02.02.12. MOTOGP : After two-days of testing at the Official MotoGP at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, the Ducati Team were satisfied with the new GP12 bike. Attention was focused on improvement with the front end and handling, and have a clear direction on what needs to be improved on the more powerful 1000cc machine.

Valentino Rossi said :

"We on the team are all happy with how this test has gone, especially on the second and final day where we were able to set a best time of 2m 0.008secs, it's a decent place to be at this point. The two Honda's and Yamaha's are still ahead of us, but we expected it at this time. The most positive things we've achieved are that the front now lets me ride a little more as i like. and the bike reacts well to changes and that we have very clear idea's on what's still missing. In particular, if we manage to improve the bike's behaviour on acceleration, we'll be able to take a consistent step forward."

Nicky Hayden said :

"Obviously, i'd like to have done more. I can't really say it was a real test foe me, but i did a few laps each morning in order to at least get a feel for the new bike, get a little data and understand a couple of things. Even in the limited time, i was able to make small improvements and go quicker each day."

01.02.12. MOTOGP : Official Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day two. After missing the opening day of testing due to a strained back muscle, Casey Stoner gradually worked his way back into his leadership pace and topped the second day's times at the Official MotoGP Test at Sepang. The Australian's 19th lap today aboard the RC213V stood firm as the fastest of the day at 2m 00. 895secs, with the Factory Yamaha's of Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo second and third. Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa was just shy of the leading trio's pace in fourth, with British rider Cal Crutchlow breaking into the top five for a second day running aboard his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine. Pramac Racing's Hector Barbera was the fastest Ducati in sixth ahead of Ducati Team's Valentino Rossi who spent most of the day testing new parts for the GP12 machine was a solid seventh. Alvaro Bautista produced a best time to put himself into eighth after getting to know his San Carlo Honda with Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati Team's Nicky Hayden concluding the top ten. Rookie Stefan Bradl (LCR Honda) followed in eleventh with Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) taking twelfth.

31.01.12. MOTOGP : Official Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day one. Factory Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest rider on track today, the first Official Test at the Malaysian circuit, and the Spaniard was extremely satisfied with the first shakedown aboard the new 1000cc prototype. Lorenzo, who won the world championship back in 2010 managed a best lap of 2m 1.657secs, ahead of Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and British rider Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Current champion Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) missed the first day after injuring his back, but expects to ride tomorrow. 

06.01.12. MOTOGP : Andrea Dovizioso fractured his right collarbone today while out training on his motocross bike. The Italian rider, who will ride for the The Yamaha Tech 3 Racing Team in 2012, recieved immediate attention and will undergo surgery at Bologna Hospital on Saturday. Manager of the French team Herve Poncharal explained that until Dovizioso's operation has taken place it will be difficult to give any indication with redgards to the amount of time his rider will need to recover. Just like Nicky Hayden who also injured himself recently, Dovizioso will struggle to be fit for the the first test on the 2012 MotoGP calender at the end of this month in Malaysia.

01.01.12. MOTOGP : Ducati rider Nicky Hayden injured himself the day after boxing day. The accident happened on a private indoor flat track near his home Owensboro in Kentucky. On the same day Nicky had an X-ray and a CAT scan which showed two fractured ribs and some damage to his left scaphoid. Next week Hayden will visit Dr Arthur at his clinic in Fremant, California, where he will under go treatment to get him ready for the first winter test on January 31st at Sepang, Malaysia.

Nicky Hayden said : "It was a freak accident as i overtook the rider in front of me and must of clipped his back wheel, which threw me over the bars and onto the hard dirt surface. I was taking it easy as it was my first time on a bike since breaking my wrist at the Valencia Grand-Prix last November. It's now going to be a race against time for the injuries to heal as i don't want to be at the test watching from the pit wall".

07.11.11. MOTOGP : Round eighteen, Valencia, Spain, race day, day three. Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner launched from pole position and into the lead off the start of the Gran Premio Gernerali de la Comunitat Valenciana, the final race of the season and the 800cc era machines. Although the race was declared wet, the field all sported slick tyres in the difficult conditions that claimed the first casualties in the very first corner. In the rush for the first corner, Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) fell, taking out Pramac Racing's Randy de Puniet along with both the factory Ducati's of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. The crash was Rossi's third race in succession to conclude with a fall, marking the end of a difficult season for the seven times Motogp World Champion. The Repsol Honda's of Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso managed to avoid the incident, and with Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) already holding first and second in the championship, the campaign for third between the team-mates remained to be decided this weekend. Neither of the Honda's showed any sign of deferring to the others as the two fought for the second spot on the podium, as well as the third spot in the championship, until the final laps of the race when the Spaniard slowed slightly as the rain fall picked up.

Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) rode behind the Honda men as they battled for second, until lap 23 the Texan made his move on Pedrosa for third, then put the afterburnes and closed in on Stoner, passing Dovizioso on the way. With three laps left, Stoner ran it wide, letting the American through to take over the lead and then pulled an ammedite on second gap at the front. The Yamaha man looked set to take the win, until the very last corner of the 30 lap race when the World Champion rocketed past the Texan at the line to claim his tenth win of the season and in the final race of the 800cc era. The chase for rookie of the year award between Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati) and Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) also went down to the very last lap, with the Czech rider poised to take the title until he touched the British rider and ran off into the gravel, handing Crutchlow the title and fourth place in the race. Abraham was able to rejoin the race to finish in eighth, ahead of Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing Ducati), who concluded the final race of his career in ninth place. Fith place went to Dani Pedrosa, with Lorenzo's replacement rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga (Yamaha Factory Racing) claiming sixth ahead of Colin Edwards replacement on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team, Josh Hayes. Toni Elias (LCR Honda) completed the top ten finishers, with Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar) and Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) the final race finishers.

06.11.11. MOTOGP : Round eighteen, Valencia, Spain, final qualifying, day two. In the last qualifying session for the 2011 MotoGP round at Valencia in Spain saw Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) take pole again with a best lap of 1min 31. 861sec to equal the record of 12 pole positions in a single season set by five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan. Dani Pedrosa was one second behind his team-mate to take the second spot on the starting grid for Sunday's race with Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) take the final spot in third. Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) concluded his strong performances, just missing out on a front row start was fourth. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) lapped three tenths behind de puniet to claim fifth with Valentino Rossi edging out his Ducati Marlboro team-mate Nicky Hayden for the last spot on the second row for sixth. Joining Hayden on row three will be Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) who tumbled as the checkered flag was shown but was up and walking away immediately. Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Ducati) suffered a mechanical failure early on in the one hour session was able to get aboard his spare bike to finish the session in ninth. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati) completed the top ten, Brition's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing Ducati) who will be sporting the number 58 on his machine to honor Marco Simoncelli, joining the Czech rider on row four.

05.11.11. MOTOGP : Round eighteen, Valencia, Spain, free practice, day one. Rizla Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista topped the timesheets this afternoon in a damp and slippery second free practice session at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain. Although the Spaniard topped the times with a best lap of 1'45. 975s, it was Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) who set a blistering time of 1'45. 231s in dry conditions in fp1 this morning. American Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) had a few minutes at the top before being knocked back down to second with Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) third. Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Racing) was fourth, the Czech rider crashing heavily on his final lap of the session, Briton's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) placed fifth ahead of Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro). Fastest in the dry Casey Stoner could only muster eighth in the wet ahead of his Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, while Josh Hayes he replacement for Colin Edwards on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team placed an impressive tenth.

23.10.11. MOTOGP : Round seventeen, Sepang, Malaysia, day three, race day. The Shell Advance Malaysian Grand Prix was cancelled today after Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) crashed out on lap two. Marco was taken to the medcal centre where Doctors tried their best to save the 24 year-old Italain, who succumbed to his injuries at 16.09 GMT. This is such a tragic loss of such a great human being who touched the hearts of racing fans from across the globe. Our hearts go out to Marco's family and friends at this darkest hour.

