Biker News - Regularly updated

Welcome to our News section, where articles are listed below and if relevant within the categories on the right, just to make it easier for you to find what you wish to read...

Please note that the content within our News section (text and images), follows the same copyright laws/notice as all other content on the website - ie not to be reproduced (including slightly amending) without prior consent. 

 RSS Feed

  1. We asked the AI to do an interview (questions and answers) with Alex Marquez, then we compared the created answers (Alex GPT) with the real ones (Alex). Here is the result!
     
    ChatGPT: It is all about motorcycles in the family with you and your friend Marc Márquez. What do you think about the comparison with him and how were you able to develop your MotoGP career?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: My brother was of huge inspiration for me, and I always tried to learn from him. But I’m also aware that we’re two different people and with different personalities. So, my MotoGP career is about developing my riding style and race craft. I’ve always focused on doing my best and improve in each race.
     
    Alex Marquez: Comparing myself to him has surely had an impact over the years because we did the same path; I was able to manage this parallelism until a time comes when it’s clear that you need to do a sort of separation… Each rider has different careers and paths, so I learned to look at myself only and to improve race after race.

    2. ChatGPT: How do you prepare physically and mentally for a MotoGP race? Do you have any training routine you follow?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: Physical and mental preparations are very important for every MotoGP rider. I would like to focus on cardio training and strength in order to be in good fitness form. I also work with my team to develop a race strategy and to be ready for any situation that could happen in the race. Regarding mental preparation, I try to stay calm and focused for the whole race, even when there are difficult situations. Generally speaking, I try to keep a balance between physical and mental training to give my best on track.
     
    Alex Marquez: I’ve been following the same routine for many years now, even though some exercises have changed through time. From the mental side, I try to have my dear ones near, stay calm and be happy. I don’t have a mental coach. 
     
    3. ChatGPT: How would you describe your riding style compared to other MotoGP riders?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: I think my riding style is very smooth and controlled. I like to concentrate on precision and make sure to be comfortable and under control on the bike. Surely it is important to have the necessary speed to compete in MotoGP, but precision is what makes the difference for me.
     
    Alex Marquez: Precise, smooth and also aggressive at times.
     
    4. ChatGPT: What do you do to stay calm and focused while on the grid, waiting for the race to start? Do you have any ritual or special technique?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: I like to have a calm and relaxed approach on the starting grid. I like to listen to music and concentrate on my racing strategy. I don’t have any specific ritual, but I like to take a few minutes to take a deep breath and visualise my race before the start.
     
    Alex Marquez: I always try to visualise a whole lap in my head, including gear shifting, how I will approach it, the start and where I could have room for overtaking. But most of all I try to isolate myself from all the people on the grid.
     
    5. ChatGPT: We know competition in MotoGP is very intense. How do you manage the passion and competition during the season?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: Pressure is part of racing in MotoGP, but I believe it is very important to keep it under control. I like to focus on my race and my strategy, and not on what other riders are doing. I also like to take some time to relax away from the track and enjoy my free time.
     
    Alex Marquez: Since my beginnings, the Spanish championship was already a very professional championship, so you get to the world championship with a good base. Things change quite a lot in the jump from Moto2 to MotoGP and that’s when you need to organise yourself well, to make sure that pressure doesn’t take the focus away from what really matters – being fast on the bike.
     
    6. ChatGPT: What piece of advice would you give to someone who wishes to start working in the motorcycling world and become a professional rider?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: My advice is to work hard, be consistent and never give up. Motorcycle racing is a very demanding sport, both physically and mentally, it requires plenty of commitment and dedication in order to become a professional rider. It is also important to have a good team around you that can help you develop and improve in each race.
     
    Alex Marquez: If this is your dream, you have to fight for it in order to fulfil it. You have to do it without thinking too much.
     
    7. ChatGPT: What was your most memorable race or win in the world championship so far and why? Is there a race you would like to win in the future?
     
