GS Yuasa set to power epic 8,000-mile journey for Prostate Cancer UK

May 31, 2024

In an inspiring tribute to a friend and in support of Prostate Cancer UK, Neil Scrivens, backed by the unparalleled reliability of GS Yuasa, is set to embark on an ambitious 8,000-mile motorcycle journey from the very tip of Norway to the very south of Spain.

Commencing at the beginning of June, Neil will leave his home near Dover and travel to Nordkapp, at the end of the northernmost public road in Europe, then turn around and head to Tarifa at the southernmost end of the Iberian Peninsula, then finally return to Dover.

This incredible challenge is being completed to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK. After losing a close friend last year, Neil’s aim is to break the stigma and encourage men to get checked; an important step to diagnose the disease early. The money raised will not only help Prostate Cancer UK support those who are suffering with prostate cancer, but also fund important research into new ways of diagnosing the disease early.

Set to be completed in just 20 days, the trip traverses diverse terrains and climates, showcasing not only his, but also Yuasa’s endurance and dedication to such a vitally important cause. Having relied on Yuasa batteries for over two decades, Neil knows the importance of a reliable and high-quality battery. He said:“With my experience with Yuasa as a brand, and considering the trip that I’m now endeavouring to complete, there’s just no way I’d use any other brand.”

Neil has been riding for over 35 years and has exclusively used Yuasa motorcycle batteries for over two decades, having had bad experiences with unreliable batteries in the past. When asked why he switched, Neil said:

“I had a couple of very bad experiences while trying to take holidays away and I had a battery go bad on me. I spoke to some other bikers who said, look, just put a good quality Yuasa in there. And from that day, I’ve only bought Yuasa and it’s always worked.”

With unmatched performance, reliability and long life, Yuasa have always stayed true to their core offering of premium performance batteries for motorcycle enthusiasts around the world.

Alongside giving Neil one of their GYZ® High Performance Maintenance Free AGM batteries, the Japanese battery manufacturer is also set to support his fundraising efforts for Prostate Cancer UK. Yuasa is donating £500 to the fundraiser in a nod to the 500A CCA rating of the GYZ32HL battery fitted as standard to Neil’s Harley Davidson Road King. On top of this, Yuasa has also given Neil a Yuasa YCX6 smart charger to help maintain the battery when both Neil and the bike take a well-deserved break after the trip.

Find out more about Neil’s epic adventure, as well as the trust he holds in Yuasa, by watching the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMo9WXTsggg

You can join GS Yuasa in supporting Neil’s monumental journey and the fight against prostate cancer by donating at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/neil-scrivens-1708265068838.

You can follow his progress on GS Yuasa’s social channels @GSYuasaUK, as well as Neil’s Instagram page @roadkingantics.

About GS Yuasa
At the forefront of lead acid battery technology since the early part of the 20th century, GS Yuasa embraces new developments, applying research and investing in modern production plants to meet the increasing demands of a power-hungry world. GS Yuasa is market leader in the UK for Automotive Aftermarket, Industrial and Motorcycle Batteries. GS Yuasa batteries are available worldwide through a global network of GS Yuasa companies and appointed distributors.

Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials Announced for 2024

Frank Duggan

May 30, 2024

FIM is proud to announce that the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials (BMST), an FIM Land Speed World Records event, is officially on the 2024 calendar.

Having originated in 2004, BMST now heads into its 20th year as the largest FIM World Record-setting motorcycle event. The 2024 BMST event is scheduled to take place 25-29 August on Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway, the epicenter of world record land speed racing.

BMST is also home to AMA Land Speed Grand Championships. This co-sanctioned event, promoted by Deliciate Promotions LLC, allows racers to contend for an FIM World Record or AMA championship. Two race tracks, each running short and long courses, over five days of competition ensure ample track time for motorcycles (and in some cases, three-wheelers) to reach their speed goals.

“We’re already looking forward to a great year on the Bonneville Salt Flats for the 2024 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, the premiere motorcycle land speed racing event,” said Event Director/Owner Delvene Reber. “The FIM sanction brings a true world-class level to BMST, where there is something for everyone. Racers can compete for an FIM World Championship, an AMA National Record, or come out for pure fun in the Run Whatcha Brung class. We look forward to seeing many different competitors and race machines from around the world come out to the Bonneville Salt Flats International Raceway this summer, August 25-29.”

Throughout its 20 years, BMST has seen great moments in land-speed racing history, such as the 2006 streamliner shootout between Denis Manning’s Bub 7, Mike Akatiff’s Ack Attack and the late Sam Wheeler in his E-Z Hook streamliner. Along with contenders in many classes, this year may see a return of streamliners bidding for the absolute world record.

Registration for BMST 2024, for competitors and volunteers, is now open. Pre-entry discount ends July 14 and online registration closes August 12.

Jacobsen Vs. Scholtz As Supersport Series Heads To Wisconsin

Frank Duggan

May 30, 2024

Road America Set To Host Five MotoAmerica Support Class Races In Addition To Steel Commander Superbike, May 31-June 2

Rahal Ducati Moto’s PJ Jacobsen by no means breezed through the opening weekend of MotoAmerica Supersport racing, but he must have felt at least a bit comfortable after coming out of Road Atlanta with a clean sweep of the two races. But whatever comfort Jacobsen found in his Georgia domination may not be so cozy now as the series heads to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for round three of the series, May 31-June 2.

We can blame that on Strack Racing’s Mathew Scholtz.

Scholtz and his Yamaha YZF-R6 were third and fourth at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and both of those came after poor starts and a less than stellar qualifying performance meant he had to come from behind in both races. Scholtz cleaned that up, at least a bit, at Barber and he turned that into two impressive victories – the long-time MotoAmerica Superbike rider’s first wins in MotoAmerica Supersport.

Thus, with two rounds and four races in the rear-view mirror, Jacobsen (who was second in both races at Barber) has an 11-point lead on #11 Scholtz.

However, it’s much too soon to think of the series being a two-horse race. Far from it as a horde of riders are bunched together in the third through 13^th spots in the series standings.

TopPro Racing Team’s Maxi Gerardo leads the bunch after his third- and fourth-place finishes at Barber after starting both races from pole position. Gerardo is 41 points behind Jacobsen and just two clear of N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto’s Blake Davis, who was fifth and third at Barber. Next comes Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, five points behind Davis and three points ahead of Corey Alexander. Unfortunately, Alexander will miss the Barber round after breaking the wing portion of his ilium (the largest and uppermost bone in the hip) in the second race at Barber.

Equitea MV Agusta by MP13 Racing’s Roberto Tamburini had a solid outing at Barber, and he sits four points behind Alexander and nine head of Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Stefano Mesa. Then there’s TopPro Racing Team’s Alfonso Linares in ninth before we get to the young man many expected to fight for the title in 2024 – Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Tyler Scott. Scott finds himself 67 points behind Jacobsen after a big crash in race one at Road Atlanta and another big one in race two at Barber. They don’t come much tougher than Scott so don’t be surprised to see him at or near the front in Elkhart Lake.

Mission King Of The Baggers – Herfoss (Indian) vs. Wyman (Harley-Davidson)

Nine points is all that separates S&S/Indian Motorcycle’s Troy Herfoss from Harley-Davidson Factory Racing’s Kyle Wyman in the battle for the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship. Nine points.

With both men winning three races apiece, the difference lies in fact that, in Wyman’s three race wins, Herfoss was second. Wyman was second in two of the Aussie’s three victories but struggled to fifth in the rain-struck second race at Road Atlanta.

Although it may be a bit early to call this championship a two-man battle, it resembles what a two-man battle would look like. So far.

Ironically, Herfoss’s teammate Tyler O’Hara and Wyman’s teammate James Rispoli are tied for third in the championship – 56 points behind Herfoss and five points clear of RevZilla/Motul/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson’s defending class champion Hayden Gillim. Then comes Mad Monkey Motorsports’ Max Flinders and then the man who has proven in the past to have race-winning speed, SDI/Roland Sands Racing/Indian Motorcycle’s Bobby Fong.

Gillim’s rookie teammate Rocco Landers, Saddlemen/Harley-Davidson’s Cory West and RydFast Racing’s Kyle Ohnsorg round out the top 10 heading into Road America’s two races.

BellissiMoto Twins Cup – Five Different Winners

Five racers have won the first six races of the BellissiMoto Twins Cup Championship: Gus Rodio, Rocco Landers, Alessandro Di Mario, Dominic Doyle and Avery Dreher. Those five are racing three different brands of motorcycle: Aprilia (Rodio, Di Mario and Dreher) Suzuki (Landers) and Yamaha (Doyle).

It’s not going out on a very big limb to call that parity.

The fast-starting Gus Rodio and his Rodio Racing – Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660 is leading the title chase by 15 points after two wins and three podiums to start the series at Daytona and Road Atlanta.

Rodio leads Landers in the championship by nine with the all-time win leader in the class taking his lone victory in race one at Road Atlanta. Eight points behind Landers is Rodio’s teammate Di Mario with the youngster taking his first career MotoAmerica win in race two at Barber Motorsports Park.

Doyle sits fourth in the championship, 35 points behind Rodio. Doyle’s win came in race two at Road Atlanta, but his points tally has taken a hit with two DNFs, including his race two crash at Barber two weeks ago.

TopPro Racing’s Avery Dreher won his first Twins Cup race in Saturday’s race one at Barber. He is fifth in the championship, 40 points behind Rodio.

Junior Cup – A Year Of Firsts

All three of this year’s Junior Cup winners have been first-time victors.

It started in the series opener at Road Atlanta when BARTCON Racing’s Matthew Chapin won the first race of the season for his very first MotoAmerica victory. That continued in race two when New York Safety Track Racing’s Yandel Medina scored his first-career MotoAmerica victory.

At Barber Motorsports Park, the trend continued but also ended as Speed Demon Racing’s Logan Cunnison not only won his first-ever MotoAmerica race, but he also enjoyed it so much he did it again the next day.

The point standings show that one of those race-winners has been more consistent than the others and that is Medina, with the New Yorker standing on the podium in all four races with a win, a second and two thirds.

That show of consistent speed puts him 14 points ahead of Cunnison, who has the only DNF of those in the top five. Cunnison, meanwhile, is eight points ahead of Chapin, who has been off the podium in all of the races other than the win he opened the season with. Wolfe Racing’s Ryan Wolfe hasn’t won a race yet, but you get the feeling he’s going to. Wolfe had two runner-up finishes at Road Atlanta and he followed that up with fourth in race one at Barber. A DNF in race two, however, has him 24 points behind Medina.

BARTCON Racing’s Eli Block is fifth overall with his 44 points 10 better than BPM’s Isaac Woodworth.

Two-time Junior Cup race winner Levi Badie is up to seventh in the championship despite missing the opening round in Georgia. Badie was third and second in the two races at Barber.

The biggest surprise thus far in the series is the fact that defending series champion Avery Dreher sits 10^th in the series standings after the first four races. Dreher crashed out of the lead in the very first race of the year at Road Atlanta, had a DNF in race one at Barber and has a best finish of fifth in race two at Atlanta. He has 20 points to show for it and is now 57 points behind Medina and four points behind his sister, Ella, who has been a positive surprise in 2024.

Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. – Two Words

Build. Train. Race. Those are the three words that accurately define Royal Enfield’s MotoAmerica racing program.

Two words more accurately describe the past nine Royal Enfield races. Mikayla. Moore.

After the first two races of the Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. series, Moore is undefeated. Still. With nine straight race wins dating back to her first race in the championship at Road America last year, Moore is the benchmark for the rest of the women in the class to shoot for.

And the opening round of the series two weeks ago at Barber Motorsports Park was no different as Moore ran away to two victories while the others scratched and clawed behind her to see who second best would be.

In the opener it was Emma Betters and Camille Conrad who fared the best with Conrad finishing second in race one and third in race two while Betters was third in race one and second in race two. Both came out of the weekend with 36 points, 14 behind Moore.

Miranda Cain and Cassie Creer were consistent with Cain fourth both times and Creer likewise with her two fifths.

Pre-Race Support Class Road America Notes…

Xavi Forés won both Supersport races at Road America a year ago en route to earning the series championship. Forés beat Stefano Mesa in both races with Josh Hayes and Tyler Scott swapping third in the two races.

Avery Dreher and Rossi Moor emerged victorious from the two Junior Cup races in 2023 in Elkhart Lake. Dreher beat Moor in race one with Moor topping Max Van in race two.

In the third round of the Mission King Of The Baggers Championship a year ago at Road America it was Kyle Wyman and Bobby Fong taking the two race wins. Wyman beat Tyler O’Hara and James Rispoli with Fong besting Rispoli and Wyman in race two.

The Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. season got its start at Road America last year with Mikayla Moore winning both races en route to her perfect season in the class. Crystal Martinez was second in race one with Sonya Lloyd third. In race two it was Kayleigh Buyck finishing second with Aubrey Credaroli third.

For more info checkout our dedicated MotoAmerica Support Series News page motoamerica-support-series-latest-news/

Or visit the official MotoAmerica website motoamerica.com/

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of motoamerica.com/

Todd and Crowe brothers top speed charts at TT2024.

Richard radcliffe

May 30, 2024

Wednesday brought a full session of practice for TT 2024; with all classes out on the 37.73 miles of the Mountain Circuit. It was unseasonably cold and there was a strong north-westerly wind for the riders to contend with. It was bright at Ballaugh Bridge at the start of the session but as it progressed the cloud started to roll in and it was bordering on dark when the sidecars reached us.

Dean Harrison and Jamie Coward were first to leave the Grandstand. Coward (KTS Honda) was the first to jump the famous hump-backed bridge at Ballaugh. James Hillier (KTF Honda) was next; then it was Dean Harrison on the factory Honda. Next to pass us was Davey Todd on the Milwaukee BMW; he produced a fine jump; as befits a top class moto-cross rider. Next through were Ian Hutchinson on the Milenco Padgett Honda; Josh Brookes was close behind on the FHO BMW. Then it was 23 times winner John McGuinness on his Honda and Rob Hodson (SMT Honda); both putting plenty of air under his machine and producing a nice rear wheel landing. Mike Browne took the distance award on his Aprilia. Peter Hickman and Davo Johnson used the fast and flat method; both impressive. Michael Dunlop and Shaun Anderson gave us front wheel landings. The action was excellent for the fairly large crowd gathered either side of the track. Phil Crowe gave us a high jump and his style was like that of a ski jumper; great to watch. South Africa’s Allan Venter gave a neat rear wheel touchdown whilst Julian Trummer, the fastest European in the history of the event followed the Dunlop model.