22.10.11. MOTOGP : Round seventeen, Sepang, Malaysia, qualifying, day two. Dani Pedrosa topped a Repsol Honda shoot out and continued his domination of the MotoGP field during a searing qualifying session for the Shell Advance Malaysian Grand Prix, with Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso taking second and third. Following a crash on his fifth lap, Dani Pedrosa, who missed the Malaysian Grand Prix last year while recovering from a collarbone injury, clawed his way back to the top of the timings after fighting off both Repsol Honda team-mates to take pole position with a time of 2'01 462s. Pedrosa's time was still teo-tenths behind the scorching lap he set in FP2, but a margin of 0.029s put him ahead of Casey Stoner, denying the new World Champion his 12th pole of the season. Andrea Dovizioso landed a further 0. 175s back to claim third. Veteran rider Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) put in a lap of 2'02.010s to put him head of row two in fourth, where he will be joined by Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and fellow American Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro). Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) heads up the third row, with Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista beside the Japanese rider and Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) completing the row. Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) made it into the top ten for the first time this weekend. After a early crashing in qualifying, Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) will not take part in Sunday's race due to injuring his ribs, also pulling out of tomorrow's race will be wild-card John Hopkins (Rizla Suzuki) who highsided his machine,, injuring his hand in the process.

21.10.11. MOTOGP : Round seventeen, Sepang, Malaysia, free practice, day one. The Repsol Honda team swept the first day of the Shell Advance Malaysian Grand Prix, with Dani Pedrosa leading by a full eight tenths ahead of Casey Stoner and a further six tenths ahead of Andrea Dovizioso. Pedrosa dominates the MotoGP field on Friday, leading a Honda sweep of the top five positions with a blistering best lap of 2min 01. 250secs, a seven tenths improvement over his leading FP1 time and six tenths quicker than the lap record. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) followed in a close second with Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) third. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) was fourth with team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama making it a Honda top five. Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was the first of the Yamaha's in sixth followed by Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) in seventh. Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) was the first of the Ducati's in eighth with Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Karel Abrahams (Cardion AB Motoracing) completing the top ten. Wildcard John Hopkins (Rizla Suzuki) was fourteenth with Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) down in a disappointing fifteenth.

19.10.11. MOTOGP : Yamaha YZR-M1 test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga has been drafted in to replace injured Yamaha Racing star Jorge Lorenzo for this weekend's Grand-Prix of Malaysia. Reigning World Champion Lorenzo recieved an injury to his ring finger of his left hand during the Sunday morning warm up session prior to the Grand-Prix of Australia. He has since recieved surgical treatment and is now recovering at home in Barcelona. 30 year old Nakasuga-san is a current Japanese Yamaha test rider with an excellent working knowledge of the the YZR-M1 and Bridgestone tyres. He is also competing in the 2011 All Japan road racing championship, JSB1000 class, and is currently third in the standings. A decision on Lorenzo's fitness for the final round at Valencia in Spain will be made within two weeks.

15.10.11. MOTOGP : Round sixteen, Phillip Island, Australia, qualifying, day two. Casey Stoner stormed to pole position to the delight of his home fans at Phillip Island in Australia today for the Iveco Grand Prix. The Repsol Honda rider who had been fastest throughout each free practice and qualifying sessions set a blistering time of 1min 29.575secs, a margin of 0. 473s over title defender Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing). If Stoner can score ten points over Lorenzo, he can wrap up the 2011 title in front of his home crowd. Marco Simomcelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) took his first front row start since Mugello, while Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) had his best qualifying of the season in fourth. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) joins Bautista on row two as does Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) in a solid sixth. Despite a huge crash, Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) was able to get out on his second bike to secure seventh where Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) complete row three. Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing Ducati) completed the top ten for the last time at Phillip Island, as the Italian is set to retire from racing at the end of the season.

14.10.11. MOTOGP : Round sixteen, Phillip Island, Australia, free practice, day one. Local rider Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) dominated both free practice sessions at his home circuit of Phillip Island in Australia today. Stoner set a best time of 1min 30. 535secs in the earlier session, which was four hundreths quicker than this afternoon. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) stepped up his pace to slot himself into second ahead of Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and the two chasing Americans of Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing). Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) upped his game to go sixth quickest this afternoon with team-mate Dani Pedrosa seventh. Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) was eighth, ninth Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) with Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) completing the top ten.

02.10.11. MOTOGP : Round fifthteen, Motegi, Japan, day three, race day. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) crossed the finish line to take the win at a dramatic Grand Prix of Japan, where the only two of the top seven riders did not either run off track or incur a ride through penalty. The GP began with pole setter Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) launching into turn one ahead of the field, while team-mate Andrea Dovizioso jumped the start from the front row, with Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) both following suit. Ducati Team's Valentino Rossi crashed out on the first lap, forcing Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) off track, dropping the American down the order. Meanwhile Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) appeared set to take another victory, leading clear and free until running of the track on lap 5. Shortly thereafter Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) went down, while Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) ran off track after lapping in fourth. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) crossed the line in second, while Stoner rose to third. Simoncelli and Dovizioso took their ride through penalites and then engaged in their own battle to the end of the race where Simoncelli took fourth. Three American's followed next, with Spies sixth in front of Hayden and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) avoided any drama's finished ninth with Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) just holding off rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) for tenth.

01.10.11. MOTOGP : Round fifthteen, Motegi, Japan, qualifying, day two. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) set a new lap record for the MotoGP era with his tenth pole of the season ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. Joining the Australian on the front row will be defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing and his Repsol team-mate Andrea Dovizisos. A tenth of a second separated Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) and Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing), who had bounced back after suffering from a stomach illness that had him retire early from the second practice session. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) finished in sixth with nine times world champion Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) seventh. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) just managed to hold off Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) for eighth with Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) rounding out the top ten. Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was clearly unhappy with his qualifying position of twelfth, but he does have the satisfaction of starting ahead of his team-mate Colin Edwards down in fourteenth. 

30.09.11. MOTOGP : Round fifthteen, Motegi, Japan, free practice, day one. Dani Pedrosa led a Repsol Honda top three on day one of the Grand Prix of Japan, with Casey Stoner second and Andrea Dovizioso following in third on the timesheet. Under darkening skies, the MotoGP class headed out for the second free practice session on Friday which saw no fewer than six riders run off track during the outing. All but one of the riders in the field improved under their earlier times with the top four spots of the day going to the factory Honda's. Dani Pedrosa took over the top spot with 21 minutes to go and set a new lap record of 1'46. 790s ahead of his team-mate Stoner by a margin 0.054s. Andrea Dovizioso followed with a time of 1'46. 952s, an improvement of eight tenths over his FP1 time, with San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli in a solid fourth. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) was fifth in the combined times, while Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) was the fastest of the twin cylinder machines in fifth. Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) stepped p his pace by a full second, putting himself into seventh, ahead of Ducati Team's Valentino Rossi. Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) ended his day in ninth with Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) rounding out the top ten.

25.09.11. MOTOGP : MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli has extended his contract to stay with the Gresini Honda team in 2012. The 24-year-old Italian has taken two pole positions this season but managed just one podium finish. Marco had been heavily linked with a move to the Yamaha Tech team and Rizla Suzuki but has decided to stay on for a third season as he will get to ride a factory spec Honda RC213V bike.

18.09.11 MOTOGP : Round fourteen, Aragon, Spain, day three, race day. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) took another twenty five points home at the Gran Premio de Aragon as the Australian took his eighth win of the 2011. Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa took second with Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) third. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) finished six seconds behind Lorenzo to take fourth ahead of Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) who came from eleventh on the grid to take sixth. Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) was pushed all the way by Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) for seventh, while Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) who started from pit-lane rounded out the top ten.

17.09.11. MOTOGP : Round fourteen, Aragaon, Spain, final qualifying, day two. A superb final qualifying from Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner sealed him pole position for the Gran Premio de Aragon ahead of team-mate Dani Pedrosa and Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing). With the afternoon warming up at the Motorland circuit, the MotoGP field set out into the one hour qualifying with the Repsol Honda's taking the first two spots on the grid. Casey Stoner broke the 1m 49 barrier and set a new lap record with 13 minutes to go before running off into the gravel and tipping over - a minor get off, but causing enough problems to warrent the Australian to use his second bike for the remaining minutes of the session. With 5 minutes remining, the championship leader hit back tovknock off two more tenths of his best time to seal the top spot with a 1m 48. 451s. A late push from Pedrosa to challenge for pole position ended with the Spaniard ruuning off track and having to settle for second ahead of American Ben Spies in third. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will start from the second row in fourth, where he will be joined by Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda). Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro), who was on the podium here last year will start from seventh, ahead of rookie Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) and Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) completing the third row. Randey de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati), who jumped to third spot in the timings just before running off into the gravel, finished the session in tenth, while Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) crashed 15 minutes into the session, returning to the the track with 30 minutes to go will start from thirtenth on the grid.

