ALEIX SECOND AND MAVERICK SEVENTH TO TAKE THEIR RS-GP MACHINES INTO THE PROVISIONAL TOP 10, SAVADORI CONTINUES DEVELOPMENT

Following the most predictable script, the first day of practice in Assen alternated almost perfectly between a wet and dry track. The FP1 sessions were held in full wet conditions, whereas the situation improved gradually in the afternoon all the way down to a finale with good times on basically dry asphalt.

In all the conditions, both with the rain in the morning and on the dry track in the latter part of the FP2 session, Aleix and Maverick confirmed their outstanding form, taking their Aprilia RS-GP machines into the provisional top 10. Espargaró’s second place time and Maverick’s seventh represent an excellent starting point to build a solid weekend.

In Assen, Aprilia Racing will also have the Test Team on the grid with Lorenzo Savadori in the saddle as he continues developing upgrades even in view of 2023 on an RS-GP with quite a few parts under development. Despite the huge job of trials and tests to be accomplished, the Italian rider still managed to shine, doing interesting times in the various stages of the sessions and finishing the day with the twenty-first time.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"It’s always important to start off strong, so I am satisfied with these first two sessions. Especially in the wet this morning I was fast and I had a good feeling even in conditions which are certainly not my favourite. On the dry track in the afternoon, I was only able to do a few laps at the end of the session, but I still managed to find the rhythm, which actually surprised me a bit. So, we are ready to tackle any situation, although we’re always hoping for the dry, a condition in which you can really have fun here in Assen."

MAVERICK VIÑALES
"We started from the base we had in Sachsenring and we were solid here too, in the top 10 both in the dry and in the wet. I felt really good in FP2 when the track was dry. We obviously still need to improve, but the Aprilia has some important strong points. Even in the best session, we weren’t able to push to the limit because the track wasn’t perfectly dry. It would be nice to be able to do that tomorrow."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"Not too bad. We’re continuing our work, especially in deciding on new solutions. We put the slicks on very early, using a general setting that was still intended for a damp track, so when the asphalt condition improved gradually, we were unable to push to the limit. In any case, we are following our programme and we’ll keep moving in this direction tomorrow."

If you’re travelling by road, then you’re at a small risk of suffering an accident. This risk varies depending on where you’re travelling, and by what vehicle. Statistically speaking, motorcyclists are in the greatest danger. When you’re on two wheels, you’re not only more likely to be involved in a collision – you’re also more likely to suffer injury and death. While you can claim compensation after suffering a serious brain injury, you can’t easily reverse the damage.  

For motorcyclists, therefore, taking the time to identify the biggest dangers is more than worthwhile. Let’s take a look at a few of the most notorious.

Biggest Danagers to Motorcyclists on the Road

Oncoming traffic is undoubtedly the biggest danager that motorcyclists face. If you’re involved in a head-on collision, then you’ll have be exposed to twice the force as if you’d hit the same object at double the speed (assuming that you’re travelling at the same speed as the other vehicle). While passengers and drivers in cars have a lot of protective structures around them, motorcyclists aren’t so fortunate. Even a minor impact can knock you off the bike.

Junctions are another source of danger. Drivers might not have noticed you – they have multiple demands on their attention when they’re waiting to turn. That’s assuming they haven’t taken the opportunity to take out their phones.

Overbraking is something that’s likely to throw you over the handlebars. While it might be nececssary to avoid a collission, sudden stopping is something that can pose a danger in itself.

Car doors are another thing that can take you out when they’re opened unexpecetedly. This is something that’s particularly troubling in cities.

Finally, we should worry about the condition of the road surface. Grit, gravel and rainwater can all reduce your traction. Gravel in particular can cause the bike to highside – which is a sudden and often deadly rotation of the bike.

How to Avoid an Accident

The easiest way to avoid an accident on your bike is to reduce your speed. The slower you’re going, the more easily you’ll be able to react to some of the threats we’ve mentioned.

You should also be sure that you’re wearing the appopriate safety gear. This includes a helmet, as well as boots, gloves, leathers and body armor.

You should also be sure that your bike is in good condition. This means regularly assessing your tyre pressures, changing the oils, and testing the brakes. If you’re practiced doing emergency stops. It’ll be less likely that you get thrown off. We should also mention that, in a disproportionate number of motorcycle casualties, drink-driving has been a factor. If you know you’re going to be getting in the saddle, then you should limit your alcohol consumption to zero. Don’t take any chances!

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ALONGSIDE ALEIX AND MAVERICK, LORENZO SAVADORI RETURNS TO THE TRACK

A fixed presence on the MotoGP calendar since 1949, if we exclude the cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Dutch track of Assen has earned the nickname of Cathedral both for the technical characteristics of the layout and the spectacular nature of the races held here. An important test that comes just before the summer break, a time during which riders and teams will be able to recover their energies and work in preparation for the championship finale.

For Aleix, the goal is to return to the podium, which has become a pleasant habit in this 2022. A new situation for him and for Aprilia, but one that has matured thanks to the great evolution of the technical package and the extraordinary speed and consistency shown by the rider from Granollers.

The Sachsenring weekend returned an increasingly solid Viñales in the saddle of the RS-GP. The process of adaptation to the Italian bike continues to proceed smoothly and Maverick is counting on being able to take advantage of a 'friendly' track like the Dutch one to close out this first part of the season in the best possible way.