The second lap action was just as fast and furious, with the riders putting in some impressive lap speeds in the far from ideal conditions. Michael Dunlop held the tightest line past the bus shelter, his shoulder brushing the banners fluttering on the wall of the Raven Hotel car park. At the end of the session, it was Davey Todd who topped both the Superbike and Superstock leader boards at 131.821mph and 130.439mph respectively. Dunlop was second in the Superbikes at 131.729mph with Hickman third at 130.804mph. John McGuinness and Josh Brookes lapped at over 129mph. Hickman lapped at 129.723mph on the stocker, with Conor Cummins third at 129.286mph; he loves this bike and never shows his full hand in practice.

The first two Supersport riders to reach us in part 2 of the sessions were Mikey Evans and Mike Browne; both rapid and neat through the village. Once again, we were treated to excellent action; including a couple of interesting overtaking manoeuvres on the bridge itself. That said; there was nothing that caused one of the sharp intakes of breath often heard here. At the end of the session, it was class supremo Michael Dunlop who topped the charts at 126.917mph; Jamie Coward was second at 125.674mph with Davey Todd third on the Ducati. Dean Harrison and Paul Jordan were not far behind.

Pierre-Yves Bian and Joe Yeardsley led the way on the first lap in the Supertwins before Coward at 118.814mph, Hickman at 118.851mph and Browne at 118.650mph upped the pace on lap 2. This is shaping up to be a very tightly contested race; and the one with most variety of machinery.

The sidecars were last away in cold overcast conditions; the upside being that there was no strobe effect from the lowering sun. Pete founds / Jevan Walmsley were first to skim over the famous old bridge. Next were Ryan and Callum Crowe; they passed Founds going into Hillberry and set the best lap of the session at 118.814mph; their best ever. They parked the machine; but others continued for another lap; Founds upped his speed to 117.873mph whilst Ben Birchall / Kevin Rousseau snatched second with 118.271mph. The returning Lee Crawford and Scott Hardie are settling back in nicely; they were fourth. The session was ended with the red flag due to an accident at Bishopscourt involving newcomers Chris Schofield and Tom Dawkins. They were flown to hospital; thankfully Dawkins is out of hospital and Scholfield is recovering well from punctured lungs and a bruised liver.

Thursday will see another evening session, if the mist hugging the mountain section clears; if not some rescheduling is inevitable for the rest of the meeting.

Todd And Crowe Brothers Top Speed Charts At Tt2024. — Allan Venter; fastest ever South African

Matryx And Connor: Airoh On Road

Frank Duggan

May 30, 2024

The motorcycle season has just begun and AIROH’s road proposals are aimed at all 2-wheel lovers to meet their needs. Matryx, AIROH’s top of the range on road helmet and recent winner of the iF Design Award, is a helmet with aggressive lines and superb performance also in terms of aerodynamic. Connor, the entry level product of the Italian brand, boasts all the company’s know-how combined with an excellent quality/price ratio.

AIROH – MATRYX HELMET
AIROH’s full-face proposal for the on-road segment it is aimed at both experienced motorcyclists and enthusiasts looking for safety and comfort. Winning product of 2024 iF Design Award, the helmet is ECE 2206 approved and features a striking design with bold and aggressive lines. It is also suitable on track thanks to the DD Ring retention system. The outer shell comes in two sizes and is made of Full Carbon 6K or Composite Carbon. It features the ASN system (AIROH Sliding Net), which improves airflow and reduces forces transmitted to the head in the case of impact, and the AEFR system (AIROH Emergency Fast Release), allowing the cheek pads quick removal in case of emergency situations. Tested inside the AIROH wind tunnel to ensure optimal aerodynamics, acoustics and thermoregulation, it boasts an innovative and functional ventilation system, with adjustable air intakes on the chin guard and on upper part of the helmet, complemented by rear spoiler with integrated extractors. The helmet is suitable in any season, thanks also to removable double-length Stop Wind. Not to forget the hypoallergenic, removable and washable inner linings made in Coolmax® and with innovative treatments that increase the fabric breathability and its pleasantness to the touch, to enhance the comfort of fit.

The MATRYX visor allow an extra wide vision, it is UV-resistant, and equipped with ATVR system for tool-less and easy removal. It is prepared for Pinlock® 120XLT lenses (supplied in the box) and features the A³S (AIROH Automatic AntiFog System) to ensure maximum visibility and safety, minimize the risk of fogging. The helmet also comes with a practical integrated Sun Visor and it is Communication System Ready, meaning it is ready for the insertion of Bluetooth Communication Systems with a dedicated space for the intercom battery inside the helmet.

Retail price starting from 359.99 euros

AIROH – CONNOR HELMET
Dedicated especially to those who approach motorcycling but suitable for everyone, it boasts a futuristic design and captivating graphics. With ECE 2206 approval, it is made in thermoplastic (HRT) and has three shell sizes (1st XS-S, 2nd M, 3rd L-XXL) to ensure an optimal fit. The ventilation system includes adjustable upper and front air intakes, as well as rear spoilers with extractors for an excellent aeration and thermoregulation. The double-length Stop Wind allows the helmet to be used in any season and climatic conditions, while the ASN system applied on the crown padding the air passage and is able to absorb the forces transmitted to the head in case of impact.
The inner linings are removable, washable, and, thanks to innovative treatments, highly breathable. Connor is Communication System Ready and it is prepared for Pinlock®70 lens installation. The visor provides a very wide field of vision, allows the quick and tool-less removal, featuring also the anti-fog position, extremely functional, especially in prolonged uses.
Retail price starting from 119.99 euros

For information: https://www.airoh.com/

For more AIROH Helmet news check out our dedicated page AIROH Helmet

For more information about AIROH:https://www.airoh.com/

Full-throttle action as Bike Bonanza returns to Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Get ready for a packed day of motorcycle action at Shelsley Walsh as the famous hill climb welcomes the return of Bike Bonanza on 29 June.

The high-octane event features everything from classic motorcycles to hotly contested roadgoing classes, all taking on the narrow, fast and challenging 1000-yard course. Be sure to stick around and watch the thrilling end-of-day run-offs as the fastest 10 riders go head-to-head for overall honours.

Not only does the day features a full programme of exciting hill climb competition, there are star bike demonstrations to enjoy, as well as plenty of off-track entertainment with live music, interviews and more! Event ambassador Steve ‘Stavros’ Parrish will be joining the action by doing demonstration runs on an evocative Texaco Heron Suzuki RG500, a model that achieved huge success in period thanks to riders such as Wil Hartog and Barry Sheene.

Parrish is a former team-mate of the legendary Sheene, who will be celebrated at Shelsley Walsh thanks to the presence of the last factory Suzuki that he ever raced – the XR45 on which he won the 1984 Scarborough Gold Cup. The same bike was also used by two other great names from motorcycle-racing history: Randy Mamola, who rode it in 1983; and Kevin Schwantz, who rode it at Mallory Park in 1986 after Sheene had helped the young American to get a ride with the Suzuki team. It will be on display throughout the day and is sure to draw the crowds.

Other Bike Bonanza highlights will include a 2003 Suzuki GSXR1000 that was raced by TT legend David Jefferies. This was the last bike that Jefferies – one of the most popular characters in British road-racing – rode before he died in an accident during practice for that year’s TT. The Yorkshireman was the first person to lap the Isle of Man circuit at more than 125mph, and the first to win three races at the TT in three consecutive years. The bike on display at Shelsley Walsh is a production-class machine on which he set the fastest practice lap in 2003 at 122mph. Plus, motorbike engineering genius Allen Millyard with the ‘Flying Millyard’ 5 litre V-twin; a bike designed around two cylinders from a Pratt and Whitney radial aero engine!

There will be plenty of entertainment on offer at Bike Bonanza, including actor, rider, mechanic and all-round motorcycle enthusiast Graeme Hardy, who will be starring as ‘George Formby’. Inspired by the 1935 film No Limit, in which Formby played a Wigan chimney sweep who entered the Isle of Man TT on a bike called ‘The Shuttleworth Snap’, Hardy will be in full character throughout the day – complete with his very own replica of the Shuttleworth Snap, which is based on a 1926 Triumph.

No doubt Hardy will have his ukelele with him, but there will also be live music in The Courtyard from the Rhythm Slingers, who are armed with a foot-stomping repertoire of songs evoking a golden era – from Mississippi Mud to The House of Blue Lights. Add club displays, trade stands and more, and Bike Bonanza is a ‘must’ for motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.

WANT TO TAKE PART? Experience the ‘thrill of the hill’: day licences available upon request. For further details, please contact annie@shelsleywalsh.com

COMPETITION CLASSES

Open to all motorcycles, including sidecars and Morgan 3 Wheelers, with classes up to 250cc, 350cc, 750cc and 1400cc. The National Hill Climb Association will be showcasing its four main championships, crammed with the speed kings and queens of the hill climb world, but who will lift the crown?

Open Class Championship This is overall championship in which riders have to be really fast in order to get into the points. The quickest riders have beaten world-class bike-racing names – and not by a small margin!
Classic Class Championship (Post-War to 1970s) Classic machines with that evocative sound and beautiful looks – pure nostalgia for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Forgotten Era Class Championship (1970 to 1989) Open to two- and three-wheeled motorcycles of all types, from a period that falls between ‘classic’ and ‘modern’.
Road-Legal Class Championship A hotly contested class for roadgoing machines, giving both beginners and experienced riders a chance to compete on equal grounds.

ALL MOTORCYCLE CLUBS WELCOME!

All registered motorcycle clubs located right in the heart of the event.
Discounted tickets for motorcycle club members!
Excellent opportunity to showcase and publicise your club.

Simply register your club and members can book direct. Please contact: rebecca@eventspr.co.uk

SPECTATOR INFORMATION

Date: Saturday 29 June 2024

Event address: Shelsley Walsh, Worcester, WR6 6RP

Ticket price:

Advanced ticket: £18. Gate price: £20
Weekend advanced ticket: £30 (inc the Vintage Meeting on Sunday 30 June)
Motorcycle club early: £15
Spectator camping: £10 per person, per night (Fri and/or Sat nights)

Times: 8am each day, until approx 5pm

Please note: general admission includes access to the hill, race paddock, displays and entertainment. Children under 16 free (no ticket required and to be accompanied by a full paying adult). No dogs are permitted.

Bike Bonanza will be actively supporting the Midlands Air Ambulance charity.

www.shelsleywalsh.com

Nostalgic Streets Ahead opened at the National Motor Museum

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu opened its new permanent exhibition, Streets Ahead, over the Bank Holiday weekend with actors from the Gobbledegook theatre company on a re-created street taking on character roles you may have encountered from the decades following the Second World War.

Nostalgic Streets Ahead Opened At The National Motor Museum — © National Motor Museum / Dan Wilson/ Lorna Rees

As part of the opening weekend celebration, visitors enjoyed meeting a traffic warden, milkman, a bus conductor, and a motor salesman spiv. Younger visitors were intrigued to hear stories from the era – including wider opportunities for travel, changing tastes of fashion, the fight for equal pay, whilst those old enough to remember reminisced about the car and motorcycles on the street.

The new gallery Streets Ahead: Motoring in Mid-Century Britain displays artefacts from the Museum’s extensive motoring collections in shop fronts on the street; a toy shop with treasured playthings such as Corgi toys and Scalextric, a motoring clothing shop boasting sensible or fashionable outerwear and accessories, a travel agent that brought holidays abroad as well as UK trips and excursions to the masses for the first time. A mobile hardware store is also parked up showing a form of shopping when roads and perhaps lives were less busy.

Museum Chief Executive, Jon Murden says, “The re-development of this section of the Museum into Streets Ahead is a wonderful addition to our displays. It is an opportune moment to look back, at a time when the high-street is experiencing yet another revolution in shopping habits.”

National Motor Museum Senior Curator, Gail Stewart-Bye says, “The decades following the Second World War saw full employment, a growing population, greater affluence, the emergence of the ‘teenager’ as a distinct sector of society, and an explosion in the affordability and availability of consumer goods, all of which fuelled a booming economy.

Gail says that motoring was central to this transformation, “Cars and motorcycles became accessible to more people than ever before. Mass motor vehicle ownership, and the freedom for everyone to travel was part of the shared experience of post-war life. Through travel, fashion, in entertainment, and whilst growing up, motoring became a significant part of popular culture.”

The exhibition is included in the admission ticket for the Beaulieu attraction, and further details are available from www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk

EWC teams pack entry list for first 8 Hours of Spa Motos

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Thirty-seven teams, including 34 permanent FIM Endurance World Championship squads, have entered international motorcycle racing’s equivalent to a high-speed rollercoaster ride, the 8 Hours of Spa Motos.

From 7-8 June, the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium is the venue for the second round of the 2024 EWC season and the first of two eight-hour events this year.

What promises to be another unmissable EWC race has attracted a star-studded entry featuring no fewer than 13 riders who have won one or more FIM Endurance World Championship crowns, plus several other highlights including:

Cresson carries home hopes: Belgian star Loris Cresson will carry the hopes of a nation on his shoulders as he bids for home success for BMRT3D maxxess Nevers, which has stepped up from Superstock to the Formula EWC category for 2024. The team has recruited Belgium’s Vincent Lonbois to partner Cresson and Julien Pilot.

KM99 aiming high: Like Cresson and Lonbois, independent squad KM99 is preparing to fly the Belgian flag in the 8 Hours of Spa Motos. The Liege-based team fields an all-French, all-star line-up of Randy de Puniet, Florian Marino and Jérémy Guarnoni, a winner at Spa in 2022.

BMW chases a Spa double: After winning at Spa in 2022, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is chasing a second victory at its home event with riders Illya Mykhalchyk, Marcus Reiterberger and new-for-2024 signing Sylvain Guintoli.

Champion team YART bids to make up for lost points: Having missed out on a highly possible victory in the 24 Heures Motos last month, the YART Yamaha outfit – the 2023 EWC title-winning team – has its sights set on back-to-back Spa victories with riders Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika.