16.09.11. MOTOGP : Round fourteen, Aragon, Spain, free practice, day one. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) continued his recent run of great form upon returning from injury, topping the timesheets on the opening day of free practice at the Motorland curcuit in Aragon, Spain with a best lap of 1m 50. 281s. Defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) had topped the session with a 1m 50. 730s with five minutes to go until Pedrosa responded to claim the lead in the dying seconds. Last year's race winner Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) set the pace early on under bright sun and climbing temperatures to end the session in third behind the Spaniards, with Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) following the championship leader by a margin of 0.087s and ahead of fellow Italian and rival Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) in fifth. Pramac Racing's Randy de Puniet was the fastest of the Ducati's in sixth spot a head of the factory machines of Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi who was using a new aluminium chassis this weekend. Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) ended his day in ninth with Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) rounding out the top top.

06.09.11. MOTOGP : Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies had their second opportunity to ride the 2012 1000cc YZF-M1 today at the Misano circuit in San Marino. The test followed Lorenzo's flawless win yesterday, his second Italian victory of the season. The bikes tested were the same as first used in Brno in August, with mino changes to set-up and electronics for the tighter, twistier Misano circuit.

Jorge Lorenzo - Position 1st - Time 1.33 .7 - Laps 60
"It's been a little more difficult here than Brno, which is a very fast track. Misano is quite a bit slower so the difference between the 800 and the 1000 is much smaller. It's difficult to understand the riding style you must use straight away. We've been working on the electronics to help the braking area, but mainly getting used to the riding style. I'm excited about the future."

Ben Spies - Position 2nd - Time 1.34 .3 Laps 74
"We rode the same bikes as we did at Brno but we changed a bunch of things and started working on the electronics. Misano is a much more physical circuit than Brno, it's tight and twisty with plenty of rear tyre spinning. It's fun to ride but much more physical than the 800. I enjoyed it a lot and we went quite fast on it, getting some pretty good lap times. We've got a lot of new data for the engineers to go away and work with for next year. I have a really good feeling for this bike for 2012".

04.09.11. MOTOGP : Round thirteen, Misano, San Marino, race day. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) led a brillian race from start to finish to take his third win of the season, ahead of the Repsol Honda's of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner second and third completing the podium at the Gran Premio Aperol di San Marino e Della Riviera di Rimini. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda0 fell back to seventh on the start, then made his way back through the pack to fourth after battling with fellow countryman Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda). American Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Team) got caught in a battle with home hero Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) for sixth. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) was again in the thick of the action was a solid eighth ahead of Hector Barbera (Mapfre Apsare Ducati), with a solid performance from British rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in tenth.

03.09.11. MOTOGP : Round thirteen, Misano, San Marino, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner set out in the afternoon qaulifting session intent on taking pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday, not only did the Australian achieve his goal but broke his lap record he set in 2008 with a lap of 1'33. 138s. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) made a late push for the top spot after leading the majority off the session, but missed out on pole by 0. 120secs. Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedroda who won last year's race took the final place on the front row in third. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) will head off row two in fourth and he will be joined by Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda). Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) heads the third row, with Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) eighth and Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Ducati) ninth. Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) will start from the third row in tenth, Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) eleventh and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motorsport Ducati) just edging out Britian's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) for twelfth.

02.09.11. MOTOGP : Round thirteen, Misano, San Marino, free practice, day one. The hot and humid weather on the Adriatic coast produced rain drops in the final minutes of the session, but it held off long enough for all but one MotoGP field to better their times in the final minutes of the morning session. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) tooped the field with a 1min 33; 929secs on lap ten of 22, bettering his time from the first practice session by 1.213 seconds and the only rider to break below the 1'34 mark. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) made a run for the front with his best lap of 1min 34. 005secs, just missing the top spot by 0.076secs to rank second for the day. The Australian out paced his team-mate and last year's dominating man at Misano, Dani Pedrosa, by 0.200secs. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) improved his best overall time to go fourth ahead of Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Repsol Honda's final rider Andrea Dovizoso. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) who suffered engine problems at the start of the day, switched bikes to improve his time to a solid seventh. Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) was the fastest of the Ducati's in eighth with Hiroshi Aoyamah (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the top ten. ahead of Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati). Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Ducati) was thirteenth, followed by Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motorsports), Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Loris Capirossi (Pramac Racing Ducati) and Toni Elias (LCR Honda).

28.08.11. MOTOGP : Round twelve, Indianapolis, USA, race day. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner was the clear winner at the 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in the USA for the twelfth round of the MotoGP World Championship. The 2007 world champion crossed the finish line five seconds ahead of his team mate Dani Pedrosa and home favourite Beb Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing). Pedrosa took the early lead, until team mate Stoner overtook the lead from the Spaniard on lap seven where he remained unchallenged for the remainder of the race. Stoner now leads the championship by 44 points ahead of reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) who finished fourth. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) tussled with local hero Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) early in the race for fifth, but a tyre problem for the American saw him sip backwards into the chasing pack. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) finished a lonely sixth ahead of Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati), giving the French rider his best position of eighth this season. Ninth spot went to Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda), who crossed the line a second and a half ahead of Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) who on lap eight pitted with apparent tyre issues only to return to the circuit dead last, but the Italian kept circulating and made his way back up to finish tenth in front of British rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3). Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) had seen as high as third in the race, until tyre trouble saw the Italian slowly drop back to twelfth. Toni Elias (LCR Honda MotoGP) completed the race in thirteenth as Nicky Hayden who also pitted with tyre problems managed to salvage some points by fifnishing in fourteenth.

27.08.11. MOTOGP : Round twelve, Indianapolis, USA, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner will start from pole position at the Brick yard for the twelfth round of the Red Bull Grand Prix at Indianapolis in the USA. Stoner, set a record time of 1'38. 850s making it his seventh pole position of the 2011 season. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) who started from pole last year was half a second off the Aussie's pace will start from second, with team-mate Jorge Lorenzo taking the final spot on the front row in third. Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa held off his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso to take the first spot on row two in fourth with Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the second row in sixth. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) leads the third row off, his time of 1'40 .204 was a tenth quicker than the pace of Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) and Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista. Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar) was the final rider in the top ten, with Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) who both had run off's into the gravel will start respectively from eleventh and twelfth. Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi continued to struggle with front end grip from his Ducati qualified down in fourteenth.

26.08.11. MOTOGP : Round twelve, Indianapolis, USA, free practice, day one. The MotoGP Championship returned to the USA for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix where Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner led home favourite Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Repsol team-mate Dani Pedrosa. Under clear blue skies and a high temperature of 31 degrees, with the 27 year-old Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies lead the majority of the second free practice session of the weekend, His best time of 1'40 .918 was an improvement of over two seconds from his morning free practice session time, though not enough to stay in front of the Repsol Honda of Casey Stoner, whose time of 1'40 .724 was fastest of the day and 2.828s quicker than his time set this morning. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) who won last year here, followed in third with a time of 1'41 .205, a vast improvement over his earlier time. Defending champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) also moved up significantly this afternoon, bettering his previous time by two seconds. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) was fifth quickest ahead of American Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda). Nicky Hayden was the fastest of the Factory Ducati's in eighth with Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) completing the top ten. Valentino Rossi (Factory Ducati) vastly improved his time from this morning by three seconds, saw the Italian leap in to eleventh in the dying moments.

