2013

Year: 2013

Month: ALL

TT Legend Michael Dunlop splits with Honda

05 November 2013 by Stephen Davison

Honda race boss Neil Tuxworth has sensationally announced that Michael Dunlop will not be racing with Honda in 2014. “Michael with not be with Honda next year, that is 100%.” Tuxworth confirmed this...

Davies gets first taste of Ducati

05 November 2013 by Gordon Ritchie

Chaz Davies had his first ride on the latest version Ducati Corse Panigale 1199R at Jerez, with the Welshman making his first steps in understanding the feel of the bike he will ride for the next two...

Sykes already up to speed for 2014 season

05 November 2013 by Gordon Ritchie

Despite winning the World Superbike Championship just over two weeks ago, Tom Sykes and his factory Kawasaki squad were out testing at Jerez for the second time in just over a week. Sykes and his...

Hayden and Rossi on MotoGP title showdown

04 November 2013 by Matthew Birt

The last time the MotoGP world championship went down to a final round shootout in Valencia back in 2006, it was underdog Nicky Hayden that prevailed in an emotional and tension-fuelled race after...

Suzuki eager to keep de Puniet in testing role

04 November 2013 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki is hoping to tie down a deal with experienced French rider Randy de Puniet to continue spearheading development of its new factory 1000cc prototype in 2014. As well as racing full-time with the...

Danny Kent: ‘I need to fight for Moto3 title in 2014’

31 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Danny Kent has admitted he must fight for the Moto3 world title in 2014 or risk losing his place in the GP paddock. The 19-year-old dropped a bombshell earlier this month when it was revealed he would...

Ellison and Walker join GBmoto for switch to Kawasaki

31 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

James Ellison and Chris Walker will join the GBmoto Racing team for the 2014 MCE British Superbike Championship, as the team look to expand their efforts and challenge for the title. Ellison and...

Aragon MotoGP race poised for date switch if Brazil not ready for 2014

30 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

If you’re planning on making a trip to the Motorland Aragon MotoGP round in 2014, you might want to delay making firm plans until the start of next season. MCN learned during last weekend’s Japanese...

Suzuki to participate in Sepang winter tests in 2014

30 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Suzuki will ramp up its preparations for a 2015 MotoGP return by attending the first two major winter test sessions ahead of next season in Sepang. The Japanese factory will kick off an intensive 2014...

Northern Irish dream team as Seeley joins Martrain

29 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

‘Wee Wizard’ Alastair Seeley will join the Martrain Yamaha team for 2014, as he looks to regain his British Supersport crown as well as add to his tally of North West 200 wins. Seeley will replace...

Hopkins to return to BSB with Tyco

29 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

John Hopkins will return to the MCE British Superbike Championship for 2014, after signing a deal with the Tyco Suzuki team to replace Josh Brookes for next season. Hopkins, who has sat out 2013...

Forward boss regrets missing Sam Lowes Moto2 deal

29 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Forward Racing boss Giovanni Cuzari has spoken of his regret at missing out on the opportunity to sign new World Supersport champion Sam Lowes for his Italian-based squad in 2014. Lowes was the number...

Dani Pedrosa rues second half form as title hopes vanish

29 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Dani Pedrosa has admitted his form in the second half of 2013 simply wasn’t good enough to help him capture an elusive MotoGP crown in his eighth attempt. A third place in last Sunday’s Japanese Grand...

Chaz Davies to factory Ducati WSB with Giugliano

28 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Ducati have announced their 2014 WSB plans, with Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano joining the to-be-confirmed team in an attempt to return to winning ways. Ducati, who announced last week their split...

Motegi MotoGP: Lorenzo charges to victory on Honda home turf

27 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Jorge Lorenzo has kept the title fight alive to the last round of 2013, as he took a dominating win from the Repsol Honda duo of Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa on Honda’s home territory at Motegi. With...

Motegi Moto2: Espargaro takes win and title as Redding wiped out

27 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Pol Espargaro has romped to victory in a red-flagged Moto2 race at Motegi, lifting the world championship in the process as Scott Redding, already riding injured, was wiped out in a first lap...

Motegi Moto3: Marquez wins as title fight turned upside down

27 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Alex Marquez has taken his debut Grand prix win at Motegi, beating Maverick Vinales on the last lap for his maiden victory, while title rivals Luis Salom and Alex Rins both crashed out of the race. A...

Drying track thwarts Rossi’s front row bid in Japan

26 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s hopes of securing a fourth front row start in the last five races ahead of tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix were thwarted by a drying track at the Twin Ring Motegi. After heavy rain...

Crutchlow and Smith explain qualifying slump

26 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

British duo Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith have given themselves a mountain to climb in tomorrow’s Japanese MotoGP race after they failed to qualify inside the top 10. Crutchlow had only qualified...

Rare front row brings mixed emotions for Nicky Hayden

26 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden might have been happy to score a first MotoGP front row for 18 months in Japan today after he finished third fastest in a rain-hit qualifying session at the Twin Ring Motegi. But the...

Ben Spies announces racing retirement

26 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Former MotoGP racer winner and WSB World Champion Ben Spies has announced his immediate retirement from racing, as the American struggles to overcome a number of injuries that have sidelined him for...

Motegi Moto2: Kallio takes pole as Redding 15th

26 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Mika Kallio will start tomorrow’s Japanese Moto2 race from pole position, the Finn’s first ever in the class, while his teammate Scott Redding will start in 15th as he struggles to win the title while...

Motegi MotoGP: Lorenzo takes pole position in the rain

26 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Jorge Lorenzo has taken his fourth pole position of the year at a weather struck Motegi, as rain saw the normal qualifying structure abandoned in place of a 75 minute session as the fog finally lifted...

Motegi Moto3: Rins takes Japanese pole in the rain

26 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Alex Rins, fresh from his victory in Philip Island, has taken pole position in the wet at Motegi, continuing his dominance of the class to take his seventh of the season in the first track action of...

Ducati part ways with Alstare

25 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

Ducati, as expected, have terminated their partnership with the Alstare team of Francis Batta after talks following the final round of the 2013 World Superbike season that has saw Ducati finish bottom...

Race Direction backed on cancelled practice in Japan

25 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

The decision to cancel all practice sessions at the Twin Ring Motegi today on safety grounds has been unanimously backed by top riders in Japan. Mist that failed to clear for the majority of the...

MotoGP bosses determined Japanese Grand Prix will go ahead

25 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP bosses are determined to ensure Sunday’s pivotal Japanese Grand Prix goes ahead after the first day of practice was wiped out by adverse weather conditions. Morning mist remained for the...

Fog wipes out first day of Japanese Grand Prix

25 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

Foggy conditions forced the entire first day of practice to be cancelled at the Twin Ring Motegi track in Japan today. Early morning mist created low visibility that prevented an essential medical...

Bridgestone responds to Phillip Island tyre disaster

25 October 2013 by Matthew Birt

The fallout from last weekend’s tyre fiasco in Phillip Island is still being felt in Japan this week, with senior Bridgestone management staging a specially convened press conference to explain what...

Hillier sticks with Quattro Plant Kawasaki for 2014 TT

24 October 2013 by Simon Patterson

TT winner James Hillier will remain with his Quattro Plant Kawasaki team for 2014, as the Hampshire rider looks set to challenge for big bike wins with factory support from Kawasaki. Staying with the...