Pata Honda rider Jonathan Rea took his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP to fourth and fifth place finishes in today’s two 10th-round World Superbike championship races at Jerez in Spain, retaining his third place in the series with just two rounds to go.

The two races were won by Italian Marco Melandri, with French rider Sylvain Guintoli taking two second places and series leader Tom Sykes scoring a third in race two but seeing his championship lead reduced.

Rea’s Pata Honda team-mate Leon Haslam finished seventh and eighth in the two 20-lap outings which were run in cooler, more overcast conditions than the earlier practice and qualifying sessions at the 4.423km Jerez circuit.

Following the cancellation of the Moscow round, the World Superbike championship will reconvene in one month’s time for round 11 at the French circuit of Magny-Cours.

APRILIA DOMINATES AT JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA

IN THE TENTH ROUND OF THE WORLD SBK CHAMPIONSHIP IT'S A DOUBLE ONE-TWO FOR THE ITALIAN BIKES ON THE SPANISH TRACK.

Jerez de la Frontera, 7 September 2014 – Aprilia had no rivals at Jerez in the tenth round of the World SBK Championship. The RSV4s from Noale proved their superiority taking first and second place in both Race 1 and Race 2.

It was Melandri who earned both wins with authority and employing a similar strategy. In both Race 1 and Race 2 Marco found himself behind in the initial phases, sixth in the first race and fifth in the second. In both cases he skilfully and steadfastly came back, demonstrating undisputed superiority and an optimum feeling with his RSV4. This takes Melandri to five wins this season.

In both races Sylvain Guintoli took the lead early, trying to pull away from his rivals. Once overtaken by Melandri Guintoli confidently managed his position, finishing in second place twice to earn 13 championship points and close the gap behind championship leader, Sykes, whose advantage has now been reduced to just 31 points over Aprilia Racing's Frenchman.

The double win at Jerez also has an impact on the Manufacturers Championship: with the 50 points earned in Spain, Aprilia makes up 23 on Kawasaki which now places them just one point from the top spot in the championship standings.

Marco Melandri: “After the crash in Race 2 at Laguna Seca I was very disappointed because we could have taken a double win there. This weekend my team and I started off well straight away, changing very little on the bike and my RSV4 performed very well today. The second race was a bit more difficult because with the higher temperatures the track has less grip. I tried to be consistent even though I wasn't really fast at the beginning of the race, but I managed to maintain my pace steadily, making up places over my rivals. This was a great Sunday for me. Now I can relax for a few days before getting back on the track.”

Sylvain Guintoli: “Our goal here was to make up points on Tom and that's what we did. Last year I didn't do too well here so I wasn't expecting to be able to battle for the win in both races. I gave it my all, working hard to solve the problems we had during practice and pushing to the limit today. The next round is at Magny Cours, a track that I like and where I know I can count on support from our French fans to keep fighting for the Championship. With 100 points left on the table anything can still happen.”

From 12th to 14th September

• TEST RIDES ON THE 2014 MOTO GUZZI RANGE: CALIFORNIA 1400, V7, STELVIO AND GRISO
• FREE ENTRY TO THE MUSEUM AND GUIDED TOURS OF THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE PRODUCTION LINES
• THE MOST EXTREME AND SPECTACULAR MOTO GUZZI SPECIALS ON DISPLAY

Mandello del Lario, 5 September 2014 – At Mandello final preparations are feverishly underway in anticipation of the peaceful invasion by Moto Guzzi fans who traditionally descend upon the Larian town in the second weekend of September.

Friday 12 September, at 3:00 PM, the famed red gate with the golden eagle at Via Parodi 57 will open to welcome enthusiasts who want to discover or relive the experience of visiting a unique factory. An appointment with history to appreciate the industrial architecture, the ingeniousness of the Wind tunnel and more than 150 motorcycles on display, from the original GP (Guzzi-Parodi) to the MGS01, as well as the first Normale manufactured in 1921 which was returned to the Museum this year in all its antique splendour after an extensive restoration.

Moving on from the historically significant bikes to modern ones, this year visitors will once again have the chance to test the major models in the 2014 range for free, from the luxurious California 1400 to the refined V7 in all of the various versions, taking a ride which will lead to the entrance of Lecco and Varenna. To do this, fans will need to sign up directly inside the plant at the “Test Ride” area.

A feature of the 2014 Moto Guzzi Open House edition which is sure to be popular is the Custom Area, where fans will be able to admire not only the major models in the 2014 range, but also the most prestigious “Specials” built on small and big block bases by the most famous "custom made shops" in the sector: RossoPuro, South Garage, Millepercento and the German Radical Guzzi bikes.

