Sepang (Malaysia), 25 February 2015 - Three intense days for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini on the Sepang track. At the second testing session on the Malaysian circuit the team turned up with a lot of material and new solutions to try out on the track in view of the upcoming MotoGP season. They worked almost entirely on intermediate steps between the first version of the RS-GP, tested in the autumn sessions at Valencia and Jerez, and the more advanced version that was placed on the track in the first Sepang tests in early February.
The stated goal was to choose the definitive materials and solutions for the bikes which will début at the Qatar GP on 29 March.

For the engine the refinement process of the V4 with pneumatic valve timing continued. This is a unit which made a brief appearance at the Valencia tests and then gradually became more reliable and complete in terms of electronic management. There is still much work to be done, but the information gathered at Sepang will be fundamental for the choices the mechanics and riders will make.

Alvaro Bautista and Marco Melandri put in a total of 257 laps (135 for Alvaro and 122 for Marco). During the three days Marco also tested a bike which was quite close to the SBK that he rode last season with the goal of finding the right feeling on the new tyres.

But on this third and final day, Marco Melandri also focused exclusively on the intermediate version of the RS-GP, while Alvaro even took on some long runs, seeking to improve his feeling with the Aprilia even more. This did not keep him from continuing to change the bike and from putting a good time on the sheets (2’01.310) as demonstration of the quality and the quantity of the work done.

Now the engineers at Noale will have time to examine the information gathered and take the final decisions.

ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)
“I'm quite pleased with the tests because we confirmed how well balanced our bike is, also highlighting the exact direction we need to take in development, both in terms of chassis and electronics. We didn't have any particular problems with reliability and that is comforting. Another positive note is that our race pace during simulations is encouraging, even more than our flying lap times. This morning a small problem kept Alvaro from further improving his best lap. He could have shaved a little more off but overall the result of these tests is definitely encouraging. We were able to complete all of the scheduled tests and in the coming days we'll have a look at things and decide which direction to take for Qatar.”

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
“These were three intense days where we were able to complete a lot of tests in various areas of the bike, from the setup to the frame and even the electronics and engine. All in all even our riders' time sheets improved compared to the previous Sepang 1 tests and that's a sign that little by little we are moving forward and improving. We also gathered some more precious information that will allow us to keep working on development at home whilst waiting to get back on the track for the last test in Qatar before the opening round. Alvaro's time is satisfactory and so is Marco's, although still far off the mark. At the end of this final day he started to get a more positive feeling. We are working to give him what he needs and to put him at ease.”

ALVARO BAUTISTA
“This last day was a positive one. After testing various solutions over the last few days today we focused on the base setting that I liked the best. This morning we improved our best lap straight away, taking another important step forward. Another fundamental test was the new 340 millimetre brake discs, a modifications that I got used to right away but that also required some further settings on the bike. This afternoon, at the hottest time of the day, we took our long run and I must say that I immediately felt good riding with a full tank. I'm starting to have fun and that is essential. I had to stop because of a small problem with a wheel and then we got back on the track and even with a used tyre we had a good pace. After the long run we also compared some new material that we didn't have before, specifically looking for better traction. These are all positive tests looking toward the Qatar test sessions, because a lot of ideas came out in terms of development. At the end of the day I'm satisfied. I want to thank all the guys at Aprilia because they did a great job these last three days. We all want to improve more in the next tests!”

MARCO MELANDRI
“In these three days we did a lot of hard work in terms of comparison tests to find that feeling that I have been missing up to now. We took laps to analyse various solutions, even with a bike similar to the one that I rode last year, precisely to gather as much information as possible. We were able to find some good things, but it wasn't enough to let me ride as I'd like to and our times show just how much work is still left to do. Now we'll analyse the results of these tests and decide the best way focus our future efforts.”

The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) invite you to their premier annual fundraising event. The best value-for-money biker’s event in the UK!

The YBN24 rally will feature; twenty-six live bands on three stages, ‘100% Biker’ bike & trike show, a huge stand-up comedy show, 60+ real ales and ciders and a wide range of canned beers, wines and spirits, loads of trade stalls, three discos, children’s entertainment, accessible facilities, hot showers, and the very best company you could wish for!

Pre-booked tickets £25.00 (before 2nd May 2015). On the gate £30.

Accompanied children 14-years or under – free admission

• Car parking £20.00 (free with disabled badge). Caravans £20.
• Strictly no dogs (except registered & insured disability assistance dogs)
• No alcohol will be permitted through the gate; we have three bars selling a wide range of beers, wines, and spirits, at very reasonable prices
• Day tickets (Saturday only) £15.00 (Pay £30 with a £15.00 refund if you leave before 7pm)

You don't have to be an NABD member or a disabled biker to attend this superb event!

See the website for details and how to but a ticket www.nabd.org.uk

Updates will be posted on the website and on facebook

Don’t forget your towel: Hot showers will be available at the You’ve Been Nabbed 24 rally.

Cars at You've Been Nabbed 24:
We have removed our restrictions on people attending by car in a bid to stop people parking illegally in the local area and walking into the event.

