2008 MotoGP Season Photo Gallery

Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri carve their 2008 Desmosedicis out of ice - Wroom

Number 27 displaying the number-1 plate with his Ducati employers.

LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet continued to top the timesheet at the Sepang test after two days of riding.

Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards jumped up the Sepang test timesheet on Day Two with the second-fastest lap of the day.

Valentino Rossi at the Fiat Yamaha team's official intro in Turin, Italy.

The 2008 YZR-M1

Valentino Rossi's 2008 YZR-M1

The Kawasaki Racing team at the first test of 2008 in Sepang.

James Toseland is still adapting to the characteristics of the YZR-M1.

Valentino Rossi in action during Sepang testing.

Jorge Lorenzo inSepang.

Randy de Puniet is riding 2008 aboard the LCR Honda.

Randy de Puniet is riding 2008 aboard the LCR Honda.

Alex de Angelis is one of the many 250GP riders to make the jump into the premier class, riding for San Carlo Honda Gresini.

Shinya Nakano is contesting 2008 for the San Carlo Honda Gresini squad.

Andrea Dovizioso will be riding the JiR Team Scot Honda.

Andrea Dovizioso is one of the fresh faces in MotoGP, coming over from the 250 class.

Toni Elias has traded Honda for Ducati in 2008, riding the for the Alice satellite team.

Sylvain Guintoli is the second rider for the Alice Ducati team.

Nicky Hayden is hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2007.

Hopper's long-time Suzuki connection is gone, with the American now riding for the Kawasaki brand.

Marco Melandri should be a title threat with the factory Ducati in 2008 - Qatar (night test)

Dani Pedrosa will run number 2 this season, with the Spaniard second only to Stoner in 2007.

Valentino Rossi has not been champion for 2 years now. Can he do it in 2008?

James Toseland is the World Superbike champion, but that means nothing here in MotoGP where he will ride aboard the Tech 3 Yamaha.

Anthony West was a suprising success in 2007 and now the Aussie will benefit from an entire year behind the Kawasaki.

MotoGP rookie Jorge Lorenzo didn't race like a rookie, putting in the fastest lap at the last test session of the season at Qatar.

'The Doctor' prepares to mount up for his testing session under the lights Friday night in Losail.

Casey Stoner once again topped the MotoGP timesheet, this time during the nighttime free practice sessions at Qatar.

Jorge Lorenzo snagged his first career MotoGP pole position in his first try - Qatar

No big surprises here. Casey Stoner got his 2008 season off to the same note as his 2007 campaign, with a dominating win - Qatar

It wasn't a win, but Pedrosa moved up from a Row 3 start to finish on the podium, making it a rostrum appearance every season opener in his three-year MotoGP career - Qatar

Loris Capirossi finished 8th in his Rizla Suzuki debut - Qatar

Capirex fared better than his teammate, Vermeulen - Qatar

Randy de Puniet placed 9th in his first race aboard the LCR Honda. It was also the first time the Frenchman has finished a race at the Losail circuit - Qatar

Andrew Dovizioso was very impressive in his premier class debut, with the Italian swiping points from Rossi on the final lap - Qatar

It looks like Nicky Hayden has his work cut out for him in 2008 - Qatar

John Hopkins could have had a better debut on the Kawasaki, with Hopper finishing in the double digits - Qatar

In 60 years of Grand Prix racing, this was the first race held under the lights - Qatar

Dani Pedrosa has started every MotoGP season with a podium finish - Qatar

Casey Stoner looks more and more at home on top of the rostrum with every victory - Qatar

Pedrosa jumped out to the holeshot - Qatar

Valentino Rossi faded in the final laps, finishing fifth after getting passed on the final circuit by Dovizioso - Qatar

Although running a less powerful engine than the factory squad, James Toseland managed a sixth-place finish in his GP debut - Qatar

Chris Vermeulen's 2008 opener was spoiled by a bad Bridgestone front - Qatar

Casey Stoner on the gas at the Jerez circuit.

Jorge Lorenzo is getting his MotoGP career off to a stellar start.

Spain's Luis Salom won the opening round of the 2008 MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Cup - Jerez

American JD Beach finished second in the opening round of the 2008 MotoGP Red Bull Rookies Cup - Jerez

Jorge Lorenzo continues to be impressive, winning both poles and finishing second in Qatar. Not bad for a rookie.

Colin Edwards secured a front row start for the second consecutive race. Now if only he could get that elusive first MotoGP victory.

Dani Pedrosa gave the home crowd something to cheer about with his dominating victory at Jerez.

The rowdy Spaniards at Jerez were cheering on the Grand Prix exploits.

