SCOTT REDDING CRASHES ON THE FIFTH LAP

The Brno MotoGP race did not entirely reward the efforts of Aleix Espargaró, starting twenty-fourth on the grid and fifteenth across the finish line, but not as incisive as he would have liked. The high temperatures of the Czech track convinced both riders (Aleix and Scott alike) to choose the hard Michelin option on the front and on the rear, a combination that did not give Espargaró the right feeling.

Teammate Scott Redding also complained from the beginning of a certain difficulty braking, despite a good start and some early overtaking in the initial stages of the race. During the fifth lap, while lying sixteenth (he had started twenty-fifth), a loss of grip at the front led to him crashing and consequently retiring from the race.

ALEIX ESPARGARO

"It was not a good weekend for us, to be honest. I did not expect all of these difficulties. The RS-GP performed differently compared to last year, especially in terms of the front end. When I go into corners and release the brakes, I struggle to turn and if I push, I risk crashing. We could have risked using a softer tyre, but in the end the team opted for the more conservative solution. All things told, I think that it could have been a good choice, but decisions are taken as a team, for better or for worse. Tomorrow we have an important day of tests. I am rather tired and sore, but I want to try to change the balance of the bike significantly to recover the right feeling with the Aprilia."

SCOTT REDDING

"Unfortunately, today's crash was very similar to yesterday's. We were at the limit with the hard front tyre, especially when I fwas riding by myself. In fact, in the early laps I was able to be rather aggressive, overtaking a few riders, but then I began to lose the feeling, especially when I released the brakes, until the crash. It seems like with this bike, the front tyre's range of use is rather restricted. As soon as you go out of the ideal window, problems begin. I could have settled for finishing the race, but I decided to have a go anyway, pushing to the maximum."

THE RETURN OF A PAIRING THAT HAS WRITTEN MEMORABLE PAGES OF MOTORCYCLE HISTORY

THE SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION WILL REPRESENT APRILIA, COLLABORATING TO PROMOTE THE BRAND, ITS RACING TRADITION AND ITS PRODUCTS

Six-time world champion Max Biaggi is to be a global ambassador for the Aprilia brand, a role that he will have no trouble adapting to, given the many chapters of racing history that Max and Aprilia have written together, but one that is now made official.

Thanks to the countless victories scored on board the Noale manufacturer’s bikes, Max Biaggi has contributed like no other to projecting the Aprilia brand to the top of the world. His story, one of great passion, talent and a love for the work, has helped Aprilia to become one of the most successful manufacturers in the history of motorcycling racing, with a currently back catalogue of 54 world titles to its name.

Max Biaggi is the ideal ambassador then, embodying that Aprilia sporting DNA, but that is not all, as the Italian champion will also make an important contribution as Aprilia takes on the many challenges that lie ahead, offering his experience to promote thebrand, its racing tradition and its products.

MAX BIAGGI

“At what is a very important time for Aprilia, our stories will once again intertwine. As an enthusiast, I’ve been able to appreciate the progress of the MotoGP project which shows very interesting potential. I’m now proud – and confident – to be able to offer my experience in supporting an all-Italian brand as it continues to grow, both in terms of its racing spirit and its new products that will, as ever, have boast of that Aprilia racing character.”

Max Biaggi made his debut in the 250 world championship with Aprilia in 1991. The 250 title in 1994 was the first of an exceptional hat-trick that saw him dominate on the Italian bike up until 1996. The paths of Aprilia and Max (who in the meantime scored another world title in the 250 class) then separated until 2009, when Biaggi climbed on board the Aprilia RSV4 as the Noale manufacturer made a return to the Superbike World Championship.

Aprilia had never won the WSBK title but aimed to do just that with the futuristic RSV4. Its attempt to succeed in the series reserved to high-performance four strokes proved successful and Max rode the Italian V4 to victory in its debut season before dominating in 2010 and 2012, earning both the Riders and Manufacturers titles. He retired from racing following his 2012 title win, having achieved six world titles in all throughout his career, but the call of the track saw him make a brief return in 2015. Entered as a wildcard in the Malaysian round of the WorldSBK, he scored an incredible podium at the Sepang track, confirming, at 44 years of age, both his talent as a champion and the competitiveness of the Aprilia RSV4 project.

The annual off-road and road-racing show returns to Telford International Centre on Saturday and Sunday, February 16 and 17.
Come and dig out classic dirt bike machinery galore – from parts and spares to accessories, riding kits and bike projects if you’re up for a challenge! Clubs and private entries will pack into the venue once again to display a fascinating collection of off-road machines. The outdoor autojumble, starting at 9am, will be overflowing with bargains for you to get your hands on.
The exclusive three-course, sit-down dinner will be served on the Saturday evening and is expected to be another memorable occasion where guests can wine and dine with off-road legends for just £33. Between each course, the dirt bike stars will recount tales of their adventures. Why not join them for dinner? Check back to www.classicbikeshows.com for further information coming soon.

