MotoGP 2018: Top riders, schedule, results, how to live stream

MotoGP is the premier class of motorcycle racing, with riders battling for the lead just inches apart at speeds of over 200 mph. The series’ first race was in 1949 at the Isle of Mann TT, and since then the series has grown from 500cc motorbikes and a six-race calendar to 1,000cc bikes on a 19-race season.

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Who are the top MotoGP riders this season?

Valentino Rossi

Age: 39
Nationality: Italian
Team: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
MotoGP Championships: 7

Rossi is a firm fan favourite, and entered his 17th season in MotoGP this year. He’s earned his place there too — of the nine world championships, he’s won seven of them on the top-tier level, earning him “GOAT” status. Known for his flamboyant colours, smooth riding style and often eccentric celebrations, you’ll be hard pressed to find someone more synonymous with the sport than the man they call “The Doctor.”

Marc Márquez

Age: 25
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Repsol Honda Team
MotoGP Championships: 4

Márquez is known for his aggressive, take no prisoners style and incredible speed. Just 25-years-old, he’s already taken seven world titles, five of them in MotoGP, and he won his first MotoGP championship in his rookie year (becoming the youngest-ever champion in the process). This speed and all-or-nothing style has certainly made him a controversial character in the paddock, with fans either loving or hating him, but one thing’s certain — if you’re in front of him, he’ll overtake you or crash trying.

Jorge Lorenzo

Age: 31
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Ducati Team
MotoGP Championships: 3

A three-time MotoGP world champion, Jorge Lorenzo is in his 11th season in MotoGP. The man with the devil-horned 99 on the front of his bike has had a dip in form since moving from Yamaha (where he won his three titles) to Ducati two seasons ago. Still, he can’t be discounted — with 44 wins and 176 starts to his name, he’s one of the more experienced riders on the grid, and isn’t someone to give up easily.

Maverick Viñales

Age: 23
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
MotoGP Championships: 0

Despite his young age, Maverick Viñales has had an impressive career so far. He won the lower-tier Moto3 championship in his third year, then finished third in the middle-tier Moto2 championship the year after. After joining MotoGP in 2015 he won his first race in 2016, and secured his highest season finish (third) in 2017. He has been a strong contender so far in 2018 and, whilst he hasn’t got the outright pace to match Márquez just yet, he’s someone to watch for in the future.

Johann Zarco

Age: 27
Nationality: French
Team: Monster Yamaha Tech 3
MotoGP Championships: 0

At 27 and in his second season of MotoGP, Zarco is one of the older newbies in the championship. That’s not to say he comes without pedigree though — he has two consecutive world championships in the Moto2 season, along with 15 Moto2 wins. Currently riding for the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team (compared to the factory Movistar Yamaha team) he could take a win yet, given the opportunity.

2018 MotoGP Riders

How much do MotoGP riders get paid?

Wages depend on several factors — how much sponsorship riders can bring to a team, previous results and more, but wages vary from €250,000 for Xavier Siméon up to €11.5m for Marc Márquez.

MotoGP bike information

MotoGP bike specs

MotoGP bikes are high-powered, lightweight, and fast. The Yamaha YZR-M1 — the bike used by Rossi and Viñales — makes “over 240 horsepower” and weighs just 157kg. This power is applied to the ground by two 17-inch tyres (which have a credit card-sized contact patch with the ground) and by a six-speed gearbox, whilst two 320mm or 340mm brakes are used when it reaches a corner. Particularly brave riders can lean the bike over as far as 64° without falling off.

How fast do MotoGP bikes go?

With incredible acceleration, little in terms of weight, and new aerodynamic packages, riders regularly top 200 mph on straights. 2016 saw Andrea Iannone record the fastest outright speed on a MotoGP bike, when he reached a blistering 220.5 mph at the Italian Grand Prix.

How much do MotoGP bikes cost?

As you can imagine, all this doesn’t come cheap. MotoGP bikes can cost up to around $2 million ($2.5 million CAD), once you’ve factored in things like materials, technology, and the fact that each bike is hand-built. And that’s after you’ve paid the cost of R&D.

2018 MotoGP schedule

The 2018 MotoGP calendar is comprised of nineteen races, starting in March and finishing in November. The series visits old favourites like Assen – which has held a race every year since the sport’s inception – to Chang International Circuit, which will host Thailand’s first MotoGP race later this year. See the full 2018 MotoGP calendar below.

Has Canada ever held a MotoGP race?

Yep, but just one — the 1967 Canadian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Mosport Park held the event, whilst Mike “The Bike” Hailwood took both the 250cc and 500cc wins on the day.

How can I watch MotoGP in Canada?

Whilst MotoGP isn’t available on Canadian TV, bike fans can keep up with the action live on DAZN.