Prominent MotoGP team Gresini Racing, in partnership with MotoGP Guru and Animoca Brands’ subsidiary SPORTPASS, today launched the first-ever fan powered sponsorship program. The program will enable MotoGP fans to purchase and own an exclusive personal team sponsorship package — all for as little as €125.
 
“This is a world-first in sports; we have worked with Gresini Racing to bring the fans even closer to the team and the riders they support, and do so using the latest technology to provide the security of ownership and value,” said SPORTPASS CEO Jordan Fogerty. “We hope that the SPORTPASS platform and the value it provides to fans will prove to be a turning point in the way teams and riders connect with fans as well as the brand partners, which are pivotal to enhancing fan experiences.”

The new program offers fans a number of exclusive benefits money can’t buy, such as VIP Paddock Experiences at the Grands Prix of 2024, name placement on the bikes, and being invited to exclusive events, zoom calls with the team members, special custom merchandise, and a chance to win Ducati Panigale V4S, a highly customized official test bike used by the Gresini Racing’s riders Marc and Alex Marquez. Fan sponsors will also get to own exclusive digital passes, collectibles, invitations, and credentials, as well as access to other exclusive sponsor-only content.
 
Gresini Racing has recently risen to international fame after the team signed eighth-time world champion Marc Marquez, who joined his brother Alex to compete in the 2024 MotoGP World Championship on the Ducati Desmosedici GP23. The anticipation of the satellite teams’ performance and Marc’s early season podium success, along with his massive following, have shone a spotlight on Gresini Racing, and they have wasted no time bringing a world-first initiative to MotoGP aficionados.

“We have always had an incredibly loyal fan base not only of the team but the many riders who have achieved success in our championship projects. We could not be happier to be the first team to ever allow actual fans to become sponsors and make this available globally,”.added Carlo Merlini, Commercial & Marketing Director of Gresini Racing. “We look forward to innovating and engaging in new and exciting ways.”

These sponsorship experiences were brought to life by SPORTPASS and MotoGP Guru, which also produces and publishes the official MotoGP Prediction Game and the officially licensed mobile racing game MotoGP Guru Racing ‘24. MotoGP Guru is also part of another Animoca subsidiary, The Motorverse—an interoperable ecosystem of motorsport-centric games boasting pioneering IP collaborations and championing digital ownership.

In stunning images, the new Touratech film „Thailand unleashed“ traces an adventurous motorcycle journey to the most remote regions of Thailand. It features long-distance travelling legend and Touratech brand ambassador Charley Boorman.

„Thailand unleashed“ tells the story of a Touratech team‘s epic journey through the north of Thailand to the difficult-to-access border region with Myanmar. Demanding jungle tracks, river crossings and extreme heat constantly confront the adventure riders with new challenges.

Out on the tracks with Charley Boorman
But the team, consisting of Touratech CMO Martin Wickert, Sales Manager Elvio Andrade and none other than Touratech brand ambassador and adventure legend Charley Boorman, is well prepared: Their brand-new BMW R 1300 GS are equipped with an extensive Touratech parts package.

Authentic experiences in rural Thailand
With Pruchayar Chaiyasotthi, better known in Thailand as „Mr Art“, the three travellers also have one of the best experts on the Thai backcountry at their disposal as a guide. Mr Art, who reaches a huge audience on social media with his off-road adventures, also makes no compromises on the Touratech Test Tour. The team travels to one of the most remote corners of the country, gets to know authentic Thai cuisine at individual home stays, meets fascinating people, fights its way through rocky riverbeds and masters deeply rutted dirt tracks. Time and again, the adventurers find themselves in tricky situations. But with a talent for improvisation and not least Charley Boorman‘s incomparable British humour, the travellers overcome all challenges.

An epic motorcycle adventure in in stunning pictures
The adventure was captured in stunning images by Stefan Klabunde, who was also responsible for the film‘s post-production.
„Thailand unleashed - Far up North on the Touratech BMW R 1300 GS“ is a spectacular documentary that tells of hardships, feelings of happiness, comradeship and the timeless adventure of being on the road on a motorcycle.

The film is divided into three episodes, which were released one after the other. All episodes and the complete film are now available on the Touratech YouTube channel.
Further information on the film‘s website at www.touratech.com/charley-boorman

Adventure Country Tracks e.V. aims to open up unpaved routes across Europe for adventure riders. This year, the association, together with its partners, is vigorously pursuing this mission. Throughout the year, the eighth ACT route will be explored, including an adventurous route through two smaller countries in September.

Mirko Nagler, a board member of ACT, explains, "The community can look forward to an especially challenging track; we have decided to offer a six-day track for the first time."
The documentary film about the new track will be released shortly before Christmas, giving all interested parties plenty of time to plan for the 2025 season. This year's film is made possible through collaboration with strong industry partners.

Have your say on potential changes to registering historic, classic, rebuilt, and electrically converted vehicles.

The UK Government is seeking your evidence to help identify areas of potential change to how historic, classic, rebuilt and electrically converted vehicles are registered with DVLA, see link.

This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 4 July 2024

See you at The Ace 

It was surely a positive weekend for Team Gresini MotoGP, who places both their riders in the higher part of the race classification and leaves Mugello with a total of 31 points scored in what was the first of two home events for the Faenza-based squad. 

Marc Marquez bagged 22 of those points courtesy of yesterday’s second-place finish and today’s fourth position at the line. It was a challenging race in which the GP24 machines of Bagnaia, Bastianini and Martin had something more. The overtake on Enea and a few points taken from Martin in the standings are for the record books. The championship lead is now 36 points away, six less than two days ago. 

Alex Marquez has found again some consistency and two top-ten finishes at a venue that has never been too kind to him. He put up a great fight with his former teammate Di Giannantonio, with a good feeling to take home ahead of the three-week break. 

The on-track action does not stop here, however, as it is time for official testing, taking place at Mugello tomorrow – if weather allows.

4^th - MARC MARQUEZ #93
“We missed out on the podium, but we did a positive race. I couldn’t overtake bastianini and when he passed me with two laps ago, it seemed as though he was on fresh tyres. Both Pecco and him were really strong. We’re leaving with a few more points in the standings and we’re very positive ahead of the next two back-to-back races. We’ll keep working during the test day in order to further improve our feeling.”

9^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73
“It was a very similar race to Austin for how demanding it was. We started well and we were in a fast group of riders, even though I lost one position at the end. We were 12 seconds quicker than in last year’s race, but obviously we want more. We’ll try to find something in the test with regards to better balance and more speed.”