F.C.C. TSR Honda France on a Spa roll: Third at Spa in 2022, and second in 2023, F.C.C. TSR Honda France and riders Mike Di Meglio, Josh Hook and Alan Techer want top spot in 2024.

Team Étoile brings in Watanabe: EWC podium finisher and ex-MotoGP rider Kazuki Watanabe is named as part of the Japanese Team Étoile attack.

Bergman is back…: An EWC regular in the past, Christoffer Bergman returns as part of Maco Racing’s Yamaha-powered line-up.

…and Brenner too: After being forced to miss the season-opening 24 Heures Motos, swift Swiss Marcel Brenner is back with Team Bolliger Switzerland alongside Pedro Romero and Nico Thöni.

More EWC action for Vietti-Ramus: After helping 3ART Best of Bike to third place on the Superstock podium at Le Mans in his first EWC start, Italian Doriano Vietti-Ramus is due to make his second appearance for the Yamaha-powered outfit.

Olsen set for EWC debut: With Michael Dunlop going for an Isle of Man TT record-equalling 26th victory, British Superbike rider Alex Olsen is set to link up with compatriots Tom Oliver and Tom Ward at TRT27 AZ Moto, providing he’s recovered from a wrist injury in time.

National Motos Honda eyes repeat EWC glory: National Motos Honda starts the 8 Hours of Spa Motos fresh from landing Superstock glory in the 24 Heures Motos. Riders Guillaume Raymond, Sébastien Suchet and Valentin Suchet were also winners at Spa in 2023.

Nigon knows No Limits: Part of the Superstock-winning team at Spa in 2022, Johan Nigonwill be hoping there are No Limits to his EWC ambitions, the Honda-equipped Italian team that he rides for alongside Philipp Steinmayr and Lorenzo Gabellini.

Legend Pridmore returns: FIM World Endurance Championship winner in 2003, American legend Jason Pridmore, 54, is back through an alliance with Maco Racing. Fellow US racers Andrew Lee and Michael Gilbert will also ride the #43 Yamaha.

Entry list in numbers:
37 entries
34 permanent EWC teams
6 motorcycle manufacturers
21 nationalities

Click HERE for the latest ticket information.

Get race track ready with Louis Moto’s new smartphone-controlled tyre warmers

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Motorcycle track day season has arrived, and Louis Moto’s new BT Comfort tyre warmers are the ideal addition to every track rider’s toolkit, with enhanced practicality thanks to the warmer’s innovative smartphone connectivity.

The Louis BT Comfort tyre warmers offer three heat settings, starting at 60°C, moving up to 80°C, with the hottest setting at 95°C, making them suitable for use with a range of road, rain and slick tyres. A key feature of the Bluetooth-enabled BT Comfort tyre warmers is the smartphone connectivity, enabling riders to control these different temperature settings via the accompanying iOS and Android app, which also features a timer and a useful information display.

Pre-heating the full tyre, its carcass and the wheel rim itself is important to ensure optimum grip while out on track, and Louis’ BT Comfort tyre warmers guarantee that with a wide heating blanket, which also covers and effectively warms the tyre edges and rim edges. Easy fitment and fastening is provided by wide hook and loop straps, and are compatible with a front tyre size of 120/70-17, and rear tyre sizes of 180/55 to 200/55-17.

The Louis BT Comfort tyre warmers come compete with a carry case for easy storage and transportation to and from circuits, and are priced at £299*. Non-Bluetooth-enabled tyre warmers are also available in the Louis range, priced at £256*.

Louis’ new tyre warmers bolster its range of motorcycle equipment, care and accessories, which includes a wide array of oils, lubricants, motorcycle cleaning products and more. Shop the full Louis Moto range here.

For UK motorcyclists shopping online with Louis Moto and its exclusive brands, VAT and refunds on any applicable customs charges on orders made from the UK will be covered. This means riders can enjoy shopping online without any surprise costs along the way. Free delivery to Great Britain is also available on orders over £199.00.

*All prices correct as of the date of the posting

The Heat Is On As MotoAmerica Superbikes Head To Road America

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The Steel Commander Superbike Championship Ready To Attack Popular Road America, May 31-June 2.

The cream of the MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike crop generally makes one, possibly two race mistakes a year. Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Cameron Beaubier has made his, yet he leads the championship by 13 points as the championship moves to inarguably its most popular round – Road America – after two rounds and five races. Predictable? Not entirely. Race fans with short memories? Definitely.

When Beaubier crashed out of the lead at Barber Motorsports Park a bit over two weeks ago in race one, there was plenty of groaning as it handed Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne a 20-point lead over the BMW M 1000 RR-mounted Beaubier. The championship was over, blah, blah, blah.

A day later and Beaubier was on the top step of the podium twice after winning both races on Sunday while Gagne struggled mightily with arm pump that left him eighth and seventh in the two races.

Thus, Beaubier will start the first of two Steel Commander Superbike races at Road America, May 31-June 2, with a 13-point lead after two. But if we learned anything from the three-race Barber round it’s that bad days by the cream of the crop no longer result in podium finishes. Instead, a stacked field of Superbikes can mean that a bad result is now seventh or eighth. Or worse.

Which brings us to the age-old Yogi Berra quote of “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” This is far from over.

Beaubier was the fastest rider at Barber. Everyone knew it, including race-one winner Cameron Petersen and his teammate and defending series champion Gagne, both of whom took advantage of Beaubier’s miscue to take the top two spots in race one.

Fortunately for Beaubier, and unfortunately for the rest, Barber was one of two rounds (WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is the other) that will feature three Steel Commander Superbike races. So, although Beaubier started Sunday 20 points behind, he was able to end it with two wins and a 13-point lead heading to Road America.

Gagne’s plight as the series heads to Wisconsin will revolve around his forearms. Arm pump slows the best of them, and Gagne is battling with it now. The long straightaways of Road America should be easier on him than the previous two rounds.

But this championship isn’t just about Beaubier vs. Gagne.

TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly has already proven to be a factor in his rookie season of Superbike racing and he’s only going to get better. Kelly earned the first two Superbike podiums of his debut season on Sunday at Barber with a second in race two and a third in race three. Kelly sits third in the championship, 22 points behind Beaubier and just nine behind Gagne, with the Floridian finishing all five races so far with two fourths and a fifth to go with his two podiums.

Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong is another who has shown speed in the opening races of the season and he arrives in Wisconsin 13 points behind Kelly and two in front of Petersen. Fong earned a podium in the series opener at Road Atlanta and another in the third race at Barber when he finished second to Gagne.

Petersen is the other rider in the field to win a race in 2024 as he joined Beaubier and his teammate Gagne as Superbike race winners when he held off Gagne to win race one at Barber after Beaubier’s third-lap crash. Petersen is just two points behind Fong.

Although the season has had a few bumps in the road so far for Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin and his French teammate Loris Baz, counting them out of any race would be a mistake. Especially, at Road America where the pair will be able to take full advantage of their very fast Ducati Panigale V4 Rs. Herrin has one podium finish so far (third in race on at Barber), but his points total suffered with a crash in race two in Alabama. However, he’s a proven race winner and will be looking to chase bags of points on the fast four-mile Road America.

Also, remember that Herrin was on pole for last year’s races at Road America and he finished third in race one prior to winning race two.

Baz is just two points behind Herrin in the championship after a consistent start to the season. Baz’s big however came in race three at Barber when he was hit from behind by a lapped rider and crashed. Baz should also find solace in the fact that the Ducatis work well at Road America.

Real Steel Motorsports’ Hayden Gillim, meanwhile, is tied with Baz for seventh after five consistent races on his Superstock-spec Honda CBR1000RR-R SP.

Beaubier’s Tytlers Cycle Racing teammate JD Beach had a Barber round that he would like to permanently erase from his memory banks as he scored just nine points from the three races after two crashes. Beach will get a fresh start at Road America this weekend.

Another who expected way more to the start of his season is Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch. Paasch is 10^th in the title chase with a best finish of sixth thus far as he tries to make up ground from a miserable opening round at Road Atlanta where he failed to score a point.

Paasch will be joined again at Road America by Spaniard Xavi Forés, who is replacing the injured Richie Escalante. Forés was sixth in two of the three races in his debut with the team at Barber, but race two in Alabama was a DNF for the non-defending 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion.

Just seven points separate Paasch in 10^th from BPR Racing’s Bryce Prince, who sits 14^th. Between the two are FLO4LAW Racing’s Benjamin Smith and Thrashed Bike Racing’s Max Flinders. Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Visit Indiana/Tom Wood Powersports’ Nolan Lamkin are tied for 15^th in the series standings.

Pre-Race Road America Notes…

Last year’s two Superbike races at Road America were won by Cameron Beaubier and Josh Herrin. Beaubier beat his Tytlers Cycle Racing teammate PJ Jacobsen by 2.7 seconds with Herrin third in race one. In race two, Herrin took the win by a tick over two seconds over Jacobsen with Jake Gagne third. Oddly enough, Gagne had a DNF in race one and his championship rival Beaubier failed to finish race two.

Ducati Panigale V4 R-mounted Josh Herrin earned pole position last year with his lap of 2:09.111 of the four-mile-long Road America. Herrin was joined on the front row by the BMW M1000 RRs of Cameron Beaubier and PJ Jacobsen. The fastest lap of the two races was Herrin’s 2:09.025, which is the Superbike race lap record at Road America.

Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier has won 11 Superbike races at Road America. That’s two more than Australian Mat Mladin and three more than Josh Hayes.

Active MotoAmerica racers with Superbike wins at Road America other than Beaubier include Josh Herrin, Jake Gagne, Cameron Petersen, Bobby Fong and Mathew Scholtz, who is now racing in the Supersport class.

With his three MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike victories this year, Beaubier now has 63 AMA Superbike wins – 19 wins behind all-time AMA Superbike win leader Mat Mladin and his 82 victories.

Yamaha continues to lead the way in manufacturer Superbike wins at Road America with 26 victories. Suzuki is second with 18 Superbike race wins at the venue in Elkhart Lake, followed by Honda with 12, Ducati with nine and Kawasaki with four. Cameron Beaubier’s race-one victory was the first Superbike win for BMW at Road America.

Three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer won the first-ever AMA Superbike race at Road America in 1980.

For more news check out our dedicated MotoAmerica News page MotoAmerica News

Or visit the official MotoAmerica website motoamerica.com/

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of motoamerica.com/

Home turf & enemy territory: who will make a statement at Mugello?

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The most recent winner, Bagnaia, keeps spoiling the party for some home heroes – now they have chance to hit back

Barcelona hosted a weekend of shock twists, incredible racing and enough storylines to fill a season review, and yet we’re only six Grands Prix deep. Now it’s time to hit the road to Mugello for the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, with statement after statement already made and more sure to come as Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and eight-time world Champion Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) continue to duke it out.

At the Catalan GP, however, it wasn’t a three-way fight at the front. This time it was a Bagnaia-Martin duel on Sunday, and after the #1 had put himself on the back foot following a crash out the lead in the Tissot Sprint. It was as close as a race in May can be to a must-win, but win he did. After victory in the last two Italian Grands Prix, including the double last year, that puts the target straight on Bagnaia’s back at Mugello.

For Martin, though, it wasn’t quite a must-win – neither on Saturday nor Sunday. It was a weekend where he wasn’t the fastest but another where he leaves with a protected lead and some very good points. His willingness, too, to take points in the Sprint – even when that meant missing out on the podium – speaks to a rider playing the long game, and his 39-point lead speaks to it paying off. Mugello offers a very tempting statement though: the chance to win in enemy territory. That’s something Bagnaia has now done in the last three Grands Prix in Spain.

Marc Marquez, meanwhile, has one focus first: qualify better. In France he still managed to charge up to the fight for the win, but in Barcelona he “only” managed to fight for the rostrum. Twice. With that though, he remains very much in contention near the top of the Championship, and that’s more than slightly worrying for his rivals if he does qualify much further forward. Mugello is also enemy territory, with plenty the #93 could say with a win, and it’s also where he bowed out before taking a break to have more surgery on his injured arm. So as we return in 2024, the incentives are overflowing with the chance to take centre stage.

HOME HEROES
They are for the home heroes too. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) wants to prove there’s more to his current form than protest votes and dalliances with the Stewards, Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) wants to find that Jerez form to overturn teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio’s advantage in the standings, Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) is looking for a step forward and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) even more so. They all know Mugello rather well. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) is also racing on home turf for the team.

Aprilia, too, are on home turf. It’s not just Ducati who want to raise the tricolore. As the “maybe now we’ll get an Italian on an Italian bike” echoes round the paddock from Massimo Rivola, everyone who could win or lose from that statement will be wanting to make their cases at Mugello as well. After an emotional weekend for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) announcing his retirement, he’ll want to show his speed is still very much there at Mugello and teammate Maverick Viñales will want to flip the form book for the Noale factory back in his favour. And that’s after Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) did a fine job of that in Barcelona, qualifying on the front row, leading the Sprint and then taking Trackhouse’s best MotoGP™ result yet, so teammate Miguel Oliveira will want to hit back.

Aprilia also field test rider Lorenzo Savadori as a wildcard ahead of the test on Monday as they look to take the fight to Ducati and KTM even further.

MISSION: POSSIBLE
For KTM and GASGAS, there’s also plenty swirling about the future but the bigger focus as the circus kicks into gear is simple: move forward from a tougher Barcelona, after their form so far this season has promised more. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was impressive once again in Catalonia as the rookie superstar took a Sprint podium, but on race day he made his second mistake of the season to crash out of the podium fight. After doing the same at Le Mans, he’ll be absolutely committed to taking a top finish at Mugello, where he’s won the last two in Moto2™. He also has his last chance to become the youngest polesitter.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, scored some solid points on Sunday – after having led and then crashed out of the Sprint – but that’s not why he goes racing and he’ll be raring to get back to that Qatar GP form. With the top speed record in his pocket, set in the Sprint at Mugello last season, he knows he’ll have some firepower to work with too. For Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) it’s a tougher spell as they look for finishes and/or progress, and they’ll want both in Italy.

There’s also a very first wildcard for Pol Espargaro with KTM and seeing what he’s testing ahead of the official test on Monday at Mugello – as well as where he slots into the pecking order – will be interesting to watch.

