2008

Year: 2008

Month: ALL

Cyril Despres to race in the UK

14 January 2008 by Dave Rawlings

Cyril Despres, the Dakar Rally competitor and two-time winner, is coming to the UK to race in Wor Events ‘The Tough One’ After the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar organiser Steve Ireland has been sweet...

R1 Cup ready to rock

14 January 2008 by Gary Pinchin

The new Yamaha R1 Cup that blasts into action next year at BSB rounds is being backed by Henderson Insurance Brokers. Rob McElnea, the man who gave us the Virgin Yamaha R6 Cup to allow young riders...

Supercross champion Stewart fights back

14 January 2008 by Paul Harris

Reigning AMA Supercross champion James Stewart fought back from his second place at the opening round last weekend by leading round two at Phoenix almost from start to finish. It was Mike Alessi who...

Video: World Superbike and supersport testing at Phillip Island

14 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar

Last week saw many of the World Superbike and Supersport riders out on their 2008 motorcycles for the first time. We’ve already brought you an exclusive interview with Ten Kate rider Johnathan Rea, but now you can see some highlights of the WSB and WSS bikes in action around the Aurstralian circuit. Watch the player below to see several compilations of Troy Bayliss, Chris Walker, and Max Biaggi in...

Video: James Toseland talks about his BKS leathers deal

11 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Two-time WSB Champion James Toseland has signed to wear British-made BKS leathers in MotoGP this year. The firm is now owned by Frank Thomas and was relaunched today, with Toseland carrying the torch on the world stage. Watch the video to hear an excluisve interview with Toseland on the matter.

Gearlink becomes official Kawasaki team in British Supersport

11 January 2008 by Gary Pinchin

This week the Gearlink Kawasaki team announced their two rider British Supersport line-up of Chris Martin and Steve Neate, as well as stepping up to become the official Kawasaki team in the class. MCN spoke to Michael de Bidaph about this latest step up the ladder for his team … Click here to read our interview with Chris Martin MCN: Why Martin and Neate? de Bidaph: We were approached by ten...

Chris Martin gets a ride in new British Supersport Kawasaki team

11 January 2008 by Gary Pinchin

Chris Martin was the 2006 BSB Cup champion. Now he’s one of two riders in the exciting new-look Gearlink Kawasaki team in British Supersport. MCN spoke to him about his new ride. Read our interview with team boss Michael de Bidaph MCN: Chris, superbike to superposrt. How do you see this, as a step backwards or a positive career move? Martin: Very positive. People might view it as a backward...

Phillip Island WSB: Bayliss on way to Italy with fractured collarbone and sternum

11 January 2008 by Michael Guy

$Phillip Island WSB: Bayliss on way to Italy with fractured collarbone and sternum$

Troy Bayliss is currently on his way back to Italy following his day three crash at Phillip Island that saw him break his right collarbone. It has also emerged that the Australian has fractured the...

Race Triumph for Costello

10 January 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

Maria Costello will race a Triumph Daytona 675 in the major road races this year as well as competing in the Triumph Triple Challenge on a machine provided by Philip Youles Motorcycles of...

Toseland to wear BKS in MotoGP

10 January 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

Two-time WSB Champion James Toseland has signed to wear British-made BKS leathers in MotoGP this year. BKS has been bought by Frank Thomas and was relaunched today, with Toseland carrying the torch...

Video: Ducati launch 2008 MotoGP bike

10 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP world champions Ducati kicked off the defence of the premier class crown with an official team launch in Italy on Tuesday 8th Janurary. Watch the video as MotoGP champion Casey Stoner and new Ducati team-mate Marco Melandri unviel the bike against the spectacular mountain backdrop at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort.

Phillip Island WSS: Parkes makes it three out of three

10 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Broc Parkes continued his domination of the Phillip Island test by topping the time sheets on all three days onboard his SSP Yamaha R6. The Australian worked on race simulations in the scorching...

Phillip Island WSB: Kagayama on top, Bayliss breaks collarbone

10 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Alstare Suzuki’s Yukio Kagayama took the final day of the WSB test in Phillip Island by storm after topping the time sheets with a 1m 32.1 second lap. Kagayama had been fast at every day of the test...

Phillip Island WSB: Bayliss out with broken collarbone

10 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss has broken his right collarbone after high siding his Xerox Ducati 1098 F08 on the final day of the official Pirelli test at Phillip Island. MCN has learned that that Bayliss crashed...

Video: Johnathan Rea talks about his first outing on the Ten Kate World Supersport bike

09 January 2008 by Michael Guy, Angus Farquhar

Johnathan Rea has had an impressive start to his World Supersport career comiing third fastest in the first day of the Phillip Island test. We caught up with the Ulsterman after the first day’s testing to see how he was getting on with the new bike, new team, and new circuit.

WSB Phillip Island: Bayliss stays in control at Phillip Island

09 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss stayed at the top of the time sheets on day two of the official Pirelli WSB test at Phillip Island after taking a further 0.3 seconds off his day one best. The 38 year old Australian...

WSS Phillip Island: Parkes again as Rea goes second

09 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Yamaha’s Broc Parkes dipped under the World Supersport lap record on day two of the official Pirelli test at Phillip Island. Riding the 2008 specification R6, Parkes found a good set-up at the end of...

