#FrenchGP free practice. The start to the third European event of the season has been an excellent one with Enea Bastianini the fastest rider in today’s combined Free Practice time. IT was far from an easy Friday for the rider #23, who crashed twice (once per session), but was still able to put together the quickest-ever lap for a MotoGP bike at the Bugatti circuit.

The Italian star was indeed able to find a positive feeling with his Ducati machine, as especially in the first sector he proved to be extremely competitive. His 1’31.148secs lap-time was two and three tenths of a second faster than the ones set by Quartararo and Rins, respectively.

It was a good opening day for Fabio Di Giannantonio as well: the series rookie started with the base set-up found with the team during the Jerez test – and built on it. His 1’32.275secs tresulted in a provisional 15thplace.

1st - ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (1’31.148s)
“Too bad for the two crashes, especially the second one. I would have loved to finish the day a few seconds earlier. It’s been a very positive day nonetheless: we were very quick and comfortable in T1 from the get-go and it’s honestly the area where we have to work the least on. Things have changed compared to yesterday, where maybe we did not fully understand what happened… It happens sometimes. We are quick again and we have the right feeling.”

15th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’32.275s)
“This is maybe the first real positive day of the year. We surely made an important step forward feeling-wise on the bike and I was kind of expecting it after the test we had in Jerez. We’re starting to break hard, and we only need to find a bit more grip: there’s plenty on the track, to be honest, but we still have a bit too much spin and it’ll be important to fix this issue also with regards to qualifying.”

• The Ducati Grandstands are back to cheer on the champions riding the Borgo Panigale bikes
• The MotoGP championship rounds at Mugello and Misano are the venues for the two grandstands in Italy
• Tickets are already available in the dedicated section of the Ducati website

Borgo Panigale, Bologna, 11 May 2022 – With the MotoGP World Championship well underway, the Ducati Grandstands are back at the Mugello International Circuit and the Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli". A front row seat to follow the two Italian rounds and experience the thrill of MotoGP.

The Ducati Grandstands are an extraordinary setting for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer’s colours, created to cheer on the Ducati Lenovo Team champions Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller, together with all the other riders who race on Ducati bikes, Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco for the Pramac Racing Team, Enea Bastianini and Fabio Di Giannantonio with the Gresini Racing Team, Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi of the VR46 Racing Team.

Tickets for the Ducati Grandstands are already available in the dedicated section of the website. For all Ducatisti who purchase tickets, a series of services and benefits are provided to help them make the most of the days spent in the circuit. From free access to the grandstand at any time, to the convenience of the reserved motorcycle parking*, to the gear check service for technical clothing. In addition, fans will receive a "Fan's Kit", consisting of a t-shirt, cap and gadget.

The first Italian round of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship is scheduled for the Mugello International Circuit on the weekend of 28 and 29 May. Ducati will welcome its fans in a grandstand with a dedicated sector with numbered seats in the Tribuna Materassi. The position offers a wide view of several curves of the track and the fun is guaranteed by the possibility of seeing exciting overtaking action right under the grandstand, which also has a big screen so not to miss a single moment of the Grand Prix.

The second and final Italian round of the MotoGP Championship - the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini GP - takes place at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” from 2 to 4 September. Here the Ducati Grandstand is situated at Tribuna C, located in the MWC Square, a key area of ​​the circuit that guarantees an exciting view of the race. The grandstand is covered, with numbered seats and equipped with a big screen active from Saturday qualifying to Sunday's race. Car parking* will also be available at Misano.

Racing is an essential part of the Ducati DNA and the Italian company has always offered its fans a privileged place to enjoy the spectacle of MotoGP at many international circuits. The Ducati Grandstands in fact are not limited to the Italian rounds of the championship, the Circuit of the Americas in Texas and the Circuit of Jerez-Ángel Nieto in Spain have already hosted many Ducatisti. In the coming months Ducati Grandstands will be present at Le Mans in France, Sachsenring in Germany, Silverstone in the UK, Phillip Island in Australia and at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo of Valencia in Spain.

