Simon Patterson - The Race (Page 46) - The Race

Simon Patterson

Dovizioso rejects test offers and will take 2021 sabbatical

Dovizioso rejects test offers and will take 2021 sabbatical

Three-time MotoGP runner-up Andrea Dovizioso will not participate in the 2021 world championship in any role, electing instead to take a sabbatical

Riders paying for Yamaha’s bad decisions since 2016 – Vinales

Riders paying for Yamaha’s bad decisions since 2016 – Vinales

Maverick Vinales has led the latest wave of criticism from within Yamaha ranks, complaining bitterly after Sunday’s European Grand Prix about the position that the team has once again found itself in

Quartararo: Suzuki ‘unbeatable’ even without Valencia crash

Quartararo: Suzuki ‘unbeatable’ even without Valencia crash

Fabio Quartararo has conceded that the 2020 MotoGP world championship is now all but lost, admitting that even without crashing out of today’s European Grand Prix it would have been all but impossible for him to stop runaway winner Joan Mir

How VR46’s MotoGP deal will work – and what comes next

How VR46’s MotoGP deal will work – and what comes next

VR46 team boss Pablo Nieto gives The Race the first hints of how Valentino Rossi’s squad will make its 2021 MotoGP partnership with Esponsorama Ducati work in practice

Secret weapon Pedrosa makes KTM Valencia race favourite

Secret weapon Pedrosa makes KTM Valencia race favourite

KTM’s Valencia pole-winner Pol Espargaro will start the European Grand Prix as a clear race favourite, in large part because of test rider Dani Pedrosa’s work at the track

‘If I don’t take big risks, it’s over’ – Match point in MotoGP

‘If I don’t take big risks, it’s over’ – Match point in MotoGP

Will the European Grand Prix effectively settle the wild 2020 MotoGP title fight? Joan Mir is calm and competitive, his Yamaha rivals despondent and struggling…

Yamaha’s MotoGP penalty shock: The full story explained

Yamaha’s MotoGP penalty shock: The full story explained

Yamaha has had a disastrous weekend at Valencia so far, with calamity after calamity befalling it. Simon Patterson explains the situation in full

Suzuki: A Yamaha title win would have a ‘shadow’ over it

Suzuki: A Yamaha title win would have a ‘shadow’ over it

Suzuki MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio says Yamaha’s engine penalty means there will be a “shadow” over the championship if a Yamaha rider beats the Suzukis to the title

MotoGP announces provisional 2021 calendar

MotoGP announces provisional 2021 calendar

A provisional 2021 MotoGP calendar has been released, with a schedule that for now largely mirrors the originally-planned 2020 one that was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic

Gerloff replaces Rossi in Valencia practice at least

Gerloff replaces Rossi in Valencia practice at least

American rider Garrett Gerloff will ride Valentino Rossi’s Yamaha at Valencia, with Rossi sidelined for Friday at least

Heavy points penalty for Yamaha, Petronas but not the riders

Heavy points penalty for Yamaha, Petronas but not the riders

The inquest over Yamaha MotoGP engines has yielded points penalties for the marque and its teams, but the riders’ title race is unaffected

Yamaha engine investigation puts title hopes at risk

Yamaha engine investigation puts title hopes at risk

The 2020 MotoGP world championship could be decided off track at this weekend’s European Grand Prix, with Yamaha under investigation – one rumours say could have an impact on the title hopes of Fabio Quartararo, Maverick Vinales and Franco Morbidelli.

Tech3’s Lecuona sidelined as brother contracts COVID

Tech3’s Lecuona sidelined as brother contracts COVID

KTM Tech3 MotoGP rider Iker Lecuona will miss this weekend’s European Grand Prix at Valencia because his brother has tested positive for COVID-19

‘Maybe we will fail and do even worse’ – Ducati’s rider gamble

‘Maybe we will fail and do even worse’ – Ducati’s rider gamble

Both factory riders heading unhappily out of the door and a heavy emphasis on youth and new faces – Ducati’s being bold with its 2021 MotoGP line-up. Team boss Ciabatti explains why in an exclusive interview

Could Lorenzo switch to Aprilia?

Could Lorenzo switch to Aprilia?

In the latest Jorge Lorenzo 2021 plot twist, Aprilia has emerged as a suitor for his services. Simon Patterson assesses Lorenzo’s situation amid the current MotoGP silly season

Quartararo pins MotoGP title hopes on Valencia ‘advantage’

Quartararo pins MotoGP title hopes on Valencia ‘advantage’

Fabio Quartararo expects to enjoy “a bit of an advantage” at Valencia, and hopes this can help him turn the tide of the MotoGP title battle

How Honda unlocked its shock MotoGP star’s speed

How Honda unlocked its shock MotoGP star’s speed

Honda’s 2020 MotoGP title bid has ended up being led by a rider who’d only twice finished in the top six before this year. This is the inside story of Takaaki Nakagami’s amazing surge in form

Morbidelli moved by Senna-like Teruel GP experience

Morbidelli moved by Senna-like Teruel GP experience

Franco Morbidelli says he achieved an Ayrton Senna-esque “Brazilian concentration” in riding to his second MotoGP win

Marquez plans shrouded in mystery amid Bradl mix-up

Marquez plans shrouded in mystery amid Bradl mix-up

Marc Marquez’s return timeline remains a mystery, after Honda stand-in Stefan Bradl was forced to correct comments he made on Saturday

