SOLID PERFORMANCE AND SIXTH PLACE FOR ALEIX ESPARGARÓ IN PORTUGAL

LORENZO SAVADORI CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AND EARNS HIS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

THE APRILIA RS-GP, PUT TO THE TEST AFTER THE GOOD START IN QATAR, CONFIRMS ITS STATUS AS A GROWING PROJECT
Aleix Espargaró rode his Aprilia RS-GP to a sixth-place finish in the Portuguese GP, held on the Portimão track, keeping the gaps to a minimum: just over 8 seconds behind the winner and less than 4 from the podium.

It is a nice result that represents his third top-ten finish in the first three races. Never before had Aleix started a championship this well with Aprilia, so much that he is lying sixth in the overall standings. And the result could have been even better, but after a warm-up session where he had demonstrated a better pace than the one he had during the race, number 41 had to reckon with the highest heat of the weekend which conditioned the performance of the medium tyre chosen for the rear.

Aleix and Aprilia were put to the test after the good performance in Qatar and the RS-GP confirmed its status as an outstanding and growing project, while Aleix demonstrated great skill managing the race, in spite of the unexpected difficulties he had to face.

There is good news from the other side of the garage as well, confirming the improvements seen throughout the weekend and, thanks in part to a few crashes, Lorenzo Savadori earned his first championship points, finishing 14th.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'

"After the warm-up session where I had started on a used tyre and felt very good, I may have expected something more from this race. But we mustn’t forget the path that has brought us this far, battling in the leading group three races in a row, with speed and without mistakes. To be even more incisive, I was lacking a bit of grip at the rear, with the asphalt 20 degrees hotter than this morning, maybe choosing the hard tyre wouldn’t have been such a gamble. Without ever testing it thoroughly during the weekend, we didn’t feel confident enough and, all things considered, we continue demonstrating our value anyway. I am having more fun than ever in the saddle. I'm stoked and I can’t wait to get back on the track to see what satisfaction we’ll be able to take home next."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"My first points in the MotoGP World Championship are certainly an important detail, but the experience I continue to build race after race is worth more than anything else. Our goal is still to reduce the gap behind the leaders, as well as behind my teammate, and the results will come as a result. I lost a lot of ground in the early stages of the race today. My difficulties braking and cornering are accentuated with a full tank, whereas I was then able to maintain a pace similar to the group ahead of me."

Ace Cafe London is CLOSED from Monday 19th April

Coming out of 4 months closure sadly we have to start a new one.

Regretfully we have to inform you that the Ace Cafe will be closed from Monday the 19th April.

Emergency works need to be undertaken in the car park by Thames Water.

We anticipate this  to last two weeks - but we will keep you all informed with the progress.

There will be a FULL closure during this time.

NO access to our car park  - NO take away service available.

 
STAY SAFE



The Ace Cafe shop remains open for online orders 

As showrooms are once again opening and we look forward to the season ahead, Ducati UK are pleased to announce the recipients of the Ducati UK Dealer awards for 2020.

TWELVE times world trials champion Dougie Lampkin MBE will appear alongside TT legend Phillip McCallen as guest of honour at the upcoming International Classic MotorCycle Show at Stafford County Showground on July 3-4.

Fans at the event will hear stories throughout the weekend from Dougie about being a member of the famous Lampkin clan, who have been a household name since the 1960s with their appearances on Saturday afternoons’ TV Grandstand Trophy.

Winning his very first trial at just nine years old, Dougie rapidly progressed to the British and world trials scenes with the help of his father and mentor, Martin.

The Lampkins became known for their entertaining banter and not only did the crowds flock to see Dougie’s talented riding, but to hear Mart barking instructions for his line of attack along each section!

Doug won his first world round at Houghton Towers in 1994 when he won his first British title and finished sixth in the world title chase at his first attempt. In the same year he won the Scottish Six Days Trial for the first time and has since accumulated another 11 Scottish wins.

To date he has accumulated an incredible 20 crowns, including two Spanish and six UK titles. Although still competing in the Scottish, Doug rarely rides trials and is now a Red Bull athlete, giving displays of track riding all over the world. He is a regular at the Goodwood Festival, where he memorably rode up Lord March’s bannister and over his roof. His Isle of Man ride round the 37-mile circuit on his rear wheel stood out as one of his greatest achievements.

Doug will appear on stage throughout the weekend for live interviews and signing opportunities and will make an appearance in the trials area too alongside the much-loved Owd Codgers club.

COMPETITION: WIN LUNCH WITH DOUGIE LAMPKIN!

Fans will be given the chance to win lunch with Dougie and Phillip McCallen on Saturday July 3 in the VIP hospitality area of the event! This is an exciting opportunity to sit down with not one but two sporting heroes and will be an experience to be remembered by the two lucky winners.

Visitors to the show can expect to see the usual attractions that make Stafford a stand-out event. Motorcycle owners’ clubs will return with their impressive displays; alongside a massive indoor and outdoor trade and autojumble section; the famous multi-million-pound Bonhams auction and not forgetting the excitement in the Classic Racer GP Paddock which can be heard across the showground.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at an early bird price of £13 until June 28. Visit www.classicbikeshows.com for further information.

6th May - 9th May 2021  - Motorcycle Man Documentary

The British Motorcyclists Federation is delighted to announce that an exclusive virtual screening of the documentary Motorcycle Man will be available from May 6-9 2021.
Following the story of Dave Roper, the legend in his own lifetime who won the Isle of Man TT in 1984, Motorcycle Man looks at his life, times, career and thoughts on a life spent on two wheels.

The 32-minute documentary has won a string of awards on the festival circuit and this will be the first time it has ever been screened in the UK. Better yet, the screening will also include a live Q&A session on the evening of May 9 with Roper himself and director Daniel Lovering.

venue: Virtual Event
price: $10 (approx £7.50ish) includes film screening and live Q&A with Dave Roper and the film maker.
tel: 0116 279 5112
website to watch
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e-mail: [email protected]