2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

AMA: Neil Hodgson - 'another tough day in the office'

07 February 2008 by Henny Ray Abrams

American Honda’s Neil Hodgson called the second day of testing “another tough day in the office. It’s always tough around Fontana.” Neil Hodgson finished the two-day, all teams test at California...

Video: Beowulf Racing head to Oulton Park for more testing

07 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Beowulf Racing have just released this video as they continue their pre-season testing at Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire. Check out this video as the team’s three riders Dan Linfoot, Gino Rea and Pat McDougall talk about the test. Plus there is also a chance to see an onboard lap of Dan Linfoot on his European Superstock Yamaha R6. Gino Rea will join Linfoot in the European Superstock...

Video: Toseland talks Phillip Island success

07 February 2008 by Michael Guy

After setting an impressive and morale boosting fourth fastest lap time in last weeks MotoGP test at Phillip Island, James Toseland sat down with MCN for an exclusive interview at his Mum’s house in Sheffield just days after landing back in the UK. Toseland’s pace in his fourth test on the bike has shown that the 27 year old Brit has the potential to make a real impact into the series especially...

MotoGP Sepang test: Clue to Team Roberts future in Sepang

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

The likelihood of Kenny Roberts competing in this year’s MotoGP world championship seems more remote than ever after the British-based squad’s chief engineer turned up working for Kawasaki’s new test...

MotoGP Sepang test: Yamaha confident new engine can challenge Ducati

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha is confident that a winter engine upgrade has moved them closer to the blisteringly fast top speed of world champion Casey Stoner’s factory Ducati machine. Valentino Rossi continued to log...

Dakar Series to start a year early with Central European Rally

07 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Riders who were ‘ready to race’ on the ill-fated 2008 Dakar Rally will be able to take part in a new race this April. Dakar organisers, Amary Sport Organisation (ASO) have announced they will be...

MotoGP Sepang test: Kawasaki made much-needed clutch progress

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki engineers have taken vital steps towards solving some of the clutch problems which have blighted John Hopkins since the American’s move from rivals Suzuki. John Hopkins has made fixing the...

MotoGP Sepang Test: Valentino Rossi thrilled after test

07 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi believes he will be capable of mounting a much stronger threat to Casey Stoner in 2008 after he ended a three-day test today (Thursday) in Sepang brimming with confidence. Rossi said...

Silverstone redevelopment plans given major boost

07 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

The proposal for redevelopment at Silverstone circuit took a major boost this week after plans were passed by South Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Committee. The main reason for the redevelopment...

British Superbikes: Rizla Suzuki pair obliterate Al Carras lap record

07 February 2008 by MCN Sportsdesk

Rizla Suzuki team-mates Tom Sykes and Atsushi Watanabe left the Al Carras last night (Wednesday) after obliterating the existing lap record at the demanding Spanish circuit following three days of...

Enel becomes latest Ducati sponsor

07 February 2008 by Michael Carroll

Ducati’s MotoGP team is set to confirm Italy-based energy firm Enel as a new sponsor tomorrow, when the team conducts its official 2008 launch. See video from the launch of Ducati’s 2008 MotoGP...

Chaz Davies on the pace in California

06 February 2008 by Henny Ray Abrams

Chaz Davies set a blistering pace on the FX-spec Attack Kawasaki on the first day of testing at California Speedway in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles. The Welshman lapped the 2.3-mile road...

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top again on day two

06 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Valentino Rossi was once again the fastest rider at the end of day two of the MotoGP test in Sepang. See day one results here The Italian completed 70 laps, recording a best time of 2:00.472 on his...

MotoGP Sepang test: Nicky Hayden satisfied despite small crash

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden declared himself satisfied with the opening day of testing in Sepang, despite the American suffering a small crash at the final corner shortly before the track closed. Hayden had just...

MotoGP Sepang test: Jorge Lorenzo still chasing front-end confidence

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Double world 250 champion Jorge Lorenzo is hoping a new chassis he will debut tomorrow might help him make some progress in trying to cure a persistent lack of front-end feel at the Sepang circuit in...

MotoGP Sepang test: No Screamer motor but Kawasaki test new parts

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Kawasaki’s new and spectacularly loud Screamer ZX-RR engine will not be tested this week in Sepang, though the Japanese factory still has a host of new parts ready for early evaluation. After the new...

New MCN February 6: James Toseland on the pace in Phillip Island

05 February 2008 by Sarah Carnell

James Toseland has issued a warning to his MotoGP rivals with quick times at the Phillip Island test last week. The current World Superbike champion has been talking to MotoGP reporter Matthew Birt...

