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2009

Sepang test: Jorge Lorenzo admits Bridgestone struggles

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Jorge Lorenzo admits Bridgestone struggles

Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo has conceded he is finding the switch from Michelin to Bridgestone much tougher than expected as he struggled to produce a competitive pace in Sepang. The Fiat Yamaha rider was...

Sepang test: Valentino Rossi happy with new electronics

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Valentino Rossi happy with new electronics

Valentino Rossi declared himself happy with new electronics as he continued to clock crucial development miles on the new 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1 in Sepang today. Rossi ended the second day third quickest...

Sepang test: Injury forces Dani Pedrosa to fly back to Spain

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Injury forces Dani Pedrosa to fly back to Spain

Dani Pedrosa has stunned the Sepang paddock tonight by announcing he will fly home to Spain because of a niggling left knee injury. The Spaniard revealed yesterday that he had undergone surgery on his...

Sepang test: Credit crunch biting hard in MotoGP

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Credit crunch biting hard in MotoGP

The impact of the global economic crisis is starting to become more widespread in MotoGP, with Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki all forced into making some crucial but unpopular decisions to help cut...

Sepang test: Casey Stoner fastest on day two

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Casey Stoner fastest on day two

Casey Stoner shrugged off the constant pain of his recovering left wrist to post the fastest time on the second day of MotoGP testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The impressive Aussie, still...

Video: Rob McElnea interview

06 February 2009 by MCN

BSB team owner Rob McElnea has big plans for 2009 after signing Chris Walker, Graeme Gowland and Michael Rutter. Rob Mac is expecting several race wins from all three of his British Superbike riders on the new Yamaha R1.

Sepang test: MotoGP cost cutting measures revealed

06 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: MotoGP cost cutting measures revealed

MotoGP engines will have to last for two races for the final part of the 2009 world championship campaign, MCN can exclusively reveal. The new rule, which means a rider must use the same engine for...

Trackdays in New Zealand

05 February 2009 by stewart turner

H i from nz, just got back from my sons first track day at lake taupo nz. It was a brilliant day with a very relaxed atmosphere. My son has an NC30 which did the day with no probs whatsoever which speaks volumes for the bike as it is almost 20 years old! My son is the same age as Valentino and i see lots of similarities between them. However my son is not as fast as vale, but then who is? It was...

Sepang test: Casey Stoner second but frustrated with wrist

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Casey Stoner second but frustrated with wrist

Casey Stoner admitted he was frustrated with the condition of his recovering left wrist in Sepang today, even though he produced a stunning return to action by posting the second best time. Over three...

Sepang test: Track time and testing to be slashed in 2009

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Track time and testing to be slashed in 2009

MotoGP fans will have a major reduction in the amount of track time they will see the likes of Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner on track in 2009. Fans will see one hour and 45 minutes less action next...

Sepang test: Rossi and Toseland crash out on day one of MotoGP test

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Rossi and Toseland crash out on day one of MotoGP test

YAMAHA stars Valentino Rossi and James Toseland kicked off the Sepang MotoGP tests with a crash bill for their teams. James Toseland suffered a massive and expensive high-side crash on the opening day...

Sepang test: Valentino Rossi third after early crash

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Valentino Rossi third after early crash

Valentino Rossi’s long-awaited return to action in 2009 started in nightmare fashion when the Italian crashed on only his fifth lap in Sepang. But despite that early setback, the Italian quickly...

Hutchinson and Padgett's announce 2009 road race plans

05 February 2009 by MCN Newsdesk

Hutchinson and Padgett's announce 2009 road race plans

Ian Hutchinson and Padgett’s of Batley have today announced that they will be contesting the 2009 International road race meetings together, including the North West 200, the Isle of Man TT and Ulster...

Sepang test: Honda limit revs on satellite team engines

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Honda limit revs on satellite team engines

Honda has implemented an 18,200rpm limit on the RC212V engines it leases to satellite teams like Randy de Puniet’s LCR squad. The satellite teams have all taken delivery of the V4 pneumatic valve...

Sepang test: Loris Capirossi quickest on opening day

05 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test: Loris Capirossi quickest on opening day

Loris Capirossi caused the first big surprise of 2009 when he topped the timesheets for Suzuki on the opening day of testing at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The veteran Italian clocked a best time...

Sepang test preview: Valentino Rossi vows to ride in Malaysia

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: Valentino Rossi vows to ride in Malaysia

Valentino Rossi has vowed he will kick off his 2009 winter testing campaign in Sepang tomorrow (Thursday), despite hobbling off his flight into Kuala Lumpur with the aid of a crutch. Get all the...

Daytona entry list gains weight

04 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Daytona entry list gains weight

Brits Neil Hodgson and Chaz Davies are now both official entries for the 2009 Daytona 200 meeting on March 4-6. Hodgson is riding a Corona Honda in the American Superbike class while Davies is riding...

Aprilia focus on aerodynamics

04 February 2009 by Michael Guy

Aprilia focus on aerodynamics

The factory Aprilia World Superbike team have conducted a number of wind tunnel tests to optimise the aerodynamics of the all new Aprilia RSV4. Japanese rider Shinya Nakano spent a day in the wind...

Sepang test preview: Suzuki hopeful on improved engine performance

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: Suzuki hopeful on improved engine performance

Suzuki’s factory MotoGP duo Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi will be hoping further engine upgrades will help them threaten the leading times at this week’s Sepang test. Suzuki engineers have been...

