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  1. TWO WINS BY MARCO MELANDRI, TWO ONE-TWO FINISHES FOR THE RSV4

    THANKS TO HIS TWO SECOND PLACE FINISHES SYLVAIN GUINTOLI IS NOW SECOND IN THE RIDER STANDINGS

    Sepang (Malaysia), 8 June 2014 – The first ever World Superbike Championship round at Sepang bore the Aprilia signature, dominator in both races. Marco Melandri's double win and Sylvain Guintoli's double second place confirmed the supremacy demonstrated from the first practice laps of the weekend where the RSV4, including the "satellite" bike ridden by Toni Elias, showed just how much they liked the Malaysian track.

    Race 1 had the two RSV4s ridden by Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli pulling away at the front from the very first lap to battle for the win. It was the rider from Ravenna who brought it home in the end, skilfully bridging the gap that had been created after a crashing pileup in the first few turns. Once he had caught up with his team mate, Marco overtook him in one of the braking sections on the tenth lap, holding onto the lead until the chequered flag.

    Race 2 changed in form but not in substance. A red flag in the third lap decreed a restart for a race now shortened to 10 laps and the starting grid based on the riders' positions at the time the race had been stopped, which put the three RSV4s on the front row. Sylvain Guintoli took the lead straight away while Marco Melandri battled to chase down his team mate.

    In the final lap the two Aprilia riders made a series of passes that were as spectacular as they were clean, with Marco Melandri prevailing after Sylvain's last ditch attempt in the turn right before the finish line. It was a flying finish, the second one-two of the day and overall standings that were radically changed. This brings Melandri up to fifth place in the rider standings, whereas only 13 points separate Guintoli from current leader, Tom Sykes. Aprilia shortens the gap in the Manufacturer standings as well, where they lie in second place just 4 points from the top.

    Marco Melandri: "A double win that was just what we needed! Despite the difficulties we never gave up. We kept working and fighting. I had a good feeling straight away with my RSV4 here. The conditions in Race 1 were difficult but I managed to catch up to Sylvain. After overtaking him I set my own pace. I knew I could defend well in the braking sections and I was able to manage the race to the end. Race 2 was even harder because I also had to battle with the Kawasakis before catching Sylvain. In the last tap I thought I would give it a try. I had to give 100 percent down to the chequered flag. Anyway, all the riders deserve admiration today because riding in these conditions is not easy at all. I want to dedicate this win to Manu, her belly and all the guys on the Team. See you at Misano!"

    Sylvain Guintoli: "In Race 1 I thought I had implemented my strategy well, but unfortunately toward the end Marco just had a really good pace and forced me into a few mistakes. I think I did better in Race 2, trying to pull the pin straight away, but toward the end Marco quite simply had just a little more. I tried to fight back and I think we gave anybody watching the race plenty of entertainment in that last lap! We earned some important points in the championship and showed that Aprilia is back out front with a great day. Now we'll get some rest after this really tiring weekend."

  2. The number of drivers aged 17-24 killed in an accident has decreased by 10 per cent since 2010, according to the latest analysis by road safety charity Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

    In the same time frame, the number of 17 – 24 year old passengers killed in a car with a young driver (aged 17-24) has decreased by 24 per cent. The difference in figure could be due to the general improvement in safety on our roads, fewer young people passing the test, ongoing campaigns and enforcement and the recession.

    Younger drivers are more likely to travel with passengers of a similar age but the risk goes up with every extra passenger. A study from the USA showed that a young driver’s chances of being killed went up 44 per cent with one passenger, 90 per cent with two and 300 per cent with three or more.1

    In 2012, 133 drivers aged 17-24 were killed alongside 71 young passengers. The previous year (2011), there 148 drivers aged 17-24 killed as well as 93 young passengers.

    These figures are still completely unacceptable with new drivers far more likely to cause their passengers' death than any other age group. New drivers and their passengers also have far more life changing catastrophic crashes with lifelong injuries than any other age group.

    IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Road safety has been improving for everyone in the UK in recent years and that is reflected in the improved situation for new drivers. But, it’s worrying that our younger people are still at such high risk of causing death and injury to themselves. These figures show an urgent need to improve awareness of the risks for younger drivers and their passengers.”

    “We know that inexperience and overconfidence are significant factors in crashes among the younger age group and addressing this issue must be a top priority. By delaying its Green paper the government has missed a great opportunity to provide better training, more support and learning from a younger age. In the meantime parents and young people should follow the IAM’s tips for young passengers to maximise the chances of survival.”

