Simon Patterson

MotoGP

What we learned from MotoGP’s combative sprint race presentation

Format, costs and rider unions – here’s what was said as MotoGP unveiled its plans for an all-new sprint race format for 2023

MotoGP

A Honda MotoGP seat is now free – so where’s the Mir deal?

With Pol Espargaro heading to Gas Gas, the path is officially clear for Joan Mir to join Honda – so where’s the announcement?

MotoGP

Shock MotoGP sprint race plan prompts new rider union calls

Feeling blindsided by MotoGP’s sprint plan, the riders are talking about a union again – and one has even proposed a candidate to lead it

MotoGP

From ‘amazing’ to ‘stupid’: MotoGP riders torn over 2023 sprints

The impending announcement of MotoGP adding sprint races has elicited no consensus – but near-universal surprise – from its rider crop

MotoGP

How MotoGP’s newest brand fits into a rearranged 2023 grid

The announcement of Tech3 KTM becoming the Gas Gas factory team has sown some confusion over how many manufacturers MotoGP actually has now

MotoGP

Why Espargaro’s dream Honda MotoGP chance went so badly

Pol Espargaro was supposed to be the rider who could handle Marc Marquez’s Honda. But he’s heading back to the KTM fold having achieved very little in Repsol colours

MotoGP

Sprint races set to be introduced for 2023 MotoGP season

According to The Race’s sources, MotoGP is set for its first considerable format shake-up in decades, with a proposal to introduce Saturday afternoon sprint races in 2023 set to be announced in Austria this weekend

MotoGP

KTM sister brand joins MotoGP, Espargaro signed from Honda

KTM’s sister brand Gas Gas will be represented on the 2023 MotoGP grid, with Honda’s Pol Espargaro announced as a rider

MotoGP

Losing one of MotoGP’s best corners is a necessary evil

It’s taken two years since Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco’s hideous crash, but the Red Bull Ring has now been modified to address MotoGP riders’ concerns

MotoGP

Never go back? MotoGP’s long list of failed comebacks

Andrea Dovizioso bailing out of his miserable MotoGP comeback six races early is another sign of how tough it is for a rider to be competitive after time away. There are plenty of precedents for what Dovi’s experienced this year

MotoGP

What an ex-MotoGP racer was doing at the back of the BSB grid

2014 Moto2 champion Tito Rabat’s MotoGP career was wrecked by a leg-shattering crash. It’s taken him a long time to find fun in racing again, but in 2022 he has. And finishing last in British Superbikes at Thruxton last weekend didn’t diminish that

MotoGP

Ducati and Bagnaia’s biggest MotoGP title bid obstacles

Ducati’s MotoGP title hope Pecco Bagnaia still faces a big points deficit, but he’s got momentum as rivals are faltering and he dominated the upcoming part of the season last year. So is he back in the championship hunt, or will his and Ducati’s flaws get in the way?

MotoGP

What a domestic series can teach MotoGP about fan strategy

While low MotoGP attendance figures at Silverstone shocked people, Simon Patterson argues there’s a national championship proving that it can and should do better

MotoGP

Silverstone gave Ducati another 2023 MotoGP rider headache

The form book before MotoGP’s summer break would have made Ducati lean towards one of Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin for its second 2023 factory seat – then Silverstone happened. Has the balance shifted again?

MotoGP

How Silverstone’s responding to plunging MotoGP crowd figures

MotoGP’s British Grand Prix crowd was down around 30% for 2022. Here’s how Silverstone is reacting to that shocking drop

MotoGP

Why was there silly season silence as MotoGP returned?

MotoGP returned from its five-week break at Silverstone without any rider market moves being announced. Truth is, there’s a far more important factor – to the teams at least – in play than timing

MotoGP

Marquez to return to MotoGP paddock at Austrian Grand Prix

Marc Marquez feels confident enough in his post-surgery recovery to take the next step in planning his MotoGP racing return

MotoGP

Why MotoGP’s returning somewhere it was too big for 10 years ago

The Silverstone MotoGP race experimented with running from the Wing complex in 2011 and 2012, but found it too small for the colossal paddock. Little has changed since, but the circuit insists it can work – and help the image of both the track and the series

MotoGP

British Grand Prix MotoGP 2022 rider ratings

A complicated Silverstone MotoGP race featured not just a tense, late-race fight for victory, but the potential opening of the door for a third contender to join the 2022 title fight. Simon Patterson rates the field

MotoGP

Espargaro raced with fractured heel after Silverstone crash

Aleix Espargaro has been diagnosed with a heel fracture following his monster high-side during final practice at MotoGP’s British Grand Prix on Saturday

