Repsol Honda Launches 2010 MotoGP Team and Bikes

It all happened in Madrid, Spain, appropriately enough, where Repsol Honda showed their 2010 livery and rider Dani Pedrosa to the world. Andrea Dovizioso was not well and decided to stay home in Italy to recover for the Qatar test this coming weekend - probably for the best. Pedrosa arrived on stage riding a trials bike and his Honda RC212V was lowered from the rafters to the stage, which gave the whole thing a theatrical twist. This is the 16th year that the two names have been associated - it does seem longer - and it is now known worldwide...check the link for the rest...

http://tinyurl.com/yg8btlt

More Morning Moto News - All Things Moto(GP) & MotoGP Interviews with Pedrosa and Dovizioso

A new webcast series is coming to us from OnTheThrottle.tv; it is called All Things Moto(GP) and will be hosted by Liam Shubert. Obviously, the show will concern itself with the MotoGP series. It can be found on RoadracingWorld.com and will be presented every Monday. Last night's episode was the first of this season and you can still catch it by taking the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/ydqfq2a

From another one of our favorite websites comes a couple of MotoGP interviews. Both of them were obtained in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit after the recent pre-season test. First up is Repsol Honda man Dani Pedrosa, who will most certainly be one of the front runners in this years Championship. Right after Pedrosa is his teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who is also a force on the MotoGP track. This is a good way to get some perspective on the testing from the rider's point of view.

Pedrosa: http://tinyurl.com/ybmg542

Dovizioso: http://tinyurl.com/y98bt4v

MORE Morning Moto News - Honda MotoGP & Fantasy Motorcycle Racing

Honda has decided that they very much need to capture the MotoGP title very soon! They have not won since Nicky Hayden took the 2006 Championship. They have thus reorganized the team structure to help them get their wish. A new Technical Director has been assigned and each of Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso will be managed separately and the development of the RC212V will be much more focused in 2010. Given Pedrosa's run at last year's title, we should see some interesting developments from the factory Repsol team.

http://tinyurl.com/yackulr

Motorcycle USA has announced that they will be hosting a Fantasy Motorcycle Racing game which includes MotoGP, World Superbike and AMA Motocross - as far as can be seen from the attached article. It's free to use, so what are you waiting for?

http://tinyurl.com/yas69ap

MotoGP Riders Must Look After Their Health in Malaysia

This has been covered - especially concerning Casey Stoner - but it is an important aspect of racing at the highest level in the world. In Malaysia, riders have to deal with intense heat and energy-sapping humidity. They must drink constantly as they can loose up to 2kg of water wait in one 45 minute session on the track. So, how are they dealing with it and who is helping them?

http://tinyurl.com/yk98585

Casey Stoner Wins Phillip Island Grand Prix - MotoGP

Stoner led from start to finish, but Valentino Rossi was hot on his heels through much of the race. Unfortunately for Jorge Lorenzo, he crashed out very early - just seconds into the race - and took Nicky Hayden with him - another crash that was not Nicky's fault and cost him points. Nicky went on to finish in 15th. Dani Pedrosa did not disappoint, but he was far behind the two leaders of the event; he finished third.

More news: Rossi experienced personal tragedy before yesterday's practice after hearing that his step-father had passed away in Italy. Very sad news...With the podium finish today, though, he is even closer to the 2009 MotoGP Championship.

http://tinyurl.com/yfckdbg

http://tinyurl.com/ylq59ag

http://tinyurl.com/yfkbt66

Team Reports:

Bridgestone: http://tinyurl.com/yjw4wgg
Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yk872xz
Fiat Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/yf5r8s4
Repsol Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yz5dkvx
Tech 3 Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/yfaxshh
Pramac Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yftc4ha
Rizla Suzuki: http://tinyurl.com/yhx9aor
Gresini Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yzso6te
LCR Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yzn29el
Scot Racing: http://tinyurl.com/yg3vt8w

Pedrosa and Dovizioso Visit Honda Australia Rider Training

Pedrosa and Dovizioso surprised the staff at the Honda Australia Rider Training center just outside of Melbourne, Australia. They hung around and talked about racing, technology, techniques and other motorcycle-related questions with the instructors and some students who were there for training. They also sampled some of the simulators and did quite well, as you may expect!

http://tinyurl.com/ygunv4v

Repsol to Remain Factory Honda Sponsor in MotoGP

After such success, why would they want to cease their partnership? Well, the economic situation is now improving but oh so very slowly, so money is tough to come by; that would be one good reason. However, Repsol and Honda have combined to win 98 race victories and 9 World Championships. Plus, who does not recognize the Repsol badging on Honda motorcycles?

http://tinyurl.com/ye9exy9