The Spanish fans love their MotoGP and Jerez always carries a party atmosphere. - Jerez

Kawasaki Racing's Anthony West could only muster a 13th-place finish in Spain. - Jerez

There is no shortage of beauty in Spain.

Shake it up, Dani P. The young Spaniard not only won the race, but catapulted into the early championship point lead. - Jerez

Not to be outdone by Kawasaki, Rizla Suzuki always brings some of the hottest brolly girls around. - Jerez

It was not Marlboro Ducati's day, as both Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri finished out of the top ten.

The Jerez circuit was not kind to the Ducatis, as Alice Team's Toni Elias crossed the line in 15th place.

Rizla Suzuki's Capirossi leads the charge through a tight right-hander. - Jerez

Loris Capirossi gave his Rizla Suzuki team its best results yet, a solid fifth-place finish. - Jerez

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo continues to amaze, winning his three out of three poles so far this season. - Estoril Qualifying

Yamaha Tech 3's James Toseland has a new pneumatic valve engine at his disposal, which he hopes will get him on the podium. - Estoril Qualifying

Jorge Lorenzo scored yet another pole position, but the big news at Estoril was his first career GP win in the premier class.

The Rizla Suzuki umbrella girls are always stunning. - Estoril

It has been a tough transition from the ZX-10RR to the Honda so far this season for Randy DePuniet, who finished 15th in Portugal. - Estoril

LCR Honda's Randy DePuniet was in seventh-place until crashing in the second-to-last lap. - Estoril

Kawasaki Racing's John Hopkins finished fifth, his highest placing in Portugal. - Estoril

Hopkins demonstrated some of the same panache as last year where he was a regular on the podium. - Estoril

After Lorenzo passed his Fiat Yamaha teammate, there was no looking back for the Spanish rookie. - Estoril

Jump in the air like you just don't care! Rookie Jorge Lorenzo celebrates his first MotoGP victory. - Estoril

Rossi leaves Portugal with his podium streak intact, albeit with a third-place finish instead of the top spot. - Estoril

An on-board camera came loose during the race, hampering Stoner's ability to steer the Ducati GP8 effectively. - Estoril

Rizla Suzuki claimed the 8th and 9th spots in the Grand Prix of Portugal. - Estoril

Rizla's Chris Vermeulen finished in eighth and continues to improve with every race. - Estoril

Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards had a smokin' lap late to capture the Chinese GP pole. - Shanghai

Defending World Champion Casey Stoner will start from the front row tomorrow and won in China last year. - Shanghai

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo literally had to be placed on his motorcycle in order to qualify. - Shanghai

Valentino Rossi broke his GP winless streak with an impressive victory over Dani Pedrosa at Shanghai.

Rizla Suzuki's Chris V entered the race at Shanghai optimistically but pulled in after only six laps due to a technical failure. - Shanghai

Jorge Lorenzo displayed the heart of a champion by riding with a broken ankle to finish fourth. - Shanghai

Marlboro Ducati's Marco Melandri diced it out with Hayden and Edwards to earn his fifth-place finish. - Shanghai

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa has been the most consistent rider so far and is the only one to finish on every podium. - Shanghai

Pedrosa finished in second place but is first in the World Championship point standings. - Shanghai

Technical problems plagued the Rizla Suzuki team as Loris Capirossi finished ninth and Vermeulen suffered a DNF. - Shanghai

Rossi broke the longest winless spell of his career with a masterful run at the Chinese GP. - Shanghai

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner returned to the podium after a couple race's absence. - Shanghai

The Shanghai circuit proved difficult for Yamaha Tech 3's James Toseland, who could only muster a 12th-place finish. - Shanghai

Chris Vermeulen's chain came off in lap six, ending his race day. - Shanghai

Rain early on called for declaring the race wet, but conditions were favorable and dry come racetime. - Shanghai

Valentino Rossi qualified in fourth today and is looking to be the first rider to score two victories this season. - Le Mans

Rossi capped an all-Yamaha podium at Le Mans, recording his 90th career victory in the process.

Rizla Suzuki had its riders ready to race at Le Mans, resulting in fifth and seventh place finishes. - Le Mans

JiR Scot's Andrea Dovizioso battled back from an early incident with James Toseland to register a respectable sixth-place finish. - Le Mans

The white flag came out about midway during the race but most racers opted to stay out and finish instead of risk dropping back a few places. - Le Mans

MotorcycleUSA.com contributor Chris Vermeulen had his best race of the season, finishing in fifth. Le Mans

Colin Edwards backed up his second-place qualifying time with a podium spot on race day. - Le Mans

Rain or shine, umbrella girls are always a welcome sign. - Le Mans

Rookie Jorge Lorenzo made it a 1-2 finish for the Fiat Yamaha team. - Le Mans

The Doctor and the Texas Tornado shake up a little bubbly. - Le Mans

Valentino Rossi is the first rider to win two MotoGP races this season. - Le Mans

Yamaha Tech 3's James Toseland

Nicky Hayden takes a lap around the Indy circuit during the Indianapolis 500.

Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi posted his best qualifying results since joining the team and will start from the front row tomorrow. - Mugello

Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi gave everybody a laugh with the design of his new helmet, then went out and put the fear into the MotoGP paddock by winning pole in record-setting time.- Mugello

Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi made it seven wins in a row at Mugello and registered his third consecutive victory this season. - Mugello

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner ran a strong race and earned the second spot on the podium. - Mugello

Capirossi got a good start from the front row of the grid and was battling with the lead group in the early stages of the race, but as track temperatures rose, grip started to become a problem for the hard-riding Italian. - Mugello

LCR Honda's Randy De Puniet crashed out after contact with Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen. - Mugello

MotoGP racers always ride on the edge. - Mugello

Fiat Yamaha's rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo lowsided on Lap 7 and suffered his first DNF since joining the MotoGP ranks. - Mugello

Marco Melandri was a victim of De Puniet's crash as the Marlboro Ducati rider ran straight into the gravel pit to avoid running over the Frenchman. - Mugello

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa grabbed the holeshot with Stoner and Rossi close behind. - Mugello

The racing action wasn't the only thing that was smokin' in Italy. - Mugello

No doubt about it - Rossi is the undisputed 'Master of Mugello.' - Mugello

Rossi and Stoner spray the bubbly. To the victors go the spoils. - Mugello

Casey Stoner diced it out with Pedrosa for second place, edging out the Repsol Honda rider by 2.66 seconds. - Mugello

The Yamaha Tech 3 duo of Colin Edwards and James Toseland finished fifth and sixth respectively. - Mugello

Rossi, his M1 clad in special Azzurri livery, will have to work hard to overcome a ninth-place starting position. - Catalunya

Fiat Yamaha adorned Rossi's YZR-M1 in a livery that pays tribute to the European Football Championships. - Catalunya

Stoner looked more like the defending world champion today with his record-breaking pole run. - Catalunya

The Yamaha Catalunya Pitgirls will get the pulse racing of any red-blooded race fan. - Catalunya

Stoner will start tomorrow's race from the front of the grid. - Catalunya

Dani Pedrosa led wire-to-wire, while Valentino Rossi edged out Casey Stoner for second. - Catalunya

After Dani P checked out, the real battle was for second place. - Catalunya

Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen fends off the charge of Marlboro Ducati's Marco Melandri. - Catalunya

JiR Team Scot's Andrea Dovizioso hung around the leaders all afternoon and finished just off the podium in fourth place. - Catalunya

Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden started from the front row but finished down in the eighth position. - Catalunya

There was no catching Dani Pedrosa on Sunday, who grabbed the holeshot and never looked back. - Catalunya

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa is the only other MotoGP rider besides Rossi with multiple victories this season. - Catalunya

The Doctor was in a special helmet and leathers in honor of the European futbol championships that were about to begin. - Catalunya

Rossi tried to make it four in a row, but starting back in ninth place prevented him from keeping pace with Pedrosa. - Catalunya

2007 MotoGP champion Casey Stoner is looking to get the Ducati back out in front of the pack again - Donington

Ben Spies began his MotoGP career a bit earlier then expected, substituting for Loris Capirossi at Donington.

For only having a few rides on the GSV-R under his belt, Rizla Suzuki's Ben Spies eighth-place finish in the rain is no small feat. - Donington

Rain or shine, Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner looks like the man to beat this weekend. - Donington

Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen demonstrated why he is considered one of the best wet-weather riders around by qualifying in third on a rainy British course. - Donington

JiR Scot's Andrea Dovizioso continues to post respectable results, finishing fifth-fastest in England. - Donington

Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards prepares to get it on. - Donington

Kawasaki Racing's John Hopkins and Anthony West lead the Green team's charge. - Donington

A beautiful brolly girl from the British Isles. Thanks, Kawasaki. - Donington

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo seemed tentative during practice but rode well on race day. - Donington

Repsol's Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden are a force to be reckoned with in every race. - Donington

Dani P has been on every podium but one this season. - Donington

Casey Stoner took the checkers, with Valentino Rossi finishing in second followed by Dani Pedrosa. - Donington

It was a mad dash for the Donington holeshot. - Donington

Rizla's Ben Spies got his first taste of MotoGP action on the British circuit. Look for more from Spies who will be the wild card for Rizla at both American MotoGP rounds. - Donington

Rizla's brolly girls are always some of the hottest. - Donington

Fiat Yamaha's Rossi didn't win but still increased his championship point lead. - Donington

Stoner shows how it feels to be a race winner. - Donington

Kawasaki's Anthony West had his best outing of the season with a top ten finish. - Donington

Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi will be back in the saddle for the Netherlands' round.

