Hugo van den Berg - Too big for toys

When you're taller than 1,70 meters in 125cc racing, you're already one of the giants among dwarfs. But when you're 1,86 m (6'1'') like Dutchman Hugo van den Berg, you tower above pretty much everyone in the MotoGP paddock and on a tiny toy like the 125cc bikes, this is not exactly a good thing. Therefore Hugo will probably ride in the FIM Superstock class this season where the bigger machinery should hopefully fit his height much better. And we do hope we can still see him race as it would be a shame to miss this tasty tidbit. Because sometimes bigger IS actually better.

Wakey Wakey! Winter is over!

It's time to make use of those weary bones again and shake off the remainders of the long winter sleep, because motorcylce racing is back in action! After the WSBK and WSS guys already tested their new machinery in Portimao last week and the 125cc and 250cc boys tested in Jerez this week and will also be in Valencia this weekend, the MotoGP riders will be out on track for the first time this season in Sepang next week. So, cut that beauty sleep short, Valentino - it's time for speed again. :)

Niccolò Canepa - New Kid on the Block

Niccolò Canepa is one of three rookies in the 2009 MotoGP season and with only 20 years of age, he's also the youngest competitor of the class. But being the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup winner in 2007 and a test rider for Ducati during 2008 he's already well accustomed to the Italian brand's fast machines even though not many people knew his face until now. And hopefully we'll see more of him during his first MotoGP season.

Talma says: Buy more hair products!

Toothpaste and deodorant is also rather important. ;)
125cc world champion Gabor Talmacsi in an advertising campaign for a big toiletries company. And if those pictures are not enough, you can also watch the Behind the Scenes of the photoshoot here.

Perfection

Nuff said.

SUNday! Beachtime!

There's currently summer at least on one side of the globe, so let's go to the beach!

For some unknown reason, Andrea Iannone decided he would need at least two helmets when going to the beach.

Meanwhile Nicky Hayden is brave enough to try surfing without protection.

Marco Melandri doesn't need protection either to pose in the "waves".

Sergio Gadea on the other hand has the need for speed wherever he goes and makes his own waves.

And Andrea Dovizioso doesn't even need a beach to look cool. Only Speedos, a bandana and pilot specs. Voilà.

Ben Bostrom - The Sideburn Challenge

A long time Ben Bostrom might have been best known for being Troy Bayliss' WSBK teammate at Ducati and especially for his outrageously gigantic sideburns, only challenged once by Hector Barbera in 2004. But after a few mediocre years in various racing series, Ben won the 2008 AMA Supersport crown and seems to be back on track with some good results to get his name out there.
Despite being a bit of a fashion victim and having an own clothing line with his brother Eric Bostrom, Ben is seen remarkably often without a shirt on.
Not that we would have any reason to complain about that.

Mike Di Meglio - Derbi's McDreamy

Although Mike Di Meglio will ride an Aprilia for Team Aspar this season and try to break the record for hottest team ever together with Alvaro Bautista, he is Derbi's sensation after winning the 125cc world championship in 2008. And not only made he Derbi's bosses dream of the good old times when they used to win at will with legends like Angel Nieto and Jorge Martinez Aspar, Mikey also makes his fans dream of... well, other things.
Unfortunately for all of you he's engaged, but one can still dream. ;)

Joan Olive - Cute as it gets

Joan Olive has got to be one of the cutest guys in the MotoGP paddock. With a wonderfully shaped face, a smile that just makes you feel warm inside and an extremely loveable and nice character to top it off, it is hard to not like this Hottie at first sight. And we do hope that we'll be able to see him again in the 125cc class this season, preferably in a good team. :)

Hot Finn - Mika Kallio

Mika Kallio has some big shoes to fill. Being a Finnish motorsport star usually means F1 or Rally and Mika is the first successful Finn on two wheels in over thirty years. Before him the 1970s were the most successful period for Finnish riders with legend Jarno Saarinnen winning the 250cc title in '72 before his untimely death in 1973. The last Finnish GP win before Mika was back in 1975, gained by Pentti Korhonen who was appropriately nicknamed the Flying Finn - just like Mika is today.
After a spectacular switch from Honda to KTM in the middle of the 2003 season, Mika remained faithful to the Austrian brand for six seasons, finishing runner-up in 125cc twice and third in 250cc last season. Now he'll tackle the MotoGP class and maybe he can become the new Finnish legend on two wheels.

Joan Lascorz; Looking Cool, Looking Hot

Setting aside the world of MotoGP itself once again, and also proving that you don't need to dispense with your kit to count as hot, here's Spain's seriously up and coming World Supersport hottie, Joan Lascorz in some very casual, laidback pics taken from a photoshoot at Assen in 2008.

Thirsty? Here's a sixpack for you.

Fabrizio Lai just turned 30 and has a couple of years with mediocre results on rather uncompetitive machinery behind him. We are not quite sure if or where the Italian will ride next season. We are also not quite sure where he left his shirt. Although the latter is obviously no reason to worry. ;)

Marco Melandri - Is it getting hot in here?

Even though most of the Northern Hemisphere is rather cold and snowy at the moment, Marco Melandri is already taking all his clothes off in expectation of the global warming effects. Only the boots remain - hopefully he can put them to use on a Kawasaki this season. Good luck, Macio.

Ben "Elbowz" Spies

Known for riding with his elbows pointing outwards, this guy is coming to the world racing scene this year. The three-time consecutive AMA Superbike Champion Ben Spies is moving to Yamaha in World Superbikes for 2009. And that's good news, because not only will it give him a chance to show his abilities on a higher level of racing, the tv coverage is also better in these parts of the world ;)

These Boots Were Made For Riding...

