Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team rider Leon Camier took sixth place in Race 2 of the Australian WorldSBK round as the British rider completed an impressive competitive debut on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

For Race 2 Camier lined up on the second row in P4 and after a great opening lap, ran as high as second place in a lead group comprising eight riders for the first half of the race. Meanwhile Jake Gagne, starting from row four in P12 got up to speed and was in a fight for a top ten position before he had a small crash at turn 4. However, the American rider was able to re-join the race.

Following a mandatory pit stop for new tyres at the end of lap 11 – a ruling introduced for Race 2 due to some riders experiencing high tyre wear in Race 1 – Camier and Gagne resumed their push up the field and both riders were able to make up places in the second half of the race.

Camier was especially impressive as he made some bold passing moves to move into P5 towards the end of the 22-lap race, and fighting until the end he crossed the finish line in sixth place, just 2.745 seconds behind the race winner. Gagne recovered from his earlier spill to come home in P13 and wrap up a double-points finish on his first ever race weekend at Phillip Island.

With round 1 completed, Camier is sixth in the WorldSBK championship standings on 19 points, while Gagne is fifteenth overall with 7 points. The Red Bull World Superbike Team will next be in action at round 2 of the WorldSBK season at Chang International Circuit in Thailand from March 23-25.

APRILIA HONES THEIR WEAPONS IN THE WIND TUNNEL

The 2018 is by now just around the corner and preparations are underway in earnest in the Aprilia Racing Department to refine the new RS-GP before the Championship opener. One of the development steps, after the new prototype made its début in the Sepang tests, concerns aerodynamics. This is a topic that has gained notoriety thanks to the appearance of winglets, a visible and obvious part, but one that is the subject of constant research.

Aprilia's work was conducted on a day of tests in the Perugia University wind tunnel and it involved both riders. Aleix Espargaró and Scott Redding tackled the aerodynamic tests upon their return from the tests in Thailand. The results of the tunnel findings are providing the base for the evolutions that will be applied to the 2018 RS-GP.


ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
"Aerodynamic research has by now become an integral part of development on a modern MotoGP bike. Not only in terms of the winglets, which are the most visible expression of it, but because on an extremely level playing field, every little detail becomes a determining factor. Aleix and Scott have extremely different physical characteristics which therefore require diversified aerodynamic refinements in order to optimise efficiency. The tests in the wind tunnel are just a part of the aerodynamics study, which also consists in computer simulations and checks that are conducted directly on the track. We will bring a first version of the aerodynamics package for the 2018 RS-GP to Qatar, whereas a second evolution will be planned once the season is underway."

Great reasons to attend...
* 750+ motorcycles on show, including new 2018 models from the main manufacturers, 100+ trade exhibitors in the retail village, watch interviews and listen to music on the live stage and experience thrilling stunt shows... A biker's paradise not to be missed!

* The event has various zones starting with the 1st hall for leading motorbike manufacturers, premium exhibitors and traders.

* Over 50 Motorcycle clubs and lots of amazing private motorcycle entries on display.

* Leading motorbike manufacturers include BMW, CCM, Daelim, Ducati, Chester Harley-Davidson, Herald Motor Co., Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha.

* Motorcycle clubs attending include BMF, Cheshire Grass Track Club, Ducati Owners Club, Gawsworth Jesters, Honda Owners Club Manchester, NABD, Rainy City HDC, Royal British Legion Riders, Triumph Owners Club and the Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club.

* Stunt Show

* FREE on site parking.

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March

venue: EventCity, Phoenix Way, off Barton Dock Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TB. Free parking.

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Then check out the latest models at the Manchester Bike Show 2018 from Manufacturers that include Benelli, BMW, CCM, Daelim, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Herald Motor Co., Honda, Kawasaki, Keeway, KTM, Lexmoto, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph, UM Motorcycles and Yamaha.

See the full list on the website, along with the current exhibitors...