SCOTT REDDING IN THE POINTS

The hopes of Aleix Espargaró, comforted by his good qualifiers yesterday and especially by the good pace demonstrated both in FP4 and in the warm up, were dashed on the first lap when his V4 was stopped by a loosened screw on the pneumatic circuit. A problem that was as simple as it was decisive in compromising a race that, in light of what happened on the track and considering Aleix's pace and that of is closest rivals, could have ended with a good result for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini.

Scott, who is still trying to find the best setup for his RS-GP, finished in the points with fifteenth place.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"I want to take the Aprilia onto the podium. I am riding like I never have before in my entire career and I feel like we can succeed. Today we missed a great chance, given the pace demonstrated in the warm up and my feeling. Unfortunately, a DNF for technical reasons does not help my morale. This weekend we worked well and I am certain that we could have had a say in the race. Now, with the position in the overall standings compromised, I will always be giving 101% in every race from here to Valencia."

SCOTT REDDING
"We decided to take a risk choosing the hard rear that did not work in the right temperature range. In the race I had problems with grip again. With nothing to lose we took a gamble but things didn't work. Fortunately, we will be testing in Mugello in a few days where we will try to work on rear grip which is the problem that is slowing me down at the moment."

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
"This week we'll be on the track at Mugello to improve the setup for Scott who is still not entirely sorted from this point of view, unlike Aleix who has good performance which once again proved to be in vain. We are having a series of problems that prevent us from reaping the fruits of our labours. This season has begun uphill, but it is time to hang tough because we know that, in terms of pure performance, we are not far from the leaders and we can come back and do very well."

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
"I am absolutely convinced that we have a quality project and that the bike is worth much more than what we have been able to achieve. We need to dial in a lot of small things that are the ones that make the difference. It is not easy to do that in the race and when you have days like this one, but this is precisely the moment to demonstrate the value of the team. We need to grit our teeth for those who believe in this project, for the riders, the team and all those who are working back home."

The Breacon Becons

- Carlton Ailey 

The MK Bike Show returns to Milton Keynes this year for a celebration of all things motorcycling. With exhibitors including local bike dealers, training organisations, bike clubs and bike tour organisers, whatever your interest in bikes there’s something for everyone.

And best of all, the event, which takes place 10am – 4pm on Sunday 8th July at the MK Dons Stadium, is free to enter with free parking!

The event is run by Milton Keynes Advanced Motorists (MKAM) bike section in conjunction with Milton Keynes Council and Bucks Fire Brigade. The show aims to represent the interests of the motorcycling community of Milton Keynes and the surrounding area while bringing all those involved together for a day of talking, sharing and fun. “Our first event two years ago was so successful that we knew we had to do it again,” said Ian Souter, MKAM Chair. “This year is even bigger and better than before with more exhibitors, clubs and show bikes.”

The Inner Concourse, sponsored by Green-Mopeds.com, will house the specialist trades, clubs and the show bikes. The classic bike show will cover the last 50 years of motorcycling, coincidentally, the same age as Milton Keynes. All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Blood Bikes charity SERV.

MK Bike Show chairman, Dave Macey said, “We’re delighted to be able to hold the event at StadiumMK, the home of the MK Dons without whose support we could not have staged this event.” In line with the club ethos this will be a family event so bring everyone down to say hello. The 2016 show attracted an estimated 5,000 people and this year, with an additional indoor show area, we will be able to cater for even more.

Up to date information will be available on the website and social media.

www.mkbikeshow.co.uk

www.facebook.com/MKBikeShow

Myself, a 1970 BMW R75 - 5 and the Namib desert in background!
- Annerien Scholz 

Two friends who work for the UK’s biggest road safety charity IAM RoadSmart have just completed the project of a lifetime, passing on their motorbike training skills to other bikers in Nepal recently.

Scott Tulip and Pete Doherty, both area managers for the charity – who as it turned out both trained together in their previous lives in the Motorcycle Wing at the Metropolitan Police Driving School, were contracted to deliver the training as part of a two-week project by The Ghurkha Welfare Trust.

The Trust offers financial, medical and community aid to Gurkha veterans, their widows and communities in Nepal - many of whom live in the most remote and hazardous parts of the country - hence the need to provide safe riding skills training … enter Pete and Scott!

Many of the roads are tracks not wide enough for a four-wheeled vehicle, and others are metalled tracks.

The pair had the brief of ‘teaching on and off road training’ to the group of 12 students, starting with the basics of road safety training, called IPSGA – information, position, speed, gear, acceleration. It forms the basis of advanced driving and riding here, and has no less importance in Nepal.

Scott rightly said: “The idea is to ensure they are getting it right by skill rather than luck so we will have a theory session then it’s a case of putting into practice which is the key to any effective training. They are, rightfully, a proud nation and proud of their country. We need to engage with care and not be condescending or disrespectful to them or their nation.”

The GWT has over 20 offices and over 400 staff spread throughout the country. Their staff work tirelessly to ensure that their beneficiaries are well looked after, and able to live with dignity. The abiity of the Trust's staff to be mobile in times of need is critical - hence the importance of its motorbike riders being able to get around safely.

After starting in Kathmandhu, the pair moved down to Pokhara for training in earnest, a distance of 200km – with its own fair share of dramas, including unpredictable cattle grazing where they choose and sharing the road with brakeless buses!

The trainees were given a comprehensive session on repair and maintenance techniques – which unlike the UK involves not only getting hold of the right tools, but having them made especially!

The team took part in comprehensive on and off road training; some of the off road training involved riding through riverbeds, gravel and mud tracks.

The end of the trip saw Pete and Scott assessing how much their students had learned and progressed – and thankfully all passed. The next stage would involve them training each other and then passing this training down amongst the ranks.