Simon Patterson

MotoGP

Can Yamaha’s underdog overcome a ‘shocking number’ at Mugello?

Last by far in the speed trap, Franco Morbidelli faces an uphill task in overcoming his “shocking” deficit at Mugello

MotoGP

Riders thrilled as Yamaha debuts ‘most important’ MotoGP upgrade

Yamaha’s new front-and-rear launch device has made its MotoGP debut in Mugello practice, and its factory riders are delighted

MotoGP

Marquez, Rossi among those under fire for ‘ridiculous’ riding

Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi were “not setting a great example for the kids” by riding slowly in Mugello practice, says Jack Miller

MotoGP

Lorenzo has strong claim to Rossi’s ‘Mugello king’ throne

Valentino Rossi is the undisputed king of Mugello in MotoGP, isn’t he? Maybe not – Simon Patterson argues Jorge Lorenzo’s achievements at the track might be greater

MotoGP

Petrucci’s KTM ‘proposal’: More support, more cooperation

Tech3 rider Danilo Petrucci has admitted that he’s pleaded with KTM for additional support ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix

MotoGP

Injured Morbidelli outlines knee surgery dilemma

Franco Morbidelli needs knee surgery to be “completely in order” in his day-to-day life – but his MotoGP career complicates matters

MotoGP

New Ducati deal underlines Pramac’s rise from MotoGP minnow past

Once a peripheral MotoGP backmarker, Pramac is now a key cog in the Ducati machine – and has a new deal to show for it

MotoGP

Yamaha has its work cut out to return to Mugello dominance

Yamaha’s fast-corner speed has helped it to 10 Mugello MotoGP victories. Ducati’s power on the track’s monster straight has helped it win the last three Italian Grands Prix. Which one will prevail this time?

MotoGP

KTM needs to be patient with its major 2021 signing

Danilo Petrucci’s top-five finish at Le Mans was handy for KTM – but his Tech3 tenure won’t be judged on wet-weather prowess

MotoGP

Who will Mugello MotoGP crowd love when Rossi retires?

MotoGP faces a strange Mugello experience this weekend with no fans on the hillsides that usually throb with support for Valentino Rossi. But that crowd is also facing the prospect of Rossi retiring sooner rather than later. Will anyone else be worthy of their affection?

MotoGP

Ducati announces it’s keeping Miller for 2022 MotoGP season

Ducati makes it official: it’s extending Jack Miller’s factory MotoGP deal into 2022 after he turned around his poor start with back to back wins

MotoGP

Dovizioso agrees bigger Aprilia MotoGP deal – will he race?

The likelihood of Andrea Dovizioso returning to the MotoGP grid with Aprilia has increased with news that he’s committed to a full-year testing contract with the team

MotoGP

The MotoGP silly season logjam around Rossi’s proteges

Thanks largely to Valentino Rossi’s mentoring, there’s an explosion of young Italian talent in MotoGP. But his VR46 team’s 2022 expansion is ironically creating a situation that could squeeze one of Italy’s hottest prospects out

MotoGP

Is Suzuki’s MotoGP title defence starting to crumble?

Five races into the 2020 MotoGP season, and eventual world champion Joan Mir had still to make an impact on the title race. The Suzuki rider lingered in ninth place on the table, 36 points from leader Fabio Quartararo. Twelve months later, he’s 31 points back from the Frenchman, who once again leads

MotoGP

VR46 picks Ducati for 2022 MotoGP deal, Ducati keeps Miller

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team has chosen Ducati over Yamaha and Aprilia for its 2022 MotoGP deal, and Ducati’s decided to keep Jack Miller. Next up in the silly season: Andrea Dovizioso and Rossi’s plans

MotoGP

Rossi’s right – MotoGP needs to scrap flag to flag races now

MotoGP’s flag to flag race format adds to the drama in changeable conditions and is ideal for TV. But, Simon Patterson argues, the championship is exciting enough already, and therefore the associated risks for riders when the weather changes means this is one format tweak too far

MotoGP

MotoGP 2021 French Grand Prix rider ratings

The dry-wet-dry French GP was a prime opportunity for 2021’s underperformers to tear up the form book. Some of them took it

MotoGP

Espargaro, Morbidelli at odds after incident with Rossi

Pol Espargaro, Franco Morbidelli and Valentino Rossi have apportioned blame differently for the three-bike Le Mans incident that led to Morbidelli crashing

MotoGP

Why a wet French GP could help extend Rossi’s MotoGP career

This weekend’s Le Mans race looks perfectly timed for Valentino Rossi to grab a good result and justify another season in MotoGP to himself

