Official Licensed

Julian Ryder

Publication Date: Out Now · Format: Hardback

ISBN: 978 184425 567 2 · RRP: £25.00

In 2008 Valentino Rossi took back the title that had evaded him for 2 years, winning nine of the 18 races and standing on the rostrum an astonishing 16 times. He didn't get an easy ride though, with four different championship leaders throughout the season; a feat never matched before in the history of MotoGP. The other riders who lead - Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner- all stood on the top step of the podium and had the chance to capture the title.  Add in four stellar rookies, one of whom was the mercurial Lorenzo, and you have an enthralling season of racing in the top class.

This was the year in which the Japanese manufacturers closed the performance gap on the Ducati that dominated last season and the 800cc formula became truly competitive. 

Off track, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding tyre suppliers, with Rossi and Pedrosa switching manufacturers and the announcement of a single tyre supplier for 2009.

Now in its fifth year, the official MotoGP Season Review contains all the features serious fans of Grand Prix motorcycle racing have come to expect, plus some new additions such as feature-length reviews of the 250cc and 125cc GP seasons.

This year it records how Valentino Rossi regained the MotoGP crown after a gap of two years, something only the great Giacomo Agostini has achieved before in the entire history of the GPs. Each of the 18 races is covered in depth, with full race report and supporting statistics. There is a technical review of the bikes, featuring a stunning double-page photo of each machine, and each rider's season is summarised. Then there is the unique Riders' Rider of the Year feature, in which all the riders who have ridden more than one MotoGP race this season vote to find out who they judge the best man out there.

TV commentator Julian Ryder once more provides the words with assistance from a distinguished group of contributors including Mat Oxley, Neil Spalding, Andy Ibbott and Peter Clifford. The photographic coverage is again chiefly provided by the long lens of Andrew Northcott. Julian has edited the MotoGP Season Review for 5 years; his other books include MotoGP in Camera and Carl Fogerty: The Complete Racer. He Lives near Crewe.