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Jorge Martin has been cleared by MotoGP’s medical director to get back on his Aprilia for a one-day test. The reigning champion, who has not raced since Qatar, won’t feature at the German Grand Prix. His first competitive appearance of the season might only come the week after.
German GP Odds Placed Him Among the Favourites
Before confirmation came that he’d miss Sachsenring, Martin’s odds to win there were sitting at 7/4 at various online bookmakers not on Gamstop that offer extensive betting markets, competitive odds, and enticing promotional offers. Only Francesco Bagnaia had shorter odds, while Pedro Acosta’s line floated just behind. It said a lot about how oddsmakers viewed Martin’s ability to rebound fast, and it underlined how close he’d come to making a proper return.
For a rider recovering from cracked ribs and a healing scaphoid, 7/4 showed more than optimism, it signalled faith in what he could still do on a bike. Many expected a push for the title, or at least a string of strong performances starting in Germany. Now, the earliest he can do that is Brno.
Martin’s Season So Far
Martin’s 2025 has been disjointed and opened the podium for other contenders. In Qatar, the only race he has ridden so far, he crashed and was run over by Fabio di Giannantonio. He’d already been nursing an injured wrist before that. The crash left him hospitalised in Doha, with rib fractures and renewed damage to his scaphoid. It was only after weeks back in Europe that recovery began to take shape.
A recent update from Dr Xavier Mir pointed to solid progress in the wrist. Movement was almost back to normal, but the bone itself hadn’t fully set. As for the ribs, MotoGP medical director Angel Charte confirmed that most fractures were healing well, though not yet fully fused.
The clearance for Martin to ride again doesn’t mean a return to racing just yet. The current MotoGP rules, which changed earlier this season, allow a test session specifically for riders recovering from long-term injury. That’s what Martin’s been cleared for. Just a single day, on a limited tyre allocation, to see how much pain he’s in and how far he’s come.
It’s worth remembering that the test is meant to be a stepping stone, not a comeback race. The number of tyres allowed is restricted to three sets. No full race simulation, no pushing to the limit. Just a controlled session to measure movement, comfort, and stability on the bike.
Aprilia Holding Back, For Now
The call now sits with Aprilia. Despite having the go-ahead from MotoGP’s top medical figure, the team has said they won’t confirm the Misano test until another round of medical checks is completed next week. They’ve not committed to anything yet, which lines up with the cautious stance they’ve taken since Qatar.
Some of that caution may come from elsewhere. Martin’s current contract situation remains unresolved. His status with the team is still unclear heading into 2026, and it’s no secret that there have been complications behind the scenes. Aprilia backing the new injury test rule made sense when it was first proposed, but that doesn’t mean they’ll rush into using it now.
Key points on the situation:
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Martin has medical clearance for a one-day test, possibly at Misano.
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Aprilia hasn’t confirmed it will go ahead with the session.
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Another medical assessment is scheduled before any final decision.
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Only three sets of tyres are permitted under the new regulation.
The test rule itself is new. It wasn’t on the books before this year. Aprilia had pushed for it ahead of Martin’s attempted comeback in Qatar. At first, rival teams resisted it. Eventually, the rule was adopted in time for the French Grand Prix. Martin is now the first rider to be cleared under it.
The irony is that Aprilia were the ones who lobbied hardest for the rule change, hoping it would help speed up Martin’s return. Now that he qualifies for it, they’re the ones holding back.
His Title Defence Has Faded
With five races already gone and at least one more to miss, the championship picture is no longer realistic for Martin. Even with perfect form from Brno onwards, it’s hard to see a way back into contention. The maximum he could have earned from those five events was 125 points. He currently has none.
MotoGP’s 2025 calendar runs for 20 rounds. The title isn’t mathematically gone, but it’s as good as. Bagnaia has passed the 100-point mark already. Others like Acosta and Bastianini are stacking up consistent finishes. Martin can still win races, but the idea of a full title defence is out the window.
That might actually work in his favour. Without pressure, he can focus on getting fit, riding freely, and proving to future employers that he’s still fast. Whether Aprilia wants to keep him or not, Martin’s next contract will depend on what he shows in the second half of the year.
For now, there’s little point in chasing a championship that’s already slipping away. The priority is simply getting back on the bike and building rhythm again.
Possible Brno Return, If Test Goes Well
If Aprilia goes ahead with the Misano test and if Martin completes it without setbacks, the Czech Grand Prix becomes the likely target for a return. That event falls one week after Germany. It’s also a track where Martin has been strong in the past, and one that could suit his rhythm if his body holds up.
A return there would give him half a season to build momentum, not for the championship, but for his next contract, his reputation, and whatever team he lines up with in 2026. All of that depends on Misano first, then on Aprilia saying yes.