MotoGP

MotoGP 2023 pre-season testing dates and new venue revealed

MotoGP has a new venue in place along with official dates for its 2023 pre-season schedule, which comprises a shakedown and two full tests

MotoGP

Espargaro needs Vinales to win, not move aside for him

Maverick Vinales finding form at Aprilia has prompted plenty of talk of team orders to help Aleix Espargaro’s MotoGP title bid. But after his Silverstone injury, Espargaro needs to just look after himself and let Vinales get on with it

MotoGP

Aprilia not sure ‘gladiator’ Espargaro can – or should – race

MotoGP championship chaser Aleix Espargaro is likely to miss the British GP because of injuries sustained during his FP4 crash according to his Aprilia team

MotoGP

Dovizioso: I knew right away my MotoGP comeback may be doomed

After announcing he’ll abandon his unsuccessful MotoGP comeback with Yamaha early, Andrea Dovizioso has admitted he knew from the first test that he might just not suit the bike

MotoGP

Espargaro: Length of Quartararo’s British GP penalty ‘a joke’

Aleix Espargaro says the long-lap penalty loop at Silverstone is “ridiculous” in length – but admits that may paint him in a bad light in the context of his MotoGP title rival Fabio Quartararo having to serve it

MotoGP

The initial verdict on Ducati’s new ‘Fast and Furious’ aero

Gresini rider Enea Bastianini gave a tentative thumbs up to the striking Ducati aero he trialled on his machine in MotoGP Friday practice at Silverstone

MotoGP

Bagnaia: MotoGP season ‘not compromised’ by drink driving ‘error’

Factory Ducati MotoGP rider Pecco Bagnaia says his arrest during the series’ five-week summer break for a drink-driving offence while on holiday in Ibiza hasn’t affected his preparation for the second half of the season

MotoGP

Why Yamaha isn’t using Dovizioso’s exit for MotoGP auditions

Cal Crutchlow as Andrea Dovizioso’s stand-in might be too safe a choice to be exciting – but Yamaha is in no position to set up MotoGP auditions

MotoGP

Will Crutchlow do any better than Dovizioso at Yamaha?

Cal Crutchlow will soon be back on the MotoGP grid in place of Andrea Dovizioso. Will that actually make much difference to Yamaha?

MotoGP

The final missing pieces in the 2023 MotoGP rider market

Suzuki’s shock MotoGP exit has prompted a substantial 2023 rider market shake-up. As the season resumes following the summer break, most of the pieces have now fallen into place. Here’s the state of play and what still needs to be resolved

MotoGP

Portugal takes Qatar’s spot as MotoGP season opener

Portimao will host the opening round of the 2023 MotoGP season in place of the pushed-back Qatar round, marking the first time the championship has started in Europe since 2006

MotoGP

MotoGP’s underdog star can help reverse popularity decline

MotoGP’s shock 2022 title contender should be at the centre of the championship’s push to reverse its declining attendance and viewing figures

MotoGP

MotoGP needs an F1-like injection of new blood

Despite early doubts, new leadership has worked wonders for F1. And it’s easy to see parallels with MotoGP’s current situation

MotoGP

Is MotoGP’s impending 2023 talent logjam a concern?

It’s looking likely Ai Ogura will be the sole Moto2 rider to step up to the premier class in 2023. Should that worry MotoGP?

MotoGP

‘I prefer to make mistakes then say sorry’ – Espargaro interview

MotoGP’s surprise 2022 title contender Aleix Espargaro never holds back. And he thinks other racers need to drop their ‘masks’ too

MotoGP

The flag MotoGP must actually start using

You’d think in modern-day MotoGP that the single most important consideration would be rider safety. Yet the ongoing aversion to using red flags this season brings that into question, says Simon Patterson

MotoGP

Ducati needs six 2023-spec MotoGP bikes to keep all its stars

With so many rising stars in its MotoGP line-up, Ducati simply has to provide more of its latest-spec bikes in 2023 to avoid creating a problem for itself

MotoGP

What MotoGP needs to learn from World Superbikes

While MotoGP is struggling to produce both exciting racing and a good championship narrative right now, the World Superbike Championship is showing the way

MotoGP

Marquez cleared to begin physio in next stage of recovery

Six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has been cleared to resume physiotherapy on his badly-injured right arm following his latest successful surgery to repair the damage he sustained in his Jerez crash over two years ago

MotoGP

Ducati’s massive MotoGP entry has become a weakness

Ducati looked set to dominate MotoGP 2022 with its eight-bike entry, but instead it seems to be tying itself in knots