Casey Stoner claimed his third consecutive pole position when he grabbed the top starting sport at Assen. He also broke the lap record in the process.

Ben Spies is all smiles as he gets his first crack at MotoGP for the Rizla Suzuki squad.

LCR Honda's Randy De Puniet had a promising starting position with the fifth-best qualifying time. - Assen

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner made it two in a row with his victory in the Dutch TT. - Assen

Colin Edwards made a spectacular run from the back of the pack to grab third place away from Nicky Hayden. - Assen

Yamaha Tech 3's Colin Edwards exults in his hard-fought podium finish. - Assen

Hayden's RC212V let him down on the last corner, allowing Colin Edwards to sneak by and deny him his first podium of the year. - Assen

San Carlo Gresini Honda's Shinya Nakano earned a top ten finish. - Assen

When Rossi lowsided, De Puniet was a sitting duck. - Assen

This is what they call the domino effect. - Assen

Dynamite Dani snatched first place in the championship point standings thanks to his second place finish and Rossi's wipeout. - Assen

Cris Vermeulen was the lone torch bearer for the Rizla Suzuki team after teammate Loris Capirossi went down hard during Thursday's practice. - Assen

Casey Stoner is shaking things up in the point standings with his second victory in a row. - Assen

Yamaha Tech 3's James Toseland faired much better than his debacle at Donington, finishing in the points in 9th place. - Assen

Chris V rode hard and steady and finished in seventh place. - Assen

The Yamaha's of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi rip down a straight. - Assen

Stoner takes the win at Sachsenring, much to the delight of his Marlboro Ducati team - Sachsenring

Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi rode through the pain from his injured arm to finish in a respectable seventh place. - Sachsenring

San Carlo Gresini Honda's Alex De Angelis had his best outing of the year and finished just off the podium in fourth place. - Sachsenring

Unlike last year's debacle, LCR Honda's Randy De Puniet was able to run an entire race and finished just behind Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi. - Sachsenring

It was not a good day for the Repsol Honda team, with Nicky Hayden (pictured) finishing last and Dani Pedrosa crashing out of the lead. - Sachsenring

The Kawasaki Racing girls pose with the ZX-RR. Hot chicks with a smokin' motorcycle. Gotta love MotoGP. - Sachsenring

With the amount of standing water on the course, it's amazing that the MotoGP riders still attack the track like they do. - Sachsenring

Fiat Yamaha's Valentino Rossi didn't win the race but did take the lead in the World Championship point standings. - Sachsenring

There was a spirited battle for third place between Chris Vermeulen and San Carlo Gresini Honda's Alex De Angelis. - Sachsenring

After Pedrosa went down, it was Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner all the way. - Sachsenring

The Rizla Suzuki umbrella girls try to stay dry at a damp German circuit. - Sachsenring

Kawasaki Racing's Anthony West demonstrated his wet-weather racing prowess by finishing in the top ten. - Sachsenring

Chris Vermeulen had his best results of the year on a soaked Sachsenring, finishing on the podium in third place. - Sachsenring

Casey Stoner followed up his pole position with a race-day victory. - Sachsenring

Casey Stoner gets his bearings at the Laguna Seca circuit, to the tune of an all new lap record. Oh, he owned the previous lap record too.

Rossi extended his partnership with Yamaha through the 2010 season at Laguna Seca.

Valentino clebrates his first USGP win.

Jamie Hacking smiles on pit lane. The AMA rider would garner an 11th-place finish - Laguna Seca

Rossi plants a wet one on the corkscrew, where he made a pass for the lead and later ran off-track - Laguna Seca

Rossi leads Stoner, the two providing the best GP racing of the season at Laguna.

Key to victory was getting past Hayden in the first corner and keeping Stoner in his sites - Laguna Seca

Not the recommended line through the corkscrew, but it worked out for Vale this time around.

Rossi turned the first lap with the lead through the corkscrew - Laguna Seca

Ben Spies managed to finish eighth at his home GP debut.

I rode a Ninja in a little film called Top Gun... Ever heard of it?

