GROWTH OF THE RS-GP MACHINES - TODAY IN RED TO CELEBRATE (RED) - CONFIRMED IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON

ALBESIANO: “THE BIKE HAS GROWN. WE ARE CONSISTENTLY IN THE TOP TEN AND STILL IMPROVING"

Alvaro Bautista (tenth) rode his Aprilia RS-GP to a top ten finish at the Valencia GP that close out the 2016 Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing season.
Stefan Bradl (thirteenth) also finished in the points, bringing home a good team result worthy of the positive conclusion to a season that, especially in the second half, saw the RS-GP machines and the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders consistently battling for a spot in the top ten, the stated goal for Venetian V4's rookie season, sometimes doing even better with placements like the seventh place finishes achieved in Argentina (Bradl) and Japan (Bautista).

Alvaro, in his last race with Aprilia Racing Team Gresini and penalized by his start from the eighteenth spot on the grid, came back little by little, confident with his pace and the overall good balance of the bike. After overtaking Miller, Redding and Petrucci, he fended off Barbera's final attempts and, with the six points earned, overtook Laverty in the overall championship standings, finishing the season with a nice twelfth place.
Bradl (also in his last race with Aprilia), after a start that had relegated him to the back of the pack, skilfully came back, even overtaking Redding in the finale to finish thirteenth.

The Aprilia RS-GP machines showed off an entirely red livery in the race, without any other sponsors or even the Aprilia logo, in order to celebrate (RED), the organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver that, with $360 million in assistance, has contributed to the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in African countries since 2006.


ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
"We finished a very important season for Aprilia. We brought our MotoGP bike to its début, taking it to the races straight away and developing it throughout the season. For the past few rounds our level has allowed us to stay consistently in the top ten, which was our goal. The bike has grown and the racing department with it. We are a strong and motivated team that still has potential for growth. In addition to everyone on the team, I particularly wish to thank our riders, who believed in our project and who have earned our respect. I wish Stefan and Alvaro all the best and now we will already begin thinking about next season, which will start in a few hours".

FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
"Analysing the season, the first goal was to get through all the races without any technical issues keeping us from finishing, which is not a given for such a fledgling project. We demonstrated our potential to our rivals, growing consistently. We have a long road ahead, but we are moving in the right direction. We are proud of the results achieved and my thanks go to everyone: to Aprilia who has always given 100%, as well as to the team at the track and the riders. After such strong emotions, it is already time to reset and restart, with an even stronger desire to show what we are capable of achieving".

ALVARO BAUTISTA
"In the second half of the season, we began to reap the fruits of a lot of hard work, much of which done last year as well. We went in the right direction for development. Aprilia did a great job and the materials worked the way we expected them to. We improved a lot and now I wish all the best to Aprilia and the team with whom I experienced two years of hard work, but great satisfaction in the progress the bike has made. I always gave it my all, but I must thank my engineers and my mechanics, because they did an exceptional job, always seeking to provide me with the best solution. The race today was good, if you consider that, starting from behind, we went from almost six seconds from the race leader in the first lap to finishing with a dignified gap, especially considering that this is one of the most difficult tracks for the RS-GP".

STEFAN BRADL
"It was a very exciting race, especially in the second half when I was able to push and overtake Redding, besides the fact that it is my last MotoGP race. Speaking of the race, unfortunately, after the warm up we had to replace the clutch and I was unable to make a good start, which did not make things simple. We decided to start with the soft front tyre, which we had not used in the afternoon sessions, and that meant that I had to adapt a bit, especially in the first laps. From the mid-race point on things improved, but the gap was already too big to strive for a better position. In any case, we finished in the points and, on a track that is difficult for us, that result was not a given. I wish to thank all the guys and Aprilia. This experience has helped me to grow as a rider, taking on a new challenge made up of testing and developing a new project. We can be satisfied with the work we have done and I wish them the best of luck for the future".

Over the past few weeks we have been checking and updating the extensive list of Cafes, Meets and Pubs that are included on THE BIKER GUIDE website, popular with Bikers as a place to head to for coffee & cake, mugs of tea and bacon butties, along with bike nights, where you are sure to meet like-minded folk and lots of lovely motorbikes and motorbikers...