Photo by Olav Tvedt on Unsplash
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Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, is offering UK riders the chance to be a part of rock history with a ticket prize draw for ‘Back to the Beginning’ – Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Final Show that will see the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward performing for the first time in over 20 years. 
Taking place on Saturday, 5 July, at Villa Park in Black Sabbath’s hometown of Birmingham, the all-day, all-star event will celebrate Black Sabbath’s outstanding musical legacy with sets from iconic bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon, as well as a supergroup of famous musicians from across the world.
Indian Motorcycle are delighted to offer a pair of Gold Standing Tickets worth £1,200. The best in the venue, these tickets are front section, prime position, right by the stage. The ultimate way to experience Black Sabbath’s final ever live performance.
Indian Motorcycle is delighted to offer a pair of Gold Standing Tickets worth £1,200. The best in the venue, these tickets are in the front section, prime position, right by the stage—the ultimate way to experience Black Sabbath’s final-ever live performance.
With the event selling out in minutes, the ticket prize draw is an incredible opportunity to attend one of the most significant live music events of the decade where Ozzy Osbourne will perform a short solo set before joining Black Sabbath for his final bow.
For full terms & conditions and details on how to enter, UK riders simply need to visit the link below before midnight, Sunday, 29 June 2025:
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It’s never too late to take that life-changing trip - and this Spring, Orange & Black Motorcycle Tours supported 92-year-old Jean Scott to do just that. Jean got in touch with us in April with a dream of discovering the iconic Route 66 by motorcycle and experiencing a life-changing trip, not just for her, but for those in need of vital air ambulance services. Fast-forward to June, and Jean swapped her local Somerset coast for the California Coast, taking to the road with our legendary tour guide and Route 66 expert Gary “Bear” Fleshman on the back of his Harley-Davidson Road Glide for her bucket list adventure.
Gary says “We don’t usually offer pillion only rides, but we’re all for people finding their freedom through riding and we wanted to help Jean experience that after she got the bug in her youth. Next year Route 66, or the “Mother Road” as it’s commonly known celebrates its centennial, so we thought it only fitting that Jean come along for the ride and get a jump on hitting her own centennial milestones.”
Starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica, Jean explored historic landmarks and sights including the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Route 66 Museum and Grand Canyon, covering 2700 miles, 13 days of riding, 8 states and battling all weathers. Jean can well and truly say that’s one adventure ticked off her bucket list.
Jean says of her trip “The whole experience has been full of highlights. I think my favourite places to visit have been Kansas and Oklahoma as I’ve heard a lot about them but had never been before; and the Grand Canyon – that was breathtaking.”
Jean’s inspirational road trip of a lifetime has also made a mark on Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, who she is currently raising money for. The registered charity provides vital services for the local community and is one of the UK’s 21 air ambulance charities that form part of the fleet of 37 helicopters. Collectively, the charities make over 126 lifesaving missions a day and play a pivotal role in supporting emergency treatment of patients within their communities, not least motorcyclists.
Dave Marsh, Sales and Operations Manager at Orange & Black says, “We pride ourselves on helping customers create their dream trip and Jean is a great reminder that it’s never too late to make those dreams a reality. It’s brilliant to see that this trip has not only changed her life, but those of the people in both her local community, and the wider biking community.”
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If you enjoy the excitement of motorbike racing or you ride a bike, you might be interested in learning how to bet on MotoGP and Superbike events. This beginners' guide will help you grasp the fundamentals of these fascinating sports and how to bet on them safely and smartly.
Understanding MotoGP and Superbikes 
MotoGP is the top class of motorcycle road racing in the world. It features the fastest motorcycles and the most talented riders competing on circuits the world over. There are various classes, such as Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP, which is the highest division. Additionally, there is MotoE for electric motorcycles.
Conversely, superbike racing calls for modified production motorcycles. Despite their specific tuning for racing, these bikes bear a closer resemblance to everyday motorcycles. The main series for this kind of racing is the World Superbike Championship. MotoGP and Superbikes attract millions of enthusiasts worldwide and offer exciting, fast competition.
Betting Strategies for Motorcycle Competition
Betting on motorcycle racing is wagering on the results of races or championships. During a race, you can wager on who will finish on the podium, who will win a race, or other particular events. Points in MotoGP go to the top 15 finishers in every race. The winner earns 25 points; second place earns 20, third place 16, and so on, down to one point for 15th place. Over the season, these points sum up to pick the overall champion.
Selecting the Right MotoGP Betting Websites
You have to find reliable and regulated MotoGP betting sites before beginning your betting. Among the several betting markets these sites provide are live betting during the race, podium finishes, and absolute winners. To improve your experience, they offer competitive odds, user-friendly interfaces, cashouts and live betting, among others.
