Simon Patterson

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

MotoGP

Suzuki finally agrees MotoGP exit terms with Dorna

Japanese manufacturer Suzuki has finally confirmed the long-known news that the 2020 MotoGP championship-winning team will fold at the end of the current season

MotoGP

The merits of making MotoGP’s forced experiment permanent

Early in the 2022 season, MotoGP was forced by events outside of its control to experiment with a new format, as freight issues pared the Termas de Rio Hondo round in Argentina down to a two-day event. But that forced experiment should become the norm in MotoGP

MotoGP

MotoGP’s long-lasting Japanese era may be coming to an end

Japanese bikes are responsible for all but one premier-class title since 1975, and the Yamaha is favourite to win this year’s crown. But the era of dominance is ending

MotoGP

As MotoGP exit looms, what next for surprise package Binder?

Darryn Binder admits his chances of staying on the 2023 MotoGP grid are fleeting – but he isn’t too upset about that, and rightly so

MotoGP

‘I love him’ – MotoGP 2022 title battle is a rare beast

Some title rivals end up actively feuding. Most remain cordial but distant. In MotoGP 2022’s case, they are great friends – even with so much at stake

MotoGP

The 2022 rap sheet proving MotoGP needs penalty points back

Scrapped in 2015, MotoGP’s penalty points system would’ve been perfect to zero in on repeat offenders and give leeway to clean riders

MotoGP

Bagnaia apologises for failed breathalyser test after car crash

Ducati MotoGP rider Pecco Bagnaia is reported to have returned an alcohol breath sample almost twice the legal limit following a car crash in Ibiza

MotoGP

Bursting with talent, Ducati needs to offer shorter contracts

One-year factory deals are something of a rarity in MotoGP, but Ducati has made use of them in the past – and should do so again

MotoGP

Finnish MotoGP race in danger as KymiRing faces bankruptcy

The KymiRing circuit has been reportedly thrown into bankruptcy proceedings – casting serious doubt over the planned Finland MotoGP race

MotoGP

RNF Aprilia’s 2023 line-up a no-brainer – so what’s the hold-up?

Aprilia is believed to be intent on having two current KTM riders make up its satellite MotoGP line-up, but there may be hurdles

MotoGP

Alex Marquez: I need to be seen ‘flying alone’, away from Marc

Alex Marquez says being seen “flying alone” away from his legendary brother Marc was part of his motivation for joining Gresini Ducati

MotoGP

Stern Yamaha statement claims MotoGP losing ‘fairness’ in 2022

The MotoGP stewards panel has come under attack from Yamaha following the decision to penalise Fabio Quartararo after the Dutch TT

MotoGP

Mir’s two scary Dutch TT grid collisions explained

An on-the-grid collision is a rarity for MotoGP, but Joan Mir had as many as two frightening ones in the Dutch TT

MotoGP

Dutch TT 2022 MotoGP rider ratings

Pecco Bagnaia may have won the Dutch TT at Assen but he’s on;y the (joint)-fourth highest rated in Simon Patterson’s latest MotoGP rider ratings

MotoGP

‘Overly ambitious’ Quartararo handed penalty for Silverstone

Fabio Quartararo will serve a penalty in the MotoGP race at Silverstone after the summer break after crashing into Aleix Espargaro at Assen

MotoGP

Marquez seals Gresini Ducati move + MotoGP silly season latest

The announcement of Alex Marquez at Gresini Ducati should trigger a series a moves that will all but complete the 2023 MotoGP grid

MotoGP

‘I learned how to fight’ – The new skillset set for Assen exam

A subpar qualifying at an Assen track where he excels means Sunday will put Maverick Vinales’ new MotoGP skills to the test

MotoGP

Miller to serve another penalty, feels he did ‘nothing wrong’

Jack Miller will head into a second straight MotoGP race with a long-lap penalty hanging over him, following an incident in Dutch TT qualifying

MotoGP

Espargaro out of Dutch TT due to ‘intense pain and discomfort’

The factory Honda team will be down to just stand-in Stefan Bradl in the Dutch TT, with Pol Espargaro electing to withdraw on Saturday

MotoGP

Riders irked by MotoGP practice running in ‘unrideable’ conditions

MotoGP riders made clear their disapproval of the conditions that free practice in Assen got underway in on Friday