THE ROAD TO PROGRESS
At Yamaha and Honda, Mugello is more familiar territory in 2024 after the factories tested here recently, so that could be something to watch. It was also fruitful enough for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and teammate Alex Rins to employ some of their findings in Barcelona, so as the paddock returns to Mugello they’ll hope that gives them even more edge. The teammate rivalry is also ongoing, with Rins making it to Q2 last time out but then Quartararo hitting back in race trim.

For Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), teammate Marini on home turf, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR), there’s also recent testing data on the table, and a whole battle to be top Honda that rages on. The main mission, however, is to collaborate on moving forward – and ahead of the test there’s another weekend to fight for points, gather information, and then get even more track time right after the Grand Prix. Will that big step forward come home?

That Grand Prix is sure to deliver another incredible chapter for the world’s most exciting sport, and there’s more history on the line. That history-making average gap between the winner and second place that was the closest in the MotoGP™ era before Barcelona remains the lowest ever heading into Mugello: just 1.083s over the first six Grands Prix. And what a six Grands Prix they’ve been! Don’t miss the Gran Premio d’Italian Brembo as the seventh promises just as much.

SHOWTIME
Saturday
Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +2)
Sunday
Grand Prix: 14:00 (UTC +2)

For more MotoGP info checkout our dedicated MotoGP News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com

MXGP is Back For More at Teutschenthal For The Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship returns after a weekend off to launch into another three-week run of events, beginning this weekend with the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany at the legendary Talkessel circuit of Teutschenthal!

The compact German valley has hosted a massive 26 MXGP events in its history, with its first being in 1971. The winner that day was Suzuki star Joel Robert, on his way to the fifth of his six career world titles. We didn’t return to the Talkessel until 1993, when a rider named after the great Robert, Joel Smets, won the first of his 57 career Grands Prix on his thundering Husaberg.

The venue has been on the MXGP calendar every year since 1999, apart from 2013, when it hosted the Motocross of Nations instead, and the pandemic-affected season of 2020. Antonio Cairoli holds the record for the most Grand Prix wins at the circuit with five, amassing the most individual race wins as well with nine. All four of the leading MXGP contenders have seen success in Teutschenthal. The MX2 class sees the home crowd’s biggest hope for a German winner, with Simon Laengenfelder currently sitting second in the points for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing.

Riders who lined up at the 2013 Motocross of Nations and will still race in 2024 include two of the Swiss team that day, Jeremy Seewer of the Kawasaki Racing Team, and Team Ship to Cycle Honda Motoblouz SR rider Valentin Guillod. Fantic Factory Racing stalwart Glenn Coldenhoff was also there that day, although from the three, only Guillod got into the top ten.

The EMX250 Championship will return for their fifth round, with Mathis Valin bolting the red plate onto his Bud Racing Kawasaki after his home GP, and he now leads from Cas Valk, who is 23 points behind for Gabriel SS24 KTM, with previous leader Valerio Lata dropping to third for Beddini GASGAS Factory Juniors after scoring only 8 points at St, Jean d’Angely.

Teutschenthal also welcomes the FIM Women’s World Motocross Championship, back for the first time since 2018, when Courtney Duncan took the victory! Home heroine Larissa Papenmeier has won there twice in the past, and she will lean on the local support to lift her from 7^th in the series. Kiara Fontanesi, winner in 2015, is third in the points behind the flying teenage pair of Lotte van Drunen, who will carry the red plate for De Baets Yamaha, and RFME GASGAS Factory Juniors star Daniela Guillen, who is only nine points behind as they reach the halfway point of the series, this being round four of seven for WMX in 2024.

The 2024 MXGP title race is proving to be the absolute classic that the dazzling line-up promised at the start of the year. The previous two MXGP World Champions, Team HRC’s Tim Gajser and Jorge Prado for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, are just five points apart at the top of the standings after the Slovenian won the Monster Energy MXGP of France, while Romain Febvre sits just 24 points further back for the Kawasaki Racing Team after bravely fighting through a thumb injury sustained in Free Practice.

Jeffrey Herlings of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team is now fourth in the series and 61 points behind the leader, after winning race two at St Jean d’Angely. With the weather forecast showing more rain possible for the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany, Herlings could be the man to beat at the German circuit.

Of the active MXGP field, Gajser has won the most at Teutschenthal, taking the MX2 trophy in his first title year of 2015, plus MXGP victories in 2019, ’21, and ’22. Herlings and Prado have each won three at the Talkessel, with the current Champion taking the honours last season. Febvre has only one overall win there, taking the MXGP class in 2015. His 2024 teammate Jeremy Seewer also won in MX2 back in 2017.

With a 43-rider entry list there should be a full gate in MXGP, with a large swell of local wildcards hoping to perform well in front of the usually large and raucous crowd! Tom Koch is the highest-placed German in the standings for the KTM Kosak Team, and the Schmicker Racing team will also be enjoying its home Grand Prix with its riders Corneliues Toendel and Adam Sterry.

The fight is well and truly still on in MXGP, both at the sharp end and throughout what is sure to be a crowded valley, both on and off the track!

MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 348 Points; 2. Jorge Prado (ESP, GAS), 343 Points; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 319 Points ; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 287 Pts; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, HON), 253 Pts; 6. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, KAW), 234 Pts; 7. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 223 Pts; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 200 Pts; 9. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 145 Pts; 10. Valentin Guillod (SUI, HON), 130 Pts.

The MX2 class has provided some wild racing in 2024, with the first six riders in the standings all taking a race win on either Saturday or Sunday, and so far the Grand Prix victories have gone in waves, with Kay de Wolf taking the first three for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing, Liam Everts the next two for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, then De Wolf’s teammate Lucas Coenen taking the most recent two rounds. De Wolf’s consistency has seen him stretch out a 52-point lead in the Championship, and the big home favourite Simon Laengenfelder is the next rider along, scoring well in every race apart from the second one in Portugal, where he crashed and broke his collarbone.

Struggling on with plating over the injury for Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, his speed has been climbing again, and he will be looking to make the most of the home support with the volume of the valley sure to rise with every move forward he makes! Lucas Coenen’s two wins have seen him rise back to third, just 7 points behind the German.

Everts and his teammate Andrea Adamo, the reigning Champion in the class, are fourth and fifth, with the other winner, Thibault Benistant of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2, sadly likely to be out for Germany after hurting his back in a big crash in France.

Everts took the overall win at Teutschenthal last year, although he had a slight piece of fortune as Lucas Coenen suffered a broken chain whilst leading race two, after dominating the first. Both De Wolf and Laengenfelder suffered injuries before last year’s event, so with the top five all healthy, the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany could prove just as unpredictable as every other round this year!

MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 342 Points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, GAS), 290 Points; 3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, HUS), 283 Pts; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 268 Pts; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 257 Pts; 6. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 226 Pts; 7. Mikkel Haarup (DEN, TRI), 216 Pts; 8. Rick Elzinga (NED, YAM), 211 Pts; 9. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 159 Pts; 10. Camden McLellan (RSA, TRI). 126 Pts.

Don’t miss your chance to watch the Liqui Moly MXGP of Germany this weekend. Get your tickets HERE! and VIP TICKETS HERE

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY: 08:30 WMX Free practice, 09:00 EMX250 Free practice, 09:30 MXE Time Practice, 09:55 WMX Qualifying practice, 10:30 MX2 Time Practice, 11:00 MXGP OAT Free Practice, 11:50 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 12:025 MXGP Wildcard Free/Qualifying Practice, 13:25 MXE Race 1, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP OAT Time Practice, 15:00 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 RAM Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP RAM Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY: 09:45 WMX Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:10 MXE Race 2, 11:55 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

For more news check out our dedicated MXGP/MX2 News page

Or visit the official MXGP website mxgp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.mxgp.com

Target acquired: Moto2 field look to hit back at Garcia and Ogura

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

They might have only completed six races in their short time as a Moto2™ squad, but the MT Helmets – MSI outfit have already cemented themselves as the team to beat heading to the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo after back-to-back one-two finishes.

Sergio Garcia took the spoils in Le Mans, before Ai Ogura then found the perfect riposte in Barcelona for his first win in nearly 18 months. Garcia now comfortably leads the title chase, with Ogura heading to the Tuscan hillsides now sitting third.

A response is needed then from two names in particular: Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp). The American never quite got going in Barcelona, eventually coming home in eighth, but Mugello is another favourite circuit on the calendar, so expectations will be sky high. And it’s a huge weekend for Aldeguer too after a costly crash during the Catalan GP. The pre-season favourite is now 46 points back in fourth, knowing a big result will help shift momentum his way ahead of a few weekends off.

All that’s without mentioning the likes of Jake Dixon (CFMoto Inde Aspar Team), back on the podium in Barcelona, and the home heroes on the grid looking to make their mark and join Mugello history. Even at this early juncture, there is so much on the line in the intermediate class. So, don’t miss a single lap of the action from 12:15 local time (UTC +2) on Sunday!

For more Moto2 info checkout our dedicated Moto2 News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com

MotoE: will the Championship twist again at Mugello?

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

After crashes for Spinelli AND Casadei in Barcelona, there’s been a shake up at the top – and there are two new winners as we roll into Mugello

Round 3 of the 2024 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship saw a seismic shake up in both the standings and the recent form book. Two crashes for winner of three of the first four races, Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing), opened the door for Championship leader Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) to win big on track and in the standings, but the #40’s record-breaking podium streak ended with P6 in Race 1 before he made his first error of the season in Race 2 and crashed out.

In the ensuing battle, Race 1 podium finisher Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) emerged after a stunning, sideways final lap to take his maiden win, and with that the points lead. Race 1 winner, rookie Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI), came home second in the second outing to jump up to third overall. That means Casadei is now sandwiched in second between two riders who had never won before Saturday in Barcelona, with three riders covered by two points. Spinelli is fourth, 13 off the top.

The mission at Mugello will therefore be clear for both Spinelli and Casadei: no more mistakes, and home turf glory. For Zannoni it’s also home turf glory at stake, and a case of pushing to ensure he can stay in that fight at the front consistently after an impressive recent run. The same is true of another Italian, Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing), after he took his first podium since he was fighting for the title in 2021. It was no flash in the pan either as his speed has been building in 2024.

Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) and Andrea Mantovani (KLINT Forward Factory Team) will also want more on home turf, with both enduring tougher seasons so far. The likes of Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) and Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) will want the spoils they missed out on at their own home round too, and Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), after serious speed in Barcelona and a podium in Race 1, will want to bounce back after his Race 2 DNF. The Brazilian’s most recent win was taken at Mugello last season.

There’s everything to play for with four riders split by 13 points, and three riders covered by just two. Who’s coming out on top at Mugello? We’ll find out on Saturday, with Race 1 at 12:15 (UTC +2) and Race 2 at 16:10.

For more info checkout our dedicated MotoE News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com

Ducati and Supreme create a collectors’ edition Streetfighter V4

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Ducati and Supreme® create a collectors’ edition Streetfighter V4 with Drudi Performance.

Ducati and Supreme®, two brands united by the constant, tireless search for quality, style and authenticity, come together in an unprecedented and exclusive collaboration endorsed by Drudi Performance. The contamination between the dynamism of the Ducati world and the underground lines of Supreme® constitutes the theme of a limited series collection composed of a Streetfighter V4 S, coordinated technical garments and a series of lifestyle proposals united by the style and exclusivity of the two brands.

The design of the collection refers to the iconic Supreme® white/red colour box logo. From the Supreme® style, this capsule also receives the exclusive approach to distribution made iconic by the brand: the entire collection, including the motorbike, will be available in a very limited series and for a well-defined period.

Aldo Drudi signs the graphic project. In collaboration with Supreme®, Aldo has created a livery full of unique and exclusive details, in the underground style typical of the New York brand, which make the Streetfighter V4 Supreme® a work of pop art, embellished with technical components that make it even more unique. The Brembo Supreme® front brake calipers become an element of style, thanks to the exclusive red colour with white logo that reflects the tones of the livery. The rims combine the Supreme® logo with a coloured tag, a stylistic element that characterizes all the most recent Ducati bikes.

Getting onto the motorcycle becomes a unique experience, thanks to the progressive number of the model on the steering head and the dedicated key-on animation on the dashboard. And like all the most valuable collectible Ducati bikes, the Streetfighter V4 Supreme® is delivered in an exclusive wooden crate, inside which is inserted an accessory kit in a dedicated box that comprises the certificate of authenticity, a dedicated motorcycle cover and all the components to transform the motorcycle into two-seater configuration.

Apparel
Supreme® has worked with Ducati and Aldo Drudi of Drudi Performance on a technical apparel collection, for those who want to exploit the sporting qualities of the Streetfighter V4 Supreme® on the track or on mountain passes. It is made up of a Dainese Racing Suit, Dainese Racing Jacket, Arai® RX-7 V EVO Helmet and Spidi C1 Leather Gloves.

The sporty leather jacket is a perfect mix of protection and style, produced by Dainese and certified to the highest standards. The leather suit is the classic Ducati one-piece racing suit. Both are dressed in an exclusive design created by Supreme® in collaboration with Aldo Drudi, and produced by Dainese in a limited edition.

The racing helmet is characterized by a special livery based on the Supreme® RX-7 V EVO. Endorsed by the unmistakable sign of Drudi Performance and produced by Spidi, the gloves conclude the motorcycle apparel capsule of this exclusive collaboration.

The lifestyle collection consists of a Track Jacket, Hooded Work Jacket, Soccer Jersey, Track Pant, two T-Shirts and 6-Panel Hat which will be put on sale exclusively through Supreme® channels along with the helmet and the gloves.

The Dainese Racing Suit and Dainese Racing Jacket are available exclusively through the Ducati SuMisura program for the Streetfighter V4 Supreme® clients only, that will also have the opportunity to purchase the racing helmet through the same channel.

For more Ducati news check out our dedicated page Ducati UK News

or head to the official Ducati UK website ducati.com/gb/en/home

New dates for 2024 Kazakhstan GP confirmed

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports can now announce new dates for the 2024 Grand Prix of Kazakhstan.

Flooding across the region caused the event to be postponed from June.

The inaugural Kazakhstan GP will now take place from the 20th to the 22nd of September as the first race on the Asian leg of the 2024 MotoGP™️ calendar.

For more MotoGP info checkout our dedicated MotoGP News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com

Norton Motorcycles welcomes Revolutions as first sales partner in Scotland

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Norton Motorcycles has begun a new sales partnership with established sportscar dealer, Revolutions, located in Perth, Scotland.

