Fourteen teams powered by Honda took part at the Pre-Mans test ahead of the start of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship

F.C.C. TSR Honda France ready to reclaim the FIM EWC title
A significant increase in Honda teams, surpassing last year's entry list by more than double, was observed at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans during the official testing, which lasted two days (April 2-3) ahead of the 24 Heures Motos, which marks the beginning of the 2024 FIM Endurance World Championship from April 18-21.

This considerable increase in Endurance teams selecting the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, highlights the excellent work of the Japanese brand in delivering an extremely competitive and reliable bike tailored for the demand of this endurance championship. Proven on track during the test, with seven of the top 14 times all set on Honda machinery.

The F.C.C. TSR Honda France team, defending winners of last year’s 24 Heures Motos, enters the 2024 EWC season with renewed confidence, thanks to the meticulous winter preparation.

Honda’s endurance specialists Alan Techer, Mike Di Meglio and Josh Hook concluded the two-day test in sixth position overall, amidst cold and wet track conditions. Riding the #5 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, they posted a best lap time of 1:36.636 out of the 42 teams participating in the event, less than one second shy of the quickest team.

On the first day, F.C.C. TSR Honda France were on track only for the initial two hours, when conditions remained dry. With the return of the rain later in the day, the team opted to remain in the pit box during the afternoon session.

On the second day, as the morning session was in damp conditions left by overnight rain, the Honda #5 team chose to wait until the track dried and conducted their tests during the afternoon session and improved their lap-time.

F.C.C. TSR Honda France is very confident and eager to start the new season and fight for its 3rd world title.

Honda Viltaïs Racing conclude two highly successful days of testing demonstrating their dominance as last season's leading independent team by consistently topping the timing sheets on both days and a best lap time of 1:35.679.

The #333 Honda squad comprising Florian Alt, Steven Odendaal, Tati Mercado, and James Westmoreland, confirmed that the team is ready following several winter tests aboard the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, with a clear objective set for each race to secure a podium finish and maintain a position in the top three by the season's end.

In the Superstock category, National Motos Honda also demonstrated good performance. With an unchanged line up from previous seasons, Guillaume Raymond and the Suchet brothers, Sébastien and Valentin, the #55 Fireblade set the second fasted lap time in the SST category.

The Honda teams will now look forward to the opening round of the 2024 EWC season with the prestigious 24 Heures Motos which starts at 3pm local time on Saturday 20 April and finishes at 3pm local time on Sunday 21 April.

Josh Hook 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France

‘’We're a little disappointed with the weather conditions, as we weren't able to achieve the desired lap time when the track dried. Additional dry laps would have been beneficial for us.
However, we know now that we have a base setting that works here and we always find something better during the race day. We always perform when we need to and the team has done an excellent job, we just need to find the setting that all three riders are comfortable and we can be consistent’’

Mike Di Meglio 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France

‘’We tried many things despite this challenging weather forecast so we will have to test a bit more in the race week. At the end we were not so far with the pace but still things to try during the race week.’’

Alan Techer 5
F.C.C. TSR Honda France

‘’During the two days of testing at Le Mans, we have tested many things trying to find setup for the race weekend. Thanks to the team's great job, we are highly confident in starting the season with strong results.’’

The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend at The International Classic MotorCycle Show sponsored by Carole Nash. 

From April 20-21, 2024, the Stafford County Showground will come alive with more than a thousand classic machines, mesmerising club stands, live demonstrations and unbeatable trade deals. This year will also see the return of longstanding classic motorcycle insurer Carole Nash as the headline sponsor. Highlights include the show’s guests 11-time TT champion Phillip McCallen on Saturday and celebrated racer and TV presenter Guy Martin on Sunday.

More than 100 classic bikes will be showcased with a rare 1951 Vincent Black Shadow race bike taking centre stage. Part of the show's appeal is its celebration of true British craftsmanship with names like Cotton, Norton, and Triumph proudly on display. International manufacturers such as Suzuki, Laverda, and BSA add a global flair, ensuring there's something for every motorcycle lover. The event also features a range of competitions, including the prestigious Best in Show award.  

The highly anticipated Bonhams motorcycle auction offers collectors and enthusiasts a chance to acquire unique motorcycles rarely seen on the market. Visitors can also look forward to an exciting performance from Stuntman Steve Colley, as he returns to Stafford after 10 years. 

Leading the celebrations at the club stands this year is the Ducati Owners Club who are marking their 50th anniversary. They are joined by dozens of other passionate clubs hosting a celebration of one kind or another. 

With the show just days away, the excitement is palpable for both motorcycle enthusiasts and collectors alike. Keep up to date by visiting www.classicbikeshows.com 

Saturday 20th April

Record Store Day is a day for the people who make up the world of the record shop - the staff, the customers, the artists, the labels - to come together and honour the special role they have in communities. In the UK, over 270 shops participate in every corner of the country.

While there's only one Record Store Day a year, organisers work hard throughout the year to shine a light on all the amazing people in record shops and the special and exclusive releases artists and labels create to support them.

As a part of this unique culture, Ace Cafe London celebrates the link established in the 1950’s between a jukebox playing rock n’ roll and personal transport. For young Brit kids this was a motorbike, and the Ace Cafe was home to these new machines and their soundtracks – the Ton Up kids and the cafe racer had arrived!
Love it live & treasure it forever, on vinyl!

Listen, revel and be immersed in a mix of the best rock and roll and rockabilly, blended with the London sub-culture sounds, broadcasting 24/7 on online radio and social media.
 
See you at the Ace!

There’s little doubt that Duncan Gough is an expert in the Iberian Peninsula and with that comes a wealth of experience he passes on to fellow travellers through a series of beautifully illustrated books and guides. The latest offering, a revised second edition, from Gough is Back Road Campsites Of Spain, and like the name suggests is a brilliant accompaniment to any traveller wishing to moto camp throughout Spain.

Gough has put together a selection of his favourite camp spots that take in the entire nation, all include detailed information regarding the site, costs, amenities, location, and more. As is the norm with all of Gough’s books, Back Road Campsites Of Spain is beautifully craſted, professionally written and highlighted by Gough’s own water-coloured sketches, all with a level of detail that many larger publishing houses could learn from, as it shows that Gough has a long and deep love affair with the Iberian Peninsula, its people, cultures, and landscapes.  

An aspect we like with Back Road Campsites Of Spain is the detailed list of wildlife to look for as well as identifying bird species with detailed silhouettes to look for, again drawn by Gough. If you are planning a ride through Spain, and/or Portugal, then getting your hands on any of Gough’s books wouldn’t be a bad place to start. It doesn’t matter if you are on two wheels or more, these books are the perfect accompaniment, especially Back Road Campsites Of Spain.

TRAVERSE MAGAZINE REVIEW ISSUE 41

www.traverse-magazine.com

It was a spectacular Sunday the one witnessed by Team Gresini MotoGP at Austin, especially with Marc Marquez. Together with Acosta and Martin, he starred in one of the most exciting Grand Prix of the season – and beyond. Not all movies have a happy ending, however, and surely not this one: after ten laps, while leading the race, the #93 crashed under braking, losing the lead and the (virtual) second place in the standings. It was still an incredible performance for the Spaniard at his favourite track, as he secured a front-row start before finishing on the podium in the sprint race, with a big regret on the full distance. 
 
The bad luck does not end here, however, as Alex Marquez was forced to an early retirement following a crash moments before his brother’s tumble. The #73 showed great speed at CoTA and rode well up to eighth place. But that was one of those days for him, too. The MotoGP action will resume in Europe with the hope that the local venue will bring something better.