Police are likely to be clamping-down on illegal parking in the area this year due to complaints.

Sponsor a Barrel of Ale at You’ve Been Nabbed 24:
For a mere £75.00 sponsors can have their name, (or company name, club name, logo etc.) on a barrel of real ale or cider throughout the event.

Sponsors will also be included in the official sponsors list and receive a laminated ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from the NABD.

If you are in a club, why not propose to your fellow members that they sponsor a barrel?

If you are self-employed and you pay tax, why not sponsor a barrel yourself? Promotional expenses and charitable donations can all be written off against tax.
If you work for a company, why not talk to your boss about it? It’s very good publicity and it has to feel better than handing your money over to the Tax Man!

For more information, e-mail [email protected] or telephone 0844 415 4849 and we will let you have a simple form to fill in.

www.nabd.org.uk

VICTORY AND SECOND PLACE FOR HASLAM IN THE TWO AUSTRALIAN RACES. THIS IS APRILIA'S 50TH WIN IN WSBK.

LEON HASLAM LEADS THE RIDER CHAMPIONSHIP, APRILIA AT THE TOP OF MANUFACTURER STANDINGS

Phillip Island (Australia), 22 February 2015 - Aprilia never gets tired of winning.

The RSV4, reigning World Champion bike, and the new Aprilia Racing - Red Devils team, pick up where they left off in November, on that magical night in Qatar when the Italian team took the double world title.

On the Phillip Island track Leon Haslam made his début astride the RSV4 and brought home Aprilia's 50th win in World SBK.

The first victory was in 2000, right here at Phillip Island with the RSV Mille ridden by Troy Corser. But it has been in the last 5 years, and with the RSV4, that Aprilia has won all its championships in the factory derivative category, taking 4 Manufacturer and 3 Rider titles and racking up 42 of their 50 total wins.

With these results Aprilia comes home from the Australian round with first place both in the Rider (with Haslam) and Manufacturer standings.

Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Manager had this to say about the 2015 opening round: “After a long winter where the guys in the racing department worked hard we arrived here at Phillip Island with a lot of question marks. These were all erased by this fantastic Sunday where Leon came so close to bringing home a double win, in any case putting in an excellent result in his first races with the RSV4. This promises to be a very well balanced season, with several riders in contention for the win, but I believe that our performance today once again confirms our competitiveness. Leon showed incredible courage and determination today, while Torres continues to improve and has already reached an enviable level for a rookie in this category.”

Arriving at the Australian round with two new riders and the new RF version of the RSV4, Aprilia found itself in the limelight straight away with Leon Haslam. The fast English rider, making his first curtain call on the Italian V4, confirmed the RSV4's ability to win with riders of any style, and he was a key player in both races, battling courageously and cleanly with his countryman Jonathan Rea.

In the first of the two races, after they pulled ahead of the pack along with Davies, they engaged in a memorable duel overtaking one another several times before the spectacular last lap. In the final race for the chequered flag, Rea broke through by just 39 thousandths of a second.

The script was much the same with the players reversed in the second race. Haslam and Rea did battle, doing full honours to the spirit of this championship - which promises to be particularly spectacular this year - taking turns in the lead, once again down to the last lap. At the last turn Haslam came around in his countryman's slipstream, looking for the pass in the final run. And that is exactly how it went, with Leon Haslam winning his first championship race on an Aprilia 10 thousandths of a second ahead of Rea.

Leon Haslam: “This race brings back great memories. My last win was at Kyalami in 2010 after a great battle with Rea. My compliments to my team. They did a great job all weekend. In Race 1 I unfortunately made a mistake, but luckily I felt like I had a wide enough margin and I was able to rejoin the pack and finish second in the final dash by just a few thousandths. I started Race 2 even more motivated to win. Despite feeling like I had less “reserve” after the halfway point, everything went according to plan. In the last turn I opened up the throttle at the right time and I realised that I had overtaken Rea straight away right on the finish line. I am truly happy to finally be back on the top step of the podium!”

The young Spanish rider, Jordi Torres, also had an opening day full of positive notes. In his first SBK race he stayed in the top spots of the standings, showing no reverential fear for the big names in the Championship and, after battling with the likes of Guintoli and Bayliss, he made an excellent fourth place finish. This was a great placement well within his reach in Race 2 as well, but just after overtaking Sykes after a long battle for fourth, he fell victim to a sliding crash without any physical damage, but which ended his race.

Jordi Torres: “This was a Sunday where I learned a lot. In the first race we performed well. I was fast from the start and I learned a lot about tyre wear and what sort of riding style to use to conserve it. You have to avoid leaning all the way over and be very careful on the gas - a lesson that I was putting to good use in Race 2. Unfortunately Sykes really brakes hard, so I struggled to overtake him and just when I thought I could do it I pushed to hard and crashed. I need to take away all the good we did this weekend and stay calm. I can be fast but I need to improve the way I manage the race.”