With this latest addition to Norton’s network, Revolutions becomes the company’s first sales partner in Scotland.

The Norton Commando 961, V4SV, and V4CR are all available to view, test ride and purchase from the location, with the 125^th Anniversary Limited Edition models and Norton’s branded apparel also on display. Visitors to Revolutions can also organise servicing and repairs, as well as purchase parts and accessories.

Elliot Paterson, Managing Director of Revolutions, said: “It is very exciting for Revolutions to add Norton Motorcycles to our showroom and be the very first sales partner in Scotland for the brand. We look forward to welcoming customers through our doors for a test ride as we become the go-to location north of the border for the much-loved Norton name.”

Chris Bexon, Head of Sales at Norton Motorcycles, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Norton Motorcycles to Scotland with a well-established business such as Revolutions. Providing Scottish customers with the opportunity to test and purchase our range of premium motorcycles has been an aim of ours for some time, so we are really looking forward to working closely with Revolutions to accomplish that goal and bring customers the best possible experience.”

About Revolutions

Established in 2008, Revolutions is based in an 8,000sq ft facility just off Perth’s Motor Mile, and prides itself on its motoring services, including new and used motorcycle and sportscar sales, workshop servicing, sportscar hire, and vehicle storage solutions.

The business has a highly experienced team that is available to answer any queries relating to either sportscars or motorcycles. It is also perfectly placed for test rides on Perthshire’s spectacular roads.

You can find Revolutions at:
Bute House,
Arran Road,
Perth
PH1 3DZ

To view the full Norton Motorcycles sales partner network, follow the link here.

For more Norton Motorcycles check out our dedicated page Norton Motorcycles News

or head to the official Norton Motorcycles website nortonmotorcycles.com/

Indian Grand Prix postponed to 2025

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports announce that the Indian Grand Prix will not take place in 2024, with MotoGP™️ postponing its return to the country to early 2025 due to operational considerations.

Following advice from the Government of Uttar Pradesh as the state continues its long-term commitment to MotoGP™️, the sport will return to Buddh International Circuit in March 2025, when weather conditions are expected to be optimal for spectators and riders alike.

For more MotoGP info checkout our dedicated MotoGP News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com

©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of www.motogp.com

Mugello – a track for history and heroes

Frank Duggan

May 29, 2024

Mugello - A Track For History And Heroes — Participants, Red Bull Rookies Cup Race 2, Italian MotoGP, 11 June 2023

Mugello is always a high point in anyone’s year and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup teenagers can’t wait to get to grips with the challenging venue on their KTMs. There were 4 different winners in last year’s Cup, this year has seen 4 different victors in 4 races.

The numbers suggest that there is something special about the 5.245km snaking through the Tuscan hills. Max Quiles is the only Rookie to have 2 wins at Mugello, in 2022 and 2023. Angel Piqueras, the most prolific victor in Rookies Cup history never won here.

After a 1st and a 2nd in Le Mans, Quiles arrives in Italy as points leader by 9 over Álvaro Carpe. Brian Uriarte, Race 2 winner last time out, is a further 3 behind. Spaniards head the table from Argentine 16-year-old Valentin Perrone and Malaysian 16-year-old Hakim Danish.

Wins or points
16-year-old Quiles is the man to beat and he is awesome in Mugello but can make mistakes, he fell in Race 1 last year and in Race 2 in 2022. Carpe is Mr. Consistent, after a win in Jerez Race 2 the 16-year-old has already been thinking about the championship. But he can’t let Quiles or Uriarte gain the upper hand, he was 6th and 8th in his Mugello debut last year; that will not be enough this time.

Uriarte will be learning but the thinker has a wily head on his 15-year-old shoulders and will be in that lead pack. Expect Argentine 16-year-old Marco Morelli to be there as well. It’s his 3rd Cup season and after his costly fall in Race 1 at Le Mans, the Jerez Race 1 winner knows that he must start to close the 29-point gap to Quiles.

Certainly wins
The same goes for Rico Salmela, the Finn had a rare technical problem in Le Mans and is 7th in the points table, 3 behind Morelli. The 16-year-old is always in the hunt but needs to add his total of a single Rookies race win, Aragon 2022.

It’s the Cup’s 12th visit to Mugello and these are the 15th and 16th races. Our Sunday races are scheduled early in the day to avoid the post-MoGP track invasion when Italian fervour takes control.

And only wins
It also gives the Rookies a relaxed afternoon to watch their heroes. They might see MotoGP World Championship leader Jorge Martín, class of 2014, become the most successful Rookie. Following his Le Mans victory he has 17 wins to his name, 7 in MotoGP, 2 in Moto2 and 8 in Moto3 where he also won the World Championship.

Going to Mugello he is tied on race wins with Johann Zarco, Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira. Pedro Acosta has 16.

Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.

Race 1 is at 17:00 CEST on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 08:45, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.

For more info checkout our dedicated Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup News page Rookies Cup News

Or visit the official Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup website rookiescup.redbull.com/

GASGAS Adds Two High-Revving 2-Strokes to 2025 Motocross Line-Up!

Frank Duggan

May 28, 2024

GASGAS Adds Two High-Revving 2-Strokes to 2025 Motocross Line-Up!.

New MC 150 and MC 300 models complete the improved range of motocross machines

One year on from launching an all-new generation of motocross machinery, GASGAS is spicing things up once again with a revitalised line-up that includes two new 2-stroke models for 2025. Existing bikes across both ranges now feature revised frames, engine mounts, swingarms, suspension settings and linkages to make sure each one is even more fun to ride.

New and improved GASGAS dirt bikes revealed for 2025
Huge choice of models means there’s something for everyone
Available in dealers from July onwards

Riders ask, GASGAS delivers! That’s right 2-stroke fans, GASGAS has introduced an MC 150 and an MC 300 to its motocross line-up! By expanding the offering, GASGAS really does now have a bike for everyone – from beginner to pro and every rider in between. The little MC 150 uses the foundations of the super-popular MC 125 but takes power – and more importantly – torque to a crazy new level for such a small capacity dirt bike.

The same can be said for the MC 300, which is based on the versatile MC 250. Offering up plenty of power, it’ll be the super useable torque curve that 2-stroke fanatics are going to love most about the MC 300! Both bikes are built using the same high-quality components found on all GASGAS motocross models for 2025. Such as the revised frame design…

Removing a little material around the upper shock mount and reducing thickness at the front end of the frame has resulted in the new motocross range shedding some weight for 2025 – 300 grams in total. These revisions significantly improve handling – especially when entering corners – without sacrificing any straight-line stability. New engine mounts further refine the frame’s flex characteristics, with revised suspension settings introduced to complement the chassis changes and help elevate the riding experience.

A stronger air intake sleeve prevents flex to maintain maximum airflow. At the rear of each bike, the swingarm is updated to enhance the durability of the chain slider, which is made from a more hard-wearing material to boost longevity. The suspension linkage now uses new, lower friction SKF seals to allow the WP Suspension rear shock to perform at its best, with a smaller linkage bolt reducing weight and playing a part in delivering the refined flex characteristics from the updated chassis.

Technical Highlights

Revised frame – Re-engineered for improved cornering while remaining stable at speed
New engine mounts – Now with cut-outs for improved chassis flex
New SKF linkage seals and smaller bolt – Leads to a smoother shock performance and saves weight
New suspension settings – Adapted to complement all of the chassis updates
New graphics – With GASGAS in bold black letters for a fresh twist on usual signature styling
New intake snorkel – A stronger design prevents air deformation for maximum power at all times
New fuel tank support – Holds the tank securely in place and prevents frame wear
Updated die-cast aluminum swingarm – Low in weight, strong and lightly machined to improve the durability of the chain slider
Updated rear brake pedal and caliper – Improving durability for continued performance
WP XACT front fork with AER technology – Adjustable by hand and features a hydrostop to take the sting out of heavy landings
WP XACT rear shock – Light and offering 300mm of travel, the WP XACT shock is designed for maximum comfort and performance
Aluminum subframe – Strong, reliable and plays a vital role in improved ergonomics and handling
All-red bodywork – Featuring large contact areas allowing improved grip and ultimate control
Hour metre – Helps to make sure all riders stay on top of maintainence
Forged triple clamps – Featuring a steering stem engineered to offer the perfect amount of flex for maximum comfort
High-performance BRAKTEC hydraulic clutch system – As close as you can get to maintenance-free, ensuring consistency and performance at all times
BRAKTEC brakes – Brake discs and calipers unique to GASGAS
NEKEN handlebars – Made from high-strength aluminum for durability and comfort, featuring large bar pad and bar bend unique to GASGAS
Footpegs – Bigger is better, keeping feet planted in all conditions
Throttle Body Injection with pre-mix for 2-strokes – Throttle Body Injection means the motors run clean, crisp and create strong power throughout the rev range
Electronic exhaust control for 2-strokes – Controlling how the exhaust ports open, the electronic powervalve helps create maximum power
Unified motor position – All 4-stroke models have the motor mounted in the same position to ensure each bike handles like a dream
Map Select Switch – With the simple press of the corresponding button, launch control, traction control, quickshifter and a choice of two maps can be engaged to customise performance. Two different maps available on MC 250 and MC 300. Standard fitment on MC 125, optional on other models
Connectivity Unit Offroad and GPS sensor – Available as Technical Accessories for all 4-strokes, once paired with a smartphone and the GASGAS+ app, riders can easily personalise engine performance and so much more

Full 2025 motocross model line-up: MC 125, MC 150, MC 250, MC 300, MC 250F, MC 350F and MC 450F.

The 2025 GASGAS motocross range will be available in Authorised GASGAS dealers from July onwards. Full model pricing below.

MC 125 2025	£8,299
MC 150 2025	£8,599
MC 250 2025	£8,999
MC 300 2025	£9,399
MC 250F 2025	£9,199
MC 350F 2025	£9,699
MC 450F 2025	£10,199

Check out the GASGAS Factory Racing Riders’ reactions to the new bikes here!

For more information about the 2025 GASGAS motocross range, head to the GASGAS UK website here. Riders are encouraged to contact their local Authorised GASGAS Dealer to find out more.

Dunlop and Crowe brothers set early pace at TT 2024

Richard radcliffe

May 28, 2024

After a delay of 4 hours, whilst the track dried and hill mist lifted, TT 2024 fired into life. It was a bright afternoon in the Gooseneck area of the course; with just an occasional cloud casting a shadow on the hallowed tarmac. The downside was that it remained cold for the time of year. The first machines on track were those of the newcomers on their escorted lap. The honour of being the first of those newcomers went to Patrick Hoff. The first of the sidecars was that of Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. Once the lap was complete it was an untimed two lap session for the Supersport and Supertwin machines.

First to burst into view from Tower Bends was Jamie Coward (Steadplan Triumph); then Dean Harrison on his Honda 600cc; resplendent in the official leathers for the first time. Then it was Josh Brookes making a welcome return to the Supersports on his Russell Yamaha. It was fast and furious as the machines powered past; notable were James Hillier back onboard a Bournemouth Kawasaki Supersport machine and the amazing Ian Hutchinson on the Padgett Honda. We then saw Davey Todd on his maiden lap on the booming Powertoolmate Ducati; he is my idea of the race favourite. Leading Supertwin rider was Barry Furber; a man who seems to go under the radar but is real contender for the top 6 in that class. He was followed closely by MGP Senior winner Joe Yeardsley, making his TT debut, out on the new Spin Arena Yamaha.

Following that busy session we had the untimed session for the Superstock; weapon of choice for most; and Superbike machines. First to reach us was James Hillier on the WTF Racing Fireblade; fast and bang on line. Phil Crowe (Appleyard BMW) was next; then 23 times winner John McGuinness. It was great to see Nathan Harrison out on the Honda Racing Superstock machine. Patrick Hoff was going very well; circulating with Erno Kostamo; a newcomer last year. Local double MGP winner Mikey Evans was noted as being neat and fast on his Suzuki. David Rigby was another local who stood out from the crowd. Having had a problem early in the session Michael Dunlop was rapid when he did appear late in the session. Marcus Simpson and Sam West blotted their copybooks with offs at Governor’s. This was an excellent session and it appeared that Hickman, Dunlop, Todd and Dean Harrison would the ones to beat; but there was no firm evidence in an untimed session.

An oil spill on Bray Hill necessitated a break for a clean-up before the sidecars could come out for a single lap. Dave Molyneux’s ill luck continued with a machine failure. This was a good taster of things to come with Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement rapid on their first unescorted lap of the daunting course. After 5 minutes of action; the session was over.

The evening was bright but cold and windy for the first timed session of the meeting. There was a gathering of just 79 hardy souls to watch the practice unfold; not quite the number present when Mike Hailwood returned in 1978. First rider to take the tight, rising right hand bend was Dean Harrison on his Supersport Honda; it strange to see him in the Honda colours. He was fast and bang on line, as were the majority of those chasing. Brooks, Coward, Hillier, Todd on the Ducati and Paul Jordan were the next to charge away to climb up to Guthrie’s. There was plenty to keep the spectators interested. Mike Browne had problems with his Supertwin as he started the climb. Marcus Simpson was rapid as was fellow local Mikey Evans looks at home on the Smith’s Triumph. Irish newcomer Kevin Keys seems to be settling in nicely to the rigours of the course. Michael Dunlop was trying; he held a very tight line on his Supersport Triumph; surely Joey’s record is going to at least equalled this year. There were fast men out on the Supertwins; Stefano Bonetti and Francesco Curinga notable on their sweet sounding Patons.

It seemed no time at all when the big ones were let loose; there was no settling in; they were on the pace immediately with the top men close to 130mph on a cold, windy evening on a track nowhere near to being rubbered in. Michael Dunlop was first to the Gooseneck on his stocker. Davo Johnson and Phil Crowe were circulating together behind him. Then it was thick and fast with Craig Neve, Josh Brookes and Dean Harrison charging past. Peter Hickman was superb on his stocker; it pulled away from us like a rocket. It was good to see locals Paul Cassidy and David Rigby going well on their stockers.

Davo Johnson on the factory Kawasaki was first through on lap 2; closely followed by Davey Todd on the Milwaukee BMW, on which he will be looking for podium finishes. Yet again, fast and furious action without any moments. Then a brief respite before the chariots reached us.