As we checked (hours and hours of work) we found a lot of places have sadly shut, changed hands (so not Biker Friendly anymore), changed from cafes into houses, pubs into restaurants and some which have even been demolished.

However we have also discovered new cafes and pubs, who welcome Bikers, have bike nights and many offering quality food and drinks in lovely surroundings.

NEW places we have included for 2016

GMEC Motorcycles - Scarborough, North Yorkshire

With a friendly atmosphere and where the owners have a passion for motorcycles. Predominately selling used Motorcycles, with a Bike Café. Also clothing, helmets, parts and tyres, with a workshop for repairs, paintwork, servicing, rebuilds, MOT and much, much more… GMEC are proud to present the ex-Barry Sheene,1979 Dunstall Suzuki GS1000 F1 on display. A Bike Night every Wednesday from 5pm – everyone welcome!

www.gmecmotorcycles.co.uk

Roadkill Motorcycles & Grill - Norfolk

ROCK TUNES, BIKES AND BACON ROLLS! Biker cafe/shop, run by bikers for bikers, a great place to head to for a jolly good cuppa, baps and burgers, cakes, drinks and more. Indoor and outdoor seating where you can relax, listen to some rock tunes and watch the bikes come and go. A popular meeting place for before/after/during ride-outs and a must visit destination on the North Norfolk coast. Also at Roadkill HQ, a well-stocked shop for quality clothing, parts and accessories, and in the workshop, motorcycle customising, MOT, tyre fitting, servicing etc. Hosting various events/ride-outs.

www.roadkillcustoms.co.uk

The Haven - Wiltshire

An independent, family run roadside restaurant on the A30 London Road, where the friendly Haven team provide service with a smile and a warm welcome! Serving all day breakfasts, baps, sandwiches, burgers, pies, desserts, cake, cream teas and various home-cooked meals. Quality tea and coffee, along with soft and alcoholic drinks.
A popular Bike Night on the 1st Thursday of the month (summer). The large café is able to cater for 80+. Situated just three miles outside of Salisbury and easily accessible. Huge parking area.

www.thehaven-salisbury.com

The Empire Diner - Witham, Essex

A brand new American themed diner which is already gaining an excellent reputation with Bikers…

Serving a great choice for breakfast, including various pancakes, a hearty omelette, hotdogs, ribs, burgers, steaks (locally sourced), sandwiches, wraps and if there is room - home-made Blueberry pie, Reeces Pieces cheesecake and waffles topped with a variety of sweet stuff. Various coffees, soft drinks, lovely milk shakes and licensed.
A regular bike meet on a Wednesday evenings from 7 (ish) to late, with a discounted menu. Becoming popular as a ride to on Sundays for a great breakfast and biker banter!
The owner is a biker and is open to suggestions for other events and meets. Large parking area.

www.theempirediner.co.uk

Notable places include

Loomies Moto Café - A favourite place for many Bikers to head to for many years, where a warm welcome, great food and lots of biker banter awaits.  

The Doof Café - Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales - A favourite café, for the great roads to get there, good homemade food and friendly atmosphere.

Whiteways Café, Bury Hill, West Sussex - Popular meet for ride outs or place to stop for refreshment break. Sundays are most popular with 3,500+ Motorbikes in and out during the course of the day.

Woodleigh Coach House, Exeter, Devon - On the edge of Dartmoor National Park and close to Exeter, a lovely café within a Grade II listed building, located just off the main A30 dual carriageway.

See THE BIKER GUIDE website for extensive listings.

www.thebikerguide.co.uk/bikerfriendlymeetingplaces.html

If your favourite place is not included then send us a recommendation

www.thebikerguide.co.uk/iwanttorecommend.html

If you have a café, pub or meet you would like to include then send it to us for inclusion

Leon Haslam has signed a deal directly with Kawasaki Motors UK to ride in the British Superbike series with Bournemouth Kawasaki for the 2017 season. 

The team’s title sponsor and machine livery will be unveiled for the first time on the Kawasaki Motors UK stand (Hall 2 Stand 2B15) at Motorcycle Live at 10:30am on Saturday 19 November.

The Derbyshire rider has developed a strong relationship with the Japanese manufacturer, having competed in the prestigious Suzuka 8-hour race, and more recently the Japanese Superbike and World Superbike Championship final rounds, representing the brand.

