AFTER THE GREAT DÉBUT IN QATAR APRILIA SEEKS CONFIRMATION AT TERMAS DE RIO HONDO

The maiden race for the 2017 RS-GP was one to remember, but for Aprilia it is already time to focus on a new challenge. The second race of the 2017 MotoGP season that will be held on the Argentinian Termas de Río Hondo is a new test bench for the progress the Italian bike has demonstrated.

In Qatar, the new RS-GP proved its competitiveness in the race, managing traction and performance, allowing Aleix Espargaró to finish just behind the leaders, taking sixth place after an excellent comeback ride. Performance on the flying lap in qualifying is the situation where riders and mechanics are now seeking further improvement. In the first race, Aleix was the protagonist of impressive progress, but a good position on the starting grid would increase the chances of aiming for an important result.

Therefore, for both of the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders, the Argentinian race represents an important exam. If Aleix's goal is to continue the positive trend begun in Losail, Sam Lowes, a rookie in the category, is expecting a positive weekend after a less than easy début.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"After the good sensations in Qatar, I can't wait to ride in Argentina. It's a track that I really like and I'm always comfortable with my riding style there. I hope to be able to get an optimal set up in race conditions, but at the same time I would like to battle for a good position in QP too."

SAM LOWES
“I am happy to be getting back on the track straight away, especially in Argentina, a circuit that I like and where I was on the podium last year. Qatar was not the début we wanted. The particular conditions certainly did not make my first race an easy one. Next weekend I want to start the right way. As a team we need to take Aleix's good results as a point of reference and continue improving.”

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“In the first race we received important confirmation on our pre-season development efforts. The RS-GP proved to be a well-balanced bike. It will be interesting to put it to the test on a circuit that is very different from Qatar. The characteristics of the Termas track seem to be a good fit both for the character of our bike and for Aleix's riding style. Sam, on the other hand, after "breaking the ice", needs to continue improving. The first day of practice will be a chance to figure out the track conditions. We will be continuing to work in view of the race but with particular attention on qualifying performance. We will try to improve in that situation, exploiting the new tyre as best we can to aim for a good position on the starting grid.”

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
“We are heading to Argentina with good intentions. We are on a positive trend both in technical terms and in terms of morale after the results in Qatar. Aprilia has done a great job. We have a technical package that has demonstrated a clear step forward. We are keeping our feet on the ground, but we are also well aware of our potential. We want to confirm the progress we saw in the first race on a different track now. On paper, the Termas track could suit our project better than Qatar, but as always, we will only be able to verify that once we get out on the track.”

Field-Tested in the Harshest Conditions: New Touratech Skid Plates

Products that cope with tough racing and off-road conditions are certainly fit for everyday use. This is the reason why Touratech tends to test new products in rally and enduro events before putting them on the market. 

Good examples for field-tested accessories are the new “Rallye” and “Rally Extreme” skid plates which combine modern production techniques with a unique design for the best possible protection of the entire engine area. In the toughest test conditions, the “Rally Extreme” version demonstrated its qualities on the Touratech Africa Twin RR, the winning bike in the 2016 Hellas Rallye in Greece.

The unique design of the 4 mm thick aluminium part guarantees effective protection and high stability and gives the bike a sporty, modern look. Thanks to a new deep-draw manufacturing process, there are no disturbing welds, which are often considered to be a vulnerable point. The recesses on the underside provide the shock absorbing and lightweight aluminium with a robust stiffness. And as well as that, the two parallel recesses allow the bike to almost glide over obstacles. This way, the energy of the impact is effectively dissipated, preventing jamming or snagging.

The “Rallye” skid plate is available in anodized black and bare aluminum finishes for the Honda Africa Twin CRF 1000L and soon also for the BMW R 1200 GS (LC) / Adventure (LC) and the KTM models 1050 Adventure, 1190 Adventure / R und 1290 Super Adventure.
For the Africa Twin Touratech has two sizes; the standard size also works with DCT or standard bikes with crash bars installed while the larger Extreme version for manual transmission bikes has increased coverage area eliminating the need for lower crash bars. It is designed to withstand really tough use with the lowest possible weight.

KMR Kawasaki will have a four man team for the Bennetts Lightweight TT race at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy with Peter Hickman and Danny Webb joining Lee Johnston and Hudson Kennaugh in Ryan Farquhar’s team.

The quartet will all ride identically-prepared ER6 650cc Kawasaki’s in the four-lap race as triple TT winner Farquhar goes all out to claim victory in the race he won himself back in 2012.

Hickman will be making his debut in the race having withdrawn last year after being scheduled to ride the John Burrows BEE Cookstown Kawasaki and will be among the pre-race favourites as will team-mate Johnston. He previously rode for Farquhar’s team at the 2015 Isle of Man TT and, after lapping at close to 119mph, was lying in a podium position before retiring on the final lap.

Webb will be making his fourth successive appearance in the race - all of which have been for Farquhar’s team. His debut in 2014 saw him finish in a credible 14th place and he went quicker still in 2015, lapping in excess of 115mph on his way to claiming an excellent tenth place and his first silver replica.