Andrea Petricca: “Today Haslam and the entire team won, a group of professionals who are accustomed to winning. We were well aware of the great potential that both Haslam and the RSV4 have and today at Phillip Island we received confirmation that Leon is capable of riding a top level championship to fight for the title. It won't be easy because we are competing at a very high level, but we will give it our best effort. Torres was making his début in the Superbike championship but he showed that he can compete with the fastest and most expert riders in the category, so we are confident that in the coming races he will bring home great results.”

20 MPH Speed Limits At The Northern Ireland Assembly
Previously we have reported on a Private Members’ Bill – Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill – being introduced at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

On Tuesday of this week this bill when through its second stage to go forward to Committee Stage due on the 15th April 2015.

The committee responsible will look at the bill in more depth.

The basics of the Bill is to set a maximum speed limit on residential roads of 20 miles per hour – whether this is a blanket enforcement or where residents along with all agencies (a stakeholder led approach e.g. the local community – police – public transport service – young people), feel that a 20mph zone would be beneficial in terms of road safety is up for further discussion – for amendments to be tabled as the bill progresses.

At some stage we believe this will also include a full public consultation.

If you read the latest debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly – you will read what has been described in the debate as “devilment” in engaging with other members (politicians) – and big words such as “facetiousness” – you will read about concerns that the bill, “for many people might be not a Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill but a “horse – and – cart Bill” – then read past what you would expect from a debate and read the thoughts and reasoning behind the proposed bill.

The thoughts and reasoning includes the aim of reducing casualties on residential street which concerns vulnerable road users such as young and old pedestrians and cyclists and during the debate various politicians offered up varied figures on fatal road collisions, where and how, speeds and examples of other 20 mph limits that have been introduced in the rest of the UK but there did not seem to be any thoughts on why these fatalities happen.

Read more

Production of the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 has begun; the bike will be available from the end of March in Ducati dealerships throughout UK
• The former Superbike world champion came to Borgo Panigale (Bologna) in person to collect the first bike off the production line
• The new Multistrada 1200 is available in three versions (Standard, S, and D-Air) with four available accessory packages (Touring, Enduro, Sport, and Urban), and takes the concept of the multibike launched in 2010 to new frontiers

The new Multistrada 1200, presented last November at the World Ducati Premiere 2014, has won over not only the public of EICMA in Milan, but also a celebrated Ducatista: Carlos Checa. The Spaniard, who was World Champion in 2011 among the modified production bikes, riding a Ducati, expressed the desire to ride the new Italian multibike. The opportunity arose when production of the bike began, and Carlos took possession of the first model to come off the production line at the Borgo Panigale factory.

“I already had the first version of the Multistrada 1200 and I saw right away that this was my ideal bike. When I saw the new model at EICMA I literally fell in love with it,” said Carlos Checa during his visit to Borgo Panigale. “I realised immediately that the bike had been completely changed and had taken an important step forward in terms of technology, safety and performance. I asked if I could ride it and the moment has come at last. I've already ridden a few kilometres and that's all I needed to notice that the new Testastretta DVT engine is a good step ahead in terms of functioning regularity and performance. The new electronic system, commanded by the inertial platform, has made it possible to introduce a lot of new elements such as ABS Cornering. I also really love the new instrumentation which provides multiple possibilities for connectivity, as well as the new handlebar controls which are more ergonomic and easier to use. For certain I'll be riding a long way with my new Ducati Multistrada 1200”.

Carlos Checa and the new Multistrada 1200 were in Courmayeur last weekend, guests at the second appointment with the Winter Tour (the third stop will take place in Ischgl, Austria, 21-22 February, for info wintertour.ducati.com) and they'll soon be taking part in other adventures to come.

The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be available in UK Ducati dealerships from the end of March.

As soon as it was launched back in 2010, the Multistrada 1200 revolutionised the motorcycling world by offering, for the very first time, nothing less than four bikes in one: from super sport to long-distance tourer, from everyday runabout to enduro. Now, Ducati’s technological expertise has produced a new generation of Multistradas, bikes featuring the latest Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine and a state-of-the-art technological package that sets a whole new standard in its product segment. The new Multistrada 1200 is the “multibike” par excellence, with cutting-edge technology making it far more than just the 4-bikes-in-1 offered by its Riding Modes.

In what is a first for the motorcycle industry, the DVT engine features a variable valve timing system with independent control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. This optimises engine performance throughout the power range in all riding conditions, thus ensuring maximum power at high rpm, fluid delivery, punchy low-rpm torque and low fuel consumption in full compliance with the latest Euro 4 regulations.

The new Multistrada 1200 also sets a new electronics benchmark thanks to the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), developed by Bosch technicians, which dynamically measures roll and pitch angles as well as the acceleration on three axis; with this information, the Bosch IMU enhances both performance and safety. For example, the presence of the IMU enables the ABS to include a Cornering system capable of controlling braking even on bends where wheel lock could otherwise cause skidding. On the Multistrada 1200 S it also enables control the Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) in its full LED headlamp. Moreover, the Bosch IMU has allowed the introduction of Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC): this detects and corrects any front wheel lift to ensure maximum acceleration in complete safety. Like Ducati Traction Control (DTC), DWC features rider-settable 8-level sensitivity. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution (DSS) control system featured on the Multistrada 1200 S.