The bookshop will contain plenty of new articles with a sneak peek of the 2015 fashion and accessories collection as well as the chance to purchase the previous collections at outlet prices.

In the spirit of the hospitality and warm welcome that makes Mandello a place any biker loves, this year visitors will be able to camp for free again in the Lido area under a starry sky (at least that's what everyone is hoping for!) and with one of the most beautiful views of the Lario.

Here is the schedule of events:

12-14 September 2014

Friday the 12th:    3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Factory opens (shop, museum)
•  Saturday the 13th/Sunday the 14th:  9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (doors close at 5:30 PM)
• Factory opens (shop, museum, wind tunnel, engine assembly, motorcycle assembly line)
• Moto Guzzi range test rides
• Custom Area opens

THE LOCATIONS OF THE MOTO GUZZI LEGEND AND PASSION

TEST RIDE
This is an opportunity not to be missed by any motorcycle enthusiast: the opportunity to test the motorcycles in the Moto Guzzi range, right here in the place where every Moto Guzzi is born, on the magnificent roads that run along Lake Como. Test riding will be held on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM with registration opening at 9:30 AM. Also included in the bikes being tested is the magnificent California 1400, powered by the most powerful V twin ever manufactured in Europe. For those who sign up for test rides a comfortable area outfitted in true Moto Guzzi spirit will be available, where they can wait their turn to ride and then compare notes on the models they have tested when they return.

THE MUSEUM
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday 12 September and from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday 13 September and Sunday 14 September, the Moto Guzzi Historical Museum will be open to the public. This space contains more than 150 models that have made the history of the Mandello Eagle, an extraordinary path going back to the roots of the Moto Guzzi legend. Factory bikes, racing bikes, prototypes and engines are accompanied by an exceptional collection of never before seen photographs and documents which narrate the deeds of one of the most noble brands in global motorcycling, capable of producing models which became legends.

ENGINE ASSEMBLY LINE
This is the area of the plant where the legendary twin cylinder engines, the emblem of Moto Guzzi, are assembled by hand, one by one. Here a unique engine was born and made history, an engine that marked the history of Moto Guzzi and global motorcycling and which, in its subsequent evolutions, came to represent the largest V-twin engine ever made in Europe in the 1400 version that equips the brand new California.

MOTORCYCLE ASSEMBLY LINES
Here the Moto Guzzi bikes take shape. Here the finished twin cylinder meets the motorcycle that will accompany it for the rest of its life. On the line visitors will be able to follow, step by step, operation by operation, the birth of that jewel of technology and Italian end product that each Moto Guzzi has represented for more than 90 years.

WIND TUNNEL
First commissioned in the Mandello del Lario plant in 1950, this was the first example of a wind tunnel for aerodynamic motorcycle testing. A singularly fascinating place, today it is the testament to a technological first and a glorious history that only Moto Guzzi possesses.

CUSTOM AREA
This is the area where visitors will find the test ride accreditation desk and the area reserved for the pre-ride briefing and post-ride debriefing, meeting the Mandello-based manufacturer engineers and admiring the specials built based on Moto Guzzi models.

www.piaggiogroup.com

Motorcycle Live arrives at The NEC, Birmingham on 22nd November 2014 for a nine-day biking spectacular. In addition to four halls crammed with all the latest models, parts and apparel, visitors can experience a variety of amazing live shows. No matter which way you turn at Motorcycle Live, there’s something incredible to watch, all for FREE.

The Crank’d live action stunt show returns for a second year and promises to be even bigger and better with its mind-blowing blend of petrol and pedal-powered two-wheeled talent. Some of the UK’s top stars from motorcycle trials, Mini Bike FMX and BMX will come together in the battle of the cranks over a specially-constructed indoor playground of dirt ramps, jump boxes, high jumps and flatbed sections. Crank’d is FREE to watch and takes place three times a day Monday to Friday and four times a day on Saturdays and Sundays.         

Also returning for a second year is the Behind Bars cinema experience, with a brand-new behind-the-scenes documentary film charting the highs and lows of life as a motorcycle racer. This incredibly insightful film follows some of the UK’s top names in racing through the 2014 season and will leave you in utter awe of their endeavours. Behind Bars is FREE to watch with showings four times a day Monday to Thursday and five times a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.        