    The IAM’s top tips for young passengers:
    •More passengers equals more risk so don't overload the car as it will handle differently and the driver may not know how to deal with that
    •Don’t distract the driver by trying to show him or her stuff on your phone
    •Don’t give in to peer pressure – if others are being stupid don’t get involved
    •Never get in a car with a young driver who has been drinking
    •Agree with parents you can call them up or they will pay for a taxi if you have worries about your lift
    •Risk is highest at night and on country roads - make sure your mate knows where they are going and has put in the hours learning how to cope with a wide variety of roads

  3. • Ducati to celebrate the brand new Monster 821 at the World Ducati Week in July
    • In order to celebrate it best, Ducati calls out to all Monster enthusiasts to share their stories through the Monster Wall competition launched online
    • Canon to partner Ducati at WDW in the Monster Wall initiative

    Borgo Panigale (Bologna), 05 June, 2014 – Ducati has a selection of exciting initiatives in store for the World Ducati Week to be held at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” from 18-20 July. Special attention will be dedicated to the recently launched Monster 821 which brings to life all the original values associated with the Monster range of naked motorcycles spanning two decades.

    In the limelight since its announcement at the end of May, the new Monster 821 is a stylish mix of minimalist Italian design and punchy performance, able to seduce resolute Monsteristi as well as newcomers in search of a motorcycle with temperament, agility and ergonomics for maximum riding pleasure. Powered by the lively 821cc twin-cylinder 112hp Testastretta 11° engine, the new Monster 821 also incorporates a host of Ducati’s latest technological features to provide easy handling and a reassuring feeling of control and ergonomic comfort for both rider and passenger.

    In view of the Monster’s magnetic appeal to motorcycling enthusiasts, customisation professionals, photographers and even stylists, Ducati has decided to launch an initiative which will celebrate the new Monster 821 and culminate in a motorcycling lifestyle moment at the World Ducati Week in July.

    Monster goes beyond the motorcycle itself, it brings people together, it inspires the people that design motorcycles and those who admire the values a Monster embodies. This is what the Monster Wall is for. A huge wall which will be erected at the Misano Circuit and covered with the most inspiring 821 pictures, texts or video frames that Ducati enthusiasts can upload via the web. The Monster through the eyes of the Monsteristi around the world.

    By accessing the “Monster Tales” site, people can upload photographs, stories or videos of their Monsters to express their personal experiences. Everyone visiting the platform will have a chance to vote for an entry by clicking the Like button and the top 821 entries will automatically feature on the Monster Wall during WDW2014.

    More Monster than ever, the new Monster 821 will certainly inspire the global community and the five most representative entries will receive a free pass (rider and passenger) to the World Ducati Week. The best of the five will also receive a hotel package for the WDW weekend. Canon who is partnering Ducati in this initiative will also award the best contribution in terms of artistic excellence and relevance to the Monster theme with a Canon EOS 700D .

    Powered by Canon, the Monster Wall is just one of the many initiatives Canon and Ducati have in store for the World Ducati Week in July. Participants in the Monster Wall competition can already upload their content to the Monster Tales platform. Full regulations are available online and the closing date for entries is 30 June, 2014.

    All World Ducati Week 2014

  4. THERE are ambitious developments afoot at Classic Bike Shows and there’s no better example than the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show. With a move to a new venue confirmed and star names such as Giacomo Agostini set to attend, the event is expected to make its mark in a big way this summer…

    In an industry where growth has proved difficult in recent years, Classic Bike Shows, the organiser of some of the UK’s largest classic events, is bucking the trend with an expansion into Scotland’s premier events venue, the Royal Highland Centre near Edinburgh, for a weekend celebration of all that is best about motorcycling. A wealth of dealers, manufacturers and traders will come together under one roof on August 9-10 to offer visitors the chance to access the best and latest machines and motorcycle accessories.

    Exhibition manager Nick Mowbray said: “Our move to a facility as impressive as the Royal Highland Centre signals our intention to make the Great Scottish Bike Show the most complete biking weekend in the north of Britain. We’re scaling new heights here at Classic Bike Shows with our ever-expanding portfolio and we look forward to proving what we here all know; motorcycling in the UK is very much alive and well.”

    With much to attract enthusiasts across all makes, models and eras of motorcycling, one of motorcycle racing’s most successful names will add a touch of star quality to proceedings. Giacomo Agostini, the 15-times world champion, will be the event’s special guest of honour, talking with showgoers and presenting awards to the owners of the machines selected as the best on display.

