Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Author

Richard Asher

Richard Asher is a freelance sports journalist with ancient links to Autosport. He takes care of the website's online MotoGP coverage and also does regular shifts on its news desk. He also pulls a sub-editor shift for the Autosport print magazine now and then.

The South African journalism graduate first came to the attention of the editorial team via a young journalist competition in 2002. The following June he helped cover Bentley's Le Mans win, and by autumn he was on the staff.

Over the next four years, his main focus was covering the British Formula 3 Championship – though A1GP, sportscars and editing the National section also kept him busy. Most weekends off were spent showing his ineptitude at the wheel of Formula Vee or Stock Hatch machinery in UK club events.

Having vowed not to get 'stuck in motorsport' for life, he returned to Cape Town in 2008 to edit Golf Punk magazine. The sports junkie's freelance career since then has seen him cover golf, cricket, rugby and (inevitably!) motorsport.

After further globetrotting, including a stint as a truck driver in the Australian Outback, he now resides on the mighty plains of far eastern Austria.

Among other things, Asher also commentates on Guerilla Cricket, writes the Posh Sports Precinct on Substack and has published several travel books.

For the full overview of his many activities, as well as a CV video, visit his website. You can also stop by his LinkedIn profile

Latest articles by Richard Asher

VR46: 'Plan A' is to keep di Giannantonio for MotoGP 2027

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
VR46: 'Plan A' is to keep di Giannantonio for MotoGP 2027

Salucci claims VR46 is the top Ducati team in MotoGP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
Salucci claims VR46 is the top Ducati team in MotoGP

Marquez admits he 'doesn't have the pace to fight for MotoGP title' after Spanish GP crash

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
Marquez admits he 'doesn't have the pace to fight for MotoGP title' after Spanish GP crash

Can Ducati end Aprilia's MotoGP winning streak at the Spanish GP?

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
Can Ducati end Aprilia's MotoGP winning streak at the Spanish GP?

MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez wins chaotic sprint race despite crash

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez wins chaotic sprint race despite crash

MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez beats Zarco to pole at wet Jerez

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez beats Zarco to pole at wet Jerez

How injury struggles are plaguing MotoGP champion Marquez in 2026

MotoGP
MotoGP
Spanish GP
How injury struggles are plaguing MotoGP champion Marquez in 2026

Why Acosta fears intense MotoGP format and schedule means shorter rider careers

MotoGP
MotoGP
Why Acosta fears intense MotoGP format and schedule means shorter rider careers

Why Marquez wants Bezzecchi to carry the favourite tag for the 2026 MotoGP title

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Why Marquez wants Bezzecchi to carry the favourite tag for the 2026 MotoGP title

Five things we learned at the MotoGP United States GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Five things we learned at the MotoGP United States GP

Bezzecchi on record-breaking Sunday: 'It's strange to hear my name with these legends'

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Bezzecchi on record-breaking Sunday: 'It's strange to hear my name with these legends'

Watch out MotoGP, Martin is truly back in business

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Watch out MotoGP, Martin is truly back in business

Di Giannantonio refuses to let Marquez sprint blunder get him down

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Di Giannantonio refuses to let Marquez sprint blunder get him down

MotoGP United States GP: Martin ends victory drought in sprint

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
MotoGP United States GP: Martin ends victory drought in sprint

Ducati unveils Aprilia-inspired MotoGP wing in Austin

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Ducati unveils Aprilia-inspired MotoGP wing in Austin

MotoGP United States GP: Marquez leads Ogura in Friday practice

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
MotoGP United States GP: Marquez leads Ogura in Friday practice

Martin expecting COTA struggle as "pain" of injuries continues to show

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Martin expecting COTA struggle as "pain" of injuries continues to show

Bagnaia on Brazilian GP debacle: MotoGP must test at new venues before racing

MotoGP
MotoGP
Americas GP
Bagnaia on Brazilian GP debacle: MotoGP must test at new venues before racing

The prospect of Marquez and Acosta as team-mates just got spicier after Thai duel

MotoGP
MotoGP
Thailand GP
The prospect of Marquez and Acosta as team-mates just got spicier after Thai duel

Five things we learned at the MotoGP Thai GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Thailand GP
Five things we learned at the MotoGP Thai GP

MotoGP Thailand GP: Acosta grabs MotoGP breakthrough in sprint

MotoGP
MotoGP
Thailand GP
MotoGP Thailand GP: Acosta grabs MotoGP breakthrough in sprint

MotoGP Thailand GP: Bezzecchi lays down ominous marker

MotoGP
MotoGP
Thailand GP
MotoGP Thailand GP: Bezzecchi lays down ominous marker

How pre-season testing killed the Thai GP buzz

MotoGP
MotoGP
Thailand GP
How pre-season testing killed the Thai GP buzz

Biaggi: Aprilia not afraid of any track after late 2025 MotoGP run

MotoGP
MotoGP
Biaggi: Aprilia not afraid of any track after late 2025 MotoGP run

Why Schwantz sees himself in Marquez in MotoGP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Why Schwantz sees himself in Marquez in MotoGP

Espargaro quits pro cycling after injuries hit 2025 Honda test role

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia Official Testing
Espargaro quits pro cycling after injuries hit 2025 Honda test role