MotoGP

Why MotoGP witnessed a surprise Q1 giant-killing at Le Mans

Lorenzo Savadori pulled off his best qualifying and cost MotoGP heavy-hitters dearly in qualifying. He doesn’t like riding in the rain, but here’s the reason he was able to shine

MotoGP

MotoGP riders demand rethink of Le Mans race dates

A number of MotoGP riders, including a “very angry” Aleix Espargaro, want the series to find a new calendar slot for the French GP in future

MotoGP

Rossi’s manufacturer dilemma at heart of MotoGP’s silly season

The 2022 MotoGP silly season is in full swing, and a sudden Yamaha offer to Valentino Rossi’s team could completely change the whole picture

MotoGP

Marquez elated, others worried by ‘scary’ Austria double

Honda factory rider Marc Marquez believes he’ll be closer to the frontrunning pace thanks to the cancellation of MotoGP’s Finnish round extending the summer break, but riders have raised concerns over the fallback plan of two races at the Red Bull Ring. Still in a fight to return to full fitness aft

MotoGP

ITV to broadcast Silverstone MotoGP race on main channel

This year’s British GP will finally return to primetime TV, with MotoGP placing the Silverstone race on ITV’s main channel

MotoGP

MotoGP replaces Finnish GP with second Red Bull Ring race

The MotoGP calendar will contain a Red Bull Ring double-header for the second year in a row, following the cancellation of the planned Finland race

MotoGP

Marquez argues Honda still paying price for leaderless 2020

Marc Marquez believe Honda’s entire MotoGP structure is still paying the price for its disastrous 2020 season

MotoGP

What you’ve missed if you last watched MotoGP in 2013

MotoGP is back on free-to-air TV in the UK with ITV4 this weekend for the first time since 2013. So if you switched off when it left the BBC for BT Sport, here’s our guide to what you need to know

MotoGP

Why Le Mans can offer ’21 redemption for its podium trio

Rain dictated the 2020 Le Mans MotoGP race, and it may dictate the 2021 race, too. And that would be timely for its most recent podium trio

MotoGP

MotoGP’s most surprising championship leaders

The MotoGP 2021 season has already added two very surprising names to the very short list of championship leaders in the modern era. Some of the past shock leaders soon fell away, others were never toppled

MotoGP

Zarco’s title bid cameo is over – Now for his real mission

It was fun while it lasted but Johann Zarco’s fallen away from the MotoGP championship lead and it’s hard to see him fighting back. So now he can focus on the real goal of his Pramac Ducati season

MotoGP

Time for Mir to capitalise on early title defence let-off

Fabio Quartararo’s Spanish Grand Prix drama was an early-season get-out-of-jail-free card for MotoGP’s low-key defending champion Joan Mir – but now is the time to deliver

MotoGP

Le Mans MotoGP race to be shown live on ITV4 in UK

Next weekend’s French Grand Prix at Le Mans will become the first MotoGP race since 2013 to be aired on free-to-view TV in the UK

MotoGP

The shared flaw holding back two long-time MotoGP rivals

Alex Rins and Maverick Viñales rose up the ranks to MotoGP together, but now they’re both suffering from the same flaw that’s preventing them from fighting for the title

MotoGP

Why Honda’s Jerez standout cried tears of frustration

Though Takaaki Nakagami was the bright spot in Honda’s otherwise bad Jerez weekend, he was also left feeling disappointed

MotoGP

Honda changed in Marquez’s absence – and it’s hurting him

As Marc Marquez’s fitness improves, he’s starting to get a proper sense of Honda’s 2021 MotoGP bike – and he’s not happy with it

MotoGP

Quartararo undergoes surgery after arm pump cost him win

Erstwhile MotoGP championship leader Fabio Quartararo has undergone surgery to alleviate the arm pump condition that led to his dramatic slump from the Jerez race lead

MotoGP

A ‘forgetful’ critic’s response to Miller’s Jerez statement

Jack Miller faced his fair share of criticism from both the media and fans alike for a difficult start to his 2021 MotoGP season – that was until he took a shock win at Jerez and left them all eating humble pie

MotoGP

Espargaro brands Honda a ‘mess’ after dismal Jerez race

Pol Espargaro didn’t hold back in his assessment of his feeling aboard Honda’s RC213V, admitting that it’s a “mess” everywhere but under braking

MotoGP

Moto3 rider ‘lucky to be alive’ after cutting neck at Jerez

Tech3 KTM Moto3 rider Deniz Oncu has admitted that he’s “lucky to be alive” after his last-corner fall in today’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez

MotoGP

Can anybody break Quartararo’s Jerez strangehold?

Fabio Quartararo won both MotoGP races from pole position at Jerez last year, we discuss whether he can do the same in 2021 to extend his points lead