More information on the Ducati Grandstands is available in the dedicated section on the Ducati website, where it is already possible to buy tickets for Mugello and Misano.

#ForzaDucati

Suzuki is set to welcome owners and enthusiasts to Cadwell Park on Friday 10 June for Suzuki Live, where the Japanese firm will celebrate both new and old models alike.

The day will bring together track sessions for bikes of all ages, test rides, special guests, classic bike displays, and a special parade lap for five of Barry Sheene’s iconic race bikes, recently restored by Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme.

Among others, celebrity special guests will include three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds and World Superbike and EWC champion and MotoGP test rider-extraordinaire Sylvain Guintoli, and Danny Webb, who will be out on the RG500 he campaigned at the Classic TT for Team Classic Suzuki.

Key models from Suzuki’s on-road product range – including the new GSX-S1000GT sports tourer, GSX-S1000 naked, and third generation Hayabusa – will be available to test ride on the day on the stunning roads surrounding Cadwell Park. Those wishing to take a test ride must present a valid licence and produce a DVLA check code or National Insurance number.

A classic bike display will comprise a 1985 GSX-R750F, the TL1000s built brand new by the Vintage Parts Programme in 2014, a 1991 GSX-R1100L, and the Team Classic Suzuki Katana endurance racer.

Split into three groups, there are 111 track day spaces available on the day, costing £135 per person. However, access is free to those wishing to watch the action and the parades, or take a test ride.

Suzuki GB head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “It’s going to be a great celebration of Suzukis of all ages and at a circuit that is a firm favourite with many riders. Suzuki track days have been a regular feature of our events calendars in the past, however, for obvious reasons, they’ve been more difficult over the last couple of years. But this is shaping up to be a great event, with some great bikes and special guests too. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and enjoying the action.”

Riders will be split into three groups on the day, based on their level of experience and the bike they are riding: Classic Novice for those new to track days or riding older classic machines, Classic Intermediate for those more familiar with track days or riding a classic model, and Open Advanced for the experienced riders on the latest Suzuki machinery.

Most motorcyclists know of the town and roads in and around Carmarthenshire and the small Drover’s Town of Llandovery. Many of us have stopped for a cup of coffee or a meal in one of the many biker-friendly cafes and restaurants in the town. However, a small group of residents recognised that there is more to offer than a swift brew and bacon butty and looked at ways to encourage people to stay for a bit longer.

So, what started as a small event to help the sustainability of the small Drover’s Town of Llandovery in Carmarthenshire has grown into an event attracting up to 5000 people over one weekend each year. The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend promotes road safety for all and provides a fun day for people of all ages. It is also partnered with the West Wales Motorcycle Club which was established with the support of a regional charity, West Wales Action for Mental Health. This active and inclusive club offers individuals the chance to learn about maintaining and restoring motorcycles in a fun and safe environment. The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend provides a platform for them to showcase what they do.

The Llandovery Motorbike Weekend takes place over the first weekend in July each year but has, due to the Covid Pandemic, not taken place since 2019. Launched by the Prince of Wales in 2016 the weekend has grown enormously and is one of very few “free to enter” events in the country. This is achieved partly due to the awards from the National Lottery, but primarily thanks to the various local and regional sponsors who support this event every year.

Established within the Mart (Market) in Llandovery, there are food and beverage vendors, bike clubs and other commercial organisations who encircle the central arena within which various activities take place. These have included motorcycle mobility circuits run by RoSPA and Blood Bikes Wales, demonstrations by the Emergency Services on incident management even a “Biker’s Town Crier” competition! Alongside the diverse catering outlets are many arts and crafts stalls which have proved a remarkable success for those bikers looking for that ideal gift to bring home to partners and friends!! Additionally, there are bike related equipment suppliers, information stands as well as live music interspersed with events in the central arena. For those people wishing to spend the weekend in this beautiful town there are a wealth of wonderful campsites, B&Bs, Hotels and Holiday Cottages in the area. These provide a base from which to explore the fantastic sights in this part of Wales along some of the most scenic and well-maintained roads in the country.