14.08.11. MOTOGP : Round eleven, Brno, Czech Republic, race day. It should have been a Repsol Honda domination of the podium today at Brno for the Czech Grand Prix, as Dani Pedrosa who started from pole position led his team-mate's Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso for the first few laps, but a late dive under then race Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) caused Pedrosa to loose the front end of his Repsol Honda putting an early end to his race. After the exit of Pedrosa, Stoner quickly took to the front where he was able to open up a healthy lead which eventually led to a nine second gap and his twenty ninth premier class win. The battle for second came down between Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda), who at times tried to pass his fellow Italian, but in the end he settled for his first visit to the podum in MotoGP took third. Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo just managed to hold off his Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies for fourth, as a deilghted Valentino Rossi crossed the line in sixth after the team managed to give the Ducati more front end grip allowing the Doctor to match the times of the front runner's through out the twenty two lap race. It was an all American affair for Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) who put in a solid performance to finish in seventh and eighth. Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda) who did not start the race here last year due to injury was ninth with Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Team) rounding out the top ten. It was another blow to British rider Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) who crashed out of the race while lying in tenth, making it his third DNF in a row.

13.08.11. MOTOGP : Round eleven, Brno, Czech Republic, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa took the front row on the grid with a time of 1'56. 591secs in qualifying on Saturday, a time fast enough to put him on pole position but still not as fast as the crushing time he dealt on Friday by a margin of 0. 268secs. The premier class took to a dry track after the morning wet practice session, with reigning MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) taking an early provisional pole and Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) leading in the second half of qualifying. But Pedrosa retailiated, grabbing back the top spot and keeping it until the end of the outing. Lorenzo pushed hard, bettering his previous best time by four tenths with a time of 1'56. 704, giving him a front row start in second spot, followed by Stoner with a lap of 1'56. 860 to put him in the final front row spot. Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) who started from the front row last year in his MotoGP rookie season, qualified fourth with a 1'57. 178. The Texan is joined on the second row by Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) joins the second row after posting a time of 1'57. 367, his best qualifying of the season so far. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) will start from the third row placing him seventh fastest where he will be joined by American's Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 30 and Nicky Hayden (Marlboro Ducati), while Hiroshi Aoyama (San Carlo Gresini Honda), riding for the first time in the MotoGP class at Brno after missing last year's race through injury just pipped Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) for tenth.

12.08.11. MOTOGP : Round eleven, Brno, Czech Republic, free practice, day one. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) dominated the first day of free practice at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic for the eleventh round of the MotoGP World Championship. The 25 year-old Spaniard set a best time of 1min 26. 166 seconds ahead of his team-mate Casey Stoner with Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) making it an all Honda provisional front row in third. Defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) was just off the front runners pace was fourth with the final Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovisioso in fifth just ahead of Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies. Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) lifted himself up to seventh after a difficult morning session, eighth was Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) with Britain's Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and John Hopkins (Rizla Suzuki) completing the top ten.

24.07.11. MOTOGP : Round ten, Laguna-Seca, California, USA, race day. In front of 52,000 racing fans Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) took victory ahead of defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) to extend his lead in the MotoGP World Championship. It was pole position starter Jorge Lorenzo that got lead for most of the race ahead of the two chasing Repsol Honda's of Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. It was not long before stoner caught and passed his team-mate where he then went in pursuit of race leader Lorenzo. With six laps to go Stoner passed Lorenzo where he was able to put the hammer down to eventually cross the finish almost six seconds ahead of Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Local hero Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) overcame a poor start, where he eventually fought his way through the pack to take fourth to the delight of the fans. Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) crossed the line in fifth place, ahead of the battle for sixth between the Ducati Marlboro team-mates Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. Hayden lost out to the Italian by just seven tenths of a second. Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was unable to improve the feeling from his bike that had plagued him all weekend ended in a disappointing eighth place, Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar) and Hiroshi Aoyamah (San Carlo Gresin Honda) completing the top ten. It was a disappointing day for British rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) who crashed out of the race on lap three bringing an end to his weekend.

23.07.11. MOTOGP : Round ten, Laguna-Seca, California, USA, final qualifying, day two. After a huge crash at the top of the corkscrew in this morning's free practice session, world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) bounced back this afternoon to take pole position for the Red Bull US Grand Prix at Laguna-Seca in California. Lorenzo eho was riding with a sore hip and elbow set a blistering time of 1'22. 212 secs ahead of the Repsuk Honda's of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa. Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies was able to split the Honda's by taking the lead off the second row in fourth ahead of Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda). Valentino Rossi (Ducati Marlboro) was clearly back on track with the return of his crew chief Jeremy Burgess, as the Italian was the quickest of the Ducati's to head off the third row in seventh, where he will be joined by Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar Ducati) and Ducati Marlboro team mate Nicky Hayden. British rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 2) found some more speed from this morning's session to head off the fourth row in eleventh ahead of his team-mate Colin Edwards and Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista in twelfth. American Ben Bostrum who got a wild-card ride with the LCR Honda MotoGP team had a difficult time around his home circuit to qualify dead last in eighteenth.

22.07.11. MOTOGP : Round ten, Laguna-Seca, California, USA, free practice, day one. Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo
who won here at Laguna-Seca last put in a remarkable run in the second free practice session on the opening day of the Red Bull USA Grand Prix to take provisional pole ahead of Sunday's race. The defending World Champion set a best time of 1'22. 056secs ahead of the Repsol Honda trio of Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso. Home hero Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) improved throughout both the session's to go fifth quickest ahead of Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda) and Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki). Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing) was the fastest of the Ducati's in eighth with the two American's Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro) completing the top ten. Jeremy Burgess returned as Valentino Rossi's crew chief after attending to family matters back home in Australia, where Rossi eventyally finish in eleventh. British rookie Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) ran wide at the corkscrew in both practice sessions ending his first day down in thirteenth.

19.07.11. MOTOGP : Ben Bostrum will race at his home round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at Laguna-Seca in California, USA this weekend. The former AMA and WSBK rider will ride alongside Toni Elias in the LCR Honda Team as a wild card entrant, making it a total of four Americans on the grid Sunday.

17.06.11. MOTOGP : Round nine, Sachsenring, Germany, race day. Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa has his usual great start, taking the hole shot ahead of Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda) at the start of the Eni Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland MotoGP race in what was to be a 30-lap fight to the finish at the Sachsenring circuit. The Spaniard's win is his fifth Grand Prix victory at the German circuit and only his second race after returning from surgery for his broken collarbone. At the end of lap one, Lorenzo was in the lead ahead of the three Repsol Honda's of Pedrosa, Stoner and Dovizioso, who fought amongst each other for second until the Australian made his attack on lap five to take the lead, only to have Lorenzo regain the lead status a few laps later. The Mallorcan thren tried desperately to defend his line, until lap 21 when Pedrosa got a huge drive out of the last corner to launch himself into the lead for one last time. Meanwhile a three man battle for fourth ensued behind the leaders between Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda), Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Team), out of which Italian Dovizioso crossed the line first two tenths in front of American rider Spies and four tenths ahead of fellow Italian Simoncelli. Another intense fight starred Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) and the two Factory Ducati's Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi. Bautista crossed the line seventh with Hayden less than a tenth of the second the Spaniard and Rossi just six thousanths behind the American, with Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech3) following the trio in tenth.. 

16.07.11. MOTOGP : Round nine, Sachsenring, Germany, final qualifying, day two. Reposl Honda rider Casey Stoner secured his sixth pole position of the year, 0.252secs ahead of team mate and two times premier class winner at the Sachsenring circuit, Dani Pedrosa. Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) who lead the the one hour session, to the forty minute mark took the final spot on the front row in third. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Racing Honda) best time of 1'21.954 secs put the Italian on the second row in fourth, where he will be joined by American Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing), who finished eighth last year in Germany, while Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso, who is still looking for his first podium at the Sachsenring will start from sixth. Heading up the third row in seventh, will be American Colin Edwards (Monster Yamaha Tech3), who will be joined by fellow countryman Nicky Hayden (Marlboro Ducati) and Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) with Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) completing the top ten. Mapfre Aspar Racing's Hector Barbera, who qualified sixth at the German GP last year, starts from eleventh, ahead of British rider Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech3). Valentino Rossi had his worst qualifying session of the year, as the Italian will start from a lonely sixteenth on the grid.