Runner-up in the 2016 series on the Ninja ZX-10R, Haslam will be partnered by 24-year-old Luke Mossey who achieved a strong position in the 2016 Showdown and who is aiming to improve on his sixth place finish in the Championship this year.

Ross Burridge, Kawasaki Motors UK Senior Racing Coordinator, said: “2016 was a great season of racing and although we were disappointed that Leon narrowly missed out on the title win, he gave 100% throughout the year. We’re delighted to be continuing to work with him for the 2017 season – to be working with a rider of this calibre is very exciting. We’re confident that the Bournemouth Kawasaki team will be a great platform for Leon to strive for the Championship win in 2017.”

Leon Haslam said: “I’m so happy to have a second year with Kawasaki as I believe the ZX-10R will be the bike to beat – I’m super confident that we can win the BSB title. I have a really close relationship with Kawasaki as a manufacturer and it will be great to work with them again. I can’t wait to get everything going again.”

As well as the unveiling of the brand new race bike and 2017 BSB team sponsors, visitors to the stand over the course of the show (19-27 November) will also have the first chance to see the brand new 2017 Kawasaki machinery for the first time in the UK. #GetEvenCloser to the new race-ready Ninja ZX-10RR, the best-selling Z1000SX with advanced electronics and feast your eyes the stunning Ninja H2 Carbon. Also on display will be the brand new additions to the Z family – the Z900 and Z650 – in all their naked glory.

"One of the best bits of kit we’ve seen this year!"   

An incredibly well balance hammer that is designed to fit in your hand perfectly. Almost over engineered, the MSR Stake hammer looks and feels like something you would see in a rock climbers inventory.

The hammer head can be used as a bottle opener, and the peg puller is designed to work with MSR aluminium angular pegs as well as all other normal tent pegs. It has a dimpled surface to prevent slipping when coming into contact with the peg and the handle has a useful rope tie for hanging.

The MSR Stake Hammer now sits pride of place on our must have kit list for adventure motorcycle camping trips.

Specifications
Weight: 321g
Dimensions: 29 x 3 x 9cm

Enter the competition on THE BIKER GUIDE website here for a chance to win. 

If you need help or advise about any of the products please just call or e-mail, the team @ twistmoto who are always there to help.

Twistmoto Ltd - Motorcycle Travel Gear  

A UK based shop specializing in essential equipment for motorcycle travelling, camping, rallying and touring. The owners ride bikes, tour and travel and have a passion for bringing the best and new products to the Motorcycle community, so that the great British biking public can enhance their motorbike adventures... The products they sell have been hand-picked and tested by the team at TwistMoto for durability, weight and packed size and are in use all around the world by riders on serious cross continental adventures.

A large range of light-weight tents including the Redverz Atacama, Khyam Biker and the well reviewed Vango Omega 350. Also Enduristan luggage, dry bags, backpacks, straps, sleeping bags, pillows and mats, along with a cooking range of stoves, utensils and the Sea To Summit X popular range of rugged collapsible folding plates, bowls, cups and mugs. Live to ride, ride to adventure!

where: Based in Kent with extensive web-store 
tel: 01892 322072 
website: www.twistmoto.co.uk 
facebook 
e-mail: [email protected]

Double World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea heads up a whole host of racing stars at Motorcycle Live

Recently-crowned double World Superbike Champion Jonathan Rea will be one of many racing stars to appear at the UK’s biggest bike show, Motorcycle Live, which opens at The NEC, Birmingham on 19 November.

Rea will be joined at the show on opening day by racing legend Freddie Spencer, MotoGP rider Eugene Laverty, World Superbike's Josh Brookes, British Superbike star Leon Haslam and Isle of Man TT record-breaker Michael Dunlop.

The stars will keep on coming throughout the week with appearances from the likes of MotoGP riders Scott Redding and Bradley Smith, World Superbike legends Carl Fogarty and Troy Corser, SBK’s Alex Lowes, the championship-winning MacKenzie family and racing commentators Toby Moody and Julian Ryder.

The Isle of Man TT riders will be out in force on TT Day (Sunday 27 November), as well as every day of the week, with John McGuinness, Conor Cummins, Dean Harrison, Ian Hutchinson, Bruce Anstey, Michael Rutter and many more all appearing.

For a full list of riders, updated as and when more are confirmed, visit www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/racers-and-vips