    Alex Marquez GPT: My first MotoGP race was special for me, because it represented the pinnacle of many years of hard work and dedication. Winning the Moto2 championship in 2019 was also a very emotional moment for me. Regarding the races I’d like to win in the future, I would surely like to win at home at the Catalan GP and also at the Spanish Grand Prix. These are two very important races for me and I hope I can with both of them at some point in my MotoGP career.
     
    Alex Marquez: The most special race was in Valencia 2014 when I was battling for the Moto3 title and there was a lot of tension with my opponent. And I dream about winning a MotoGP race!

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Gresini Racing 
  2. The Andalusian trip draws to a close with an excellent Monday for Team Gresini MotoGP with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez hard at work for the whole day of official testing at Jerez de la Frontera. 
     
    The Italian #49 has done some evaluations in terms of ergonomics and front-end feeling and managed to find some important solutions for the continuation of the season; Alex Marquez kept working on finding the best feeling with his Desmosedici machine #73, while trying some modifications to the setting as well.
     
    Both riders completed plenty of laps with very similar lap times: Diggia was the quicker of the two with the fourth-fastest lap-time of the day, 0.2secs ahead of his teammate who rounded out the top ten. The next event will take place at Le Mans in less than two weeks. 

    4th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’36.963s, 63 laps)
    “An excellent day: we had a very dense programme and we managed to complete everything and with excellent results. We now need to see how these solutions perform in different conditions, as during the test the track has a lot of grip. We’re growing and my feeling with the bike improves, especially on the front-end.”
     
    10th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’37.189s, 77 laps)
    “We opted to work on the race pace, choosing the medium compound at the rear in order to focus on setup and cornering, which we kind of lacked yesterday on the track. We gathered some good data ahead of Le Mans and I think we’ll get there better prepared and with more options.”
  3. With the zumo XT2, Garmin has now launched the successor model of the premium motorcycle navigator. Even more motorcycle-specific functions enable simplified route planning and provide an even wider range of useful extras when on the road. And, of course, Touratech already has a robust mount for this brand-new device that can cope with tough offroad use.

    Large and brilliant display

    The Garmin zumo XT2 is the logical further development of the already very powerful XT predecessor model. The 6-inch touchscreen is 15 per cent larger and another five per cent brighter than the XT. This results in the screen being perfectly readable in all lighting conditions, while operation with gloves is even easier than before, due to the larger size.

    Planning tools specially for riders

    Specially developed for riders, the zumo XT2 offers numerous features for planning inspiring tours. Garmin has pre-installed popular motorcycle routes on the device, and Michelin Scenic Roads are also colour-coded on the map.

    The new "Adventurous Routing" function allows you to create winding, relaxed or scenic routes simply by using the slider. Attractive content such as the Michelin Green Guide, Trendy Places and Local Spots round off the range of planning tools.

    The newly developed visual route planner enables you to conveniently create and edit routes directly in the map view.

    Even more functions with the Tread App

    Additional functions can be accessed by linking the zumo XT2 with a smartphone on which the Garmin Tread app is installed. This provides real-time services for traffic, weather or fuel prices. The XT2 can, of course, also output messages and phone calls to the headset.

    In addition, the Tread app allows the use of all road navigation maps, topographic maps and satellite images in the route planner, and synchronises routes, tracks and waypoints via the cloud. The Track Recorder allows the recording of numerous vehicle and route data, and last but not least, the Group Ride Mobile function can be used to track the locations of group members.

    Equipped for inReach satellite communication

    The zumo XT2 is equipped for Garmin inReach, making it exemplary in terms of safety. With this satellite-based two-way communication, holders of a corresponding subscription can send and receive messages as well as share position data and make emergency calls. And that with no mobile reception required.

    Touratech handlebar mount for optimum protection

    This handlebar mount in legendary Touratech quality encloses the Garmin zumo XT2, giving it a secure hold even in rough terrain. The laser-cut and CNC-bent aluminium and stainless steel parts offer maximum strength and precision, making accidental opening of the lockable mount impossible.

    The zumo XT2 is also reliably supplied with power in the Touratech handlebar mount via the on-board network, through the integration of the Garmin motorcycle cradle.

    The handlebar mount comes with clamps for 12-millimetre tubes as standard. The possible combination with optional mounting adapters or the RAM ball joint system results in countless variants for individual positioning.

