MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. Every biker worth their salt dreams of getting aboard one of the amazing bikes and racing at breakneck speed around some of the most demanding and exhilarating tracks around the world. Fabio Quartararo is one young man realising his MotoGP dreams.

The 22-year-old Frenchman is a MotoGP superstar in the making. He started his professional career during the 2015 season where he raced for Team Estrella Galicia in Moto3. Quartararo finished 10th in his debut season before switching to the KTM of Leopard Racing for 2016. A 13th place finish followed before Quartararo stepped up to Moto2 with the Kalex of Pons HP40. Another 13th place in the rider’s championship was followed by a 10th place in 2018 before Quartararo got his MotoGP break in time for the 2019 season.

"Fabio Quartara" by motorsports.com is licensed under CC BY 3.0

Yamaha Takes A Gamble That Pays Off

Petronas Yamaha SRT gave Quartararo a shot at the big time. Yamaha initially planned to give Quartararo a 2018-spec bike but gave him a factory-spec Yamaha instead. It turned out to be a masterstroke from the Japanese racing giant because Quartararo was incredible. He went from having a reputation as a talented rookie to being one of the race favourites almost overnight. 

Quartararo qualified for the Spanish Grand Prix in pole position and became the youngest-ever polesitter in MotoGP history. Disaster struck, however, on Lap 20, and Quartararo retired with a gearbox problem, but he had shown the world what he was capable of.

The young Frenchman’s first podium finish came three races later at the Catalan Grand Prix. Quartararo started in pole position again before finishing second to the fantastic Marc Marquez. Two third-place finishes and a further four runner-up finishes, including at the season finale in Valencia, resulted in Quartararo finishing fifth in the championship race with an impressive 192 points.

"Fabio Quartara on the track" by PETRONAS is licensed under CC BY 3.0

First MotoGP Victories

Quartararo started the 2020 campaign in style with his first and second MotoGP victories in back-to-back races. After yet another pole position, he won the Spanish Grand Prix before taking the chequered flag at the Andalusian Grand Prix, again from a pole position start.

His 2020 campaign was helped by a severe arm injury to championship favourite Marques. The Spaniard was involved in an accident in Spain and hardly races again during the COVID-19 hit season. Quartararo ultimately finished eighth with 127 points from 14 races.

Quartararo’s 2021 campaign has started well. He followed up a fifth-place finish at the Qatar Grand Prix, which is Yamaha teammate Maverick Vinales won, with victories in Doha and Portugal. Quartararo qualified for the Doha Grand Prix fifth on the grid but rode an epic race to finish on top of the podium. The talented Frenchman led for 17 of 25 laps during his second win of the season in Portimao.

His Portuguese Grand Prix victory placed him first in the overall standings, but Quartararo failed to build on his lead after a disappointing showing in Spain. Quartararo languished down in 13th place, some 19 seconds behind Ducati’s Jack Miller and despite setting a new course record for the fastest lap.

MotoGP experts have already drawn comparisons between Quartararo and the great Marques. Six-time world champion Marques is a motorcycle racing legend with 56 wins, 95 podium finishes, 62 poles, and 57 fastest laps from 130 starts. If Quartararo manages to enjoy even half the success of his Spanish rival, he will have enjoyed a glistening career.

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Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company, today announces that its e-scooter riders have taken more than 100,000 rides since the trial launched, underscoring the relevance of the scheme that is part of Essex County Council’s (ECC) Safer Greener Healthier campaign.

Bike riding is a thrilling experience, and it is pure freedom for many riders. However, bikers should also know that motorcycling is dangerous than driving a car, and that is why safety and attentiveness are important. If you are a new biker then you need to be very careful and a normal mistake can have a huge impact. Therefore, we have summarized some crucial tips for beginners who are new to bike riding.

Basic: Learn to Ride

Well, riding a bike is not that difficult, but riding safely is overlooked by most beginners. If you are new to biking, it is best to find out a mentor or a driving instructor with good experience. It should be noted that the driving instructor is also a private motorcyclist and has experience. In addition, don’t change the instructor one you have found the best one for you.

Right Protective Gears

This practical tip is essential for safe motorcycle riding. Those who are not adequately protected with gear endanger their health and also the risk of being seriously injured in an accident. The first requirement is obviously the helmet. There are various variants in helmet such as jet helmet, full-face helmet, and many more. You need to check the safety certification of the helmet, and it should be perfect for the size.

