Autoesque

Since 1999, BMW has supplied the official course vehicles for MotoGP. That tradition continues this year.

Following the recent unveiling of its 2018 GSX-RR MotoGP bike, Suzuki has confirmed that a replica colour scheme will soon be available for the road-going GSX-R1000 and GSX-R1000R.

Yamaha has revealed the colour scheme that its YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes will be wearing this coming season. With Telefónica retained as title sponsor, the predominantly blue paintjob is very much a gentle evolution of last year’s.

After much speculation, Honda has unveiled a RC213V-S prototype at the EICMA show in Milan. As that name implies, it’s based on the RC213V which currently competes in MotoGP.

Following a fairly last-minute sponsorship deal with Telefónica Movistar, Yamaha Factory Racing has unveiled an updated colour scheme for its YZR-M1 MotoGP contenders.

Ducati has unveiled the bike that Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso will be riding in this year’s MotoGP championship. Called (for obvious reasons) the Desmosedici GP14, it’s a controversial contender.

The release of next year’s MotoGP schedule confirms that there won’t be a race at Laguna Seca.

Suzuki has announced that it’ll be returning to MotoGP in 2015 - a year later than expected.

Yamaha Factory Racing has unveiled an updated livery for its YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes.

The FIM has updated next year’s MotoGP World Championship race calendar.

Ducati has unveiled the Desmosedici GP12 that Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden will be racing in this year’s MotoGP series. With more than 230 horsepower (about 170 kW) available from its new 1,000 cc V4 engine and a dry weight of 157 kg (346 lbs), the GP12 is reckoned to be capable of over 205 mph (330 km/h). But whether the package is good enough to beat rivals Honda and Yamaha remains to be seen. Certainly, Ducati will be hoping for an improvement on the 7th and 8th places that Rossi and Hayden achieved in last season’s championship standings. Related posts: Honda RC213V unveiled 2012 MotoGP calendar Ducati unveils GP11

Repsol Honda’s challenger for the 2012 MotoGP season , the RC213V, has been revealed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The new bike, which has a 1,000 cc engine in line with the increased capacity limit being introduced this year, will be ridden by Dani Pedrosa and reigning champion Casey Stoner. Stoner is being realistic about the team’s prospects, an understandable stance given that such a significant change to the technical regulations could potentially rewrite the formbook. Speaking at the unveiling, the Australian said: “After such a strong season in 2011, we remain focused and don’t expect to be in top form immediately. I am sure Honda have done a fantastic job with the new 1,000 cc machine over the winter break and I’m really looking forward to getting back on the bike and seeing what we can do, hoping to start strong again. “We know there will be a lot of serious competition out there, Ducati have been putting a lot of effort in as have Yamaha so it will be interesting to g...

The FIM has published an updated schedule for the 2012 MotoGP season. Although still provisional, changes from the previous version include the naming of Sachsenring as host circuit for the German round, a date change for the opening Qatar event and finalisation of contractual terms for Jerez. 2012 MotoGP Championship - Provisional Calendar Date Country Circuit 08 April Qatar* Doha / Losail 29 April Spain Jerez de la Frontera 06 May Portugal (STC) Estoril 20 May France Le Mans 03 June Spain Catalunya 17 June Great Britain Silverstone 30 June Netherlands** Assen 08 July Germany (STC) Sachsenring 15 July Italy Mugello 29 July United States*** Laguna Seca 19 August United States Indianapolis 26 August Czech Republic Brno 16 September San Marino Misano 30 September Spain Aragon Motorland 14 October Japan Motegi 21 October Malaysia Sepang 28 October Australia Phillip Island 11 November ...

The Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies are set to change colour, albeit temporarily. Replacing the usual blue and white paintjob will be a red and white design that marks Yamaha Factory Racing’s fifty years in World Championship Grand Prix racing. Fans will get a chance to see the celebratory livery at two rounds only, the Assen TT on 25th June and Laguna Seca on 24th July. Related post: Yamaha YZR-M1 livery

Dorna Sports, organiser of MotoGP , has announced that the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas will be hosting a round of the championship from 2013. A ten-year contract has been agreed, which also encompasses the Moto2 and Moto3 race categories. The Hermann Tilke designed track must be impressing the right people. Still under construction, it first hit the headlines last year when Formula 1 announced it would be using the Texas venue for the United States Grand Prix. That’s also a ten-year deal, starting from next year. A key feature of the 3.4 mile long circuit is the substantial change in elevation, while the layout is said to have been inspired by various classic tracks. With a capacity of 120,000, there should be plenty of room for spectators. The Circuit of the Americas race means that the United States could have three MotoGP rounds - assuming, of course, that Laguna Seca and Indianapolis remain on the calendar beyond 2012. Related post: Building F1 circuits

The Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has unveiled its 2011 challenger. Sporting a livery from Troy Lee Designs, the Suzuki GSV-R now produces over 220 bhp (165 kW / 225 PS) from its 800 cc V4 engine. Combined with a weight of around 150 kg (330 lbs), that should be enough for a top speed of at least 205 mph (330 km/h). But that’s just one part of the performance mix - work has also been done to improve driveability and acceleration out of slow corners, while chassis stiffness has received attention to enhance handling and traction. Rizla Suzuki will only be fielding one GSV-R this season, for Spanish rider Álvaro Bautista. The new bike will make its debut at this weekend’s MotoGP test session at Qatar, ahead of the first race of the season on 20 March which also takes place at the Losail circuit.

Yamaha Factory Racing has unveiled a new colour scheme its MotoGP challenger, the YZR-M1. The bikes may look smart finished in blue with the signature Yamaha ‘speed block’ motif, but the livery reveals that attempts to find a title sponsor for the 2011 season have failed. Current World Champion Jorge Lorenzo remains with the team to defend his title, while replacing Valentino Rossi is Ben Spies, who moves up to the works outfit following a year at independents Tech 3. The 2011 MotoGP championship commences on March 20 with the Grand Prix of Qatar. Related post: Ducati unveils GP11

Ducati has revealed its new MotoGP contender, which will be ridden by Nicky Hayden and new team-mate Valentino Rossi. Named the GP11, it features an engine that’s an evolution of the one used last year. The main objective for this season has been to get a flatter torque curve. As far as the aerodynamics are concerned, the revised design is meant to increase top speed, reduce fuel consumption and minimise front-end lift. To help with that final item, the GP11 sports a development of the fairing-mounted winglets that were first seen during 2010. Other significant changes from the GP10 include smaller front forks (42 mm, down from 48 mm), while the carbon fibre chassis has more flex for improved feel when the bike is leaned over. The testing schedule for the GP11 commences at Jerez, Spain on January 17, 18 and 19 with riders Franco Battaini and Vito Guareschi on board. The programme then moves to Sepang, Malaysia, where Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden are due to put the new bike...