The Sidecars opened with Ryan and Callum Crowe charging in a couple of metres ahead of Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley; neither giving an inch; superb. Ben Birchall and Kevin Rousseau were next followed by Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes who gave us a fine display of power sliding. World Champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement were fast and are clearly settling in well to their task of learning 37.73 miles by Saturday. The second lap was faster than the first; with the Crowe brothers best of all. For Dave Molyneux another mechanical ruined the evening.

The fastest solo was the Superbike of Michael Dunlop at 129.590mph; then Davey Todd 129.575 and Peter Hickman 128.721mph topped the class leader board. The Superstocks were led by Hickman at 129.032mph; then it was Dunlop at 128.87mph and Dominic Herbertson at 127.54mph. The Supersports were led by Davey Todd at 125.601mph; then it was James Hillier at 125.483mph and Dunlop at 125.048mph. The Supertwins were headed by Hickman at 118.011mph; then Davey Todd 116.063mph and Barry Furber at 114.958mph. The Crowe brothers led the Sidecars at 116.699mph; Birchall / Rousseau set 115.882mph with Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley third at 115.505mph.

Weather permitting there will be a timed session for each class on Tuesday evening.

Dunlop And Crowe Brothers Set Early Pace At Tt 2024 — Ben Birchall with new passenger Kevin Rousseau

Over 100 motorcycles to test ride at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival

Frank Duggan

May 28, 2024

This year has seen a host of new motorcycles launched from the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, with the Adventure Bike Rider Festival the place to be this summer to test ride the newest machinery. Over 20 leading manufacturers will be offering hundreds of demo rides on their 2024 model ranges, as well as displaying the latest metal.

Household brands including Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Husqvarna, Honda, Indian Motorcycle, KTM, Kawasaki, Moto-Guzzi, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha will all be offering an abundance of test rides from morning to evening each day. Visitors will be able try the 2024 ranges utilising both the on-site trails as well as some of Warwickshire’s best public roads outside of the festival grounds.

Ticket holders will be delighted to hear the most popular born-again brands including Benelli, BSA, Fantic, Rieju and Moto Morini will also be showcasing their fleets of new bikes, as will British boutique brand Mutt Motorcycles. In addition, GPX Moto will be present, Kove UK will show off the anticipated Kove Rally 450 and new 800X, the hottest new motocross brand to hit the UK market, Nicot will be in attendance, along with sidecar specialists Ural Motorcycles, leading learner-legal bike manufacturer Zontes, and all-electric Californian brand, Zero Motorcycles.

As well as two-wheel test rides, the Adventure Bike Rider Festival will play host to ATV demos, guided green lane ride-outs, advanced riding assessments, off-road skills schools, motorcycle masterclasses and live rider displays will also feature throughout the three-day event.

For those also wanting to bring along their own motorcycle, there are riding opportunities galore at the 2024 festival, which boasts 40 kilometres of continuous purpose-built trails for this year’s event, welcoming riders of all abilities to give off-road riding a try.

Over 140 leading brands, stands and traders will also be in attendance in the Exhibitor Village, giving guests the chance to receive specialist advice from industry experts, while also getting to bag a bargain on the latest kit and accessories, while keeping refreshed thanks to a range of exceptional coffee, food and drink vendors across the festival site.

As well as the abundance of riding opportunities, activities and exhibitors, one of the key draws for ticket holders is the packed speaker schedule featuring more than 60 talks from the biggest names in adventure motorcycling across four stages, and the unrivalled entertainment topped off by the incredible schedule of live music throughout the entire event.

Full weekend tickets to all three days of the 2024 Adventure Bike Rider Festival and two nights of camping are available to buy now for £159. FREE tea and coffee is available for campers each morning in the Mitas Pit Stop tents. Friday and Saturday day tickets are also available for £75 per day. Parking for cars, vans and campervans can also be accommodated for £29 per vehicle.

Ninety percent of tickets have now sold, and the event is expected to sell out. Tickets will not be available to buy on the gate.

For full information on the 2024 Adventure Bike Rider Festival, visit: www.abrfestival.com

Triumph launches bold new colours for 2025

Frank Duggan

May 28, 2024

Triumph Motorcycles has announced 13 bright, new paint choices across its 2025 range, including Roulette Green, Kingfisher Blue and Cosmic Yellow, to meet growing demand from customers for striking, contemporary colour schemes.

Triumph Launches Bold New Colours For 2025 — T100

COLOURFUL ADVENTURES

The characterful Tiger 850 Sport comes in two bold new colours for 2025; a bright Roulette Green & Jet Black design and a striking Korosi Red & Graphite scheme.

The Tiger 850 Sport gets a Roulette Green tank and seat panel with black 850 graphic and a matching front mudguard complemented by a Jet Black beak, tank end panel and radiator cowl. The Korosi Red & Graphite scheme features a Korosi Red tank and seat panel with white 850 graphic, plus a Graphite front mudguard, beak, tank end panel & radiator cowl.

Both models are finished with a matte Metallic Grey grab rack.

The fun and agile Tiger Sport 660 also injects some colour to the range, with a Baja Orange cockpit, tank and fairing, complemented by a Phantom Black front Mudguard, radiator cowl and rear panels.

Adventure

Tiger 660

o Baja Orange & Phantom Black NEW

o Jet Black & Graphite

o Snowdonia White & Jet Black

Tiger 850 Sport

o Roulette Green & Jet Black NEW

o Korosi Red & Graphite NEW

STYLISH MODERN CLASSICS

Amplifying its custom attitude and enhancing its rugged looks, the Scrambler 900 is now available with a striking Kingfisher Blue tank with contrasting twin black diagonal stripes and a Jet Black front mudguard, side panels, and rear mudguard.

The classic Bonneville Speedmaster now comes with a vivid Snowdonia White & Cranberry Red two-colour tank with Sapphire Black mudguards, headlight bowl and side panels.

Adopting a similar two-colour tank scheme with Triumph’s famous hand-painted pinstripe, the iconic Bonneville T100 is available with a stylish new Aluminium Silver & Baja Orange tank, with Jet Black mudguards, headlight bowl and side panels. The legendary Bonneville T120 dazzles with a Crystal White & Cranberry Red tank, complemented by Jet Black mudguards, headlight bowl and side panels.

True to its original custom roots, the Bonneville Bobber stays on trend with a modern matt finish with its tank in Matt Graphite & Matt Baja Orange, coupled with Jet Black mudguards and side panels.

The Speed Twin 900, known for its modern, custom style, is bang on trend with a Matt Phantom Black & Matt Crystal White two tone tank, plus matching Matt Phantom Black mudguards and side panels.

Modern Classics

Scrambler 900

o Kingfisher Blue NEW

o Matt Khaki

o Jet Black

Bonneville Speedmaster

o Snowdonia White & Cranberry Red NEW

o Pacific Blue & Silver Ice

o Jet Black

Bonneville T100

o Aluminium Silver & Baja Orange NEW

o Competition Green & Ironstone

o Jet Black

Bonneville T120

o Crystal White & Cranberry Red NEW

o Jet Black & Fusion White

o Jet Black

Bonneville Bobber

o Matt Graphite & Matt Baja Orange NEW

o Jet Black & Ash Grey

o Jet Black

Speed Twin 900

o Matt Phantom Black & Matt Crystal WhiteNEW

o Carnival Red & Phantom Black

o Jet Black

EYE-CATCHING ROADSTERS

The Speed Triple 1200 RS sports a bold Cosmic Yellow tank with a large RS graphic in black, complemented by Cosmic Yellow headlight finishers, side panels, rear bodywork, seat cowl and belly pan. A natural carbon fibre mudguard completes the look.

The Street Triple 765 R has two new colour schemes to choose from; a stylish Matt Baja Orange or a striking Pure White option. The first premium paint option features a Matt Baja Orange tank cover and matching headlight finisher and side panels, with a Matt Black front mudguard and radiator side panel. The Pure White scheme features Baja Orange accents on the Pure White tank cover and bodywork, plus a Pure White front mudguard and headlight finisher, complemented by a Storm Grey radiator side panel.

The Street Triple 765 RS adds a stealthy Phantom Black scheme to its line-up, with yellow accents on its Phantom Black tank cover and panels, as well as a Phantom Black front mudguard, headlight finisher, belly pan and seat cowl.

Roadster

Street Triple 765 R

o Matt Baja Orange NEW

o Pure White NEW

Speed Triple 1200 RS

o Cosmic Yellow NEW

o Sapphire Black

o Carnival Red

Street Triple 765 RS

o Phantom Black NEW

o Carnival Red

o Silver Ice

o Cosmic Yellow

Customers can find out more at triumphmotorcycles.co.uk or place an order with their local Triumph dealer.

Checkout our dedicated Triumph Motorcycles News page Triumph Motorcycles News/

or head to the official Triumph Motorcycles website triumphmotorcycles.co.uk

Verge Motorcycles begins retail rollout in the US – will open two stores in California

Frank Duggan

May 28, 2024

Verge Motorcycles will open its first U.S. stores in Los Angeles and San Jose, California.

The company believes California is the perfect place in North America to launch the rollout of its new direct to consumer retail format.

European technology company, Verge Motorcycles is opening its first two retail stores in the United States. The first store will open at Westfield Century City Shopping Center in Los Angeles on June 1st. Verge’s second store will open at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose on June 6th.

The stores are experiential showrooms that present the Verge brand and lifestyle comprehensively. Californians will also get to enjoy the thrill of speed at these locations when test rides begin this upcoming summer.

“The United States is one of our most important markets, and the majority of pre-orders for the bikes in the USA have come specifically from the California area. Local consumers are known to value exciting innovations and they are eager to try new things”, says COO of Verge Motorcycles in the United States Pekka Parnanen.

Verge Motorcycles is known for its futuristic design, class-leading performance and unique in-wheel motor powertrain, but the company has also shaken up the entire motorcycle industry with its recent technology releases. In November, at the LA Auto Show, Verge launched its’ new Starmatter platform, which brings software updates, sensor technology, artificial intelligence and an advanced user interface to motorcycling for the first time. At CES in Las Vegas, Verge announced an update to its flagship model with Starmatter Vision features, including multiple cameras and high-resolution radar, making Verge TS Ultra the first motorcycle equipped with the sense of sight.

Verge Motorcycles recently launched UK sales and its new summer pop-up store at the Westfield London shopping center, which will open today.

Moto3: can anyone stop Alonso?

Frank Duggan

May 28, 2024

Colombian David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) arrives at the magnificent Mugello in serious form, after victory last time out in Barcelona saw him reclaim the lead of the Moto3™ World Championship.

The 18-year-old has topped a jaw-dropping 18 of the 20 lightweight class sessions, and his eight Grand Prix victories have all come in the last 18 rounds dating back to the British GP in August of last year.

Looking to bite back is the rider now second in the standings, Red Bull GASGAS Tech3’s Dani Holgado. The Spaniard came home sixth in Barcelona but will be buoyed by the fact that one his four wins came at Mugello in 2023. On that day, he clinched victory on the final lap of a thrilling encounter by just 0.051 of a second.

Hot in pursuit of the top two in the Championship is a pair of riders looking to claw back their deficit: Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI). The Dutchman is 43 points adrift of Alonso after narrowly missing out on a third straight podium finish for the first time in his career last weekend, whilst Ortola pushed Alonso all the way in Barcelona before having to settle for second. Still, it’s a third podium this season to leave him 48 behind the #80.

After some bad luck and illness struggles, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was right back in the mix in Barcelona, and David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) will be one to watch after a third top five finish in his last four outings. The home heroes, meanwhile, will be absolutely pushing to overturn the pecking order of late as the mythical Mugello offers the chance for home glory. The Moto3™ grid will do battle on Sunday at 11:00 local time (UTC +2) – it’ll be worth your time, we promise!

For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

Yeardsley stars at Pre-TT Classic; double for Gristwood / Smith.

Richard radcliffe

May 27, 2024

The first races of the 2024 Pre-TT Classic meeting were held on the evening of Saturday May 25^th. The preceding practice sessions had been held in the afternoon sunshine. The session had given fine action for the spectators around the course with some fast times recorded. For those of us at Church Bends it was newcomer Rhys Callister who caused pulse rates to rise when he mounted the kerb on the exit on two occasions; fortunately staying on board each time. A gearbox failure during the session caused Adam McLean to pull out of the meeting; a course of action followed by Mike Browne, another contender for race wins.

By the time that the opening Singles Race was due to start; thick, black clouds hung over the Billown Course; there were some spots of light rain in the air and the temperature was more February than May. The race went as expected with Will Loder taking control of the race from the off on his rapid Greeves Oulton. He pulled away; set the fastest lap on lap 3; then eased his pace as the rain became more organized. Having eased his pace, he came home to win by 47.7s. behind him there was an excellent dice between Shelley Pike; leading 250cc rider Andy Hunt and Andrew Guy. They changed places many times before Guy’s machine slowed allowing Pike and Hunt to duel it out. Pike managed to grab the inside line at Castletown Corner on the final lap and she took second place by 0.109s. Hunt had the consolation of being the 250cc class winner. Guy took the final podium place for the 350cc machines. Barry Davidson; slowed by an oil leak from the start was second 250cc; with Angela Cragg third.

As the 1100cc Race began it was dry and less dark than it had been at Castletown Corner. The road was now damp rather than wet; but the oil leaking out of Barry Davidson’s machine in the Singles Race had caused the marshals to spend the interval putting down cement dust. Joe Yeardsley was quickest away from the lights on his 498 Enfield; but on the run from Ballakeighan to Iron Gate the rapid 750 Triumph of Andy Hornby went past Yeardsley “as if I was still in third.” The roads on this section and around Ballabeg were still properly wet and Yeardsley decided that it was not the evening for heroics on the brakes, or through the twisty and challenging run through Ballabeg and Ballawhestone; after which the roads were dry until Church Bends. Third on lap 1 was Richard Ford on the 920cc Bob Jackson Norton. These three held station throughout the race; which finished in rain that was fairly organized at Castletown Corner. Behind them Will Loder (Seeley), Barry Davidson (Honda) and Paul Cassidy (Manx Norton) had a great scrap; which ended in the order above. For Yeardsley and Cassidy this was their first race on “proper” classic machinery. Cassidy’s ride is especially meritorious considering his well-publicised off at the NW 200; he is one tough man.

