2011

Year: 2011

Month: ALL

MCN Donington WSB: Biaggi on top in Q1

25 March 2011 by MCN

Reigning world champion Max Biaggi set the fastest time during the first qualifying session at the MCN-backed WSB round at Donington Park today. The veteran posted a time of 1’28.794 to better his...

Alvaro Bautista already walking after femur break

25 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Less than a week after he broke his left femur in practice for the opening race in Qatar, factory Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista has already taken his first tentative steps. The former 125GP world...

Farquhar and Archibald team up on Kawasakis

25 March 2011 by Phil Wain

Irish roads hero Ryan Farquhar has launched his KMR Kawasaki team for the forthcoming 2011 season. The most successful rider in Irish National road race history will again be contesting the three...

Rea and Haslam kick off MCN-backed Donington WSB round in style

25 March 2011 by Gary Pinchin

Brits Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam were right in the thick of the action in the first free practice session at the MCN-backed Donington WSB round this morning. The timesheets were topped by Carlos...

Shane Byrne fastest at Cadwell BSB test

25 March 2011 by Gary Pinchin

There were two major highlights of the two-day Cadwell Park BSB on Wednesday and Thursday. The first was Shane Byrne, head down, full-gas with the HM Plant Honda, charging out of the Gooseneck. The...

MCN Donington Park WSB: Vermeulen set to ride at Donington, but unlikely to race

24 March 2011 by Michael Guy

Chris Vermeulen will make his long awaited return to racing this weekend when first free practice kicks off for the MCN-backed Donington Park WSB round, but it is unlikely he will actually race on...

Casey Stoner not writing Rossi off yet

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner said it would be foolish to write off Valentino Rossi as a potential title contender after just one race of the 2011 MotoGP world championship. The Australian made a dream start to his...

Haslam leads charge of Brits at Donington

24 March 2011 by Michael Guy

World Superbike comes to Donington Park this weekend for the MCN-backed European round and Brit stars Leon Haslam, Jonathan Rea, Tom Sykes and Leon Camier are determined to hit back against their...

Jerry Burgess not worried about title prospects

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s legendary crew chief Jerry Burgess insists he’s not worried about the Italian’s 2011 MotoGP title prospects after a tough start to the new season in Qatar last weekend. Rossi’s...

Japan earthquake delays Honda 1000cc track debut

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami delayed the track debut of Honda’s new four-stroke 1000cc MotoGP machine being developed for the 2012 MotoGP campaign. The bike was due to be track tested...

Dani Pedrosa told shoulder still not fully recovered

24 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa’s troublesome left shoulder injury has still not fully recovered more than six months after he first damaged it in Japan last October. The Spaniard suffered a recurrence of a numbness...

Sondel racing team choose Kawasaki

24 March 2011 by MCN Sportsdesk

A familiar sight in UK paddocks, the respected Sondel Team are the latest National Superstock entrants to announce Kawasaki machinery as their preferred choice for the 2011 racing season. Recognising the potential of the already highly-acclaimed Ninja ZX-10R, the team features experienced Kawasaki rider, Steve Mercer alongside Jamie Perrin in what will be a hard fought and interesting...

Motorpoint launch party

24 March 2011 by MCN Sportsdesk

Motorpoint Yamaha riders Loris Baz and James Westmorland will unveil their 2011 Yamaha R1 Superbikes next Friday the 25th 7pm at Motorpoint HQ in Derby. The new bikes will be on show along with Loris, James and team boss Rob McElnea to answer any questions, the riders with their bikes will be on hand for pictures and chat. There will be opportunity for fans to meet to the Motorpoint Yamaha team...

Ben Spies confident in Yamaha potential

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Ben Spies says he’s confident in the potential of the 2011 factory Yamaha YZR-M1 machine after he started the new season with a low-key sixth place in Qatar. Despite a pre-race declaration that he’d...

Alvaro Bautista leaves Qatar to begin recovery

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Injured factory Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista finally left Doha today (Wednesday) to begin his recovery from the broken femur he suffered during final practice for the opening race in Qatar. The...

Yuki Takahashi reveals earthquake escape

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Yuki Takahashi has spoken of the moment he feared his car would roll over when he was caught up in the devastating Japanese earthquake earlier this month. The Gresini Moriwaki Moto2 rider was just...

Phillip Island wins date change battle

23 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi lost another battle in Qatar last weekend after it was confirmed the Australian MotoGP race will remain in its traditional October slot on the calendar. Rossi has tirelessly campaigned...

