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About MotoGP
As the oldest motorsport World Championship in existence today, MotoGP continues to deliver first-class racing through cutting edge technology. Find out more about how the premier motorcycle racing series has changed since its beginnings in 1949.
A Short History of MotoGP
Casey Stoner, pre-season testing January 2009
The MotoGP World Championship is the ultimate competition in motorcycle racing. Each year, the highest performing prototype bikes, the most masterful riders and cutting edge technology come together to form a season of first-class racing action. The motorcycles used in MotoGP are purpose-built racing prototypes which are unavailable for purchase by the general public and cannot be legally ridden on public roads, meaning they can be developed to deliver unprecedented performance and speed on the track.
MotoGP is the oldest motorsport World Championship in existence. Since its inception, MotoGP has attracted top motorcycle manufacturers and the best riding talent. The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) 500cc Grand Prix Road-Racing Championship was born one year before Formula One in 1949 and has grown to become the MotoGP series as we know it today.
Casey Stoner
In 2002, a new MotoGP era was born - the series was renamed the MotoGP World Championship and revised regulations allowed the participation of powerful 990cc bikes with four-stroke engines. The current 800cc MotoGP bikes were introduced in 2007, bringing with them a thrilling display of heightened competition and faster cornering speeds. The excitement continued into the opening round of 2008, when MotoGP became the first motorsport World Championship to host a night-time Grand Prix, with the Losail International Circuit's state-of-the-art new floodlight system providing a fantastic start to the season in Qatar.
For 2009, teams from Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki will compete for this prestigious world title with renewed challenges. The teams must now use a total of five engines for the final eight races of the 2009 season, bringing a new importance to engine protection and performance. The 'Formula One of motorcycle racing' is expected to attract huge crowds to 18 Grands Prix and 14 countries around the world this season, whilst television audiences continue to grow.