As the Junior Superbike riders set off on their sighting lap the roads were drying; but that changed as soon as they left the holding area; the heavens opened to give us rain that would not have been out of place in Texas on our section of the course. With a mixture of dry; damp and very wet conditions many of the riders took the decision to pull out. The Clerk of the Course called a 15 minute halt to allow those who wished to race to change tyres; if they so desired. Many, including the pole sitter did not wish to race and we were left with just 17 starters; most on full wet tyres on both wheels.

Last year’s winner, Rhys Hardisty, took the lead from the off and with a masterclass of wet roads riding duly took victory on his trusty 250 TZ Yamaha. Don Gilbert was second man on lap 1 at Castletown Corner and he maintained that throughout the race despite the efforts of late entry Darryl Tweed; 400 Kawasaki; for the first few laps. Chris Moore; TZ 250; was bogged down on the start line and last into Ballakeighan on the opening lap. He then got into the groove and picked off the field. He set the fastest laps of the race and with a nice move around the outside grabbed third at Castletown Corner on the fifth and final lap.

Sunday afternoon was cold and overcast; with heavy cloud overhead. The roads were in the main the main dry; except under the trees. The weather gradually improved; with the cloud thinning and the temperature rising. The Sidecars were first on track to enjoy the race postponed due to lack of time on Saturday. The race went according to the practice charts; Jack Gristwood / Alice Smith were first into Ballabeg; followed by the other MRE BMW of Mike Bellaby / Dave Gristwood. Danny Quirk / Sharon Reeves; 1300 Vincent; held third for the first two laps; but were then passed by Tony Thirkell / William Moralee; 1070 BMW. The race was good; but could have done with another half dozen outfits.

The Senior is always a good race; this year’s was no exception. Alan Oversby; Ruthless Honda; led the cavalry charge into Ballabeg on lap 1. Joe Yeardsley; Flitwick Enfield; was next; with Paul Cassidy; Manx Norton in third. Will Loder and Barry Davidson led the main wave. On lap 2 Yeardsley had small advantage from Oversby and Cassidy. There was no change on laps 3 or 4; with less than 1s covering the first 3. On lap 5, Overby led Yeardsley by inches as they powered out of the tight corner. The next lap saw Yeardsley outbrake Oversby to grab the inside line and with it, the lead. With the aid of the best lap of the race Yeardsley took a fine victory; by just 0.08s; from one the best riders to ever contest the Pre-TT races. Cassidy continued his run of fine performances with another podium finish.

Next race was the 250 Classic and 125cc Post Classic Race. Dan Sayle’s crew managed to repair the blown engine on his 125 Honda; allowing the pole sitter to start. On lap 1 he was second; behind Owen Monaghan; 125 Honda; as they powered along Duck Street towards Ballawhetsone. Third place was held by Keith Shannon, 125 Honda; but he was soon passed by Richard Ford on the 250 Bob Jackson Suzuki. Despite having to change gear by hand for most of the race Dan Sayle pulled away from his chasers to win by 4.2s; setting a lap record in the process. Monaghan took 2^nd with Ford 3^rd on the first of the classic 250 machines.

The Junior has been the closest of the races on may occasions; this year’s version did not disappoint. Alan Oversby; Ruthless Honda; led the first lap charge into Ballabeg; he had Harley Rushton; Craven Honda; inches behind; with Nigel Moore; Honda; holding third. On lap 2 Oversby had a much increased lead; however, this was to be the last time that he would reach Ballabeg. Will Loder had moved up to second on the Greeves, with Rushton third. Moore was fourth; with Michael Titchmarsh 5^th and Steven Elliott 6^th. On lap 3 Rushton had the lead from Loder and Moore; with Hefyn Owen; Honda; up to 4^th; recovering from a poor start. Lap 4 saw the finishing order established; Loder led from Moore and Rushton; with Owen 4^th; Andy Hunt 5^th and Elliott 6^th.

The Consolation Race was led from start to finish by Colin Croft on his 600 Honda. John Cliffe and Sam Naughton took the podium places. The last race for the solos was the Post Classic Superbike Race. Last year’s winner Joe Yeardsley; Mistral Kawasaki; led the charge into Ballabeg. He had a few metres to spare from Marc Colvin; DRF Kawasaki; and Paul Cassidy; Green Racing Suzuki. Andrew Farrell; CK Ducati; was at the head of he main group of riders as they jostled for position. On lap 2 Yeardsley had opened a 6s lead over Colvin. Cassidy and Farrell were close behind; whilst Don Gilbert now led the main pack. It was a case of the best rider on the best bike as Yeardsley pulled away from the others.

Farrell was up to second on lap 3; with Colvin and Cassidy just metres behind. Yeardsley led by 13s on lap, but it was close behind with Farrell, Colvin and Cassidy in a tight group. There was no change on lap 4; but on lap 5 Cassidy was second and 20m ahead of Farrell and Colvin. This proved to be the finishing order; Yeardsley’s margin of victory being 18s. Cassidy took a fine second and the award for the best pre-1994 machine. Farrell took 3^rd; 0.05s ahead of Colvin; behind them just 0.4s separated Aaron Hughes and Andy Hornby in the battle for 5^th.

The final race was the second outing for the Sidecars. First to Ballabeg were Jack Gristwood / Alice Smith; closely followed by Danny Quirk / Sharon Reeves. Tony Thirkell / William Moralee were third. Steve Brooks / Sam Hersbrook; who retired at Ballabeg in Race 1; seemed to be on the correct line; but collided with the air fence on the exit; ending their race. Thankfully they were both okay; if a little shaken. Lap 2 saw no change at the head of the race as they left the hairpin at Ballabeg. However, Quirk managed to grab the lead on the run to Castletown Corner and led as they crossed the line. Back at Ballabeg there was a collision between the outfits of James Blackmore / Trevor Johnson and Mike Bellaby / Dave Gristwood. This caused the red flags to be brought out. Thankfully the competitors were all on their feet when the ambulance arrived. Check-ups were to be all that was required. With the remainder of the outfits having completed two laps when the flags were shown the result was declared; with Quirk / Reeves the winners.

This was another good meeting on the best road circuit. The changes made to spectator and some of the restricted areas were inevitable; they may not be popular but without them there would have been no racing. The cost of insurance and extra safety equipment remain the biggest threats to pure road racing; we must enjoy it whilst we still can.

Yeardsley The Star At Pre-tt Classic; Double Win For Gristwood And Smith. — Jack Gristwood and Alice Smith

Arai Helmet to Celebrate 40th Anniversary With IOM TT

Frank Duggan

May 27, 2024

Special Event at 2024 TT to Commemorate Four-Decade Relationship

Arai Helmet will mark its 40^th year at the Isle of Man TT in May, coinciding with the TT’s 104^thstaging. First worn at the world’s oldest and most famous road race by Joey Dunlop and Brian Reid in 1984, Arai is extremely proud of its 40-year presence at the Isle of Man TT. Its passionate dedication in offering protection to participants in the most demanding road race on the globe is as strong now as it was four decades ago, with every protective detail of its helmets continually improved upon.

The importance of the TT to Arai cannot be understated. Over their 40-year relationship the race has proved an invaluable R&D basis to Arai, allowing the brand to accumulate vital data that has helped create countless small improvements to its characteristic round, smooth and strong shell design that Arai is renowned for.

Arai helmets have been worn by some of the TT’s most iconic riders, including BSB Champion Josh Brookes, Philip McCallen, Ian Hutchinson, as well as Joey Dunlop’s brother Robert and nephew Michael, who will challenge for his 26^th TT win in June that would see him match his uncle’s long-standing record.

The first day of racing on Saturday 1^st June will be followed by a Parade Lap of the 37.73 mile course featuring TT riders past and present, and will see Akihito Arai give the starting signal to riders in celebration of Arai and the TT’s historic partnership.

As part of a 15-year tradition of unique special TT designs, Arai Helmet has recently launched the 2024 RX-7V EVO Limited Edition Isle of Man TT helmet, celebrating the race’s heritage and its new-look colourways and branding.

On May 31^st Arai will also present its TT anniversary video ‘Behind the Visor’. Featuring archive footage and interviews with some of Arai’s most famous TT ambassadors, Behind the Visor explores the Arai history and affinity with TT riders and will be available on the official Arai YouTube channel.

Michio Arai expressed his pride of four decades of TT relationship, saying “The Isle of Man TT has been a special place for Arai since the 1980s, and we are extremely proud to be a key partner four decades later. The unique challenges presented by the TT are like no other race in the world, and it is an honour for us that so many of the world’s best road racers choose Arai for their protection.” He added “We send the very best luck to all riders at the TT, and in particular to Arai athlete Michael Dunlop who will compete for an incredible 26^th win to equal his uncle, and original Arai TT rider, Joey Dunlop.”

Speaking on behalf of the Isle of Man TT, Paul Phillips, Head of Motorsport said, “The Isle of Man TT Races is committed to driving safety performance as part of our strategic plan. It is great to have Arai on board as Official Helmet Partner, as it is important that our partnerships align with our vision for rider safety. We recognise this in Arai’s proactive approach to achieving the highest standards over the last 40 years.”

The 2024 Isle of Man TT begins with Free Practice and Qualifying 1 on Monday 27^th May, with final qualifying on Friday 31^st. Race Week will begin on Saturday 1^st June and run until Saturday 8^th, with rest days on Monday 3^rd and Thursday 6^th.

For more information about the Isle of Man TT, please visit www.iomttraces.com.

Bagnaia banishes Barcelona demons to deny Martin with statement win

Frank Duggan

May 26, 2024

Bagnaia banishes Barcelona demons to deny Martin with statement win, Marquez makes late podium attack.

After missing an open goal win on Saturday, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) came out swinging on Sunday at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. The reigning Champion needed to make a statement and take some serious points, and that he did on both counts. Quick out the blocks from the start before ceding the lead early doors to Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia put in a relentless push to catch the #89, pounce once on the scene, and then edge away to pocket those 25 points on Sunday.

Behind Martin, the fight to complete the podium boiled down to the duel between Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), and it was almost a photo finish but the #93 took the spoils – making it three Grand Prix podiums in a row for Marquez for the first time since 2019. It was also another stunning comeback ride, this time from P14 on the grid.

As the lights went out, it was a showdown on the brakes into T1 but Bagnaia just held on for the holeshot ahead of Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) also moving up but the #33 into third. Martin got a good start this time round, taking over in fourth, with polesitter Espargaro the main party losing out.

Into Turn 10 on Lap 1, we had the first big move as Martin made an absolute lunge on Binder, but he got the job done and cleanly enough. It also left a small gap up the road to the leading duo of Bagnaia and Acosta, but it didn’t take long for that gap to close because it didn’t take long for the leading duo to start making moves amongst themselves.

Acosta’s first attack came at Turn 10 after a couple of laps staring at the rear of the Ducati, but Bagnaia kept it tight to immediately take it back. Acosta’s foot was even off the peg. That closed everything up again, with Martin then right on their heels and Binder not too far behind either. Turn 10 staged another one next time round, this time for Championship leader Martin on the rookie – and Acosta was forced to cede it. And again next time around, this time as Martin left it oh-so-late to attack for the lead, taking over before they crossed the line for 19 to go.

The party at Turn 10 didn’t stop there. Next time round there was another decisive move as Acosta attacked Bagnaia and took back over in second, and in a matter of apexes the rookie was back on the exhaust of race leader Martin, looking impatient.

Meanwhile, the squabble behind was heating up. Bagnaia had some breathing space in third but Binder, Espargaro and Raul Fernandez were locked together. After stalking his prey for a while, Espargaro then was able to just nudge ahead into Turn 1, before Raul Fernandez attacked the KTM into Turn 3. Brutal but clean, Binder was pushed back to sixth.

However, that soon become fifth as big drama hit for Acosta. After lighting it up there earlier, it all then came apart for the rookie at Turn 10 as he slid off, leaving Martin just over a second clear in the lead and Bagnaia now the rider on the chase. From there, the chess match began.

Lap after lap, the gap was coming down as the #1 chipped away. A few hundredths here and there, each sector just enough to gain a few extra metres, a mere tenth per lap. But an absolutely relentless tenth per lap. And once he was there, Bagnaia wasted absolutely no time in making his attack.

With six laps to go, the reigning Champion made his move – and at exactly the place he let big spoils go begging in the Tissot Sprint: Turn 5. No drama, no contact, and nothing Martin could do, the roles were now reversed.

The relentless pace from the #1 continued, however, and the battle of the laptimes was slipping from Martin’s grasp. The gap eked out, came back down slightly and then suddenly went up again. The jig was up as Martin started to fade, leaving Bagnaia with the same task as Saturday: keep it on the same rails to the flag. This time, it was a faultless performance as the Ducati Lenovo rider cuts the gap back to 39 points and Martin, this time round, has to settle for second.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez was now on the tailpipes of Espargaro. The #93 pulled a carbon copy of the move the Aprilia rider put on Binder a few laps before and was into third – now he just had to hold onto it. After announcing his retirement at the end of 2024 just ahead of the event and taking pole and the Sprint win, the incentive was even bigger than normal for the #41 to make an attack, and he clawed his way onto the back of the Gresini by the final lap. But there was no way through that would have allowed both to finish, so it came down to the final drag to the line – with Marquez just staying ahead for that podium from P14 on the grid.

Espargaro takes fourth to complete an incredible weekend on home turf, with a late charge from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) seeing the Italian just pip Raul Fernandez to fifth. Still, after a maiden front row and having led the Sprint, P6 concludes a great weekend for the #25 and Trackhouse Racing – it’s the team’s best result yet.

Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) charged through to seventh as Binder lost out later in the race to finish P8. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) kept ahead of Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) as they completed the top ten. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), Acosta after remounting, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) completed the points.

There’s one name missing from that last who did cross the line ahead of a few of them, but the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards v Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) intervened. The ‘Beast’ had a dramatic race after he went wide following an attack from Alex Marquez, was deemed to have not lost enough time cutting Turn 2, and then given a Long Lap. He didn’t agree with that, countering he’d lost time from the #AM73 move, so he rode on. He then got a double Long Lap and served one, unsure if it might have been for another incident, and didn’t serve the second – so it became a ride through. The protest vote rolled on from the #23 and he didn’t take that in time either, so it ended up as a 32s time penalty, the equivalent of a trip through pitlane. Acrimony low but commitment to opinion high, he’ll be looking to prove a point at Mugello.