Why Ducati must own its GP25 shortcomings to be winners again in 2026

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Why Ducati must own its GP25 shortcomings to be winners again in 2026

Six things we learned at the MotoGP Valencia GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Six things we learned at the MotoGP Valencia GP

Marini steers Honda to its MotoGP concessions target in Valencia GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Marini steers Honda to its MotoGP concessions target in Valencia GP

Bezzecchi to take winning Aprilia home after Valencia GP ‘proposal’

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Bezzecchi to take winning Aprilia home after Valencia GP ‘proposal’

MotoGP Valencia GP: Bezzecchi heads Fernandez in Aprilia 1-2

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
MotoGP Valencia GP: Bezzecchi heads Fernandez in Aprilia 1-2

Moreira seals Moto2 championship at Valencia finale

Moto2
Moto2
Valencia
Moreira seals Moto2 championship at Valencia finale

Honda concessions quest in jeopardy after Mir takes out team-mate

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Honda concessions quest in jeopardy after Mir takes out team-mate

Martin: Crashing at MotoGP Valencian GP would be a "disaster"

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Martin: Crashing at MotoGP Valencian GP would be a "disaster"

"‘It's a shame" Marc Marquez isn't racing, says Bezzecchi

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
"‘It's a shame" Marc Marquez isn't racing, says Bezzecchi

Yamaha to race new V4 frame at Valencia MotoGP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Valencia GP
Yamaha to race new V4 frame at Valencia MotoGP

MotoGP is dragging itself to the finish of its marathon season – and it's not a good look

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
MotoGP is dragging itself to the finish of its marathon season – and it's not a good look

Martin plans latest MotoGP return at Valencia finale

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Martin plans latest MotoGP return at Valencia finale

How Bezzecchi won the three-way MotoGP scrap at the Portuguese GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
How Bezzecchi won the three-way MotoGP scrap at the Portuguese GP

Bulega overcomes Superbike instincts to score on MotoGP debut, eyes 2027 chances

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Bulega overcomes Superbike instincts to score on MotoGP debut, eyes 2027 chances

Espargaro slams 'too aggressive' Morbidelli after Portuguese GP crash

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Espargaro slams 'too aggressive' Morbidelli after Portuguese GP crash

Bezzecchi "always believed" in Aprilia amid 2025 MotoGP struggles

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Bezzecchi "always believed" in Aprilia amid 2025 MotoGP struggles

Razgatlioglu gets first taste of MotoGP with Yamaha V4

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Razgatlioglu gets first taste of MotoGP with Yamaha V4

MotoGP Portuguese GP: Bezzecchi powers to Portimao victory

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
MotoGP Portuguese GP: Bezzecchi powers to Portimao victory

Acosta sees Portuguese GP sprint defeat as step towards MotoGP win breakthrough

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Acosta sees Portuguese GP sprint defeat as step towards MotoGP win breakthrough

MotoGP Portuguese GP: Alex Marquez shakes off Acosta for sprint win

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
MotoGP Portuguese GP: Alex Marquez shakes off Acosta for sprint win

Beirer: KTM running low on time to secure Acosta for 2027

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Beirer: KTM running low on time to secure Acosta for 2027

Mir: Honda expectations increase for Portuguese GP after podium at weaker circuit Sepang

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Mir: Honda expectations increase for Portuguese GP after podium at weaker circuit Sepang

Quartararo '99% sure' Yamaha will go all-in on struggling V4 in 2026

MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
Quartararo '99% sure' Yamaha will go all-in on struggling V4 in 2026

Yamaha’s V4 'still a long way off', says test rider Fernandez

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Yamaha’s V4 'still a long way off', says test rider Fernandez

All to know about the F1 cost cap

Formula 1
Formula 1
All to know about the F1 cost cap

Bagnaia: Rossi vs Marquez Sepang Clash documentary 'not a brilliant idea'

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Bagnaia: Rossi vs Marquez Sepang Clash documentary 'not a brilliant idea'

Dettwiler in stable but critical condition after Moto3 Malaysian GP crash

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Dettwiler in stable but critical condition after Moto3 Malaysian GP crash

Six things we learned at the MotoGP Malaysian GP

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Six things we learned at the MotoGP Malaysian GP

How Alex Marquez turned his tough Friday into a ‘nearly perfect’ Sunday

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
How Alex Marquez turned his tough Friday into a ‘nearly perfect’ Sunday

Dettwiler undergoes surgery in Kuala Lumpur

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Dettwiler undergoes surgery in Kuala Lumpur

How Acosta risked ‘f*** up’ to score Malaysian GP podium

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
How Acosta risked ‘f*** up’ to score Malaysian GP podium

Why Bagnaia isn't sure if Malaysian GP sprint win breakthrough is genuine yet

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
Why Bagnaia isn't sure if Malaysian GP sprint win breakthrough is genuine yet

How Alex finally opened up after historic MotoGP championship 1-2 for Marquez brothers

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
How Alex finally opened up after historic MotoGP championship 1-2 for Marquez brothers

MotoGP Malaysian GP: Bagnaia destroys field to win sprint

MotoGP
MotoGP
Malaysian GP
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Bagnaia destroys field to win sprint