MCL25, in association with Bikesure Insurance, hits The NEC, Birmingham on Saturday 15 November. Doors open at 10am for nine glorious days of non-stop motorcycling action. As the UK’s largest indoor motorcycle show, it's the ONLY place to see 2026 models from 46 manufacturers under one roof - it's a must have date in your diary. 

But MCL isn't just about new bikes! To mark the  80th anniversary of VE Day, we've joined forces with The National Motorcycle Museum for an epic display of 12 legendary military bikes, from WW1 through to the present day.

From Royal Enfield's incredible 'Flying Flea', to a replica of Steve McQueen's iconic Triumph T100, there's something for everyone. You can even get hands on with a 1939 650cc Norton Big Four Military sidecar and try it out for size - an unforgettable experience!

Of course, there's loads of new stuff to explore too:

• Get hands on - ride the latest bikes in the Elite Riding Zone
• Step into the future - full range of electric bikes to test in our E-Zone
• Fuel your adrenaline - jaw dropping Moto Action Shows to watch
• Take a breather - chill out in the Live Lounge, Amplified by Yamaha

Make your visit to MCL a day remember - with heritage, interactive displays and new-bikes, we’ve got it all!

FERMIN ALDEGUER #54
“I must say that missing out on a win on the last lap hurts, but we must be happy with this result. Honestly, we knew Marco Bezzecchi was quicker than us, but with his mistake at the start we found ourselves in the right place at the right time. I could almost taste victory, but I’m happy: we’ll try to score another good result tomorrow.”

ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“It was a positive day, despite the mistake towards the end of Q2. We didn’t change the bike for the Sprint, even though I’m struggling quite a bit at the front-end: having said that, fourth place is a good result. We need to remain calm and make a good tyre choice for tomorrow’s race.”
*Crashed in Q2 at turn 13

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling for renewed focus and shared responsibility among all road users, after newly released government figures revealed an 8%1 rise in motorcycle fatalities on Britain’s roads in 2024. 

While it is encouraging to note small decreases in car occupant and cyclist deaths, these gains are overshadowed by the increase in lives lost among motorcyclists. GEM warns that current efforts in road safety are not sufficient and that the comprehensive national strategy, long promised by government, is now urgently required. 

Motorcyclists remain among the most at-risk groups on the road, facing disproportionately high risks compared with other modes of transport. The rise in deaths highlights the pressing need for better awareness among car drivers, improved training both for riders and motorists, and robust action to help everyone make better decisions on journeys.

James Luckhurst, GEM’s head of road safety, said: “This increase in motorcycle fatalities should serve as a wake-up call, while the 1% reduction in overall road casualties is still not good enough. This is why we are looking to the national government to step up, show strong leadership and share its long-awaited strategy… without delay.

“We also need commitment from individuals. Reducing road casualties is everyone’s responsibility; we all have the opportunity to play our part, whether as drivers, cyclists, pedestrians or passengers. By driving at safe speeds, avoiding distractions, wearing seatbelts and showing courtesy to other road users, we are contributing to safer roads and helping to protect the lives of those around us.”

GEM urges everyone look out for each other, reduce risks where possible and to use the roads with care, courtesy and concentration – the same principles identified when the organisation was founded in 1932.

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American Kevin Vermaerke has signed a two-year contract with Emirates-XRG, the world’s number one squad. The rider hasn’t yet won a professional race, but finished third (twice) and most recently sixth in the Arctic Race of Norway. What does the new signing mean for the world’s best team, and what does it mean for Vermaerke?

Number one team  

UAE Team Emirates-XRG are undoubtedly the top team in the world right now. Their 2024 season was one of the most dominant in cycling history. True to form, UAE are having another extraordinary year in 2025 and closing in on more history. The team is always at the top of the odds at online sports betting UK sites and their recent results and continued historic performances – underpinned by consistency – will continue that trend, let alone with new, talented additions to the team.

They’ve already equalled their own record of 20 different riders winning a race. Pogačar, as to be expected after his historic 2024, has won the most races. Spaniard Juan Ayuso is among the favourites for the autumn events, including his home race Vuelta a España, and teammate João Almeida will be another to watch. 

CEO and team principal, Mauro Gianetti, said they were glad to welcome a versatile rider who had a proven track record at the highest level. Gianetti said Vermaerke would compete both in day races and stage races. 

Adding a rider like Vermaerke is an example of their strategy. UAE combines global stars with younger talents who can develop in the environment of the best squad. Like the most successful teams in any sport, they balance short-term results with long-term planning. When a leader fades or retires, there’s a rider ready to step up. 

Vermaerke isn’t a household name yet, but he fits the blueprint of a rider capable of big results under the right circumstances. The signing is another calculated step to make sure their reign at the top continues. 

Vermaerke’s career so far

Vermaerke will have a chance to learn from Tadej Pogačar at his new team. Pogačar won the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2025. 

The rider has been with Team DSM for the last five seasons, since turning professional. He won the U23 version of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and raced for the US in the World Championships early in his career. Vermaerke said he had grown over the last few years and was expecting to reach a new level with the athletes around him and the attention to detail in the UAE team. 

In a 2021 interview, Vermaerke said his hero was Chris Froome, whose mentality Vermaerke admired. The young cyclist said that Liège-Bastogne-Liège was his best result to date and the race that brought him the most attention. 

He described himself as more of an all-rounder than a pure climber. He said that even when he’s unwinding, he’s focused on cycling. Vermaerke enjoys watching films and talking to friends back in the US. He was involved in one of the major crashes in the 2023 Tour de France; a spectator appeared to stick their arm out when the peloton was riding through a narrow part of road. 

The move will be more than just a change of jersey. At Team DSM, he was often tasked with supporting leaders and rarely had the freedom to chase his own opportunities. At UAE Team Emirates-XRG, he’ll initially serve as a key domestique. But the structure of the team and their broad race calendar could allow him to seek leadership roles in smaller stage races or week-long tours.

The new environment might allow him to transform his promise into breakthrough results. A rider who can finish in the top ten on general classification at races like the Tour de Pologne or the Tour de Suisse could gain more importance in the squad.

Image under the Unsplash License

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