Choose a betting site based on license, security, and strong customer service. Check also whether they offer thorough statistics and professional analysis to guide your bets.
Advice for Newcomers in Motorcycle Racing Betting
• Discover the teams and riders: Understanding the strengths, shortcomings, and recent riding performance will help you make better winning bets.
• Understand the race conditions: Weather, track design, and bike technologies can impact race results.
• Start modest: Start with low stakes to experience how betting operates before risking more.
• Use live betting: Many websites let you make strategic bets as the race runs on.
• Track your bankroll. Consider establishing a betting budget and adhering to it to avoid incurring losses beyond your means.
Last Notes: Motorcycle Racing Technology and How It Affects Bettors
Thanks to new technologies like 3D printing, the realm of motorcycle racing is fast changing. Teams like Ducati Lenovo have partnered with businesses like Roboze to 3D print critical bike parts,
including fairings and heat shields. Modern materials like PEEK and carbon fibre—which help to make the bikes lighter and stronger—are used in these components. Teams can produce parts faster and with more accuracy using this technology than with conventional approaches.
These technical developments impact race results and betting decisions; thus, they are more than just interesting developments for bettors. Lighter and more efficient bikes can help a rider perform better, especially on some tracks or in particular weather. Knowing which teams employ innovative technologies like 3D printed components can give bettors an advantage in selecting whom to support.
Thus, the emergence of 3D-printed electric motorcycles and advanced materials is not only determining the course of racing but also how spectators and bettors interact with the sport. Keeping current with these developments will enable you to enjoy the sport even more and make better betting decisions.
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- Challenger brands from China were at a proportionally higher risk of motorcycle theft than established makes during 2024
- Analysis of DVLA data compares reported thefts with registered bikes to assess each model’s relative risk of being stolen
- 1-in-8 owners of Tianying bikes were the victim of theft in 2024
- Honda PCX the most stolen overall, but Honda SH350 statistically more likely to go missing, with 1-in-9 examples stolen last year
- Suzuki, Kawasaki and Triumph the volume brands least likely to be stolen
- BSA the least stolen brand overall, with just 1-in-3217 reported missing
- Triumph Rocket III, the world’s largest-capacity production motorcycle, is proportionally the least stolen bike in the UK
Challenger motorcycle brands entering the market from China and elsewhere were at a proportionally higher risk of being stolen last year than more established makes, analysis of DVLA data has shown. By contrast, owners of large-capacity and classic bikes were statistically the least likely to fall victim to motorcycle theft, with the Triumph Rocket III – once the world’s largest-capacity motorcycle – proportionally the least stolen bike in the UK.
The Honda PCX (WW125) was the UK’s most stolen motorcycle of 2024, with 1,866 thefts reported to the DVLA. In fact, more Hondas were stolen last year than any other brand, with 6,573 thefts recorded – 50% more than second-placed Yamaha. However, Honda is by far the most popular brand with British bikers, with more than 550,000 in the country.
Riders of high-performance machinery such as Honda Fireblades and Yamaha R1s may feel more of a target given their sky-high insurance premiums, but in reality the top ten most stolen bikes are nearly all A1 licence-friendly 125cc models.
“Motorcycle thieves continue to target scooters and 125s far more than high-performance sports bikes,” said Alex Kefford, Head of Editorial at automotive PR agency loop. “The Honda PCX may be unlucky to find itself at the top of the charts, but then it is Britain’s fourth most-popular bike*. When we look at the figures in proportion, a very different picture emerges.”
Challenger brands proportionally most likely to be stolen
By assessing thefts as a proportion of the number of each make on our roads, it’s the challenger brands that left their owners facing a greater risk of having their bike stolen. Honda drops from 1st to 36th place as popular new entrants such as Lexmoto and Sinnis rank above it. Tianying is a relatively unknown name on these shores, but worryingly 1-in-8 of their bikes were stolen in the last year alone.
Three Honda models most at risk
At the individual model level, the top 10 motorcycles proportionally most at risk include three bikes from Honda. Topping this list is the Honda SH350 with 1-in-9 examples stolen last year, followed by budget-friendly scooters such as the Sinnis Connect, Keeway Cityblade and Motorini SXi – all of which are available for around £2,000.
“Owners of these bikes might think their low price makes them less of a target in comparison to more exotic machinery. However, the evidence suggests they are the most at risk of becoming an unfortunate statistic. Their light weight and twist-and-go convenience makes them popular with commuters, but also makes them easy to hustle away or lift into the back of a van.”
Triumph, Kawasaki, and Suzuki the volume brands least likely to be stolen
At the opposite end of the scale, Triumph, Kawasaki and Suzuki were the volume brands least likely to subject their owners to the anguish of opening the garage door to find an empty space where their bike used to be. In fact, despite being the third most popular brand in the UK with nearly 263,000 on our roads, Suzuki owners faced only a 1-in-284 chance of having their bike nicked last year, versus 1-in-84 for Honda. Triumph fared even better, with only 1-in-480 bikes stolen.