MotoGP Sepang test: Michelin increase 16-inch rear tyre development

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Michelin has stepped up development of its 16-inch rear tyre in a bid to retaliate against rivals Bridgestone in 2008. The new spec tyre was raced towards the end of a tough 2007 campaign, but the...

MotoGP Sepang test: Alex de Angelis crashes twice

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

San Marino rider Alex de Angelis escaped injury after crashes at the start and end on the opening day of testing in Sepang today. Boosted by a brilliant performance last week when he finished third...

MotoGP Sepang test: Valentino Rossi top after day one

05 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

Fiat Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi has topped the timesheets at the end of the first day of testing in Sepang. The Italian recorded a best time of 2:00.300 just over a second ahead of Repsol Honda’s Nicky...

David Knight crowned World Indoor Enduro Champion

05 February 2008 by MCN Sportsdesk

Manxman David Knight has been crowned World Cup Indoor Enduro champion after finishing second in the third and final round of the series in Genoa. Genoa was a cliff-hanger for Knight. He had some...

Chad Reed wins AMA Supercross in Anaheim

04 February 2008 by Paul Harris

Chad Reed won again on Saturday as his title bid gathers pace in the AMA Supercross series. The Thunder from Down Under edged a holeshot from Davi Millsaps, but when he tried to pull out, he found he...

Scott Russell returns to Daytona

04 February 2008 by Henny Ray Abrams

Scott “Mr Daytona” Russell will return to the scene of his greatest success when he makes a shock return to AMA professional racing in this year’s Superstock race during Bike Week 2008 in Daytona...

National Superstock: Astro superstockers get Kawasaki backing

04 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Astro Racing has become Kawasaki’s official superstock team for 2008 with Kenny Gilbertson on board. He has been campaigning ZX-10Rs in National Superstock under the Astro banner since 2006 and can’t...

British Superbikes: Rizla Suzuki test at Calafat again

04 February 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Rizla Suzuki continued their winter development programme with three days of testing at Calafat in Spain – their first chance to run on the Pirelli tyres they will race in British Superbikes this...

Video: Crutchlow and Jones visit the MCN offices

04 February 2008 by Michael Guy

British Superbike star Cal Crutchlow and World Supersport Brit Craig Jones pop into the MCN offices to bring us up to date on what they have been up to.

BSB Leon Wheelie Close Finish

03 February 2008 by Kerry Green

The BSB Donington Park second race was a very close finish. Recorded as a 0.056 second gap between winner Leon Haslam and runner up Tom Sykes. I was fortunate enough to be on hand to capture how close...

Desmo Flowers!

01 February 2008 by Jakob Tamburini Krygård

We had to replace my wifes fuel tank on her 99 Monster, and then we suddenly had Norways coolest (and most expensive) flower pot!

James Toseland third, Casey Stoner fastest

01 February 2008 by Matthew Birt

British rider James Toseland claimed a morale-boosting third place finish on the final day of testing at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia today. Get all the latest from the Phillip Island...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: John Hopkins ruled out of final day

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

A huge high-side crash at over 100mph has ruled John Hopkins out of the final day of action in Phillip Island tomorrow. The American has a badly torn muscle between his left groin and hip after he...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: James Toseland gains first rain experience

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland got his first taste of riding Yamaha’s YZR-M1 in rain conditions on a weather-hit second day of testing in Phillip Island. The 27-year-old posted a best time of 1.43.719 on a dismal...

MotoGP champ Casey Stoner helps Leon Camier's recovery

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner is proving an invaluable ally in Leon Camier’s bid to regain full fitness ahead of the new British superbike campaign. Factory Ducati rider Stoner has become...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Day two roundup

31 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner produced a masterful exhibition of wet and dry weather riding to dominate the second day of testing in Phillip Island. In persistent rain showers that fell...

MotoGP Phillip Island test: Casey Stoner rampant on home track

30 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner produced another ominously fast performance on his home track today to set the best time on race tyres in Phillip Island. While Colin Edwards claimed the fastest...

Video: MSS Kawasaki team update

30 January 2008 by Gary Pinchin

MCN Sports Editor Gary Pinchin recently visited the MSS Discovery British Superbike team at its headquarters to speak to team owner Nick Morgan In our video interview Morgan talks us through the bike and gives his opinion on the previous and current riders. You can read the full interview in the latest copy of MCN (Wednesday 30th January) Watch our interview with Stuart Easton

Video: Honda test at Almeria

30 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Watch our video of the Honda World Superbike temas testing their new 2008 WSB bikes at Almeria. The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team finished the first test onboard the brand new 2008 specification Honda CBR1000RR at the top of the time sheets in Almeria last week. WSB rookies Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari set identical lap times on the final day and left the Spanish circuit convinced of the...