The turning point for Stoner came with an off-track run-off. The Aussie was able to remount and finish second.

It looked like more of the same when Stoner bolted out to the holeshot - Laguna Seca

Stoner may not have won but he did deliver some spectacular racing on Sunday - Laguna Seca

The Ducati was looking in top form at Laguna, it just ran into a fellow named Rossi.

Some guy brought his wife to the races. Looks like they had fun.

Chris Vermeulen had a lot to smile about on Sunday, as the Australian rider scored his second consecutive podium at the USGP.

Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi set the all-time record for Grand Prix appearances at Misano, competing in his 277th GP race.

The Kawasaki's struggled to keep on pace, and Ant West and John Hopkins finished at the back of the pack in 14th and 15th respectively.

Too bad the Kawasaki team didn't race as hot as their umbrella girl looks.

Loris Capirossi finished the race in San Marino in 7th place, setting the Ironman record for most appearances in Grand Prix races with 277.

JiR Team Scot's Andrea Dovizioso has ridden solidly most of the season and sits fifth in the Championship Point standings.

Rizla blue always looks attractive on the Suzuki brolly girls.

Alice Ducati's Toni Elias has suddenly come alive, earning a podium spot for the second consecutive race.

Rizla's Chris Vermeulen almost biffed early in the race but recovered to post a fifth-place finish.

The second-best showing by a Ducati rider at Misano was by Marlboro Ducati's Marco Melandri, who finished in ninth place.

Dani Pedrosa rode his last race on Michelin rubber as the Repsol Honda rider is switching to Bridgestone for the next GP race at Indianapolis.

Valentino Rossi was able to win the race and tie Giacomo Angostini for the most career Grand Prix victories with 68.

The Doctor leads the charge with a host of riders in hot pursuit.

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner binned it for the second consecutive time while leading the race, allowing Rossi to open up a 75 point gap in the point race.

Ah, if only we could all be MotoGP riders and have our own bevy of beautiful brolly girls.

Chris Vermeulen once again demonstrated his wet-weather riding skills, moving up to ninth place from as far back as 16th.

Rizla Suzuki's Ben Spies left it all on the track and finished in a very respectable sixth position.

Rizla Blue looks good on Spies. Too bad they're already committed to Vermeulen and Capirossi next year.

Rossi and Lorenzo give the Fiat Yamaha team reason to celebrate with another double podium performance.

The Doctor became the all-time winningest MotoGP rider with 69 victories to his credit.

We don't know where the Rizla Suzuki girls are going, but we don't really care either!

Jorge Lorenzo ran hard in the rain and was poised to overtake Nicky Hayden until the red flag came out.

Nicky Hayden wowed the crowd, running up front until Lap 13 when Rossi finally tracked him down.

In his last race on American soil with the Repsol Honda team, Hayden gave it his all and finished in second place.

San Carlo Gresini Honda's Alex de Angelis did his best under horrible racing conditions and finished in tenth place.

Andrea Dovizioso is all smiles after landing a factory ride, signing with Repsol Honda for 2009.

The JiR Team Scot has enjoyed a successful maiden MotoGP season, but said it will cut ties with Honda Racing Corportation after HRC shot down JiR's project for the 2009 season.

Michelin reported that it will not submit a bid for MotoGP in 2009 after race organizers made the decision to use a single tire supplier for the coming seasons.

Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden has been riding well since officially declaring he's leaving the team in 2009. - Phillip Island

LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet battled hard and crossed the line in ninth position. - Phillip Island

Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo is starting to get back some of the swagger he displayed in the early stages of the season. - Phillip Island

While Marlboro Ducati's Stoner finished on the top step of the podium, the second Marlboro Ducati rider, Marco Melandri, finished dead last. - Phillip Island

It's always a bonus when you win on home soil in front of a home crowd. - Phillip Island

Casey Stoner celebrates after winning in Australia. - Phillip Island

The Yamaha Tech 3 team gets rider James Toseland ready to compete. - Phillip Island

Brno podium celebration - 2008 Brno

Valentino Rossi at Misano

Rossi didn't have to go through Casey Stoner to get his MotoGP crown back at Motegi, but the champion closed out the title in style with a Japanese GP win.

Rossi celebrates 2008 win number 9 with a victory at Sepang, the '08 champ not letting off the throttle during the late season races.

Ducati welcomed its newest MotoGP factory rider, American Nicky Hayden, by decking out a Desmosedici GP09 with special 'Stars & Stripes' livery. Hayden turned his first laps on the Ducati today after riding for Honda the last ten years.

Casey Stoner celebrates victory at the MotoGP 2008 finale in Valencia.