    With 122 career victories, Agostini holds the record for Grand Prix race wins with fellow Italian legend Valentino Rossi the only other man to have surpassed the 100 mark. Accompanying ‘Ago’ at the event will be Alex George, a three times Isle of Man TT race winner who’s sure to be popular in his native Scotland.

    The action doesn’t just take place inside either, with stunt displays from the irreverent Purple Helmets alongside competitive racing in the form of Scottish Supermoto and Moped Mayhem.

    Mowbray added: “We can’t wait to take a summer visit up to Edinburgh, and we’re especially jealous of those visitors who’ll be taking the opportunity to make the trip on their favourite ride. From parts, spares and accessories through to the chance to meet a racing hero and witness exhilarating live action, the Carole Nash Great Scottish Bike Show has something for every motorcycle enthusiast. And with all of that for a bargain £6 when you buy your ticket in advance… it’s a weekend not to be missed.”

  5. Michael Dunlop joined Steve Hislop and Phillip McCallen on 11 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy when he took Friday afternoon’s PokerStars Senior TT race, the second year in succession when he’s won 4 races in a week.

    The BMW Motorrad rider was down in seventh at Glen Helen, the first timing point, on the opening lap but steadily moved through the leaders on the opening lap. He eventually took the win by exactly 14 seconds from Honda Racing’s Conor Cummins with the Tyco Suzuki of Guy Martin in third.

    With conditions all around the Mountain Course remaining perfect throughout the 6-lap race, the second Tyco Suzuki ridden by William Dunlop held the lead in the early stages, ahead by 1.3 seconds at Glen Helen with Cummins and Martin in second and third from Dean Harrison, John McGuinness and James Hillier.

    William still led at Ramsey but Michael was beginning to make his move, closing the gap to just one second and by the end of the lap Michael was in front. His lap of 130.628mph gave him a 0.8s lead over Martin with Cummins, William Dunlop and Harrison in hot pursuit, just 3s covering the top five.

    On the second lap, Dunlop and the BMW really began to make their mark on the race and with a new lap record, for the Senior race, of 131.668mph, he went 7.7s clear as he came into the pits for his first stop. William had edged out Martin for second as Cummins slipped back to fourth. Harrison remained in fifth as a slow starting Bruce Anstey moved up to sixth.

    Lap three saw some major changes though and while Michael remained in the lead, Cummins and Martin moved up to second and third respectively as William Dunlop crashed at the Les Graham Memorial, the 28-year reported to have received a suspected broken leg and was taken by airmed to Nobles Hospital. Harrison was also out, retiring at Sulby.

    The gap between Michael Dunlop and Conor Cummins went up to 13s at Ramsey on the fourth lap, but by the pits and the second stop, it was down to 9.5s as Cummins was the quickest on the fourth lap at 130.499mph. Martin was 10s further back in third, with Dunlop having caught him on the road, as Anstey, Hillier and McGuinness now slotted into fourth to sixth.

    At Glen Helen on the penultimate lap, just 7s separated Dunlop and Cummins with the former circulating on the road with Hillier, McGuinness and Martin also encountering heavy traffic. However, the Ballymoney rider fought his way to the front of the quartet and once there he was able to build a slightly more comfortable lead.

    By the end of the race, the margin was 14s as he swept to his 11th win of his relatively short TT career, with Cummins again justifying Honda’s faith in him in 2nd, 9.6s ahead of Martin who had to settle for third and his 15th TT podium.

    Just like twelve months ago Anstey and Hillier battled all the way to the chequered flag, this time for fourth, and it was again the Kiwi who prevailed, this time by 1.4s. Meanwhile, McGuinness, sixth at the end of the opening lap, duly completed the race in the same position to end a difficult week with a solid finish.

    Josh Brookes put behind the disappointment of Wednesday’s Supersport race, when he was knocked off by Lee Johnston at Creg ny Baa on the final lap, to finish in a strong seventh with Dan Kneen, Michael Rutter and David Johnson rounding out the top ten.

    There was another sensational performance from newcomer Peter Hickman who not only took 11th place but also set the fastest ever lap by a first timer at the Mountain Course with a stunning lap of 129.104mph.

    He was the first privateer home ahead of Ian Mackman (15th) but Ivan Lintin’s 16th place was enough to see him wrap up the TT Privateer’s Championship with 97 points overall.

    John Ingram and Philip Crowe were reported off at Governors and Gooseneck respectively but both were reported as OK. Martin Jessop, also off at Governors, was taken by ambulance to Nobles hospital with a suspected broken collar bone, while Austrian Horst Saiger was conscious after an incident at Gardeners Lane and taken to Nobles with a leg injury.