Many visitors display or show their motorbikes (with prizes on offer for winners) and others set up their Club stands to engage with members of the public and promote their various activities. Also on offer are a myriad of motorcycle training opportunities, much of which is offered free of charge!

Parking for vehicles in the town car park is free on the Saturday (bikes park for free anyway) and many bikes can park alongside the arena in the Mart allowing owners and visitors to wander along with a cup of coffee and engage with other owners and bike clubs. For those lingering in the town there are the well-known “biker cafes” of the West End Café and the Award-Winning Owl’s Nest Café and The Bear Inn where a warm welcome is assured.

If you haven’t visited Llandovery before, or if you are looking to go along, then consider booking a stay in the area over the 2nd and 3rd of July this year and become part of a growing event which has something for everyone. Rest assured, you will be supporting some worthwhile charities which this year include, Blood Bikes Wales and the Wales Air Ambulance.

www.llandoverymotorbikeweekend.co.uk

• Ben launches new Social Anxiety support program for Mental Health Awareness Week
• Launch forms part of a wider campaign to combat loneliness in automotive community
• Loneliness on the rise, with 1 in 3 automotive people admitting to feeling lonely

Today, May 9th, marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK and this year Ben, the automotive industry charity, is shining a light on one of the leading causes of mental health issues – loneliness.

Following two years of disruption and periods of social isolation caused by the pandemic, loneliness became, in itself, an epidemic. We were all separated for long periods of time from our wider circles of friends, family and work colleagues. And, even though we are now emerging from the depths of the pandemic, it is clear that many of us have found the social restrictions hugely challenging.

Social anxiety is playing a major role in the rise of loneliness. Naturally, now that COVID restrictions have eased, social interactions are returning to ‘normal’ – but for many, a sudden return to socialising is also a daunting prospect. Social anxiety makes it difficult for people to meet socially with others, to reach out for help and to maintain relationships – which, in turn, contributes to loneliness.

Ben’s recent Health and Wellbeing survey placed this issue in sharp focus – of those in the automotive industry who were surveyed, 31% confessed to having suffered from loneliness – a huge increase of 23% from the previous year. Loneliness saw a staggering increase in the over 45s, factory workers, and among those who have retired from the industry, while 1 in 2 automotive workers confirmed that they have issues managing their mental health – indicating that mental health struggles in the automotive industry are more prevalent than in the general population.

To support those who are struggling with social anxiety and loneliness, Ben has launched a new ‘Space from Social Anxiety’ program on the SilverCloud platform – designed specifically to help people find out about symptoms, understand its causes and develop coping strategies to manage their social anxiety.

The program, as with all of Ben’s SilverCloud programs, is completely free, easy to use and can be worked through at your own pace in your own time – using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to develop coping strategies to help deal with life’s challenges.

Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “If you suffer from loneliness, you are not alone. Our recent survey highlighted the huge impact that COVID has had on the mental health of our community and loneliness and social anxiety have risen sharply over the past twelve months.

“Our industry is one of the most affected by mental health issues, so we want everyone in the automotive community to know that while they may feel alone, they aren’t. We are here, ready to help and support them through whatever challenges life may be throwing at them right now and in the future.

“Social anxiety and loneliness can be managed and we have a number of ways we can support people who are struggling, including our new SilverCloud program ‘Space from Social Anxiety. During Mental Health Awareness week, we want to reach out to our automotive family and offer them a helping hand. You don’t have to face loneliness or social anxiety alone.”

To sign up to the SilverCloud Space from Social Anxiety programme, click here or for more hints and tips on how to tackle social anxiety, visit www.ben.org.uk

When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.