“This is perhaps more due to the bikes that each brand typically sells, rather than the result of any specific security measures. For instance, Honda offers a broad range of scooters and 125s, with the PCX being a big seller. By comparison, Triumph thrives in the adventure bike market with their Tiger range, while Suzuki and Kawasaki both predominantly sell 600-1000cc bikes that are less popular with motorcycle thieves.”
World’s largest capacity bike also the least stolen
Our analysis confirms this, with large-capacity bikes left relatively untroubled by the criminal fraternity. As if to underline this point, the Triumph Rocket III – featuring the world’s largest production motorcycle engine until Triumph usurped it with the Rocket 3 – finds itself the holder of another record, this time as the proportionally least stolen bike in the UK.
Classic motorcycles are also largely untargeted by bike thieves, with Royal Enfield and Lambretta featuring highly on the list of infrequently-stolen marques. BSA takes the prize for the least stolen brand overall, with only 1-in-3217 reported missing last year.
“Go big or go old seems to be the advice if you want a bike that stands a good chance of still being where you left it when you return.”
“That said, there are plenty of bikes that weren’t stolen at all last year and therefore don’t make it into these figures, despite being incredibly popular. Top of that list is the Kawasaki ZX750, of which there are nearly 5,000 in the UK, yet none were reported stolen last year. The XL650 Transalp was Honda’s most theft-resistant bike of 2024, while Harley-Davidson has more zero-theft models than anyone else. When it comes to security, bigger really is better.”
| Most stolen motorcycles of 2024 |
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| HONDA PCX (WW 125) |
1,866 |
| YAMAHA GPD 125 |
1,222 |
| HONDA NSC 110 |
933 |
| HONDA SH 125 |
429 |
| HONDA CBF 125 |
398 |
| YAMAHA MT-07 |
253 |
| YAMAHA YBR 125 |
247 |
| YAMAHA MT 125 |
240 |
| KTM 125 DUKE |
229 |
| SYM JET |
211 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Most stolen motorcycle brands of 2024 |
| HONDA |
6,573 |
| YAMAHA |
4,332 |
| LEXMOTO |
1,313 |
| SUZUKI |
923 |
| KTM |
885 |
| BMW |
253 |
| PIAGGIO |
592 |
| KAWASAKI |
553 |
| SYM |
533 |
| TRIUMPH |
439 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally most stolen brands |
| TIANYING |
1-in-8 |
| JIAJUE |
1-in-18 |
| MGB |
1-in-20 |
| TALARIA |
1-in-24 |
| SUR-RON |
1-in-28 |
| SINNIS |
1-in-31 |
| MOTORINI |
1-in-31 |
| ASKOLL |
1-in-32 |
| ZHONGNENG |
1-in-32 |
| NECO |
1-in-35 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally least stolen brands |
| SUZUKI |
1-in-284 |
| GILERA |
1-in-359 |
| ROYAL ENFIELD |
1-in-374 |
| KAWASAKI |
1-in-376 |
| DUCATI |
1-in-418 |
| TRIUMPH |
1-in-480 |
| LAMBRETTA |
1-in-1052 |
| HARLEY-DAVIDSON |
1-in-1537 |
| MOTO GUZZI |
1-in-1673 |
| BSA |
1-in-3217 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally most stolen models |
| HONDA SH 350 |
1-in-9 |
| KYMCO DOWNTOWN 125 |
1-in-11 |
| SINNIS CONNECT |
1-in-11 |
| KEEWAY CITYBLADE |
1-in-12 |
| HONDA ANC 125 |
1-in-12 |
| SINNIS AKUMA |
1-in-12 |
| YAMAHA XP 560 |
1-in-12 |
| SINNIS MATRIX |
1-in-14 |
| HONDA PCX (WW 125) |
1-in-14 |
| MOTORINI SXI |
1-in-15 |
| Source: loop analysis of DVLA data |
| Proportionally least stolen models |
| HONDA CB 1300 |
1-in-876 |
| SUZUKI GSX 1400 |
1-in-877 |
| HONDA CBR 1100 |
1-in-939 |
| KAWASAKI ZX 1400 |
1-in-983 |
| KAWASAKI VN 900 |
1-in-999 |
| HONDA VTR 1000 |
1-in-1006 |
| TRIUMPH THRUXTON |
1-in-1018 |
| HONDA VFR 750 |
1-in-1059 |
| BMW R 1200 RT |
1-in-1219 |
| TRIUMPH ROCKET III |
1-in-1569 |
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Source: loop analysis of DVLA data
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