MotoGP unites to help Japan

22 March 2011

To support those affected by the recent earthquake in Japan, the MotoGP community has produced a special shirt signed by all 17 MotoGP riders, with the message ‘We are for Japan’. The shirt will be...

Phillip Island WSB 2011

22 March 2011 by kennethc126

Photos from the WSB 2011 season opener at Phillip Island, Australia. Best of luck to Eugene Laverty for the rest of the year and best wishes to JT for a quick recovery.

Canard edges Reed for Jacksonville victory

21 March 2011 by Paul Harris

Just as it seemed like Ryan Villopoto was about to put a lock on the title, the whole thing has been turned upside down and the title race is wide open once more. I’m not making this up, I swear it… Kawasaki’s Villopoto had an atrocious night from the off, crashing in his heat to go to the LCQ, then crashing twice more in the LCQ and failing to qualify for the main. The door was open for James...

Crutchlow in Qatar

21 March 2011 by Michael Harris

Qatar GP 2011 – Very relaxed, Cal & family met me on their way to the paddock. His dad kindly took the pic!

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner toasts fairytale Honda win

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner marked his factory Honda debut with an outstanding debut victory at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar last night. A 24th MotoGP victory never looked in serious doubt once he...

Qatar MotoGP: Valentino Rossi struggles to seventh

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi blamed a first corner mistake and a lack of strength in his right shoulder for his failure to finish higher than seventh position in his much-anticipated factory Ducati debut in...

Qatar MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa concerned by arm issue

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa was left to contemplate what might have been as a numb left arm cost him the chance to fight Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner for the win in Qatar last night. Pedrosa faded suddenly...

Qatar MotoGP: Jorge Lorenzo ecstatic with second

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

You could have been mistaken for thinking Jorge Lorenzo had won the Qatar MotoGP race last night after he claimed a thrilling second place in the floodlit season opener. The factory Yamaha rider...

Qatar MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow fights for top ten

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow put up a tremendous fight for a top ten finish in his MotoGP debut at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar last night. The British rider was in close pursuit of the battle for ninth...

Qatar MotoGP: Nightmare start for Scott Redding

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Scott Redding suffered early disappointment in Qatar when he crashed out of the season opening Moto2 race on only the second lap. The Marc VDS Racing rider was trying to force his way into the top ten...

Qatar MotoGP: Bradley Smith claims stunning debut top ten

21 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Bradley Smith produced one of the performances of the first race in Qatar last night after he claimed a brilliant ninth place in his Moto2 debut. The Oxfordshire was as high as fifth in the early...

Toseland out for two months following Aragon test crash

20 March 2011 by Michael Guy

James Toseland has spoken of his extreme disappointment after being told that he could be out of action for up to two months following a serious testing crash at Aragon on Friday. Toseland highsided...

Qatar MotoGP: Stoner takes first win on Honda

20 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

Repsol Honda new boy Casey Stoner topped off a perfect weekend at Qatar by taking victory in the first MotoGP race of 2011. Team-mate Dani Pedrosa got the holeshot, only for Stoner to take the lead...

Qatar MotoGP: Bradl romps to Moto2 victory

20 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

German Stefan Bradl took his second ever victory in Qatar today after dominating from the very first corner. Andrea Iannone finished second after fighting his way through the field due to a poor...

Qatar MotoGP: Terol takes 125GP victory

20 March 2011 by Liam Marsden

Nico Terol continued his dominance of the 125GP class by taking victory at the first race in Qatar by over seven seconds. Sandro Cortese took second place ahead of Sergio Gadea on the Blusens...

Qatar MotoGP: Valentino Rossi waiting for Ducati upgrades

20 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi said he was looking forward to the introduction of new parts from Ducati after he could only qualify in ninth position for his GP11 debut in Qatar tomorrow night. Rossi finished one...

Qatar MotoGP: Anthony West denied Suzuki chance

20 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Aussie Anthony West was refused permission to ride injured Alvaro Bautista’s factory Suzuki in the opening round of the 2011 MotoGP world championship tomorrow night. With nominated replacement rider...

Qatar MotoGP: Casey Stoner surprised at pole position pace

20 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner proved why he is the overwhelming favourite to kick off the 2011 MotoGP world championship with victory in Qatar tomorrow night after he claimed pole position for the 22-lap season...

Qatar MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow faster than Rossi

20 March 2011 by Matthew Birt

Cal Crutchlow produced arguably the performance of the night in Qatar this evening when he qualified in eighth position for his MotoGP debut. The British rider shrugged off the non-stop pain from a...