15.07.11. MOTOGP : Round nine, Sachsenring. Germany, free practice, day one. Marco Simoncelli (San Carlo Gresini Honda Racing) dominated both the free practice sessions at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany today. The Italian rider set a best time of 1'22.225 secs to take provisional pole for the ninth round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship. Defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) was half a second of the leaders time in second with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) who near to full fitness outpaced his team-mates Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso for third. Nicky Hayden (Marlboro Ducati) was the fastest of the twin cylinder machines in sixth, just ahead of fellow countryman Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing Ducati) was eighth with Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati) completing the top ten. It was another frustrating day for Valentino Rossi (Marlboro Ducati) as he struggled with more electrical problems, resulting in him finishing down in eleventh. Briton Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech3) was one of two riders to crash out of the session walked away unhurt .

03.07.11. MOTOGP : Round eight, Mugello, Italy race day. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo stalked down Casey Stoner to take his second win of the season at Mugello in Italy, while Stoner's Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso passed him on the final lap to finish second. Stoner who started from pole position managed to break away from the rest of the field early on and looked set to have another victory in the bag, until with nine laps remaining, Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo began to chip away at the Australian's two second lead, finally catching and overtaking him on the last lap. Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso also managed to pass his team-mate Stoner on the final lap while winner last time out at Assen, Ben Spies battled it out with San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli for fourth. A five way battle for sixth between Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi, Mapfre Aspar's Hector Barbera, Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista, Monster Yamaha's Colin Edwards and the final Repsol Honda ridden by Dani Pedrosa ensued throughout the race, with Barbera duelling with Rossi at the front of the pack. Rossi broke away with eleven laps to go, putting his GP11.1 in to sixth, ahead of the Ducati of Barbera in seventh. Dani Pedrosa who won here last year crossed the line in eighth on his return to racing just ahead of the two American's of Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards and Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden. Britons Cal Crutchlow and team-mate to Edwards retired to the pits after seven laps with tire issues.

02.07.11. MOTOGP : Round eight, Mugello, Italy, Qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner put in a blistering lap to grab pole position for the start of the Gran Premio d' Italia TIM Race at Mugello, his 27th pole position in the premier class. American Ben Spies and Marco Simoncelli will join the Australian on the front row for Sunday's race. Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizoso will head off the second row in fourth after improving his time from this morning. World champion Jorge Lorenzo who broke the lap record looked like he was on the front row was demoted to fifth with Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Racing's Colin Edwards just edging out his team-mate Cal Crutchlow for sixth. Joining Crutchlow on the third row will be last years race winner Dani Pedrosa and Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden. Valentino Rossi had a tough time at his home grand-prix and will start from the fourth row in twelfth.

01.07.11. MOTOGP : Round eight, Mugello, Italy, free practice, day one. Only three riders in the MotoGP field crossed the finish line in the first 30 minutes of the 40 minute free practice session two today, which was marred by light rain that was not enough to warrent wet tyres, and yet to slippery to push hard on slicks. Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso went on to set the fastest time of the day ahead of LCR Honda's Toni Elias with Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi third. Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista entered late in the session, completing a total of four laps put the Spaniard in fourth. Pramac Racing Ducati's Randy de Puniet completed a total of thirteen laps to go fifth quickest ahead of Cardion AB Motoraing's Karel Abraham and Mapfre Aspar Team Ducati's Hector Barbera. British rider Cal Crutchlow had a steady run in eighth with Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden and San Carlo Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama completing the top ten. Four riders who did not join the session at all were Dovizioso's Repsol Honda's team-mates Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, world champion Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo and San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli.

29.06.11. MOTOGP : Dani Pedrosa will end his injury nightmare and make a return to racing at Mugello on Friday for the eighth round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship in Italy. The Repsol Honda rider hasn't raced since he broke his right collarbone in a controversial incident with Marco Simoncelli during the French Grand Prix at Le-Mans on May 15th. The Spaniard's comeback was further delayed by a second operation after a fragment of bone had become dislodged in the collarbone. A Repsol Honda Team spokesman confirmed that the former triple world champion is eager to back to racing this weekend and thanks all his fans for the letters of support.

29.06.11. MOTOGP : Valentino Rossi will ride his home race in Mugello this weekend without the influence of legendary crew chief Jeremy Burgess after he flew home to Australia to be with his seriously ill wife. Burgess discovered his wife Claudine has been diagnosed with breast cancer and the crew chief, who has been the technical mastermind behind Rossi's success immediately left Italy where he was preparing for Rossi's home race in Mugello to return home to be with his wife and family in Adelaide. The Ducati team stated that Jeremy will return to the team for the next round at the Sachsenring in Germany in three weeks time.

25.06.11. MOTOGP : Round seven, Assen, Holland, race day. American Ben Spies took his first win in the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at Assen in Holland today. The Factory Yamaha Racing rider who led from lights to flag crossed the finish line some four seconds clear of championship points leader Casey Stoner, with his Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso in third. Nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi who's running a new chassis this weekend rode to a solid fourth ahead of his Ducati Marlboro team-mate Nicky Hayden. Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo got tangled up in a crash involving Marco Simoncelli on the opening lap remounted his Yamaha to fight his way back to a solid sixth ahead of Monster Yamaha's Colin Edwards and Repsol Honda stand-in Hiroshi Aoyama. San Carlo Gresini Honda Marco Simoncelli who rejoined the race dead last clawed his way back to ninth with the LCR Honda of Toni Elias completing the top ten. British rider Cal Crutchlow who's riding with a broken collarbone he sustained last time out Silverstone was fighting for fourth with Rossi had to retire to the pit lane due to his tyre braking up, putting an end to his race.

24.06.11. MOTOGP : Round seven, Assen, Holland, qualifying, day two. Marco Simoncelli stormed to pole postion at the Dutch TT for round seven of the MotoGP World Championship. The Gresini Honda rider set a best lap of 1min 34. 342s to take his second pole of the year. Hot on the heels of the Italian was Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies who just missed out on pole by 0.008s, while current points leader Casey Stoner took his Repsol Honda to a comfortable third. Reigning World Champion and team-mate to Spies, Jorge Lorenzo was satified with fourth after sustaining a late surge from Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso. British rider Cal Crutchlow put in a brave performance to take sixth aboard the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine whilst riding with a broken collarbone he sustained just two weeks ago at Silverstone. AB Motoracing's Karel Abraham was seventh ahead of Crutchlow's team-mate Colin Edwards who's also recovering from a broken collarbone. Nicky Hayden was the fastest of the factory Ducati's in ninth with Pramac Racing's Randy de Puniet completing the top ten. Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi spent as much time in his garage than he did out on track, as the Marlboro Ducati rider struggled to find a dry set-up qualified in eleventh.

23.06.11. MOTOGP : Round seven, Assen, Holland, free practice, day one. Marco Simoncelli made the most of the first wet free practice session at Assen in Holland for the seventh round of the MotoGP World Championship. The San Carlo Gresini Honda rider set a best time of 1min 49.036 secs ahead of nine times World Champion Valentino Rossi and the Repsol Honda's of Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso. The first of the Yamaha's was reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo in fifth with Briton Cal Crutchlow who's riding with a broken collarbone a brave sixth. Rookie AB Cardion Motorsports Karel Abraham was seventh with Crutchlow's Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards eighth Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden was ninth with fellow countryman Ben Spies rounding out the top ten. 

16.06.11. MOTOGP : Cal Crutchlow has undergone successful surgery on the broken left collarbone he suffered during last weekend's British Grand Prix. The 25-year-old had a titanium plate and several screws inserted in the shoulder in an operation carried out by specialist surgeon Doctor David Clark the Royal Derby Hospital. The Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider broke his left collarbone in five places in a high-speed accident during qualifying for his home race the Silverstone circuit. Surgery was delayed on the shoulder while Cal was assessed for a neck injury suffered in the crash. Initial checks at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford showed a suspected non-displacement fracture of his C2 vertebrae. But scans showed no damage to his neck, and he was immediately transferred to the Royal Derby Hospital for surgery on his left collarbone. Crutchlow has already started the recovery process with intensive physiotherapy, but it's also to early to know wether the 2009 World Supersport Champion will be fit to participate at the historic Assen round next weekend.

Cal Crutchlow said : "The operation on my collarbone was a success and the doctors seem really happy with the outcome. But i am still in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, the break is a lot worse than the one my team-mate Colin Edwards had in Catalunya and iv'e got different pain and movement levels. I've spent the last two days lying on my back with a suspected neck injury, so my shoulder just got swolleb. I am not happy what happened to me in my home race at Silverstone, i'm not sure what's going to happen at Assen as we will have to wait and see, but i will be trying to be 100% to be there."