A new competition has been launched for bikers to share two of their greatest loves – motorcycling and animals. The Britain’s Best Biking Buddies competition aims to sniff out pets of all shapes and sizes to discover the UK’s ultimate, four-legged biker fans. 

Open to animals of every species, animal-loving riders have until 8^th August to enter. The winner will be the biking pal which receives the most votes in true ‘pup-idol’ fashion.

The competition was launched following a survey by Devitt Insurance Services Ltd. to discover the public’s attitude towards motorcyclists. Findings revealed that less than 1% of road-using Brits considered bikers to be friendly. Moreover, just 2% considered motorcyclists to be approachable, while nearly half (47%) labelled bikers aggressive and intimidating – points of view the company hopes to turn on their head.

The new campaign celebrates cherished pets, many of whom travel with their owners everywhere. To support less fortunate pets, Devitt has also announced it will donate £500 to animal charities to provide additional funds for animals who are most in need.

Commenting on the competition, Head of Marketing at Devitt Insurance Services Ltd., Tom Warsop, said: “Motorcyclists all over the country are enjoying this year’s exceptionally good weather – but it’s not just humans enjoying the ride. Pets from all over the country are riding down a street near you!

“Motorcyclists can often be portrayed negatively. In reality, though, Britain’s biking community is just like everyone else –  mad about their pets.

“While all entrants to the competition are certainly adorable, it’s also essential to bear in mind safety when taking animals out for the ride. In line with this, we have produced an essentials guide to riding with pets which covers how to introduce animals to motorcycles, and the legal requirements for travelling with a hairy biker, too.”

Entries for Britain’s Best Biking Buddies competition are open to all until 11:59pm 8^th August. After this time, entries will close, but voting will be open for the public to crown their winner. Entries can be viewed here by selecting “vote for your winner”. 

IAM RoadSmart has labelled August ‘Thumbs Up For Great Driving And Riding!’ month, as the UK’s biggest independent road safety charity gears up for a campaign to increase courteous and polite driving and riding on UK roads

Across the month of August, IAM RoadSmart is encouraging drivers and riders via its network of 202 local groups around the country to acknowledge and demonstrate their appreciation when another road user lets them into traffic, allows them priority or gives them a helping hand – with a simple thumbs up, or one of IAM RoadSmart’s special thumbs up stickers.

IAM RoadSmart staff and volunteers will be out watching for good deeds done and will be armed with thousands of stickers to hand out in support of the campaign.

IAM RoadSmart local groups will be fundraising during the month of August, so there are plenty of other ‘Thumbs Up For Great Driving And Riding!’ items available.

The money raised will go towards a special IAM RoadSmart safety vehicle, decked up in IAM RoadSmart colours, equipped with road safety merchandise and equipment. If the target of £10,000 is reached, IAM RoadSmart groups around the country will be able to use the vehicle free of charge for promotional events or displays through the year as they help spread the road safety message to young people and local community groups.

The ‘Thumbs Up For Great Driving And Riding!’ campaign has won the support of two of the country’s most respected motorsport heroes – Nigel Mansell CBE and Paddy Hopkirk OBE, plus one of the UK’s most accomplished riders, Maria Costello MBE.

Nigel, who is world famous for his 14 year Formula 1 career culminating in winning the 1992 world title in a Williams, said: “Nowadays it sometimes feels like courtesy on our roads is in rather short supply – and it’s about time that good driving is rewarded. I am wholly in favour of ‘Thumbs Up For Great Driving And Riding’ month – anything that leaves a smile on the face after a journey is a good idea to me.”

Paddy, who became a household name after winning the Monte Carlo and Acropolis rallies in the iconic red Mini, as well as competing at Le Mans, Daytona in the USA and the epic London-Sydney Marathon, added: “I’ve been driving for more than six decades and being thanked or thanking someone changes the whole tone of a journey.

“Let’s just make all our lives that much more cheerful by giving the thumbs up where it’s deserved and moving on with a smile.”

Maria, who made history as the first woman to claim a podium at the Isle of Man Classic TT alongside her hero John McGuinness and who held the Guinness World Record as the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course for five years, said: “It really is a shame to see conflict on the road escalate so fast, when all it takes is for one party to back down and diffuse the situation. We urge everyone out there to be the ‘bigger man or woman’ and take the first step towards promoting courtesy between road users as the norm and not the exception.”

IAM RoadSmart is asking drivers and motorcyclists to get involved with the campaign by sharing their own positive driving and riding experiences on social media using the hashtag #ThumbsUpForGreatDriving or #ThumbsUpForGreatRiding.

Further information about how to get involved is available at www.iamroadsmart.com/ThumbsUp, @iamroadsmart or Facebook.com/iamroadsmart or supporters can go to to www.thunderclap.it/projects/70439-thumbs-up-2018 help share the message.