The Doctor has always been a fan of four wheels since quite a long time, whether it’s rallying, drifting or Formula 1. [Read more…]

On Saturday, 20-year-old Marquez took over from former double title winner Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever pole-sitter in the premier class. He now becomes the youngest race winner, having seen off a challenge from Pedrosa on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. Although he is now level on points with Lorenzo in the championship, Marquez holds the lead as he is the most recent Grand Prix winner.

As the red lights went out at the new Circuit of the Americas – located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas – it was Pedrosa who seized the lead, while Lorenzo headed backwards courtesy of a poor getaway. A lightning start for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl allowed the German to go second but he was soon overhauled by Marquez, Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.

Following Pedrosa and waiting patiently for his moment, Marquez courageously dived up the inside of Turn 7 on the 13th of the 21 laps. Pedrosa would hang onto the back of his teammate, but lost ground courtesy of a small error six laps later. To the delight of his crew, Marquez would take the chequered flag by one and a half seconds, with Lorenzo just over the same margin behind Pedrosa.

Having not tested at the venue a month ago, Crutchlow was more than pleased with fourth – having hoped for a top six result this weekend – as Bradl and Rossi completed that particular group, with the multiple title winner having overhauled GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista. The latter would also fall behind Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who progressed to seventh on the final lap and then avoided a last-corner lunge from his rival. Leading American rider Nicky Hayden and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone rounded out the top ten.

Extending his lead in the CRT ranks, Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro enjoyed a strong ride to 11th place ahead of two prototype riders – English rookie Bradley Smith (Tech 3) and American Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing) – as well as French teammate Randy de Puniet. PBM enjoyed its strongest weekend to date, with Yonny Hernandez sealing the final point for 15thposition while Michael Laverty recorded his first MotoGP finish in 16th with the team’s own-built bike. Avintia Blusens maintained the symmetry in 17th and 18th, with Hiroshi Aoyama having overtaken Hector Barbera, while NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti, Gresini CRT rider Bryan Staring and Attack Performance Racing’s Blake Young (the single wildcard rider in the race) completed the field.

It was a hugely disappointing afternoon for Came IodaRacing Project. Danilo Petrucci was fortunate to stay upright when teammate Lucas Pesek crashed out of the race directly behind him, only to retire in the pits with mechanical gremlins only minutes later. Colin Edwards was also on the sidelines, as the local Texan hero racked up the unenviable fact of becoming the race’s first of three retirements.

With 16 rounds to go in this highly dramatic MotoGP season, the story continues in Jerez with the Gran Premio bwin de España in two weeks’ time.

Source: MotoGP.com

The 2013 MotoGP season kicked off in style at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The race was filled with action and excitement right till the last lap. [Read more…]

The last few years haven’t gone down well for the world’s most beloved MotoGP champion, but The Doctor believes that he can challenge for a spot on the podium in the first race at Qatar this coming weekend.

[Read more…]

HRC have just come up with this scintillating video – a kinda season preview set on location at the Circuit of the Americas, Texas.  [Read more…]

The 2013 Isle of Man TT will feature a female rider in the form of Maria Costello. Costello will be competing on the Mountain course aboard two machines: a Moto3 Honda NSF250 and a brand new Triumph 675R. [Read more…]

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s passion for motorcycles is well documented but do you know that the Indian cricket team captain owns a racing team as well? Mahi Racing Team India (MTI) was established in 2012 with the vision to promote superbike racing in India and the team made a fantastic start to the 2013 WSBK season with reigning World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu winning the first WSS race at the Philip Island circuit in Australia while his team-mate Fabien Foret finished fourth.

The two riders visited the Buddh International circuit recently and were in for a pleasant surprise when the Indian cricket team captain easily shifted gears while talking to them about the nuances of bike racing and the technical aspects of tuning the bikes.

“I follow the progress of the team very keenly and want to see more and more Indian youths take to Superbikes in the future,” said Dhoni, who has been regularly tweeting about the team’s progress in the last few weeks.

Playing a perfect host to world Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret, Dhoni spent over three hours with his guest and even apprised them with what they should expect when they coming to India for the season’s final race in November.

“It was a great evening. We were supposed to meet for about 15 minutes but once we got talking about bikes, strategy to win races and of course cricket, time just flew,” said Sofuoglu after their meeting with Dhoni.

Mahi Racing’s Chairman and Managing Director Arun Pandey said, “The idea behind bringing the drivers to India was to let them know how passionate we all are for the sport and also to promote Superbike racing in India.

“After meeting Dhoni, I am sure they will now know how dedicated we are to ensure that the team wins the championship this year,” he added. While the talk between Dhoni and the two riders revolved mostly around the racing team, the Indian captain also explained them the nuances of cricket and even how bats are manufactured and how the player’s test them.

Foret, who is a Frenchman and hasn’t followed cricket before, said that more than the technical details of cricket, they were keen to know how Indian cricketers, and especially Dhoni, handle the pressure of expectations.

“He explained to us how he follows his passion of playing cricket and not get baulked down by the pressure of getting results,” said Foret adding that he and Sofuoglu (from Turkey) have started following a bit of cricket after their last meeting with Dhoni during the team launch. “He also told us that the pressure would build by the time we come here in November for the race and I am sure we will be prepared for that,” said Foret, who also promised Dhoni his helmet after he finishes on the podium in the next race in Spain.

The final race of the season would be held at the Buddh International circuit on November 17 and their visit will help the riders prepare for the grand finale, which will also be the team’s first ever home race.

The riders were driven around on the racetrack as competition rules do not permit them to ride on the track they would race in the season. Both Sofuoglu and Foret praised the layout of the track and said that they would look forward to racing here.

While the two riders had to be satisfied with a drive around, 35 members of Group of Delhi Superbikers (G.O.D.S.) burnt rubber on the racetrack in front of a sizable crowd that had come to see them in action.

Bike India believes in the cause, which inspired the cricket team captain to establish the team. We have always helped our readers understand the sport by educating them about its intricacies. To continue our strengthen our commitment, we have formed a unique collaboration with the team. MTI’s Kenan Sofuoglu has joined our editorial team as a freelance celebrity columnist from April 2013. Follow this column in Bike India magazine to understand the sport in the ‘Champ’s Words’.

Story: Piyush Sonsale

Organisers of the legendary Dakar Rally have announced the calendar and route of the 35th edition of the rally raid, to be held in 2014. [Read more…]

The 2013 Isle of Man TT is almost here and Team Icon Brammo have introduces their new challengers for the TTXGP zero-emission category. [Read more…]