MAVERICK VINALES WILL MAKE HIS DEBUT ON THE APRILIA RS-GP AT MISANO

TWO-DAY TEST FOR THE SPANISH RIDER ON 31 AUGUST - 1 SEPTEMBER

Maverick Vinales' debut on the Aprilia RS-GP will take place on the Italian track at Misano Adriatico. The first contact between the Spanish rider and the Italian team is scheduled for two days of testing on 31 August - 1 September.

This marks the start of Maverick's integration into the new structure that will accompany him throughout the 2022 season, a gradual approach to the improved harmony that is essential in such an extraordinary championship as modern MotoGP.

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING TECHNICAL MANAGER
"From a technical point of view, it is always fascinating to listen to the impressions of a rider who is testing your bike for the first time. Especially with a champion like Maverick, who we are pleased to welcome into the Aprilia Racing family. After the great work carried out on the track by the racing department over the last two years, we are adding yet another piece to the path of growth that we are undertaking with encouraging results. Clearly the first approach involves a very practical adaptation phase, in terms of ergonomics and setup, which we know vary for each rider. But I'm sure that Maverick's talent and speed will come to the fore right away and I can't wait to start working together".

72.2% of drivers consider changing their vehicle as ULEZ expansion looms

Bikesure; the specialist motorbike insurance broker’s recent survey of Londoners found that a majority will change the way they travel when the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion takes place later this year. With motorbike sales recovering in the UK, (in May 2021 sales are up 40.3% vs the 2020*) it is no surprise that 84% of people will continue to ride in the ULEZ following its expansion in October 2021.

Bikesure have published their ULEZ 2021 Report tracking opinion change over three consecutive years towards the ULEZ and the alternative modes of transport favoured by commuters. This year 18.6% are set to choose two wheels over four with 9.3% of them favouring an eclectic or low-emission motorbike, moped or scooter over any other vehicle type.

Londoners to go green on two wheels

Although a majority of Londoners will continue to ride in the ULEZ following its expansion, commuters are giving new consideration to the benefits of switching to EVs. The ULEZ expansion has accelerated a majority of Londoners' intentions to buy an EV (73.4%) as those who join the green transport revolution can anticipate lower running costs as well as making a positive impact on the environment. Encouragingly, only 13.5% of people are planning to stick with petrol vehicles.

Those set to switch to greener alternatives such as an EV or an electric scooter or motorbike can anticipate saving on the £12.50 daily charge for older and more polluting vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) that continue to drive within the newly expanded ultra low emission zone.

ULEZ vs. CAZ’s

While sentiments remain positive about the impact of the ULEZ, with its expansion looming, commuter approvals have slightly decreased as almost 4 million people are set to be impacted. This year, 40.3% of respondents felt it was a good idea, compared to 44.9% in 2020.

There has also been a decrease in the amount of people who understood the reasons behind the ULEZ expansion, but couldn’t help but feel frustrated by it. This year, 37.5% approve of the ULEZ expansion but are frustrated by its impact on their lives, down on 43.2% surveyed in 2020.

Encouragingly, 37.4% feel the introduction of Clean Air Zones across several major UK cities is a positive thing for the country. While some scepticism remains, the verdicts are very similar, with again the vast majority (66.1%) hold positive sentiment for the introduction of CAZs.

“After a tough start to the year for the motorcycle industry, it is encouraging to see a positive increase in those not just considering switching their form of transport to motorbikes, but also considering electric alternatives” says Rob Balls, Underwriting Manager at Bikesure.

Read Bikesure’s ULEZ 2021 report here

These findings were sourced from a survey of 1,000 nat rep from 14 - 21 June 2021.

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MOTOGP RETURNS TO SILVERSTONE

ESPARGARO': "I HAVE MISSED THIS CIRCUIT"

SAVADORI: "TOMORROW THE DOCTORS' OK, THE GOAL IS TO RACE"

After a year of forced absence, MotoGP returns to the iconic English circuit of Silverstone. Fast, technical and fascinating, the track in the East Midlands is an excellent test bench to confirm the qualities of the new Aprilia RS-GP. The riders also appreciate the layout of Silverstone, unanimously considered a circuit as challenging as it is engaging.

In the Aprilia box alongside Aleix Espargaro' will be the return of Lorenzo Savadori, absent from the second Austrian round after a bad crash the previous weekend. The operation on his right malleolus has been successfully completed, now the rider is waiting for the doctors' approval (expected tomorrow morning) to get back on the bike.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"I have missed Silverstone. It's a long and technical track, where you can really exploit the performance of the MotoGP bike. The last time we raced there I was pretty competitive in the race and I also think it suits the characteristics of the RS-GP well, so I'm looking forward to getting back on track."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"I don't know Silvesrtone well, I haven't raced there since 2013, but it's a fast and very nice circuit. The injury is quite recent, tomorrow I'll undergo a check to verify the situation and receive authorization to race. I can't wait to get back on the bike and see how the ankle reacts, both in terms of strength and pain. I'll have to grit my teeth but I'm ready for the weekend".

Motorcycle enthusiasts Mark 'Spoons' Witherspoon and Dave 'Woolie' Newsome took to the stage dressed as princesses Elsa and Anna from Frozen last weekend in front of a crowd of over 100 bikers after making a bet to raise £350 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.   

Spoons and Woolie “Let it Go” on 21st August 2021 – Woolie’s birthday – at GEMCC Sapphire & Steel motorcycle rally at the Sloop Inn, Temple Hirst, Selby.

Spoons was a Lance Corporal in the Fusiliers for nine years, taking in two tours including Northern Ireland and Bosnia. Woolie is a long-term supporter of the Armed Forces community and runs Team Sober MCC, which has raised funds for SSAFA over the last few years.

The duo said: “We agreed that if we raised £350 for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, we would dress as female princesses. The community has now raised £460 meaning we have to go ahead with our challenge!” 

As well as raising a few eyebrows, the intrepid pair has now raised more than £755 for SSAFA with their Frozen inspired onstage exploits.

Their friend, Paul Auduchowitsch, said: “We have purchased the dresses, wands and tiaras for the two of them. SSAFA has kindly provided a pretty sash for the pair of them too!” 

Donations are still being accepted, and If you would like to contribute, click here: justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-auduchowitsch2 

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. In 2020, our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 79,000 people in need, from Second World War veterans to young men and women who have served in more recent conflicts, and their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us. 

ssafa.org.uk 

Ace Cafe London is hosting Harley Day from 9am to 5pm on Sunday 29th August.

This special annual all-day occasion at the Ace, a feature now embedded as a must attend fixture on the calendars of thousands of like-minded enthusiasts, sees riders converge throughout the day to enjoy, relish and witness machines from HD, and celebrate the Milwaukee marvel founded in 1903!

As well as it being the 30th anniversary of HOG going international and the 40th anniversary of the sale by AMF to Willie G (with 28,189 machines produced and dealers in 67 countries by 1920), 2021 is also the centennial of both the 74ci V-Twin , and of a record set that same year by Otto Walker on a Harley-Davidson, the first motorcycle to win a race at an average speed greater than 100 mph!

Spanning all HD models, big-twins and Sportsters, classic, modern, and custom, as well as all those specials powered by a Harley motor, fire it up and see you at the Ace!

Harley Davidson