With today's news that Alvaro Bautista is partnering with SIDI for 2009 it'd be madness not to make today's post one of SIDI's publicity shots to support the announcement of the partnership...

Lorenzo Zanetti - Italian Leprechaun?

For those of you who don't know this Hottie - This is Lorenzo Zanetti. 21 years old, Italian, 1,74m, 62kg, 125cc rider, competing for WWC in 2009. Lean, tall (for a 125cc rider), and if the info on his 2008 team website can be believed: Single!
Unbelievable that none of the Italian ladies has claimed this guy yet. Maybe it has to do with his choice of mascot. But if they don't want him, there are sure others who'd like to step in. ;)

Theme of the Day: Double Trouble

There is no "I" in team. And although there is a "me" if you jumble it around, these Hotties are even better when they come in packs.

Alvaro Bautista and Hector Faubel united in the highly successful Team Aspar from 2006 to 2008. Now Hector has left the team after seven years to join the ranks of Thai Honda this season.

Randy De Puniet (this time with a bit of chest showing) and his team manager Lucio Cecchinello. After the first season together in 2008, they will again be united at LCR Honda this season.

Hector Barbera and Imre Toth have been teammates at Team Toth for two years. Now Hector is joining the newly build WRB 250cc Team of Sito Pons.

German Sandro Cortese and Swiss Tom Lüthi were together in the Emmi Caffe Latte Team since 2006. Tom will stay with Emmi while Sandro now moves to the team of Aki Ajo to replace 125cc world champion Mike di Meglio.

Pere Tutusaus... "Tutu"

With his boyband good-looks, an enviable record in CEV (including coming home 3rd overall in the 2008 championship, and 4th the previous year) and some very decent rookie outings in the 125cc World Championships (especially in some of the trickier wet and semi-wet conditions) it was pretty much a certainty that Pere Tutusaus would find his way onto our site sooner or later.
Following a parting of company with Aspar last year, the Igualada-born rider moves to World Superstock 1000 with Team Goeleven for 2009.
Buena suerte Tutu :-)

Randy de Puniet - It's a beautiful morning

It's Monday, so your first thought this morning probably was "I rather stay in bed". Randy de Puniet seemingly thought that too. Maybe he's dreaming of you. ;)

Troy Bayliss - I think someone got lost in those eyes

Just to show you that we are not limited to a certain age group with our Hotties, here's a more "experienced" rider for you. Troy Bayliss retired from professional bike racing at the end of the 2008 season, signing off in style with a double win in Portimao and a third WSBK title in the bag. A legendary racer (the only WSBK rider to ever win a MotoGP race) with a unique riding style (how much can you hang off the bike without falling off?) and a truly likeable persona. And if that wasn't enough - come on, how awesome are those steel blue eyes?

Tasty Ravaioli

Not a nudey shot today, but also not a major star either - we take a step back to the 125s for this guy; a little bit spiky, a little bit goatee, and a little bit pierced, it's Italy's Marco Ravaioli - ex of Matteoni Racing and lining up on the 2009 125cc grid on #72 for CBC Corse.

James Toseland - Wanna ride with me?

By request - We can't really withold this picture from you on a site like this, can we?

Tom Lüthi - Glasses can be sexy

Swiss rider Tom Lüthi shows that looking intelligent and sexy at the same time is well possible. And the way he holds those papers sure does help his case. ;)

Imre Toth - Hot Even When Injured

What kind of complete and utter bastard even manages to look totally hot when they're injured? Imre Toth, that's who...
Okay, so he looks a bit glum.
But still... Dammit!

Valentino Rossi, "The Doctor"

No introduction needed for this guy. Valentino Rossi is the most successful active MotoGP rider and certainly the most famous one. After taking his crown back in 2008 he now has eight world championship titles to his name and is eager to get a few more before he retires.

Pablo Nieto, "El Chiquitin"

Former 125cc rider Pablo Nieto, son of legendary 12+1 champion Ángel Nieto, announced his retirement from racing at the final race of the 2008 season in Valencia. But he'll stay with the sport and work as a manager in the newly build Onde2000 Ducati MotoGP Team with Sete Gibernau from 2009 onwards.

Andrea Dovizioso; "Dovi"...

Here's a closer look at the pic at the left of the neg strip in our title header.
Yep, it's Andrea Dovizioso - arguably MotoGP's top rookie of a very talented choice of rookie candidates in 2008.
And someone who'll hopefully do great things in 2009...

Nicky Hayden

The 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden. You didn't really think we'd leave him out, did you? ;)

Toni Elias

Staying with the Spanish MotoGP stars it's Toni Elias' turn now. The 25-year-old from Manresa started his world championship career together with Joan Olive and Dani Pedrosa in the Movistar Junior Team in 2000 and impressed the world when he snatched the win from Valentino Rossi in the 2006 Portuguese Grand Prix on the finish line.
The pictures above are from a photoshoot for his website.

Dani Pedrosa, "Official Timekeeper"

We continue with MotoGP and another (very) small Spaniard. Repsol Honda star Dani Pedrosa as the "official timekeeper" in an ad for Spanish watch company Mondia.

Leon Haslam, The "Pocket Rocket"

Just to prove right from the off that we're no respecters of even our own website name here at MotoGP Hotties, our second post has f-all to do with MotoGP, and is of British Superbikes ace and 2009 World Superbikes racer with the Stiggy Honda Team Leon Haslam.
Good luck to the "Pocket Rocket" for 2009...

Post No.1 - Well Who Else Did You Expect?

Might as well start the blog off with someone who's liable to crop up every now and then... two-fifty-totty-supreme Alvaro Bautista. This piccie came from a season-end photoshoot at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia, in November 2008.