  4. AFTER A FANTASTIC POLE POSITION, ALEIX IS UNABLE TO REAP WHAT HE HAD HOPED IN THE SPRINT RACE

    THE MIXED CONDITIONS COMPROMISE MAVERICK’S QUALIFIERS, SEVENTH IN THE RACE

    After their show of strength yesterday, with two Aprilias in the lead, Saturday in Jerez de La Frontera also had the Italian bikes confirming their extremely competitive status. In qualifying, a few drops of rain added to the already high tension, forcing teams and riders to make vastly different strategic choices.

    Aleix, opting to stay out on the track with slicks for the entire session, did a perfect lap right in the finale, earning a well-deserved pole position. It was a different story for Maverick, who boxed to put on new tyres  but was then unable to find a lap consistent with the pace he had demonstrated during practice. 

    Starting from the tenth spot on the grid, Maverick recovered ground all the way to seventh place, also doing the fourth fastest lap time – proof that he did have the speed that would have earned him a better result.

    For pole man Aleix, on the other hand, Saturday ended on a bitter note. After a good start, he stayed in the leading group for quite a while as he prepared his attack, despite the significant difficulty overtaking on the Spanish track. However, a crash during the fifth lap put an end to the Aprilia rider’s hopes. 

    Aleix
    “A shame to have finished Saturday that way after taking pole position. To be honest, I started well in both starts but the KTMs have something more than us in that area. Then the riders who had started with the soft rear had a bit more grip, although the pace wasn’t high at all. But we know that here in Jerez, if you’re up front you are able to defend your position. I was thinking about an attack when I was behind Martin, but I struggled with the front and in the end I crashed. With this new format, we have a chance at redemption tomorrow, where there are important points up for grabs.”

    Maverick
    “I can’t help but to be pleased. The truth is that in the conditions this morning during qualifying, I did not have a good feeling at all and I was unable to achieve one hundred percent. Then, in the race, starting from the rear you have to battle, overtake, you’re under attack – sometimes rather aggressively – and everything is more complicated. The fact of the matter is that when I had open track ahead, I was able to maintain the same pace as the leaders and that’s what is frustrating because I don’t think this position is a proper reflection of our potential.”

     

  5. Indian Motorcycle is celebrating International Female Ride Day (IFRD) around the world with group rides, dealer events, and demo rides to further empower, recognise and welcome the participation of women in motorcycling and invites female Indian Motorcycle riders to “Just Ride” on Saturday May 6, whether solo, with friends or on an organised ride

    The IFRD has put the spotlight on women riders and the female motorsports arena for 17 years aiming to keep women at the forefront of riding and encourage new women to join, while promoting the diversity of women already engaged in all aspects of the powersports industry.

    A focal point for events in Europe will be a group ride in France from Toulouse to Nice, May 2-6. With participants from the U.S., Canada and across Europe, riders will cover some of the best roads in France with a celebratory party, also open to the public, waiting for them at Indian Motorcycle Nice.

    May 2 – Toulouse to Montpellier
    May 3 – Montpellier to Marseille
    May 4 – Marseille to Nice
    May 5 – Rest Day
    May 6 – IFRD Party at Indian Motorcycle Nice

    Women riders in France are invited to join influential names from across the online motorcycle community in Jess Wise, Caroline Cora, Jasmine Rose, Courtney Boyd, Deimante Meilune and Sophie Molesti on their ride, even if just for a few kilometres, to elevate the voice of the women rider and celebrate their passion for riding.

    Social links:

    Carolina Cora

    Courtney Boyd

    Deimante Meilune –  YouTube

    Jasmine Rose – The Litas Los Angeles

    Jess Wise – The Litas

    Sophie Molesti

    Participation in IFRD is free and easy and takes place Saturday, May 6, in over 120 countries and everyone is encouraged to join in the conversation by sharing photos of their rides and what riding means to them on social media using the hashtags #IFRD2023, #FocusFemaleForward and #internationalfemalerideday.

    For more information on the International Female Ride Day please visit the WEBSITE.

    For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.