Sepang test preview: Teams poised for crunch cost talks

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: Teams poised for crunch cost talks

This week’s Sepang MotoGP test session will not only be a chance for race fans to get a first gauge of the contenders and pretenders for 2009 when winter testing resumes on track in Malaysia. Off...

Sepang test preview: No shock Kawasaki appearance in Sepang

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: No shock Kawasaki appearance in Sepang

Kawasaki will not be present during this week’s three-day Sepang test session as hopes of a last-minute rescue deal to save the its factory team appear to be fading. Test rider Olivier Jacque recently...

Sepang test preview: Tech 3 boss confident crew chief switch will work

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: Tech 3 boss confident crew chief switch will work

Tech 3 Yamaha boss Herve Poncharal is in no doubt that James Toseland and Colin Edwards’ controversial crew chief switch will benefit the top satellite team in MotoGP. The French-based team boss has...

Sepang test preview: James Toseland raring to start 2009

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: James Toseland raring to start 2009

James Toseland kicks off his second MotoGP campaign in Malaysia tomorrow (Thursday) in bullish mood as he prepares to debut the 2009 Yamaha YZR-M1. After a week of relaxing and acclimitasing to the...

Sepang test preview: Ducati cautious on Casey Stoner’s wrist

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Sepang test preview: Ducati cautious on Casey Stoner’s wrist

Ducati management have admitted they will take no unnecessary risks with former world champion Casey Stoner’s left wrist despite confidence it will hold up to the stress of this week’s three-day test...

Is this Scott Redding’s 2010 Moto2 600cc bike?

04 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Is this Scott Redding’s 2010 Moto2 600cc bike?

This is the all-new Moto2 600cc bike that British sensation Scott Redding could be riding in the 2010 world championship. Unveiled at a special launch in Madrid, the Blusens Moto2 contender is the...

Fantasy Road Race is go!

04 February 2009 by James Keen

Fantasy Road Race is go!

MCN Fantasy Road Race in association with MCE Insurance is back and free to play. Register your team from February 4th to be in with a chance of winning this year’s top prize, a Yamaha R6 worth...

Yamaha confident in Jorge Lorenzo’s MotoGP title chances

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha confident in Jorge Lorenzo’s MotoGP title chances

Jorge Lorenzo’s Fiat Yamaha team boss is confident the Spaniard can mount a serious assault on the 2009 MotoGP world championship. Lorenzo was fourth in his rookie campaign in 2008 during a season...

Yamaha expect improvement from James Toseland and Colin Edwards

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha expect improvement from James Toseland and Colin Edwards

Senior Yamaha race boss Lin Jarvis has said he expects an improved performance from Tech 3 duo James Toseland and Colin Edwards in 2009. Toseland’s impressive rookie campaign and a brilliant opening...

Yamaha boss supports Valentino Rossi’s rider aid reduction bid

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha boss supports Valentino Rossi’s rider aid reduction bid

Valentino Rossi has found yet another ally in his quest to get the influence of electronic rider aids reduced in the future. Rossi has been a long-term advocate of restricting technology like traction...

Davide Brivio defends Yamaha wall

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Davide Brivio defends Yamaha wall

Valentino Rossi’s team boss Davide Brivio has defended Yamaha’s decision to retain a dividing wall that will continue to split its factory garage in 2009. The wall was introduced to prevent the...

Video: World Superbike men tryout flag to flag race simulation

03 February 2009 by Michael Guy

In 2009 a new flag to flag ruling has been introduced into World Superbike, meaning races will run from start to finish and won’t be stopped for changing weather conditions. The same ruling was introduced in MotoGP in 2006 leading to exciting pit stops where riders would have to think tactically before coming in to swap bikes. In preparation for the forthcoming season, World Superbike organisers...

Valentino Rossi injured in home accident

03 February 2009 by Sarah Carnell

Valentino Rossi injured in home accident

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has injured his hand and foot after falling at his Italian home. The 29-year-old was closing the curtains in his house when he tripped and fell on to a glass table. The...

Valentino Rossi’s boss expecting stronger Jorge Lorenzo challenge

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

Valentino Rossi’s boss expecting stronger Jorge Lorenzo challenge

Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team manager Davide Brivio is expecting a much stronger title challenge from team-mate Jorge Lorenzo in 2009. Lorenzo was a title contender for the early part of last...

MotoGP must become more commercially attractive, says Yamaha

03 February 2009 by Matthew Birt

MotoGP must become more commercially attractive, says Yamaha

MotoGP must become more commercially attractive to increase revenue to help fight off the impact of the global economic crisis. Yamaha racing boss Lin Jarvis believes more income growth, coupled with...

No one-bike rule for BSB in 2009

03 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

No one-bike rule for BSB in 2009

BSB won’t be adopting a one-bike per rider rule for 2009 according to Series Director Stuart Higgs. HM Plant Honda and Rob Mac Racing are two teams that have already committed to have only one bike...

Rob Mac Racing switch to K-Tech suspension

03 February 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Rob Mac Racing switch to K-Tech suspension

The Motorpoint Henderson Yamahas of Chris Walker and Graeme Gowland, and Michael Rutter’s North West 200 Coca Cola Zero will be equipped with K-Tech suspension in BSB this year. K-Tech is one of the...