KTM is excited to announce that Dakar’s hottest future prospect Sam Sunderland has signed to race for the Red Bull KTM Factory Rally Team for the next three and a half years.  

Sunderland, a 24-year-old former motocrosser turned rally racer, is pleased to be joining the factory squad in a bid to unlock his Dakar potential with the ultra-competitive crew that has won the last 13 editions of the notorious rally.    

British-ace Sunderland has enjoyed both success and disaster following his Dakar debut in 2012 at just 22 years of age, with competitive results on the days he’s completed during the rally. Sunderland has also achieved success in the British youth championships, UAE MX2 & MX1 Championship titles, UAE National Baja Championship titles in 2010/2011, an Abu Dhabi Desert challenge podium in 2012, a Merzouga Rally win in 2013 plus a stage win in this year’s Dakar event before retiring from the race.    

With KTM’s Dakar know-how and Sunderland’s motivation it is hoped that he will develop into one of the future greats of the sport as he gains experience with the factory squad amongst more established riders. His main goal for year one will be to complete the rally in the top five with consistent results throughout the stages, and he’s particularly excited about working with Marc Coma, who enjoyed his fourth Dakar victory last month.

 Dubai-based Sunderland, who is the first British rider for 15-years to win a Dakar stage, will race the all-new 450 Factory rally machine that made its debut in 2014. The youngster will contest some rounds of the Cross-Country Rallies World Championship throughout this year as he builds his confidence and speed ahead of the 2015 Dakar race.  

Sam Sunderland: “I’m really excited for this new chapter in my career and very grateful for the opportunity from KTM. It’s going to be great to work with the huge experience of the team and I hope I can prove myself with good results to return the confidence they’ve put into me. The team has won for 13 years in a row and it’s a huge opportunity for me to race with a team with that much experience. When I met the team I had a great feeling, like friends straight away, which is a huge part of the whole deal, because in the Dakar it’s stressful and tiring, so the relationships are important to be able to work together in the toughest times. The bike is proven; I’ve not ridden it yet, but I’m really excited and looking forward to that. It looks great and with first and second this year it’s obviously great for the job. I am working really hard with my training right now and I can’t wait to get started.”  

Pit Beirer: KTM’s Head of Motorsports “It’s definitely a big pleasure that we are able to bring Sam over to KTM, thanks to the friendly relationship we have had with him through Kini and myself. We’ve been following his riding over the last few years and he’s a young, talented rider with great skills. I’m sure if we combine this with the strength of our team and the training opportunities with Marc, he will make our package stronger for the future. As Sam is still very young it’s now our job to keep him calm; it’s not that we expect results straight away, but we will give him time to learn the secrets of the desert. He’s a proven stage winner, he has the skill and speed, but I don’t want to put him under pressure. The key is to put him with our experienced riders and he will learn and help them. In my opinion he is already maybe podium contender, but for us it’s not about the results today or tomorrow, it’s about building a good, competitive long-term Dakar future.”   Sunderland will begin racing a KTM motocross machine today at a local event and is expected to make his rally race debut with KTM at round one of the Cross Country Rallies World Championship at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in April.

www.ktm.com

Ace Cafe London is delighted to be able to confirm attendance, with stand and display celebrating cafe racers and speed, at the forthcoming 14th annual Salon Du Deux Roues, Palais des Expositions, Limoges, France 29th -30th March.

The show, presented by www.ffmc87.com, this year "includes a specialfeature area showcasing English motorcycles". along with special guests to include Jim Redman, Phil Read, Soili Saarinen and George Beale with his Honda '6' RC 174 replica.

In addition to the bikes displayed, ranging from off-road, race and competition machines, dragsters, sidecars, trikes and Quads, stunt shows are a special feature of the event's Live Action!