Along with that, clothing for riding is also important. Jacket, shoes, knee pads, pants, gloves, and son. The protective clothing offers good protection against impacts in the event of a fall, and it also offers a certain amount of protection against other external circumstances, such as bad weather conditions. The clothes should be suitable for all weathers.

Find A Perfect Place for Practice

Another important factor to keep in mind is that the practice should not be stopped. You need to practice your braking, avoid hurdles, speed control, and such things. If you want to make a career in moto racing, then you have to work even harder. Motorcycling is one of the loved sports worldwide. It has fans all across the world, and many sports betting online platforms offer moto racing in their catalogue. Thus, it can be your best choice if you are good at it.

It takes a lot of practice to perfect braking. Most riders make mistakes of braking with the front wheel, but a combination of both brakes makes sense. The anti-lock braking system is helpful for better braking. Dodging and speed control is also very important. This is how you can save yourself from accidents.

Perfect Bike for You

A new bike would always be good, but if you are totally new, then a used bike can be perfect for you for practice. However, it must be safe for biking. It should be given proper care after and before every tour and checked regularly. You need to check the brakes, lights, tires, and batteries. Any defect in these things can lead to problems in your journey.

If you ride a bike at night, the lightings are also important. Your view should be perfect at night. Plus, the signal should be used properly so that other road users can identify your moves. Carrying hazard lights, warning triangles and warning lights as the equipment is not required by law for biking but can increase your safety standard for safe motorcycling.

These tips can be very helpful for the new as well old riders. However, you need to understand that a certain level of risk is always there in motorcycling. Therefore, you should practice safe driving and avoid driving crazily.

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Together with a very limited number of guests under the 'rule of six' regulations, the Mayor of Brent’s annual guided charity fundraising walk took place this year on Sunday 18th April
 
Kindly organised and hosted by the Willesden Local History Society and not just Camden 
this Ace walk started at the Jubilee clock Harlesden and visited St Michael's Church, Willesden County Court, Harlesden Station (London to Birmingham railway), an old Electricity substation, the largest biscuit factory in Europe, Willesden manufacturing & WW2, the Grand Union canal, via the Paddington Limehouse “cut” that opened in 1820, the River Brent, and ended with cake and a cuppa’ at the Ace at Stonebridge!
 
At this difficult, challenging and “socially distanced” time, the walk was filmed to raise funds for two locally based charities:

Available now via Eventbrite booking, access with password to the Vimeo film of the walk is £5, and £10 gets you a special pack that includes, map, list of stops & context, poster and collage of still photos along the route, and a thank you from the Mayor.

Film view date: Fri, Apr 30 ‐ Tue, May 18 • 12:00 BST
"Filmed walk, Harlesden Jubilee Clock to the Ace Cafe" on Eventbrite!

Click HERE for how to access the film and pack Eventbrite Tickets 

STAY SAFE

EFLY Srl will be hospitality partner of Gresini Racing for the third consecutive year. With the goal to create synergies to inevitably increase the value of an institution based on work and professionalism, Efly will be alongside Team Gresini with its commercial brand T-MODU, which will be visible within Gresini Racing’s hospitality.

EFLY has chosen once again Team Gresini in what will surely be a different season compared to the best – one more reason to be closer to Fausto’s team and family.

EMIL PIZZOCRI, CEO EFLY – brand T MODU 
“Efly and its commercial brand TMODU is at the starting blocks of a new season, with a partnership spirit that has reinforced our presence within the hospitality thanks to an all-round collaboration. Efly Srl is one of the biggest Italian producers of fully compostable, TÜV-certified bioplastic cutlery. With its brand Tmodu it researches, selects and produces disposable and durable tools for eating and it does so with the right approach: this is why we aim at the lowest possible impact on the environment, with an eye to sustainability and ecology. For us, quality is synonymous with eco-compatibility, so the concept of disposable has transformed and now everything must be recycled. My best wishes go to the riders and the team… under the light of a new bright star… good work!”

CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
“We’re at our third year together for a partnership that has proven to be a winning one already in 2019 and 2020. It’s a pleasure to be able to continue together also this year, with a partner that is more strategic than ever and one that fully matches our profile.”

#CiaoFausto❤️