IN THE CATALUNYA GP ALEIX WILL START FROM THE THIRD ROW

POOR GRIP DOESN’T HELP LORENZO SAVADORI

For his home GP, Aleix Espargarò will start from the first spot on the third row after qualifiers where he did the seventh-best time, less than 4 tenths behind the pole position time and less than two tenths from the front row. It could have been an even better position if it hadn’t been for a mistake on his last flying lap.
In any case, both rider and bike are consistent, with an RS-GP that continues confirming its competitiveness and Aleix consistently in Q2 from the start of the 2021 season.

On the other hand, Lorenzo Savadori, is struggling with poor grip, even crashing out in FP3. In fact, the Montmelò is characterised by asphalt that provides extremely low grip, making the riders’ job particularly difficult, especially those in their rookie year like Lorenzo.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"To be honest, I must say that, after Qatar, this is the track where I am least able to exploit the strong points of the new RS-GP. So, it may seem strange, but I am satisfied, because in spite of this, I was able to be competitive both in terms of pace and on the flying lap in qualifying. If I had been able to finish the last lap, I may have been able to start from even farther forward, but I risked a high side on the same turn where Jack crashed. Tyre choice will clearly be fundamental here. I still need to meet with the engineers, but we’ll analyse the situation extremely carefully."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"We tried some different solutions today, but without finding any great improvements. In qualifying, I lost a lot of time on the last sector. I could have done a bit better, but we are still close. For the race tomorrow, choosing the right tyre will be extremely important, and then managing it well with the electronics strategies. That is the factor that can really make the difference here."

• The Ducati Museum inaugurates a new temporary exhibition "Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion"
• The exhibition will remain open until 19 September and, from 1 to 4 July, the motorcycles will be exhibited at the 2021 Motor Valley Fest in Modena

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) - The Ducati Museum has finally reopened to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. One week after the resumption of the visits for the public, Ducati also inaugurates a temporary exhibition “Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion” dedicated to Troy Bayliss, three-time World Superbike champion with Ducati.

It is precisely to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that first world title in the 2001 Superbike championship, that Ducati has set up a temporary exhibition in the Ducati Museum with new and exclusive content for its fans near and far.

The date of 21 May, chosen for the reopening of the Ducati Museum, is not accidental. As Ducatisti and all motorcycle racing fans will certainly remember, on 21 May 2000 a still virtually unknown Troy Bayliss accomplished a feat that turned him overnight into a motorcycling legend in the hearts and memories of all Ducati and Superbike fans: his amazing quadruple overtaking move at the Monza circuit.

That day Troy was taking part in the race as a replacement rider for Carl Fogarty who had been injured at Philip Island and, after this epic feat, Ducati decided to let him finish the championship on the factory 996R. That year he finished sixth (243 points, 2 wins and 7 podiums), but he earned his place as factory rider in the Ducati Infostrada team. He won his first WSBK title in 2001, stepping onto the podium 15 times.

All those who can visit the Museum will have the opportunity to admire the bikes with which the Australian champion has written some of the most amazing chapters in the annals of motorcycle racing:

• 996 Factory 2000 - his Ducati World SBK debut and used at Monza in the famous quadruple overtake.
• 996 Factory 2001 Testastretta - his first world title with the livery used at Imola in 2001.
• 998 Factory Testastretta 2002 - protagonist of the breath-taking duel with Edwards at Imola.
• 999 Factory 2006 “Superman” - Ducati’s 250th victory in SBK, and Troy’s second title.
• 999 Factory 2007 - used in the photo-finish against James Toseland at Assen.
• 1098 R Factory 2008 - his last title won at Magny-Cours.

For all those who cannot yet come to the Ducati Museum, an in-depth study dedicated to Troy Bayliss's career is planned during the "Ducati Museum Online Journey", the online tours of the Ducati Museum that allow you to retrace the history of the company via a PC, tablet or Smart TV.

The temporary exhibition "Troy Story: The Legend of a Champion" will remain at the Ducati Museum until 19 September 2021, with the sole exception of the days between 1-4 July, when the bikes will be exhibited in Modena at the 2021 edition of Motor Valley Fest.

The opening of the temporary show in honour of Troy Bayliss is also a way to wish to the Australian champion a speedy recovery and send him a big virtual hug after the bicycle accident occurred last May 14.

APPOINTMENT IN CATALUNYA FOR MOTOGP

NEW EXAMS FOR THE APRILIA RS-GP

Just a few days after leaving the Mugello Circuit, the MotoGP convoy heads to Barcelona, Spain, for the Catalunya GP. Another demanding track, made even trickier by weather which, if the forecast is right, will be anything but stable.

Aleix and Lorenzo will arrive comforted by a 2021 RS-GP that is proving to be extremely competitive in decidedly different conditions and layouts. So, it is a project that started well and where work is now focused on the details. A fundamental aspect in a fiercely competitive championship like MotoGP.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"My home track is always a special round. This is where my passion for motorcycling was born. Besides that, I think it’s an extremely fascinating track and I can’t wait to tackle it with the 2021 RS-GP. I had some concerns about my arm after what happened on Friday and Saturday in Mugello, but then in the race I didn’t have any problems, so that is comforting. We are consistently in the group of the best, so hopefully we’ll be able to take another step forward here."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"The last time I lapped in Barcelona was 2010 with the 125, so I won’t have any points of reference, also because the track has changed in the meantime. I’m curious to see what happens because the 2021 bike is proving perform extremely consistently on vastly different tracks, so we have the chance to grow and improve constantly."