South African Kennaugh competed in the Bennetts Lightweight TT race in 2015 where he was running on the edge of the top ten before a spill at Braddan Bridge in the closing stages ended his race.

With Johnston and Hickman expected to be challenging for the race win and Webb and Kennaugh strong candidates for top ten positions, it promises to be an exciting race for KMR Kawasaki and while Farquhar is naturally disappointed not to be riding himself, he’s excited about his team’s prospects.

Poole’s premier weekly motorcycle event Dream Machines has been saved for the full 26 week April-end of September season and will start on 4 April 2017 thanks to support from Poole Quay businesses.

Following the announcement that the event would be limited to 18 weeks from May-end August because not enough people had come forward as Volunteer Marshals, Poole Quay businesses including The Lord Nelson, Poole Quay Fish & Chips Kiosk and Quayside Emporium have rallied a new group of volunteers to help support the event.

The new Volunteer Marshals will be providing support particularly in April and September, the two months the event was due to lose. 

With Poole Tourism providing paid Marshals from May to end of August, the support of the new Volunteer Marshals will ensure the event can now run safely for a full season in 2017.

Graham Richardson, Poole Tourism Manager, said; “Huge thanks go to the Poole Quay businesses for working to make this happen. With them providing support through their volunteers to cover for the months of April and September it means that riders will now be able to enjoy the full 26 weeks of Dream Machines as usual.The event could not happen without them and we hope that riders will come out and show their thanks and support for Volunteer Marshals, the Quay businesses and the event.”

The aim is that with the help of the new volunteers, Poole Dream Machines will again have a passionate and committed group of Volunteer Marshals who are willing and able to support the event in future years. 

Leigh Whittall, owner of the Fish and Chips Kiosk, said; “Dream Machines is a really important event for Poole Quay and the businesses operating there. It is part of Poole’s heritage and is vital to keep businesses and facilities open for everyone to use.  It is fantastic that people are now showing their support but we are on the look out for more, as with a bigger pool of volunteers it makes it more manageable for people to be involved.”

Graham Richardson,said; “Whilst it’s great that the event will now take place for 2017, it’s really important that more volunteers, especially riders who enjoy the event, get involved and make the effort to support it.  If people don’t we could be in be in this position again next year or in danger of losing it altogether.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer can contact The Lord Nelson , the Fish and Chip Kiosk and Quayside Emporium or email: [email protected]

Season armbands are on sale now costing £8, at the same price, now for the 26 week season and are available from Poole Tourist Information Centre, based in Poole Museum or from The Lord Nelson, the Fish and Chip Kiosk and Quayside Emporium.

9th April 2017
Roughleys Easter Egg Run

Leaving Tesco in Portwood and riding to Together Trust in Cheadle to deliver Easter Eggs. Route is learner friendly and all Bikes, Scooters and Trikes are more than welcome. If you cannot manage to come on the run with us, come down and see us off. P.S. Don't forget your Easter Eggs for the kids!

venue: Leaving Tesco, Portwood, Stockport, SK1 2BT at 12 noon 
website: www.roughleysbikeshow.com
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9th April 2017
Leicester Egg Run (Charity Ride)

Annual Palm Sunday Egg Run for local charities. Twenty mile bimble through Charnwood Forest. Organised by Christian Motorcyclists Association, East Midlands. Meet as below for a 12 noon ride out.

venue: Meet at 'The Nook' car park in cetre of Anstey, Leicester (just off A46) at 10am to join in morning service at URC Church Anstey Leicestershire. 11am meet at The Nook car park, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7DU. Destination: The Victoria Bikrs Pub, Coalville, Leics. Local Accommodation
price: Bring an egg or donation
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e-mail: [email protected]

9th April 2017
Cork Annual Easter Egg Run

Ride in Co. Cork. Donations of Easter Eggs for Cork City Hospitals Childrens Wards. Donations of Cash to Downs Syndrome Ireland.

venue: Meet at O'Donovan's Great Gas Petrol Station, Leemount Cross, Carrigrohane, Cork, Ireland, leaving at 2:30pm. Heading to Cloghroe, Naad, Banteer, Millstreet, Macroom and on to the Kilumney Inn, Co. Cork for refreshments. 
price: Donations of Easter Eggs and Cash gratefully accepted
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9th April 2017
Annual Squires Easter Egg Run

L plate friendly route from Squires Cafe to Malton, North Yorkshire. Meet from 8am. Leaving Squires at 11am. Fully marshaled. Fancy dress welcome. Proceeds to Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Ryedale Special Families and The Well Project Normanton. Last year there were 900 bikers attending. Let's make this one even bigger! 

venue: Squires Cafe Bar, Newthorpe Lane, Newthorpe, South Milford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 5LX to Malton, North Yorkshire.
price: £5 donation on the day. Easter egg donation optional.
tel: 07906 202655
website: www.squires-cafe.co.uk
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e-mail: [email protected]

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