Ducati launch 2008 MotoGP effort

08 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP world champions Ducati kicked off the defence of the premier class crown with an official team launch in Italy today. Against the spectacular mountain backdrop at the Madonna di...

Despres says Dakar cancelation is a disaster

08 January 2008

Two–time Dakar winner Cyril Despres reckons that the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar is a tragedy for the privateers who make up a large portion of the entrants. The factory KTM rider said, “Although...

WSS Phillip Island: Parkes tops day one at Phillip Island

08 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Yamaha’s Broc Parkes set the fastest Supersport lap with an impressive 1m 35.2 in the final 30 minutes of the opening day. Parkes and team-mate Fabien Foret both had two 2008 bikes each at their...

WSB Phillip Island: Bayliss sets early pace

08 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Troy Bayliss continued where he left off from last months WSB test in Qatar by setting the pace on the opening day of the three day Pirelli test at Phillip Island. Riding the Xerox Ducati 1098 F08,...

WSS Phillip Island: Rea on lap record pace first time out

08 January 2008 by Michael Guy

Jonathan Rea made a seamless transition to life in the World Supersport championship with a seriously impressive performance on day one of the three day official Pirelli test at Phillip Island.

Ducati unveil 200mph MotoGP ice racer!

08 January 2008 by Matthew Birt, Angus Farquhar

Ducati marked the launch of its 2008 MotoGP world championship campaign in amazing fashion by rolling out a 200mph MotoGP ice racer! Test and development rider Vittoriano Guareschi stunned fans last...

Video: Easton gets superbike Kawasaki

08 January 2008 by Gary Pinchin

He’s had a roller-coaster couple of years but Stuart Easton has bagged a top-line BSB ride with MSS Discovery Kawasaki this year. Check out this exclusive MCN video to get his thoughts on the season ahead…..

Ducati Sign New Sponsor

08 January 2008 by matto3227

On the day before the official Ducati MotoGP Team launch, the Borgo Panigale manufacturers and Enel have officially entered into a new, top-level partnership agreement. The biggest electric company in...

Reed strikes first in US Supercross

07 January 2008 by Paul Harris

Chad Reed won the first round of the AMA Supercross series on Saturday after series favourite James Stewart fell in turn one. Reed stalled his San Manuel Yamaha on the second lap, dropping back to...

Street Racing, Kiwi style, at Wanganui

07 January 2008 by Dave Ayres

Motorcycle racing has been taking place around the Heads Road Cemetery in Wanganui for over fifty years and has seen its fair share of big names during that time. A genuine street circuit based...

MCN Daily: Your daily video news for 04/01/08

04 January 2008 by Angus Farquhar, Daniel Thornton

In episode 21 of the MCN Daily news show we hear that the Dakar rally has been cancelled after a terrorist threat and how UK police plan to crack down on riders posting clips of extreme speeding on sites like Youtube. Subscribe to this podcast with RSS Subscribe with iTunes Check out the video below to catch up with all the news in just three minutes then email us here to let us know what you...

Mick Extance on Dakar '08 cancellation

04 January 2008 by Dave Rawlings

MCN has spoken to Britain’s most successful Dakar competitor, Mick Extance, moments ago to get his thought’s on the cancellation of the Dakar. “It’s unbelievable We were in a team meeting this morning...

Foggy: Toseland can win

04 January 2008 by Michael Guy, Howard Boylan, Angus Farquhar

WSB legend Carl Fogarty has told MCN he thinks James Toseland can definately succeed in MotoGP, but only if he gives it all he’s got. Check out the video below to listen to our exclusive interview with the former World Superbike Champion.

Dakar Rally cancelled after Al Qaeda attack

04 January 2008 by Sarah Carnell

The 2008 Dakar Rally has been cancelled following the risk of a “direct terrorist threat”. Four French tourists were murdered in an Al Qaeda attack on December 24, 2007 in the African republic of...

MotoGP: James Toseland's mum set to marry

03 January 2008 by Michael Guy

James Toseland’s mum, Jane is set to re-marry at the end of the year to long term partner Steven Oates. The pair spent New Year in Rome and Steven proposed in style when he popped the big question...

Vote for the MCN Man of the Year 2007

03 January 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

This is where you can vote for MCN’s presitigious Man of the Year Award for 2007. The 2007 motorcycle racing season produced a dramatic year of surprise, drama and British success. But who do you...

MotoGP: Michelin confident Honda will help 2008 revival

02 January 2008 by Matthew Birt

Michelin believe that Honda’s 2008 RC212V will be competitive enough for the French factory to show the potential of its new tyres next season. The dire early 2007 performance of Honda’s first 800cc...

Dougie Lampkin's second at Sheffield International Invitation Indoor Trial

02 January 2008 by MCN Sports Desk

Dougie Lampkin completed his eight year term with Repsol Montesa HRC with a runner-up finish in the Sheffield International Invitation Indoor Trial. It was Dougie Lampkin’s final ride on the factory...

Robbie Maddison world record jump video

02 January 2008 by Liam Marsden

Robbie Maddison broke the world record for the longest motorcycle jump on new years day of 2008. The Australian motocross rider dedicated his motorcycle jump to his hero, Evel Knievel, after his death in November 2007. Robbie jumped 322 feet (98 metres), to break the previous record of 310 feet, which was set by Ryan Capes. Since Robbie just managed to miss out on the 100 metre mark, he is...