 Along with bikes, the Ace presence and display will include an arrayof Ace Cafe, Rockers and StoMoCo items, together with the Ace 75th anniversary Bookazine and the recently published and critically acclaimed seminal book "Ace Times - Speed thrills and tea spills, a cafe and a culture" by author Mick Duckworth.

www.ffmc87.com  

Scotland’s biggest and best motorcycle show returns to Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre this March with all the latest models, major manufacturers, and breathe taking live action. The Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show, held on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March, is a haven for anyone with a passion for motorcycles.

Major bike manufacturers will showcase their new models for 2014. Plus there will be exclusive offers from the dealers on new and 2013 motorbikes. Bag a bargain in the Bike Jumble and browse the Retail Village where a host of traders will be able to fit you out with new leathers, boots or helmet. If you want to improve your bike’s appearance there’s a wide array of suppliers to help make your bike stand out from the crowd.

Take a ride down memory lane in the Classic Bike magazine hall where you can find Scotland’s biggest collection of classic motorcycles spanning over 80 years. The Classic Bike team will be on hand throughout the weekend – pop along to their stand for a chat.

Centre stage in the Classic Bike hall will be a dedicated display celebrating the racing heritage of Joe Potts and Bob McIntyre. The Joe Potts Garage Collection will not only include various bikes but also trophies, photographs and full back catalogue of memorabilia.

For the first time ever Practical Sportsbikes magazine will also be exhibiting at the event and will be on hand for advice and tips on how to get the best out of your pride and joy.

The Knockhill Stage will be jam packed with entertainment all weekend including competitions, celebrity rider interviews and much more. VIP Guests include Fast Freddie Spencer, John McGuinness, Stuart Easton & Niall Mackenzie

There will be an impressive range of customised motorbikes from Clydebank-based House of Custom, specialists in customising Harley Davidson Sportsters. With their award-winning ‘hot rod’ styling, the bikes receive a great customised paint finish, slammed suspension, drag handlebars, upgraded lights, lots of stainless steel and custom seat which gives a lower riding position and improved handling.

Thrill seekers can enjoy stunt shows from Broke FMX as well as Scotland’s very own Kevin Carmichael.

Novices and experts alike can take advantage of Mick Extances’ Kawasaki Trials Experience whilst younger show visitors will be able to get their first taste of riding and experience just what it’s like to get on a Honda motorcycle with Honda’s unique ‘My First Licence’.

Show is open 9am until 5pm each day. Adult ticket prices start from just £12 when booked in advance or £16 on the door. Senior citizen tickets are £9 in advance or £12 on the door. Kids under 15 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. All tickets are subject to a service charge. Parking is £5 per car, motorcycles are free and secure helmet storage is available. To book tickets visit www.scottishmotorcycleshow.com where you can find all the latest updates.

REIGNING WORLD SBK CHAMPION APRILIA RSV4 UNVEILED TODAY AT PHILLIP ISLAND (AUSTRALIA), THE BIKE THAT MARCO MELANDRI AND SYLVAIN GUINTOLI WILL USE TO TAKE ON THE 2014 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP.

THE REFLECTIVE FINISH OF THE METAL ENHANCES THE AGGRESSIVE LINES OF THE ITALIAN SUPER SPORT BIKE, REIGNING MANUFACTURER WORLD CHAMPION, HOLDER OF APRILIA'S 5 SBK CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES AND REFERENCE POINT FOR STREET BIKES.

Phillip Island (Australia), 20 February 2014 – We are just hours away from the start of the 2014 World Superbike Championship and Aprilia Racing, the Italian reigning Manufacturer world champion and winner of 5 championship titles in the last 4 seasons, unveiled the number 33 and number 50 RSV4s that Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli will ride in the hunt for the SBK championship title.

Leaving the black and red colour scheme from recent years behind, the Aprilia RSV4 transforms into a silver fireball. In fact, the pure metal colour is the distinctive trait of the 2014 RSV4 SBK. This is a stylistic revolution that enhances the form and technological content of the Italian bike, crowned as the street sport bike leader by the specialised press all over the world and absolute protagonist in World Superbike. With two Rider world titles and three Manufacturer world titles won in the last four season, the Aprilia RSV4 has written some fundamental pages in recent motor sport history and it moves into the starting gates for the 2014 season with renewed ambitions, worthy of the Aprilia collection of 52 total world titles won, 294 World Motorcycle Championship GP races won and 38 Superbike victories.

