2002 Honda Xr80 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Video: On-board with Stoner at Sepang

The story of MotoGP testing has so far seen Casey Stoner maintain his dominance on the Repsol Honda. At the first test at Sepang 26 days ago - where the above footage was recorded - the 2007 and 2011 champion was the only rider to break the two minute barrier at the Malaysian circuit, ending the two-days at the track with a best time of 1:59.607.

Geeky snippets ahead of the Phillip Island MotoGP

Valentino Rossi has finished on the podium eleven times in his twelve visits to Phillip Island across all three GP classes. The only race at Phillip Island that he did not finish in the top three was on his first visit riding a 125cc machine in 1997 when he finished sixth. In 1998 and 1999 he won the 250cc races and since then has had nine podiums in the premier-class including five victories, the last of which was in 2005.

Press launches - the ugly truth. Part 3

So with an afternoon of sightseeing completed (a rare luxury on most launches) it's back to the hotel for the press conference. These are you usually long winded, tooth pulling affairs with Japanese technicians insisting on speaking their bestest engrish which only serves to elongate the proceedings. Nothing kills a presentation more than reading every word of a powerpoint slide verbatum, even thought the viewers can read exactly the same words (and probably a lot faster).  The Crossrunner presentation was mercifully brief and snappy followed by dinner in the hotel and a reasonably early night as everyone had already been up for twenty hours.