June

Year: 2008

Month: June

MotoGP World Exclusive: Ducati roll out 2009 prototype

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

This is the first world exclusive look at Ducati’s new 2009 prototype MotoGP motorcycle, which has just broken cover in Catalunya. Tested behind closed doors in Mugello and Estoril since the beginning...

MotoGP: Loris Capirossi out of British GP

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Italian veteran Loris Capirossi is definitely out of the British GP at Donington Park on June 22. The factory Suzuki rider suffered a badly broken right hand in yesterday’s Catalunya GP after Gresini...

MotoGP: John Hopkins to see UK specialist after Catalunya crash

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins will fly to England tomorrow (Tuesday) to see a back specialist after the toughest race of his career in Catalunya. The American rode to a brave 10th place with a cracked vertabrea after...

Racing results round-up: June 2- June 8

09 June 2008 by MCN Sports desk

Each week we will have a full list of the racing results from the previous weekend. Click on the name of the championship you wish to see the results of. MotoGP 250GP 125GP AMA Superbikes Isle of Man...

Yukio Kagayama and Kohsuke Akiyoshi win Suzuka 300K race

09 June 2008 by Rob Hull

Last year’s Suzuka Eight Hour winners Yukio Kagayama and Kohsuke Akiyoshi have won the 300K race at Suzuka this weekend with the Yoshimura Suzuki team ahead of the big endurance race in Japan next...

Isle of Man TT: Gary Pinchin's blog - What an amazing two weeks

09 June 2008 by Gary Pinchin

This is the first time I think I’ve ever been to the TT and felt truly sad about packing up to leave. Normally two weeks here feels like a long time but this year the racing has been so good, the...

Ben Spies wins by an AMA mile

09 June 2008 by Richham

Last weekend Ben Spies showcased his riding talent at the AMA SBK event at Miller Motorsports Park and took both Saturday and Sundays race with seeming ease. The photo shows a typical race lap, with...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Casey Stoner disappointed with third

09 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner could not hide his disappointment as third in Catalunya this afternoon saw him lose more ground in the title race. With Dani Pedrosa romping to an easy win and...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Loris Capirossi in doubt for Donington Park

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Loris Capirossi is a major doubt for the British GP at Donington Park on June 22 after he broke his right hand in Catalunya today. The veteran Italian was involved in an incident with Alex de Angelis...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Grip issues halt Colin Edwards’ charge

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

A rear grip problem cost Colin Edwards the chance to fight for a podium finish as he scored a third successive top six finish in Catalunya. The Texan ran in fourth place for the opening eight laps...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Andrea Dovizioso satisfied with fourth

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Italian rookie Andrea Dovizioso equalled his best MotoGP result with a brilliant fourth place finish in today’s Catalunya clash. The JIR Scot Honda rider was second for the opening two laps before he...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: Valentino Rossi surges through to second

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi produced an overtaking masterclass today to finish second in the Catalunya MotoGP clash. Starting from ninth on the grid, Rossi needed just nine laps to fight his way through the field...

Catalunya MotoGP: Faultless Dani Pedrosa closes gap in title chase

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa slashed Valentino Rossi’s world championship lead to just seven-points with a crushing victory in front of a record 113,150-strong crowd in Catalunya. The factory Honda...

Catalunya MotoGP Reaction: James Toseland content with sixth

08 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland admitted he was content with a hard fought sixth place in today’s Catalunya GP, despite running off track after a tangle on lap two with Valentino Rossi. The British rider scored his...

Catalunya MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa wins home GP

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has taken the win at his home MotoGP from championship leader Valentino Rossi. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa led from the start and at one point stretch out a commandin lead...

Catalunya MotoGP: Marco Simoncelli takes 250GP win

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Metis Gilrera rider Marco Simoncelli has taken victory in the 250GP after Alvaro Bautista ran wide on the penultimate lap. Marco Simoncelli is now second in the championship behind Mika Kallio. Aspar...

Catalunya MotoGP: Mike Di Meglio takes 125GP win

08 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Frenchman Mike Di Meglio has taken victory at the Catalunya GP after Nicolas Terol and Joan Olive crashed out during the final stages of the race. Mike Di Meglio now leads the 125GP world...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner shocked at pole position

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner admitted he was shocked at scoring his first pole position for nine months with a brilliant qualifying display in Catalunya today. Stoner bagged his first pole...