The extreme lines of the RSV4, a true racing thoroughbred, are highlighted by the sharp red and black inserts (traditional Aprilia colours) which, together with the carbon parts and the reflective surface of the pure metal, enhance its compact size and racing soul. The hashtag #beAracer appears on the RSV4's fairing, this is an expression of Aprilia's intention to create a closer bond between the racing world and motorcycle enthusiasts through digital technology. The dual beam aluminium frame, a sculpted work of art that harnesses the more than 230 HP unbridled by the exclusive, extraordinary 1,000 cc narrow V4 engine, is enhanced by the surface treatments and colour combinations.

This choice did not go unnoticed by riders and mechanics, who fell in love at first sight with a bike that, besides astonishing with its technical characteristics like highly advanced electronic control equipment developed entirely by Aprilia, also stands out from the crowd with a brand new elegant look.

Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Technical and Sport Director and Piaggio Group Bike Technical Centre Manager: “A large part of a racing bike's attraction, obviously besides pure performance, has to do with its visual impact. These are exclusive objects, moving sculptures to be admired, and the RSV4 has definitely blazed an important trail in this area. Its compact size due to the exclusive architecture of the V4 engine and its magnificent polished factory frame are both functional elements and distinctive design traits at the same time, enhanced by the new livery which, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and unique that has ever taken to the track”.

Marco Melandri, number 33: “Very rarely has a bike ever impressed me like this one. I liked it straight away. It looks aggressive and elegant at the same time, with a really original colour combination. As a rider I obviously focus on speed, but as an enthusiast I can appreciate a beautiful and well refined bike. Aesthetic details are often synonymous with careful development and particular attention to all aspects of the product”.

Sylvain Guintoli, number 50: “It is simply beautiful! I have always liked the RSV4. It has an aggressive and decidedly racing look even in the factory version. Its lines scream speed and everything is in the right place to guarantee maximum performance. The new colour scheme is the cherry on the top. If it's as fast as it is beautiful our rivals won't stand a chance. This livery would be absolutely beautiful on the street version - I would want one immediately!”

Isle of Man road racer Conor Cummins has signed with Jackson Racing for his 2014 Supersport campaign. The Manxman will compete in the two '600' Races at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy as well as the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix. Solway Slate & Tile, W.A. Corless, CMS and Motul Oil are backing the team for their 2014 campaign.

Jackson Racing has been a continuous presence in motorcycling paddocks since the 1970's when Alan Jackson Senior won three consecutive World Formula Two Championships between 1977 and 1979, also taking four victories at the Isle of Man TT during that period.

Sons Alan Junior and Andy continued the racing dynasty with Alan setting the Manx Grand Prix outright lap record, 122.208mph, in 2005 - a record that still stands today.

Cummins has the fastest ever 'standing start' Mountain Course lap at 131.511mph, which he set in the 2010 Dainese Superbike TT, which is also the third fastest lap of all time. His four TT podiums include third place in last year's bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight TT. He also has third placed finishes in the 2009 Supersport Race, his highest finish in the class, and the 2010 Superstock Race while his highest placed TT finish remains the runner up spot he took in the 2009 PokerStars Senior TT.

Alan Jackson commented: "Conor is a talented rider who has shown incredible determination to put himself back at the front of the field. He will be one of the frontrunners in every class he competes in and we are delighted to have him on board for the Supersport races where I think he can give a good account of himself. "

"I'm really looking forward to representing Jackson Racing in the 2014 season," said Conor Cummins. "What the Jackson family don't know about road racing isn't worth knowing. I've always enjoyed racing the 600's and I'm confident that we can challenge for honours in the class."