoGP series. Speaking on the eve of the new season which kicks off...

MX1 and MX2: Tommy Searle, Tyla Rattray and Marc de Reuver clean up at Hawkstone

03 March 2008 by Paul Harris

KTM UK rider Shaun Simpson led from the off in the first MX2 moto. Tommy Searle was right on his tail, but Simpson just shrugged off the pressure of having the world number two knocking on the door.

Phillip Island World Superbikes: TV highlights

03 March 2008 by MCN Sports desk

Following Troy Bayliss’s stunning double victory at his home circuit in Phillip Island at the weekend here are highlights from the second weekend on the World Superbike calendar. Check out highlights from race one on the right and highlights from race two and the crashes of the weekend below. Race two highlights: Terrible tumbles from Phillip Island: Troy Bayliss crashes in Phillip Island...

MotoGP: Casey Stoner unsure on Jorge Lorenzo's early chances

03 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner believes it will be tough for Jorge Lorenzo to have the same immediate impact in MotoGP like Dani Pedrosa did in 2006. Triple world champion Pedrosa made a...

Speedway World Champ heads all-star field at Poole

03 March 2008 by Brian Burford

Reigning speedway World Champion Nicki Pedersen heads a world class field at Poole’s Wimborne Road Stadium this Sunday (March 9) to celebrate the club’s diamond anniversary. Pedersen, who wrapped up...

Chad Reed strikes back in Indianapolis AMA Supercross as Trey Canard continues 100 per cent win rate

03 March 2008 by Paul Harris

AMA Supercross Championship favourite Chad Reed bounced back from two weeks of troubles to take his first win at Indianapolis, while Trey Canard has still to be defeated in the Lites class – at...

MotoGP: John Hopkins confident in fitness battle

03 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

American John Hopkins is confident that he will have no problems riding at 100 per cent in the season’s opening race in Qatar, even though the Kawasaki rider concedes he will be below full...

MotoGP Qatar test: Brits take desert by storm with one-two

03 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

After James Toseland’s brilliant second place in the historic first MotoGP night test, British fortunes have continued to soar at the 125 and 250GP session in Qatar. In-form Aprilia rider Bradley...

Phillip Island World Superbikes: Bayliss does the double

02 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Troy Bayliss has done the double at Phillip Island taking his second clear win of the day. The Australian rider opened up an instant lead at the start of the race and kept it easily to the flag,...

Phillip Island World Supersport: Pitt takes hard fought win

02 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Andrew Pitt has won the World Supersport race at Phillip Island after a momentous battle, while team-mate Jonathan Rea fought back to fifth. In a race-long battle for the front with Josh Brookes,...

Phillip Island World Superbikes: Bayliss wins dramatic race 1

02 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Troy Bayliss won the first World Superbike race at Phillip Island after two massive incidents caused the race to be red flagged and restarted before a lap had even been completed. Bayliss’ Ducati...

Video: Fabrizio Phillip Island - Bayliss and Corser are like my Grandfather

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy, Angus Farquhar

Troy Bayliss’ young Italian team-mate Michel Fabrizio backed up his impressive qualifying performance with a quality Superpole lap to secure third on the grid and a front row starting position. The cocky Italian then ‘complemented’ Bayliss and Corser on being old enough to be his Grandfather. Check out what the factory Ducati rider had to say in the post Superpole press conference.

Video: Bayliss talks about his hectic day and Phillip Island pole position

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy, Angus Farquhar

Troy Bayliss had a rollercoaster day in Phillip Island starting with a nasty high side that necessitated eight stitches in his left elbow, but that didn’t stop the tough Aussie WorldSuperbike rider...

Video: Checa speaks after Phillip Island Superpole

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy, Angus Farquhar

Carlos Checa finally gave the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda squad something to smile about with a fine qualifying performance that will see him line up on the front row of the grid for tomorrows two 22 lap WSB races at Phillip Island. Checa has been the only member of the proven Ten Kate team to get the new Honda working and took time to praise the Dutch squad getting him to the front so soon. Chec...

Phillip Island World Superbikes: Bayliss takes pole despite injury

01 March 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Troy Bayliss amazed everyone today by taking pole position for the Phillip Island round of the World Superbike championship despite having a crash only hours before that left him with eight stitches...

Phillip Island World Superbikes: Heroic Bayliss fastest again

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss showed no ill effects of his morning qualifying crash and resulting eight stitches in his elbow to set a new best lap and fastest time in this afternoon’s final free practice session at...

Phillip Island World Supersport: Pitt fastest as Rea goes fifth

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider Andrew Pitt continued his strong weekend performance to take pole position for Sundays 21 lap World Supersport race at Phillip Island. The 32 year old Australian has...

Phillip Island Word Superbikes: Bayliss crashes out, but still goes fastest

01 March 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss ended the hour long second qualifying session in the medical centre after crashing his Xerox Ducati with four minutes to go. Bayliss high sided at the fast turn 11 and there was initial...

Phillip Island World Supersport: Local man Brookes sets the pace

01 March 2008 by Micheal Guy

Stiggy Honda rider Josh Brookes led the second 45 minute World Supersport Free Practice session from start to finish with a lap time half a second faster than his closet rival. Brookes, a former WSS...

Qatar MotoGP test: Valentino Rossi concerned by speed

01 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi conceded he was worried about his slow pace at the end of a tough Qatar night test that left the Italian only 10th quickest on the final day. The historic test under floodlights was a...

MotoGP Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo denies James Toseland

01 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo left it until his last lap to deny British rider James Toseland the chance to finish the historic first night test session with the fastest time. Lorenzo produced a 1.54.552 on...

MotoGP Qatar test: Casey Stoner happy despite late crash

01 March 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP champion Casey Stoner declared himself happy and ready to begin the defence of his world crown despite a late crash in Qatar. With temperatures dropping late on the second night of testing...

MotoGP Qatar test: James Toseland thrilled with second

29 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

British rider James Toseland has given himself a massive confidence boost ahead of his first MotoGP race after finishing the final winter test session in Qatar with the second fastest time. An...

British Superbikes: Shane Byrne getting his head around traction control

29 February 2008 by Rob Hull

Although he was running consistently at the front of the field in testing at Almeria for the full three days, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne is still getting used to the Ducati’s traction control. The official...

British Superbikes: No World Superbike pressure for Airwaves Ducati

29 February 2008 by Rob Hull

After a productive three days testing in Spain, Airwaves Ducati team boss Colin Wright says the team is feeling no pressure from Ducati’s performances on the World Superbike stage. Even though both...

Video: Phillip Island World Superbikes: Troy Corser looking for magic 50th pole position

29 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Australian Troy Corser has been speaking of his aim to hit a magic 50th pole position ahead of this weekend’s Phillip Island races. The Yamaha rider, who has won five out of the last six races at the Australian track, is already well on the pace after going fastest in this morning’s first qualifying session. Already on 41 pole positions, Corser is hoping to tally up a few more throughout the...