Catalunya MotoGP: Valentino Rossi slumps to third row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi will need to produce another brilliant surge through the field if he is to extend his winning streak to four races in tomorrow’s Catalunya GP. The Fiat...

Catalunya MotoGP: Nicky Hayden secures first front row of 2008

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

American Nicky Hayden maybe disappointed at the on-going delay in him racing Honda’s pneumatic valve motor, but he shrugged his frustration aside today to claim his first front row start of the...

Catalunya MotoGP: 600cc proposal unveiled as 250GP replacement

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Engine capacity for the new 250GP replacement class will now be 600cc, despite fears such a proposal would be in direct conflict with the current World Supersport series. To avoid any clash, Dorna...

Catalunya MotoGP: James Toseland delighted with second row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Tech 3 Yamaha rider James Toseland scored his best qualifying result since the Estoril round in Portugal with sixth place in Catalunya. The double World Superbike champion posted a best time of...

Catalunya MotoGP: Bradley Smith cleared by doctors to race

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith has been given the green light to start tomorrow’s 22-lap Catalunya 125GP clash after he escaped serious injury in a massive qualifying crash this afternoon. Smith lost control of his...

Catalunya MotoGP: Casey Stoner takes first pole of season

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

World champion Casey Stoner has come back to form in Catalunya to take pole position for the MotoGP with a time of 1:41:186. Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who was fastest in free practice yesterday has...

Catalunya GP: Scott Redding talks stunning front row

07 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

British rookie Scott Redding was in superb form in Catalunya today to claim his second front row start in just seven 125GP races. The Gloucester rider finished today’s qualifying session in fourth to...

Catalunya MotoGP: Pol Espargaro on pole for 125GP

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Spaniard Pol Espargaro has taken pole position for his home round of the 125GP championship at Catalunya with a time of 1:50:557. The Belson Derbi rider was near the top of the timesheets for the...

Spanish MotoGP: Spaniards take top three places in free practice for 250GP

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Three Spaniards have topped the time sheets at Catalunya with Alvaro Bautista setting the fastest time in the 250GP free practice session with a time of 1:46:181. The Spanish riders in second and...

Spanish MotoGP: Casey Stoner fastest in rain-hit free practice

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Casey Stoner was fastest in the MotoGP free practive at Catalunya with a time of 1:43:013 after rain fell with 15 minutes of the session remaining. Second fastest was ex-World champion Nicky Hayden.

Spanish MotoGP: Nicolas Terol fastest in 125GP free practice

07 June 2008 by Liam Marsden

Jack and Jones Aprilia rider Nicolas Terol has set the fastest time in the 125GP free practice session at Catalunya with a time of 1:51:065. Second fastest of the session was Mike Di Meglio of the Ajo...

Catalunya MotoGP: John Hopkins facing fitness test

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

American John Hopkins is a major doubt for Sunday’s Catalunya GP after he suffered back injuries in a big crash in today’s second free practice session. Hopkins was on his seventh lap lost the front...

Catalunya MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo ruled out of MotoGP race

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jorge Lorenzo is out of this weekend’s Catalunya GP after suffering concussion in a heavy crash during today’s second free practice session. The Fiat Yamaha rider high-sided at the penultimate corner...

British Superbikes: 175kg minimum weight for V-twins confirmed

06 June 2008 by Rob Hull

An official statement has been released late this afternoon announcing that the proposed increased minimum weight for V-twins will take immediate affect for Snetterton next weekend. On May 19 the...

Valentino Rossi voices grip concern

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP world championship leader Valentino Rossi has voiced concerns about a lack of grip at the Catalunya circuit after Jorge Lorenzo and John Hopkins needed lengthy medical treatment after big...

Casey Stoner happy to bounce back after tough start

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner bounced back from a torrid morning session to register the fourth best time on a crash-strewn opening day in Catalunya. The Aussie was one of this morning’s victims when he crashed...

Dani Pedrosa happy despite crash

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa declared himself happy with his form on the opening day of the Catalunya GP, despite a crash in this afternoon’s second free practice session. The Spaniard, who is...

James Toseland hails new Yamaha set-up

06 June 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland reckons a new set-up with his Tech 3 Yamaha machine has given him a massive boost as he finished the first day of practice with the eighth best time in Catalunya. Toseland used the...