12.06.11. MOTOGP : Round six, Silverstone, UK, race day. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo lead a rainy start of the Silverstone race, chased by the two Repsol Honda's of Andrea Dovizoso and Casey Stoner, with Marco Simoncelli on the San Carlo Gresini Honda close behind. But Lorenzo made a mistake on the first lap, allowing the Repsol Bikes to pass and clearing the way for Simoncelli to challenge the championship leader, who passed the Factory Yamaha rider for third several corners later. Stoner contended Dovizisos for the lead on lap two, with the Italian holding the top spot for four corners until the pole position starter Stoner took over the lead from his team mate. Meanwhile, Simoncelli, who started from second position, positively hunted down the Repsol Honda's from his third position in the field until he ran wide of lap four and lost the position back to Lorenzo. With rain steadily falling and the conditions worsening, Lorenzo highsided out of third on lap eight, making the Silverstone race the first he did not finish since 2009. This put the 25 year-old Simoncelli in third position, but not content to settle for his first podium to be third, he pushed to pass Dovizioso until he lost the front end under braking on lap ten. Stoner stretched a gap of fiftheen seconds ahead of the field, eventually lapping Mapfre Aspar Racing's Hector Barbera and Pramac Racing Ducati's Randy de Puniet with three and a half laps left in the race, the two whom finished eleventh and twelfth. The surprise of the weekend came from Colin Edwards who took his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine to third while nursing a broken collarbone which he picked up last weekend at the Catalunya Grand Prix in practice. Another American going well in wet conditions was Ducati Marlboro rider Nicky Hayden who crossed the line in fourth, followed by Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista and Ducati team mate Valentino Rossi. Czech rider Karel Abraham gave the Cardion AB Motosports their best finish of the season in seventh. LCR Honda's Toni Elias put in a strong performance to finish in eighth with San Carlo Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama and Pramac Racing Ducati's Loris Capirossi rounding out the top ten. 

11.06.11. MOTOGP : Round six, Silverstone, UK, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner claimed his fourth pole position of the season for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Fastest throughout free practice, Stoner's didn't have things his own way, with Marco Simoncelli and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo also leading the one-hour session at times. Eventually the Repsol Honda Honda riders pace proved to much for Simoncelli who had to settle for second with the Lorenzo in third. The rest of the field set far quicker times than those of the previous day, Lorenzo's Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies heading off the second row, followed by Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso in fifth with Czech rider Karel Abraham having his best qualifying position to date was sixth. Nicky Hayden will start from the third row in seventh, where he will be joined by Colin Edwards who is still clearing recovering from a broken collarbone. Taking the fianl slot on the third row in ninth will be Alvaro Bautista with Randy de Puniet in tenth. Valentino Rossi finished the final qualifying session down in thirteenth.

10.06.11. MOTOGP : Round six, Silverstone, UK, qualifying, day one. Having dominated the dry morning session, Casey Stoner increased his advantage during a wet second Friday session for the British MotoGP at Silverstone. Only one rider got close to the Repsol Honda star, Marco Simoncelli. managed to get his San Carlo Gresini Honda with in a second of Stoner's dry time to end the first day in second. Nicky Hayden gained one place from the morning practice, took his Marlboro Ducati to third with Yamaha Tech3 rider Cal Crutchlow improving from sixth to fourth at his home round. World Champion and 2011 points leader Jorge Lorenzo was making steady progress in fifth with Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso in sixth with Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies seventh. The came Cardion AB Racing's Karel Abraham in seventh just ahead of seven times MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi, with LCR Honda's Toni Elias completing the top ten.

07.06.11. MOTOGP : Ben Spies has signed a one year deal to stay with his Factory Yamaha MotoGP contract, meaning he will continue to ride alongside Jorge Lorenzo for the first year of 1000cc racing, in 2012.

Ben Spies said : "I am very happy to say that i will remain part of the Yamaha family, and that i will continue in MotoGP for 2012. This is exciting for me as MotoGP heads into 2012 using 1000cc machines. I must thank Yamaha for having confidence in me."

05.06.11. MOTOGP : round five, Catalunya, Spain, race day. Casey Stoner took his 26th victory in the premier class at the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya, with last year's race winner Jorge Lorenzo finishing second ahead of his Factory Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies in third. Despite missing out on pole position, the Repsol Honda rider took the lead in the second corner and faced no challengers for the entire 25-lap race. Reigning MotoGP World Champion Lorenzo finished just under two-and-a-half seconds behind him across the finish line, cutting the Mallorcan's championship lead over the Australian to just seven points. Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso was able to pass Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi early on in the race to pursue Ben Spies, but remained in fourth position until the finish. Valentino Rossi crossed the line in fifth place. The seven time premier class Champion last won at the Montmelo circuit in 2009, when his then team-mate Lorenzo with a memorable pass on the Spaniard at the very last corner. Marco Simoncelli who started from pole for the first time, didn't get the best of starts to finish in sixth for the Gresini Honda team. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rookie Cal Crutchlow had a good race after a solid weekend finished seventh, in front of Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden and veteran Pramac Racing's Loris Capirossi, with Cardion AB Motoracing's Karel Abraham completeing the top ten.. 

04.06.11. MOTOGP : round five, Catalunya, Spain, final qualifying, day two. San Carlo Gresin Honda rider Marco Simoncelli fired his machine to the top of the timesheets to take pole position for the first time at the Gran Premi Catalunya ahead of Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner and Factory Yamaha world champion Jorge Lorenzo. Simoncelli was a shock surprise pole position as the Italian put in a best time of 1min 42.413 seconds infront of Stoner and Lorenzo. Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies was in top form, just missing out on a front row start by 0.014secs. Joining the Factory Yamaha rider on row two will be Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso with British Yamaha Tech3 rookie Cal Crutchlow sixth. The Ducati Marlboro duo of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will head off the third row in seventh and eighth, with Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista ninth. Completeing the top ten in the session was Mapfre Aspar's Hector Barbera.

03.06.11. MOTOGP : round five, Catalunya, Spain, free practice, day one. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner has completed a clean sweep of Friday's MotoGP practice sessions after an opening day of changeable weather in Catalunya, Spain. Afternoon practice saw the reverse of this morning's weather, when light rain had arrived at the midway point in free practice one. Instead the second session began on a slowly drying track, where conditions were between slick and wet tyres, Stoner and Lorenzo were among those who chose to sit out the early part of the afternoon. With 17 minutes remaining Repsol Honda's Stoner hit the front of the leaderboard with a best time of 1m 42.940secs ahead of San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli and Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, with world champion Jorge Lorenzo a close fourth. Lorenzo's Factory Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies was a tenth quicker than Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi, with British rookie Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Cal Crutchlow seventh. The second San Carlo Gresini machine ridden by Hirshi Aoyama was eighth ahead of Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden and Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista rounding out the top ten.

03.06.11. MOTOGP : round five, Catalunya, Spain. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards fell at the slow-speed turn five on an out lap, landed heavily on his rigth shoulder, breaking his collarbone and was taken to the medical centre. It means this weekend's MotoGP field is down to only 15 riders, with home hero Dani Pedrosa also absent after breaking his collarbone, at Le-Mans in May. Both Edwards and Pedrosa are also unlikely to be fit for next weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

15.05.11. MOTOGP : round four, Le-Mans, France, race day. Casey Stoner won his second race of the 2011 MotoGP season win ease in France on Sunday at the Le-Mans circuit. The Repsol Honda rider had dominated all the track sessions, as his pace proved to be to much for the rest of the field. It was Stoner's Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa who led for the first ten laps, but once Stoner was able to pass to cleared off into the distance leaving Pedorsa to fall into the cluctches of Marco Simoncelli. The Gresini Honda rider quickly caught Pedrosa along the back straight where drafted past the Spaniard, but Pedrosa hit back to take the tighter line. Simoncelli refused to give in and swooped across the nose of the Repsol Honda where there was contact leaving Pedrosa in the gravel trap that later revealed he sustained a broken collarbone. Simoncelli seemed to get away unscathed but was punished with a ride through penalty only to rejoin in six. There was a three way battle up front for the final two spots on the podium which came down between world champion Jorge Loreno and the two Italians of Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi, but is wasn't to long before Dovizioso and Rossi smelt blood to pass the Factory Yamaha rider and with three laps remaining Rossi made his move on his countryman to take second, but the Repsol Honda rider would fight back to regain second to hold off the Marlboro Ducati to the chequred flag. None the less Rossi was elated with his first podium of the season with Lorenzo in fourth. Amazingly Simoncelli had caught and passed Lorenzo's team-mate on the last lap to take fifth, Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden took seventh, eighth was Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama with Mapfre Aspar's Hector Barbera and AB Cardion Ducati's Karel Abraham rounding out the top ten. There where a number of fallers in the race, one being Britain's Cal Crutchlow who lost the front end of his Tech3 machine while dicing with Ben Spies.