That’s just next week, as luck would have it, with the spectacular Tuscan venue ready to welcome the world’s most exciting sport for the Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo. Join us then for more as the statement wins just keep on coming – and the history just keeps getting made.

After a Saturday to forget it was a Sunday to remember for the reigning Champion as he hits back to outpace Martin – with #MM93 charging up the order to make it a familiar top three.

For more MotoGP info checkout our dedicated MotoGP News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com

Ogura puts in a masterclass for first win since 2022 as Aldeguer falters

Frank Duggan

May 26, 2024

There was a twist in the tale for Moto2™ at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, and after showing some searing pace once at the front, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) leaves Barcelona victorious for the first time since the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix.

Ogura charged through the field from 10th managing to get the better of teammate Sergio Garcia in the closing laps, making it another MT Helmets – MSI one-two. Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) was overcome with joy after picking up his first podium of the year in what has so far been a difficult season. And the twist? Initial leader Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) got a Long Lap for track limits and then crashed out as he entered the LLP loop.

Once the lights went out it was a flying start from Garcia as he converted his pole position into the race lead at Turn 1. Teammate Ogura rocketed from 10th on the grid and somehow snuck up into the top three as they reached the end of the straight.

Back at the front, it didn’t take Aldeguer long to steal away the race lead. He dived to the inside of his fellow Boscoscuro rider Garcia at Turn 10 on Lap 3, and then set about putting the hammer down as he asked questions of the Moto2™ sophomore. Pushing hard, Aldeguer did manage to make a gap before Garcia started to close him back in, and then the LLP for track limits added the first twist for the #54.

As they crossed the line to start lap 15, Garcia was nearly in a position to pounce. But he didn’t need to. Entering the long lap penalty loop at Turn 1, Aldeguer tucked the front on the brakes as he desperately tried to lose as little time as possible but in the end he lost all chance of victory.

Garcia was promoted to the lead but then just as he could breathe a sigh of relief, a second threat quickly became very visible. Ogura had sneakily taken two seconds out of his teammate in three laps.

The pivotal moment came at Turn 1 on Lap 18 as Ogura slipstreamed past Garcia and then from there rode home to a clear victory in the end by almost four seconds. Amazingly, that’s Ogura’s first win since he won in his homeland of Japan back in 2022. The final laps of held breath turned to elation at the chequered flag as the MT Helmets – MSI squad secured a brilliant Barcelona one-two. Dixon in third was delighted to be back on the podium after a torrid start to 2024.

Jeremy Alcoba (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) took a fine fourth as he just edged out a brilliant performance from Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) who took fifth – serving a long lap penalty on the way too, for track limits.

Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) dropped to eighth after struggling to hold onto the pace in the closing laps. Championship hopeful Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) took 9th in a disappointing day for his championship challenge, but it was better than it was at the line as he was promoted to ninth from after both Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Zonta Van den Goorbergh (RW-Idrofoglia Racing GP) had to drop positions post-race.

The Grand Prix paddock heads to Mugello in one week’s time for the iconic Gran Premio d’Italia Brembo, so join us there for more!

For more Moto2 info checkout our dedicated Moto2 News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

Alonso pulls the pin for fourth win of the year

Frank Duggan

May 26, 2024

David Alonso (CFMoto Gaviota Aspar Team) played his cards to perfection in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, pouncing when it counted and then upping the pace to hold off the chasing pack to the flag.

The victory, his fourth of the season, also makes him the new Moto3™ World Championship leader. Just behind, Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI) converted his maiden pole into a podium in P2, with Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) back on the box in third.

After a scrappy start with many almost on the grass, Ortola emerged with a few bike lengths lead in the first half of the first lap – but Dani Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), up from P9 on the grid, was soon reeling him in. David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) did the Rossi-Razgatlioglu move on Holgado at end of the lap to take over in second, but by the time they got into Turn 1 it was all change on the chase. Ortola led Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) led Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia), but the Japanese rider then got the notification to serve his double Long Lap given on Saturday, and Muñoz his single LLP. The race was on to move back through.

The freight train rolled on at the front with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado leading the way, but by six or seven to go Alonso was starting to get busy. Over the line as the final five laps began, the Colombian was trying to stretch the group out from the front – with Ortola, Veijer and Holgado just about hanging in there as a gap started to grow behind the top four.

As the laps ticked on though, the picture changed again. Holgado was fading slightly into the clutches of Rueda and Muñoz, and once Rueda was past the Championship leader he was able to claw back onto the leading trio. As the last lap began, it was once again a quartet, this time with Rueda in the ranks. The first move came from the number 99, getting past Veijer at Turn 4. But that would prove the last, with the pace so hot and the limit so close for each that no door was left open and no sensible chance possible.

Alonso crossed the line a quarter of a second clear to take the Championship lead, with Ortola denied a home win but taking another podium as he builds some momentum after some bad luck and trouble earlier in the season. Rueda, after an even tougher start to 2024 with appendicitis and a couple of on track dramas, takes a second podium of the season and his third in Grand Prix racing after an impressive late attack.

Veijer was just too far back to slipstream it and takes fourth, with Muñoz completing the top five despite that LLP. Holgado, meanwhile, faded to sixth and loses that points lead, now 14 points off Alonso.

It was a standout ride from Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in seventh, with the Italian rookie hanging on to the front group for much of the race and then taking an impressive P7. A huge group fight behind went all the way back to 14th, and it was another rookie heading that as Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) took P8. Filippo Farioli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was next up and just beat Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) to ninth and they completed the top ten.

Next up it’s the stunning Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello next weekend. Can Alonso extend that advantage?

For more Moto3 info checkout our dedicated Moto3 News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

First-time winner Zannoni takes top honours to surge into the championship lead

Frank Duggan

May 25, 2024

First-time winner Zannoni takes top honours to surge into the championship lead amidst incredible Race 2 drama.

The Italian makes it a maiden victory to take the championship lead as Race 2 chaos sees the the title chase blown wide open.

The second race of the day for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship was a chaos classic at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya. This time around, it was Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) who charged to his first-ever victory in MotoE™ after having to fend off not one, but two riders in the closing laps. Race 1 winner Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) led that charge to contend Zannoni for victory with Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing) following up closely behind for his first podium in nearly three years.

As the lights went out it was the reigning champion and then championship leader – a hint at the drama that lies ahead – Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) that took the early lead. But his early advantage wouldn’t last for long as Eric Granado (LCR E-Team) quickly took over the mantle from his teammate, slipstreaming from third to first to do it.

As the smiles brandished themselves across the faces of the LCR E-Team personnel at the possible chance of a 1-2 finish, they would soon be wiped away. First, Casadei would dramatically crash out at Turn 10, his first mistake of the season. And then just a few laps later it was double disaster for the LCR camp as Granado slipped off his MotoE™ machine at Turn 5. They wouldn’t be the only team to see a championship contender go down though, as Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing), who took a brilliant double victory last time out in France, went from hero to zero with his second crash of the day rounding out an overall dismal Saturday in Barcelona for the sophomore.

After all the incidents, MotoE™’s newest winner Gutierrez inherited the lead with a possible dream double handed to him on a plate. But with Zannoni and Zaccone hot on his heels we were in for two laps of incredible tension. Flying onto the final lap Zannoni, and as he had done so many times through the day, slipstreamed his way to the lead. Gutierrez had dreams of a last lap last sector move, but those were thwarted by and exhibition in attacking to defend from Zannoni.

Putting in what was essentially a qualifying lap, Zannoni showed no sign of nerves as he rounded the final corner and crossed the line for a stunning first victory in MotoE™ – a race where he started eighth on the grid too. Gutierrez would have to settle for second as Zaccone’s third place secured his first podium in almost three years.

Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) took fourth thanks to the chaos in front, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt IntactGP MotoE™) completing the top five.

After another epic weekend of MotoE™ action, thankfully it’s not long until we’ll see the electric class back on track next weekend in Mugello. And we will do so with the top three in the championship covered by just two points. Not bad. We’ll see you in Italy next weekend for Mugello!

For more info checkout our dedicated MotoE News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

Rookie sensation Gutierrez holds off veteran Granado for stunning maiden win

Frank Duggan

May 25, 2024

A dramatic swing in the championship as Gutierrez wins for the first time while Casadei struggles to sixth and Spinelli crashes out.

The first race of the day for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya delivered a new winner in the MotoE™ class as rookie sensation Oscar Gutierrez (Axxis-MSI) took his first victory and in fine style. Just pipping Eric Granado (LCR E-Team), who returns to the podium for the first time since Austria last season, the top two rode home ahead of Kevin Zannoni (Openbank Aspar Team) who picked up his second podium in the last three races.

Once the lights went out, championship leader Mattia Casadei (LCR E-Team) stole the race lead at Turn 1 with Zannoni and Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) keen to keep Casadei close. Meanwhile, polesitter Granado had a tough opening lap, dropping to fifth. But the opening lap was none-more-dramatic than for Nicholas Spinelli (Tech3 E-Racing) as the three-time winner and championship contender in 2024 crashed out at the final corner.

As the race raged on, Zannoni managed to surge from his eighth place grid slot to the lead thanks to a hefty slipstream on the front straight. Garzo followed suit, dropping Casadei to third and that was only the start of the world champion’s difficulties as he eventually slipped back to sixth, bringing to an end his incredible streak of 11 podiums in a row.

Into the closing laps and a lead group of six riders all had eyes on glory. The pivotal moment of the race was the triple bubble slipstream that saw Gutierrez slingshot to the lead as the leading four went four-wide into Turn 1. Putting the hammer down, Gutierrez slammed in a new lap record that very lap to spread the pack. Granado held Gutierrez honest and going into the final lap we were poised for a showdown.

Ultimately though, Gutierrez hung on for his first victory by just 0.131s despite Granado’s best efforts. Zannoni’s third place is confirmation of his elevated 2024 form as he managed to hold off Garzo. Alessandro Zaccone (Tech3 E-Racing), who squeezed past Casadei heading into the final lap, took his second top five on the bounce.

Behind, there’ll be more questions for Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) and Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini Team) with seventh and eighth finishes respectively as they continue the search for the final few tenths they need. Rounding out the top 10 was Miquel Pons (Axxis-MSI) and Massimo Roccoli (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse).

For more info checkout our dedicated MotoE News page

Or visit the official MotoGP website motogp.com

Espargaro wins, Bagnaia slides out, Marquez takes on Acosta

Frank Duggan

May 25, 2024

Espargaro wins, Bagnaia slides out, Marquez takes on Acosta in dramatic Sprint in Barcelona.

Big opportunities go begging on Saturday as the Tissot Sprint serves up the drama, with three riders crashing from the front.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took victory in a dramatic Tissot Sprint at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, keeping it faultless to the flag as not one, not two, but three different leaders slid out.

First was a heartbreaker for Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) as the maiden front row starter was building a gap and then overcooked Turn 10 in the early stages. Second was a tumble at Turn 5 for Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) just after he’d fought off the affections of rookie Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), and then finally and arguably crucially, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) saw his hopes of a first Sprint win of the season turn to dust on the final lap as he slid out at Turn 5.

Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) vs Acosta then became the battle to complete the podium behind Espargaro, with the #93 turning the tables on the rookie at Turn 1 as they went toe-to-toe on the brakes.

As the lights went out, Bagnaia took the holeshot from second on the grid, with Acosta slicing up to lead the chase. Binder also got a fast start to move up but then lost out again to Raul Fernandez as the Aprilia slotted into third.

It didn’t take long for Acosta to attack for the lead, but it likewise didn’t take long for Bagnaia to hit back. Raul Fernandez was harrying them though, and as Acosta attacked into Turn 1 on Lap 3 and took it back, the Trackhouse machine lined up the reigning Champion at Turn 3.

Then it was all change in glorious but relatively clean havoc at the front, with Raul Fernandez emerging as the race leader after barging past Acosta. The Trackhouse machine was absolutely flying as Binder and the rookie duelled just behind him, both the position and some extra RC16 glory on the line. Once Acosta made it stick at Turn 1, Fernandez was already eight tenths clear. But suddenly, it then all came apart for the Trackhouse rider as he slid out at Turn 10, rider ok but head in hands.

From there, Binder vs Acosta looked like it would light up the battle for the lead, but the 33 got the upper hand and started to build a gap – leaving Bagnaia to wrestle with Acosta instead. Soon enough though the second race leader to slide out became Binder, the front end of the KTM saying goodbye at Turn 5.

That left the lead as a duel between Bagnaia and Acosta, or vice versa. Turn 1 was the battle ground and the rookie pulled what was fast-becoming his Barcelona signature move, but the #1 was quick to find an answer up the kerb on the inside of Turn 3. Brutal? Yes. Job done? Yes. From there Bagnaia started to build a gap, and Espargaro was on the march next to test out Acosta’s defenses, finding a way through to take up the chase on the reigning Champion.

That left the master and the apprentice locked in battle over third: Acosta led Marc Marquez. And this time, in a beautiful reverse of that statement Turn 1 move the #31 has been revelling in, it was Acosta under attack as the #93 sailed into the corner side by side with the rookie, taking over in third.

The final drama was dealt on the very final lap. Seeming like he had it in his pocket, Bagnaia was then suddenly sliding out at Turn 5, seeing what could have been a key haul of points disappear in the gravel trap as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) suffered a tougher Sprint outside podium contention. Espargaro swept through for the spoils, in just enough clear air to ensure he held on for that fairytale win.

Marquez held off Acosta round the final sector too, and what could have been a key title swing proved much less as Martin’s drama-free Sprint saw him take P4 despite not having initially had the pace for it. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) made a solid comeback from outside the top ten on the grid to complete the top five, and with that moves back into the top three in the standings too as Bagnaia drops to fourth.

Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) was sixth – finishing in the same position he started and taking some solid Saturday points. Jack Miller brought the remaining Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine to seventh after battling with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing), who rounded out the top eight after charging from 12th. The final point in the Sprint went the way of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi, having sliced up from P16 on the grid, with everything still up for grabs on Sunday.

As the dust settles, there are even more questions for Sunday than before. Can Bagnaia hit back? Has Martin got more? And will we have another stunning battle in Barcelona? After some big opportunities went begging in the Sprint, find out who’s taking the spoils on Sunday at 14:00 (UTC +2)!

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Or visit the official MotoGP website www.motogp.com

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