Nakagami tipped for first win as Hondas show ‘unreal’ pace

Nakagami tipped for first win as Hondas show ‘unreal’ pace

Takaaki Nakagami has been named as the favourite for MotoGP’s Teruel Grand Prix, with Honda’s practice pace described as “unreal”

Suzuki’s surprise rider harmony a contrast to MotoGP rivals

Suzuki’s surprise rider harmony a contrast to MotoGP rivals

While Suzuki’s two riders have displayed an enviable level of camaraderie ahead of the Teruel GP, the tensions at Ducati remain unresolved

Crutchlow happy with MotoGP career if 2020 is his last season

Crutchlow happy with MotoGP career if 2020 is his last season

Though keen on the Aprilia ride, Cal Crutchlow says he would have few regrets about his MotoGP career if 2020 proved his last season

Did Honda move too quickly in dropping Alex Marquez?

Did Honda move too quickly in dropping Alex Marquez?

Alex Marquez was dropped by Honda before he had even ridden in MotoGP, in favour of Pol Espargaro. But has the form of each rider proven that the team made the wrong decision?

How Suzuki went from concessions to MotoGP title favourite

How Suzuki went from concessions to MotoGP title favourite

Suzuki won the last MotoGP race with one rider and its other leads the riders’ standings. The Race explains how the team has gone from needing performance concessions to a title favourite in less than half a decade

Alex Marquez’s miracle turnaround explained

Alex Marquez’s miracle turnaround explained

Alex Marquez has gone from being maligned and demoted for 2021, to giving Honda two MotoGP podiums in a week. How? Simon Patterson reckons the weird circumstances of 2020 have helped

The inside story of Quartararo’s ‘disaster day’ at Aragon

The inside story of Quartararo’s ‘disaster day’ at Aragon

A perfect storm of circumstances left Fabio Quartararo’s Yamaha “unrideable” at Aragon, costing him any chance of keeping the points lead

Yamaha won’t replace Rossi for second Aragon race either

Yamaha won’t replace Rossi for second Aragon race either

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team has confirmed that test rider and five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo will not replace Valentino Rossi at next weekend’s Teruel Grand Prix

Yamaha duo plotting tactical opening laps at Aragon

Yamaha duo plotting tactical opening laps at Aragon

Yamaha’s duo of Fabio Quartararo and Maverick Vinales say they’re plotting a tactical opening few laps to today’s Aragon Grand Prix

Espargaro brothers put blame for collision on Marquez

Espargaro brothers put blame for collision on Marquez

Aleix Espargaro felt Alex Marquez was to blame for the collision with his brother in Aragon qualifying, while Pol Espargaro advocated for a penalty

Rivola interview: Why Aprilia is standing by Iannone

Rivola interview: Why Aprilia is standing by Iannone

Aprilia MotoGP boss Massimo Rivola speaks exclusively to The Race about Andrea Iannone’s continuing doping case

Ducati blown off course in Aragon practice

Ducati blown off course in Aragon practice

Friday at Aragon has left MotoGP title contender Andrea Dovizioso “worried”, as he and the rest of the Ducati contingent looked in trouble

Why a high-profile MotoGP COVID case seemed inevitable

News that Valentino Rossi had contracted coronavirus hit MotoGP like a lightning bolt, but many were unsurprised that a top rider was in this situation given how some are handling the series’ protocols

Dovizioso admits test role talks with several MotoGP teams

Dovizioso admits test role talks with several MotoGP teams

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted publicly for the first time that he is considering a MotoGP test rider role and is in talks with teams for 2021 following his Ducati exit

Why Lorenzo is the only Rossi stand-in Yamaha needs

Why Lorenzo is the only Rossi stand-in Yamaha needs

Valentino Rossi’s positive COVID-19 test means Yamaha is likely to require a replacement rider – and selecting one will be a no-brainer

Valentino Rossi has COVID-19, will miss Aragon MotoGP race

Valentino Rossi has COVID-19, will miss Aragon MotoGP race

A “sad and angry” Valentino Rossi will miss the first Aragon MotoGP race after testing positive for COVID-19

The obstacle facing Yamaha’s MotoGP title bid

The obstacle facing Yamaha’s MotoGP title bid

Just when Yamaha seemed to be taking control of the MotoGP title battle, it faces a fortnight at a track where it usually struggles. Will its rivals inflict some pain at Aragon?

Petrucci: MotoGP’s last great journeyman?

Petrucci: MotoGP’s last great journeyman?

There’s no one on the MotoGP grid quite like Danilo Petrucci. And the works Ducati team was probably never going to be the right place for him. But his Le Mans win shows his value to the championship and to future employer KTM

Why does Valentino Rossi keep crashing?

Why does Valentino Rossi keep crashing?

Consistency was key to Valentino Rossi’s successes on his return to Yamaha, but three crashes in the last three races show it’s a very different story in 2020. What’s going on?

How MotoGP title rivals were spooked into lacklustre races

How MotoGP title rivals were spooked into lacklustre races

MotoGP’s main title contenders finished ninth, 10th and 11th at Le Mans, as the pressure of the tight championship fight hit them in the treacherous conditions

Honda was the biggest winner at Le Mans

Honda was the biggest winner at Le Mans

Alex Marquez nearly winning. His 2021 replacement Pol Espargaro on the podium too. And some clear clues for how to solve its problems. Le Mans was great for Honda