14.05.11. MOTOGP : round four, Le-Mans, France, final qualifying, day two. Casey Stoner continued his fine run of form by taking pole position at Le-Mans in France for the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship. The Repsol Honda rider dominated the final qualifying session with ease, even setting the fastest time at one point on a race tyre. Once the qualifyers went in Stoner was able to produce an astonishing time of 1min 33. 153 seconds to take pole position for Sunday's race. Stoner nearest rival came in the form of Marco Simoncelli as the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider managed to break on all Repsol Honda front row by pushing Andrea Dovizioso back to third. Dani Pedrosa who's always a threat to his team-mates will head of the second row in fourth ahead of a very disappointed world champion Jorge Lorenzo who won here last year. British rookie Cal Crutchlow was pleased with his performance by qualifying in sixth as the Yamaha Tech3 rider has never raced at the French circuit before. The ever consistant Colin Edwards will start from the third row in seventh alongside fellow countryman Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies with Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi just edging out his team-mate Nicky Hayden for the final slot of third row for ninth.

13.05.11. MOTOGP : round four, Le-mans, France, free practice, day one. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner dominated both free practice session today at the Le-Mans circuit in France for the fourth round of the MotoGP World Championship. The Australian set a best time of 1min 33.772 seconds which was four tenths quicker than his best time this morning. San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli took second with Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa third. Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden produced a stunning lap to take fourth in the final moments to push Yamaha World Champion Jorge Lorenzo down to fifth. Repsol Honda's third and final rider Andrea Dovizioso was sixth ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Colin Edwards and San Carlo Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama. Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi improved his times from this morning to finish in ninth with Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies tenth. Britain's Cal Crutchlow who's first visit to the French circuit also improved his best time to finish in thirteenth.

01.05.11. MOTOGP : round three, Estoril, Portugal, race day. Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa produced a stunning ride to take his first win of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at Estoril in Portugal today. Throughout the 28 lap race Pedrosa trailed world champion Jorge Lorenzo and with just three laps to go Pedrosa made his move on the Factory Yamaha rider to take the lead, where he would eventually open up a two second advantage to take victory to the delight of the Portuguese fans. Third place went to Pedrosa's team-mate Casey Stoner who finished some four seconds behind Lorenzo, but the battle for fourth was hotting up as the third and final Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovizioso mugged Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi on the finish line. Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Colin Edwards rode a cool and calculated race to take sixth as his rookie team-mate Cal Crutchlow would lose seventh place to San Carlo Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama. Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden was ninth with Pramac Racing Ducati's Randy de Puniet in tenth. A total of four riders crashed out today, the first being Marco Simoncelli who started from second crashed out on the first lap while chasing then race leader Jorge Lorenzo. Next to fall was Mapfre Aspar Racing's Hector Barbera and Czech rider Karel Abraham then Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies would crash with five laps remaining after trying to regain fifth place that he lost earlier in the race.

30.04.11. MOTOGP : round three, Estoril, Portugal, final qualifying, day two. Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo snatched pole position from San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Marco Simoncelli who had been the fastest rider throughout the weekend would eventually crash in the dying moments in the 45 minute final qualifying session to give the Factory Yamaha rider his 17th pole poition of his MotoGP career at the Estoril circuit in Portugal. Lorenzo's time of 1 min 37.161 seconds was just one tenth clear of Simoncelli's best lap with the battle for the final slot on the front row went to Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa with team-mate Casey Stoner fourth. Lorenzo's Factory Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies was fifth with the final Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovizioso sixth. Heading off the third row in seventh will be Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Colin Edwards who will be joined by his team-mate rookie Cal Crutchlow and Ducati Marlboro former nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi. Privateer Mapfre Aspar Team Ducati rider Hector Barbera out qualifyied the factory Ducati of Nicky Hayden for tenth, as the American struggled all the way down in thirteenth.

29.04.11. MOTOGP : round three, Estoril, Portugal, free practice, day one. San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Marco Simoncelli was the quickest rider for the second free practice for the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal today. The Honda rider got the better of reigning World Champion Factory Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo and Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa. Despite having a fall at the mid-way point of the 45 minute session, Simoncelli still went on to set a best time of 1min 37.663 seconds. Finishing on both identical lap times of 1min 38.102 seconds were Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi and Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner in fourth and fifth. American Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Colin Edwards was again solidy in the top ten was sixth ahead rookie AB Cardion Motoracing's Karel Abraham, while fellow American Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies was clearly unhappy with eighth. Rounding out the top ten was Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden and Mapfre Aspar Ducati's Hector Barbera. Britain's rookie rider Cal Crutchlow was confident of improving his best position of thirteenth tomorrow as this is the first time the Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider has rode the circuit.

03.04.11. MOTOGP : round two, Jerez, Spain, race day. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo won his mome Grand-Prix at Jerez in Spain today to the delight of the the Spanish fans. In an incident filled wet race the Yamaha Factory rider managed to steer clear of any collison's to beat fellow countryman Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa by 19 seconds with Nicky Hayden taking his Ducati Marlboro machine to third. San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Hiroshi Aoyama managed to salvage some pride for the team in fourth after his team-mate Marco Simoncelli crashed while leading the race. Nine times world champion Valentino Rossi managed to recover from a crash early on which involved Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner, where Rossi was able to restart his bike and rejoin the race down in fifthteenth where he eventually finished an amazing fifth. Mapfre Aspar Team rider Hector Barbera had his best result to date took sixth ahead of Cardion AB Motoracing Karel Abraham and Britan's very Cal Crutchlow who at one point was running high up as fifth before the wet conditions caught the Monster Yamaha rider out after a lowside, where he eventually got back on track to finish a credable eighth. LCR Honda's Toni Elias was ninth with John Hopkins who is filling in for the injured Alvaro Bautista at the Rizla Suzuki team taking a well earned tenth.

02.04.11. MOTOGP : round two, Jerez, Spain, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner who won the opening race last time out in Qatar will go for his second consectutive win after taking pole position at Jerez in Spain, despite being the one of seven fallers in the afternoon session. The Australian went on to set a best time of 1min 38. 757 secsonds which was 0.158 secs quicker than his team-mate Dani Pedrosa in second. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will complete the front row in third with Yamaha Factory Racing team-mate Ben Spies fourth. Starting alongside Spies will be San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli, with fellow Italian Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso sealing sixth. The top Ducati rider was Pramac Racing's Randy de Puniet who will start from seventh despite crashing with eight minutes remaining. Lining up alongside the Frenchman will be the two Monster Yamaha Tech 3 riders of Colin Edwards and rookie Cal Crutchlow with the final San Carlo Gresini Honda ridden by Hiroshi Aoyama tenth. Despite a heavy fall nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi will line up on the fourth row in twelfth behind his Marlboro Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden.

01.04.11. MOTOGP : round two, Jerez, Spain, free practice, day one. Casey Stoner continued his run of exceptional form by topping the timesheets in free practice for round two of the MotoGP World Championship at Jerez in Spain. The former 2007 world champion set a best lap of 1m 39. 551 seconds, which was just 0.028 seconds from team-mate Dani Pedrosa. World Champion Jorge Lorenzo improved from the morning session to go third fastest on his Factory Yamaha machine ahead of the two Italian's San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli and nine times world champion Ducati Marlboro's Valentino Rossi. Pramac Racing Ducati rider Randy de Puniet put in a strong performance to go sixth quickest ahead of the two American's of Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies and Ducati Marlboro Nicky Hayden, with the second San Carlo Gresini Honda ridden by Hiroshi Aoyama and Cardion AB Motoracing's Karel Abraham rounding out the top ten.