Aprilia will appear at the Assen Grand Prix with a full line-up, given the presence on track of test rider Lorenzo Savadori. To whom, as always, will fall the task of continuing the development of the RS-GP.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"Assen is a mythical circuit, with a spectacular layout. I am a little worried about the weather, which is always an unknown here, for sure we will find lower temperatures than at Sachsenring. Clearly I'd like to find a dry weekend but the important thing will be to arrive at the summer break with a positive ranking and morale situation."

MAVERICK VIÑALES
"The first objective here at Assen will be to continue on the level shown last week. I am convinced that we can be competitive at every track, even more so on a layout that has always suited my riding style. Also the fact that we are racing straight away is something that helps me. We have seen that starting at the front makes life a lot easier in the race, if we can get at least the second row we could really show our potential".

LORENZO SAVADORI
"For me it is always amazing to be back on track, especially when it is an iconic event like Assen. The technicians have already told me that we'll have a lot of solutions to work on, our objective remains to put miles on the clock and continue to develop the RS-GP. Maybe testing something that can help Aleix and Maverick in the second half of the championship".

SOLIHULL, West Midlands 20th June 2022:  Silence UK has combined its electric performance with electrifying style, with the addition of the new range-topping S01+ model to its e-moto scooter range.

Based on the S01 Connected and with performance equivalent to a 125cc motorbike, the S01+ is priced at £6,795 OTR and features a 5.6 kWh and 7.5kW motor, reaching 30mph in just 3.9 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 62mph.

For added response when you need it, S01 + offers a faster acceleration in Sport mode and features an innovative “push-to-pass” overtaking mode, which briefly increases the limited top speed to 68mph.

To suit its performance aesthetic, S01+ augments the comprehensive S01 Connected specification, with adjustable suspension, Galfer ventilated brake discs and a suite of sporty design cues, including a contrast texture seat, red detailing and Anthracite grey paint. 

Connectivity comes through the dedicated Silence app, for Apple and Android devices, which allows control of important settings, such as checking charge status and activating remote lock/ unlock, as well as route planning through embedded Google Maps.

Tony Lewis, co-founder of Silence UK, said: “Silence is a stylish and practical alternative to combustion bikes, whether you’re an individual, or business user.  Now with S01+, we’re adding extra sports style, for those who want their Silence to stand out from the crowd. Production of the S01+ is available in limited numbers so it’s very much first come first served!” 

The S01+ is the sixth model in a growing Silence plug-in range which offers all-electric two-wheel options, to suit any budget or need.

Private riders and commuters will be drawn to the stylish S01 and new Urban spec, available in both S01and S02 trim. For professional riders and fleets, the S02 Business and S02 Business+ make the perfect work partners, with long-range battery options and a large collection of practical accessories.

All feature Silence’s patented ‘click and go’ removable and portable Silence lithium-ion battery, which can be charged through any 240V socket and can reduce running costs to a penny per mile – a massive 80% less than ICE-powered scooters.

Every Silence e-moto scooter comes with a comprehensive manufacturer’s warranty of two years for the e-moto scooter and three years for the battery, plus two years’ AA UK roadside assistance cover. 

For more information on Silence, visit www.silenceuk.com

ONLY A TECHNICAL PROBLEM HALTED MAVERICK’S BRILLIANT RACE

It was expected to be a battle of nerves and it lived up to expectations. The blazing German asphalt of the Sachsenring hosted a tactical race where the riders had to deal with never before seen conditions for this circuit.

Constantly battling with grip, Aleix fended off Miller’s attacks throughout the race until a few laps from the end, with nerves of steel on braking sections despite a less than perfect feeling with the front end. The only thing that kept him from yet another well-deserved podium finish was a late braking move on turn one that made him go wide and threw him off his line. Today’s fourth place in no way diminishes Espargaró’s run for the championship, where he is still solidly in second place overall.

Maverick also rode a brilliant race, starting from the ninth spot on the grid and extremely incisive in the first stage of the race with clean and decisive overtaking and a very fast pace. This was partially due to the choice of the medium tyre on the rear, a solution that Maverick preferred and intended to manage all the way to the chequered flag. Only a technical problem with rear height device on the nineteenth lap halted what had been an outstanding race up to that point for him.

The collateral damage of this circumstance is that Aprilia lost the lead in the teams championship, but the Italian team has their sights set on taking it back as early as next weekend in Assen.

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
"Unfortunately today I had a strange vibration at the front from the first lap which then got progressively worse. At a certain point of the race, I had to slow the pace, changing my riding style and not exploiting the RS-GP’s strong points. It’s a pity because, even though I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with Fabio, I definitely had the pace to battle with Zarco. With the way things went, I’m pleased with fourth because in spite of riding badly and without confidence, I was still able to limit the damage. I’m not too worried about the lost points; right now, Fabio’s form in the race is what should be pushing us to find more speed."

MAVERICK VIÑALES
"I had fun today. I started well, coming through the first corner without losing positions, and then I was able to be aggressive, overtaking until catching up with Aleix. At that point, I caught my breath, knowing that the final laps would have been difficult, so I was saving my strength and the tyre. I don’t know if I would have been able to overtake Aleix but, continuing at that pace, I would have tried. It’s a shame about the problem with the height device. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do, so I preferred boxing so I wouldn’t be a danger to other riders. In any case, I’m happy. Our improvement curve is consistent and I feel like I’m close to the turning point of the season."