• Steve Parrish won his first motorcycle championship in 1976, raced with Barry Sheene in 1976 and 1977 before taking championship honours in 1979, 1980 and 1981
• Steve also won the 1987 British Open Truck Racing Championship in 1987, the British and European championship in 1990 and went on to hold the British title for four years and the European for five
• Since retiring from racing, Steve has forged a career in motorsport commentary covering all manner of sports from motorcycle racing to Touring Cars and the Red Bull Air Race
• Steve also holds a Guinness World Record for the “Fastest Speed Achieved in Reverse” (105mph) using a Caterham.
• Steve will produce exciting content with the Hagerty media team, attend selected automotive events, and will take part in Hagerty’s successful online panel and seminar discussions

Northamptonshire: 28th May 2021

Hagerty is best known as a classic vehicle insurer but is also one of the world’s largest automotive lifestyle brands. 2021 has seen increased investment across all aspects of the Hagerty business, from content and events and data to client services, as Hagerty strengthens its global offering to the motoring enthusiast.

The latest announcement from Hagerty UK is a partnership with motorsport legend Steve Parrish. Steve will produce exciting content with the Hagerty media team, attend selected automotive events, and will take part in Hagerty’s successful online panel and seminar discussions.

Steve became a professional motorcycle racer at the age of 22 in 1976, winning the ACU Solo title in the British Motor Cycle Championship. In the same year he became team mate to Barry Sheene on a Suzuki and competed in the 1977 500cc world championship. Parrish finished fifth in the 1977 500cc world championship, before returning to British-based riding to become the 1978 500cc British Champion. He also won the Shell 500 title in both 1979 and 1980, and a Superbike title in 1981.

Parrish then started a successful truck racing career, winning the 1987 British Open Truck Racing Championship. Parrish took both the European and British Truck Racing championship titles in 1990, then held the British title for four years and retained the European title for five years driving for the BP-Mercedes Benz team. Parrish regained the prestigious European crown again in 1996 in Jarama. The most successful truck racer ever, he retired in 2002 at the age of 47.

In 1985, Parrish started commentating for BBC radio, before joining Sky television to commentate on Superbike alongside Barry Nutley He moved to the BBC in 1990 to commentate on the British 125 championship, before transferring to the BBC’s Moto GP coverage, currently undertaken with Charlie Cox. A qualified pilot, Parrish also a commentator for the Red Bull Air Race series for Channel 4. Isle of Man TT Races for ITV4 & NW200 for BBC NI.

Away from television, Steve regularly tests vehicles and writes for racing magazines, and holds the Guinness Book of Records world record for the “Fastest Speed Achieved in Reverse” (105mph) using a Caterham. Of course, Steve continues to race classic motorcycles today at various events, shows and meets around the world.

Speaking of the partnership Lee Mathewson, Managing Director for Hagerty UK, said “Steve is a legend in the world of motorsport, not only for his motorcycle and truck racing but also for the sense of fun he brings to everything he does. Hagerty exists to save driving and we’ve worked hard with our partners to provide flexible cover for all types of enthusiast vehicles, including motorcycles, and always encourage our clients and members to get on the road. Steve’s knowledge and influence within the motorcycle industry will be invaluable as we create content and activities designed to appeal to motorcycle owners and enthusiasts around the world.”

Bury St Edmunds based auctioneers, Lacy Scott & Knight, will be selling a collection of six barn-find motorcycles by auction on 12th June.

The collection was discovered during a probate valuation in deepest Norfolk, alongside various classic cars to include an Alvis and a Morgan.

The earliest of the bikes is a 1915 Norton Model 1 Big Four 6, which very much appears to be in good original ‘barn-find’ condition, and carries a pre-sale estimate of £7,000-10,000. Other bikes by Norton include a 1952 88 Dominator which is also complete and in good largely original condition. This bike probably once had a side-car and was originally sold by Colchester Specialists GBR Motors Ltd, it carries a pre-sale of £3,000-5,000. Another Norton featured is a 1957 Overhead Cam International Model 30, being largely complete and original but for recommissioning. This model was the first overhead camshaft from Norton, and was designed by Walter Moore and successfully used in the 1927 TT. Expectations for this bike are in the region of £7,000-9,000. The auction also includes a Norton 350cc Café Racer International, which appears complete but is for recommissioning.

Possibly the most valuable of the entries is a 1937 Velocette KSS 350cc; this being a fine example which was restored a few years ago and carries hopes of £8,000-12,000. The out-buildings also revealed a 1960 Excelsior 98cc Consort, and various motorcycle parts to include a 1948 BSA C11 complete restoration project.

The full catalogue listing can be found on the website.

www.lsk.co.uk