19.03.11. MOTOGP : round one, Qatar, race day. Pole position starter Casey Stoner got his Repsol Honda career of to a great start by taking victory at the opening race of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar. Once Stoner hit the front he quickly established a lead of nearly five seconds a head of reigning Factory World Champion Jorge Lorenzo who was pushed all the way to the chequred flag by Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedroda. Fourth place went to the third Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovizioso who was involved in a race long battle with satelite San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli. BenSpies and nine-times World Champion Valentino Rossi had a battle of their own for sixth as the Factroy Yamaha of Spies clearly had the edge on the Ducati Marlboro into the braking area's due to Rossi's shoulder that has not fully healed from surgury a few months ago. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Colin Edwards made a positive start to his season finished in eighth a head of compatriot Ducati Marlboro Nicky Hayden with San Carlo Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama just getting the better of British rookie Cal Crutchlow for tenth.

18.03.11. MOTOGP : round one, Qatar, final qualifying, day two. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner put in a storming display to clinch pole position for Sunday's season opening race at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The Australian 2007 world champion, topped the timesheets for most of the session, apart from a brief flurry by team-mate Dani Pedrosa. Stoner's best lap of 1min 54. 137 seconds was 0.205 seconds clear of Pedrosa, with reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo third. Satelite rider San Carlo Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli done a great job and will start from the second row in fourth where he will be joined by Factory Yamaha's Ben Spies and Mapfre Aspar's Hector Barbera. The last of the Repsol Honda's ridden by Andrea Dovizioso was seventh, eighth Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Cal Crutchlow with nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi ninth with Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards tenth.

17.03.11. MOTOGP : round one, Qatar, free practice, day one. Repsol Honda trio Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso claimed a perfect 1-2-3 during the final free practice session on the opening night of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar. Stoner lead the way ahead of his team-mates Pedrosa and Dovizioso with three short runs towards the end of the final session to take the top spot with a best time of 1m 55. 012s . The best of the non Honda riders was Factory Yamaha World Champion Jorge Lorenzo in fourth with his new team-mate Ben Spies in fifth. Six place and fastest of the Ducati's went to Hector Barbera with satelite Monster Yamaha Tech rider Colin Edwards seventh. Last years winner at Qatar for Yamaha was Valentino Rossi in eighth now riding for the Ducati Marlboro Team with the two Pramac Racing Ducati's of Randy de Puniet and Loris Capirossi rounding out the top ten. Britain's on representive in the premier class Cal Crutchlow rode through the pain barrier was eleventh, but the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider was only 0.171seconds of Hector Barbera in sixth. Rizla Suzuki rider Alvaro Bautista looks unlikely to race this weekend after a big fall at the end of the session.

14.03.11. Final MotoGP winter, Qatar, day two. Repsol Honda team-mates Casey Stoner and Dani will enter the fifth and final season of the 800cc era in a good position of taking the 2011 MotoGP World Championship after dominating the final night of pre-season winter testing at the Losail circuit in Qatar. Both Stoner and Pedrosa were the only riders to dip under the 1m 57s barrier ahead of Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies in third. Then came the San Carlo Gresini Honda of Marco Simoncelli a head of Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso with Pramac Racing Ducati's Randy de Puniet sixth. With time running out reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo stayed in seventh, eighth Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards with Ducati Marlboro's Nicky Hayden and Hiroshi Aoyama rounding out the top ten. Nine times World Champion Valentino Rossi clearly was not happy with his thirteenth place while Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow had his best placing of the test in fourteenth despite crashing out, resulting in him losing the top of his little finger. The Englishman now has a race against time to be ready to race at the opening round of the season here in Qatar this weekend.

13.03.11. Final MotoGP winter test, Qatar, day one. Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa topped the timesheets at the final winter test at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The test was run at night where the young Spaniard set a best time of 1m 57. 271s over forty one laps. Team-mate Casey Stoner was second with privateer San Carlo Honda Gresini's Marco Simoncelli third just ahead of the two Yamaha Factory Racing duo of Ben Spies and world champion Jorge Lorenzo. Colin Edwards was sixth for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad, with the final Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovizioso just done enough to steal seventh from Ducati Marlboro's of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden with Pramac Racing Ducati's Randy de Puniet in tenth. With start of the season nearing each day Britain's only representative Cal Crutchlow struggled down in sixteenth on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine.

24.02.11. The third and final day of testing concluded today at the Malaysian circuit Sepang with the Repsol Honda's dominating yet again. Casey Stoner and repsol honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa were the only riders to dip under the two minute barrier, while San Carlo Gresini Honda rider Marco Simoncelli put in a flyer of a lap towards the end of the session to finish third. The final Repsol Honda ridden by Andrea Dovizioso headed the three Yamaha's ridden by Ben Spies, Colin Edwards and Jorge Lorenzo for fourth, with Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautisa finishing a respectable eighth. In ninth was Simoncelli's team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama with Aspar Racing's Hector Barbera in tenth ahead of the two Marlboro Ducati's of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden. Britiain's Cal Crutchlow finished in his best position of thirteenth.

23.02.11. MOTOGP Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day two. Repsol Honda dominated the top three spots at the end of day two at Sepang. Dani Pedrosa led team-mates Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovovizioso around the hot Malaysian circuit with a best time of 2m 0.229 seconds with the factory Yamaha's of Ben Spies and world champion Jorge Lorenzo in a respectable fourth and fifth. The privateer machines of San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama found a near perfect set-up to end their day sixth and seventh. Eighth was Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards with Bike #T2 Yamaha test rider and Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista rounding out the top ten. British rider Cal Crutchlow succumb to the Asia heat dropped down to eighteenth, while nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi played no part in todays test as the Marlboro Ducati rider had to sit this one out due to sickness.

22.02.11. MOTOGP Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day one. Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner moved to the top spot in the third and final test session at Sepang in Malaysia. The 2007 MotoGP World Champion set a best time of 2m 0.987 seconds ahead of his team-mate Dani Pedrosa with reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo third. Colin Edwards got off to a great start in fourth for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team just ahead of Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso and Factory Yamaha of Ben Spies. The two privateer San Carlo Gresini Honda's ridden by Hiroshi Aoyama and fastest rider last time out Marco Simoncelli were seventh and eighth, ninth Marlboro Ducati's Valentino Rossi with Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista in tenth. British rider Cal Crutchlow made a slow and steady start throughout the day to finish in fiftheenth.

03.02.11 MOTOGP Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day three. Italian rider Marco Simoncelli topped the timesheets in the final dry session at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. It's been a long time since a privateer has achieved such a feat as the San Carlo Gresini Honda rider set a time of 2m 0.757seconds ahead of Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner and Yamaha Racing Team World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, with Stoner's team-mate Andrea Dovizioso in fourth. Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies had his best run of the test to finish in fifth ahead of yesterday's fastest rider Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa. The second San Carlo Gresini Honda ridden by Hiroshi Aoyama finished a strong seventh ahead of the two American's Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards and Ducati Team's Nicky Hayden with Valentino Rossi making further improvements to the Ducat Team bike was tenth. Britiain's Cal Crutchlow also improved his times in fifteenth.

02.02.11. MOTOGP Test, Sepang, Malaysia, day two. For a second day running it was the Repsol Honda's that topped the timesheets yet again, but this time the RCV was ridden by Dani Pedrosa who produced a stunning time of 2m 0.770 seconds ahead of team-mate Casey Stoner. Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies was able to split the Repsol Honda's for third ahead Andrea Dovizioso and the two San Carlo Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo found himself down in seventh with Rizla Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista, Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards and Aspar Racing's Hector Barbera rounding out the top ten. Despite finishing down in a lowly thirteenth Ducati's Valentino Rossi was happy with the progress with his shoulder.