ESPARGARÓ AND LOWES CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE THE PROGRESS SHOWN IN THE FIRST RACES

The first Italian MotoGP round is an event not to be missed for Italian fans. Aprilia, playing on their home turf, intends to confirm the positive trend shown in the first part of the season with a good result. An important result seems to be within a shout, given the clear progress that the RS-GP machines demonstrated in the first races compared with last year, the Italian V4's début year in the premier category. The sixth place finish in Qatar, the ninth place in Jerez, but especially the race pace shown on several occasions are an excellent start for the Tuscan race.

Aleix Espargaró will take on Mugello with renewed ambitions after just missing a great result in the last race at Le Mans. Prepared by two days of testing in Barcelona, the Italian GP is the perfect chance for the Spanish rider to make it to the positions that count.

For Sam Lowes, the Italian weekend began earlier than usual, with a spectacular procession astride his RS-GP along the charming streets of the historic centre in Florence. The event this morning was certainly a unique change to hear the sound of the Aprilia V4 off the track, even rumbling through the streets and by the monuments that have written the pages of our civilization. The Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rookie, after taking his first championship points in France, has set his sights on a top 10 position in the standings. This is a difficult challenge, but he is encouraged by the excellent job he had done so far together with the team, as well as by his positive sensations in recent rounds.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"After the recent tests in Barcelona, I am even more motivated here at Mugello. It is definitely a very special race for us. Aprilia is playing on home turf and I really want to get back to earning important points. We have shown that we are at a good level, especially in the race. Now we need to confirm the hard work we have done on the track in this first part of the season."

SAM LOWES
"I can't wait to race at Mugello. I have had a lot of good results on this track and I have always managed to be fast. The feelings are positive. I feel like the team and I are working in the right direction and we are ready for another step forward. Especially in Aprilia's home round."

ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
“Mugello is our home race and it is a circuit that both of our riders really like. The recent tests have helped us to further understand the way the bike works with different settings, both electronics and chassis architecture. Compared with last year, we have taken huge steps forward in terms of handling and this is progress that should let us be more competitive this weekend. I hope to be able to celebrate a good result on Sunday and maybe have a pinch more luck than in recent races.”

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
"Mugello is our first home race and Italian teams are always quite motivated here. There are high expectations to do well and we really want to bring home a good result. We are working well and we have already demonstrated that we have the potential to aim for important goals. Aleix is positive and full of energy. Same is improving his approach race after race and the team is working to give them full support. Now all that's left is to wait for the response on the track."

Race, Rock ‘n’ Ride certainly lived up to its name last weekend as visitors raced up the famous Santa Pod strip, rocked out to Limehouse Lizzy on Saturday night, and witnessed stunt riders galore in what was an action-packed motorcycle festival with a difference. 

Building on its inaugural success in 2016, the show, sponsored by Principal Insurance, boasted a packed timetable of events with newcomers to the line-up including the gravity-defying Wall of Death and the opportunity for youngsters to test their skills on two wheels.

The Run What Ya Brung, supported by Fast Bikes magazine, was a hit with men and women alike as they took to the starting line, ready to blitz up the track. Racking up the fastest speed was Ralvin Petnonilia, clocking up just 8.7776 seconds and a speed of 154.15mph.

Show sponsors Principal said: “Race, Rock ‘n’ Ride was again tremendous fun. It’s a great show, one in which bikers can and do get really involved, whether by burning rubber on that iconic track or enjoying the many other entertainments laid on at Santa Pod.”

Pod favourites Eric Teboul’s Rocket Bike and the FireForce 3 Jet Car certainly wowed the grandstand as they hit staggering speeds of more than 246mph and 268mph respectively.

New for this year, the quarter mile was proud to host round three of the ACU Drag Bike Championships; showcasing a whole host of classes from ET Bike to Super Street – THE drag bike racing class of the current time. We saw a very impressive run from Super Street champion Rick Stubbins tearing up the track at a mind-blowing 198.14mph in 7.3524 seconds.

In addition to the on-track action, attractions filled the venue including round two of the British Stunt Bike Championships which saw Lee Bowers crowned winner, Broke FMX freestyle motocross and the GP Paddock showcasing race bikes from yesteryear firing up and wowing the crowds, to name but a few!

To top it off, a custom bike show, in association with Back Street Heroes magazine, created a spectacle of some of the finest handcrafted machines with jaw-dropping paintwork and incredible craftsmanship. 

“As well as our static displays, showcasing a varied and unique congregation of some very impressive machinery, the track laid down the red carpet for some of Europe’s finest two-wheeled masters,” said a spokesperson for hosts Santa Pod. “Race, Rock ‘n’ Ride is growing year on year so stay tuned to see what we have in store for next year’s motorbike utopia at Santa Pod Raceway.”

With plans already afoot for 2018, show organisers Santa Pod Raceway and Mortons Media Group – publisher of both Fast Bikes and Back Street Heroes – are looking forward to building on its successes and bringing more action to an already packed weekend. 

Bike Night - Jacks Hill Cafe
Ireland Bike Fest
Unwanted MCC's Annual Bike, Trike & Custom show
The Big Knock - Diesel Motorcycle Rally
Coventry Motofest
Antelope Rally
Mad Sunday Bike Meet in aid of SERV @ Ace Cafe
Haynes Breakfast Club

See more details on the main WHAT'S ON section for June

The UK Round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship has come to a close with the second WorldSBK race of the weekend, which took place today under sunny skies at Donington Park. Stefan Bradl was eleventh at the chequered flag on board his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine.

The outcome of the race for the 27-year-old German rider was largely dictated at the start by a crash in front of him at turn one. When the rider fell ahead of him, it forced Stefan almost to a stop to which naturally cost him a lot of ground to the leaders. From the very back of the field, Bradl fought back as he went from 21st place to 14th in the first third of the race. Then, with a big gap to bridge from the riders ahead, Bradl rode a lonely race to cross the finish line in 11th at the end of the 23-lap encounter.

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team will now be on the road to Misano, where a two-day private test will be carried out from Wednesday with Stefan Bradl and test rider Michele Magnoni. The next round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship will take place at the same track in three weekends time.

Some fabulous guided and self-guided riding beckons in New Zealand and Australia this coming winter. We've a variety of itineraries to choose from with different durations from 7 to 22 days. New Zealand is a breathtakingly beautiful land with its mystical rolling hills, ancient rainforest, majestic fjords and untouched wilderness. Australia is an awesome combination of big city excitement in Sydney and Melbourne, mouthwatering vineyards, thundering waterfalls, the Great Barrier Reef and miles of sweeping sandy beaches. And there surely can be no better way to experience the thrill of these countries than by motorcycle!

Australia Offer: 2017/18 self-guided tours and rentals at 2016 prices, if you book before 30th June 2017!

For further details on all our other tours, locations and summer destinations too, please visit our website: www.hctravel.com