Yamaha reveals 50th livery

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.



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Yamaha YZR-M1 livery

MotoGP heading to Texas

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.



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2011 Suzuki GSV-R

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 YZR-M1 livery

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.



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Ducati unveils GP11

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 through its paces on February 1, 2 and 3.



The 2011 MotoGP championship, which consists of 18 rounds, starts with the Grand Prix of Qatar on March 20.