Last but definitely not least, the Blackhorse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone will be home to its regular hosts, the ever-popular Steve Parrish and James Whitham. The lunchtime Fast Bikes Question of Bikes quiz and the four-times daily ‘Inside Tracks’ with James Whitham will feature a whole host of guest riders from British and World Superbikes, MotoGP, Speedway and road racing. Favourite games such as Dunlop Man of Steel, the British Eurosport Memory Game and Oxford Products Dress/Undress will all feature with some great prizes up for grabs.        

Motorcycle Live takes place at The NEC, Birmingham from 22-30 November 2014. Advance tickets are just £17 per adult, £11 for Seniors and £7 for children aged 11-16* (kids ten and under accompanied by a paying adult go free). There is also a £20 advance ticket, which includes entry to the show and a three-pack of Oxford Comfy neck warmers worth £15.

www.motorcyclelive.co.uk

Preparation is well underway for the fast approaching ‘Henry Surtees Challenge’, to be held on Wednesday 8th October 2014, at Buckmore Park in Kent.  

The Challenge, now in its fourth year, has become an essential fixture on the racing calendar for motorsport talent aged 15 or over. The Henry Surtees Foundation invites kart and car racers going up the motorsport ladder, to compete for a spectacular range of prizes that will accelerate their careers and aid them in their race programme preparation for 2015. 

This special annual event, organised by former F1 World Champion, John Surtees OBE, who set up the Foundation in memory of his son, will award the top three drivers with a prestigious Henry ‘H’ trophy. Drivers will battle it out, using the superb Club100 Birel karts, for the chance to win the best prizes ever offered at a kart meeting! Prizes for fastest lap, the most unlucky driver and a heavyweight prize for 80kg or above will also be awarded.

2014 prizes confirmed to date include:

Test and Race Opportunities

·        Test day in the Ginetta G40 GRDC to one driver aged 16 or over, donated by Ginetta

·        FIA Formula 4 Ford test: half day seat fitting and acclimatisation test in the UK, followed by one full day, with Falcon Motorsport, at their Spanish test, with the new composite-chassis car that will be on display at the event, donated by  Falcon Motorsport

·        BRDC Formula 4 test, donated by Hillspeed

·        Formula Renault 2.0 two day  test with Manor Competition at a Spanish circuit, donated by  Renault UK and Manor Competition

·        Tour of Carlin racing facility, seat fitting, simulator testing session with race engineer, Formula 3 Dallara Volkswagen test, donated by Carlin Motorsport

Race Support Equipment and Services

·        A full kit of Puma race clothing - one suit, three pairs of gloves, two pairs of racing boots, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle  shoes for the winner (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by Puma SE

·        Two sets of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair lifestyle shoes for second place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by  Puma SE

·        One set of gloves and underwear, one pair of racing shoes, one pair of running shoes and one pair of lifestyle shoes for third place (in addition to their chosen prize), donated by  Puma SE

·        Tour of the Red Bull Racing facility, simulator session and  evaluation by a race engineer, donated by Christian Horner

·        An Arai GP-6S helmet in white finish, donated by Arai

·        Full website package and online branding, plus a three month social media package, donated by 5G Creative

·        A pair of custom-fit driver communication earpieces suitable for all racing formulas up to F1, supplied with a year’s support to ensure the wearer is fully equipped to hear vital communications for a full season of racing. A pair of custom-fit filtered noise plugs - to protect hearing. A complete hearing health check consisting of an ear examination using a video otoscope (see inside your own ears) and a comprehensive hearing test.  Advice and information on protecting your hearing to assist with a motorsport career,  donated by specialist in Formula 1 equipment,  Hearing Electronics Limited

·        A two hour training session at iZone Driver Performance, donated by Andy Priaulx

·        A supply of Teng Tools to the value of £1,000, donated by Teng Tools

Coverage of the 2014 Henry Surtees Challenge in Motor Sport magazine will include a profile of the winning driver.

Some prizes will be on offer to MSA licence holders only, and will be allocated at the discretion of the event organisers

Entries are strictly limited, so enter now to avoid disappointment. Entry costs £500 and is open to drivers in their 15th year or above, typically competing in single-seater formulas, touring, sportscar classes, karting and motorcycling, who hold an MSA National B licence or above, or are a member of Club 100 Premier and Clubman Spirit members, or a Buckmore Park Elite driver.

Fuel will be supplied courtesy of Shell. The Arai UK service vehicle will be on-site; offering a free helmet cleaning and service to all drivers with Arai helmets.

John Surtees OBE comments: “The motorsport community has again provided us with these superb prizes, I’m only too well aware of the difficulties facing young drivers in putting their programmes together for the following season, at this time of year. The value and quality of the prizes that we have on offer are unique for a motor sport event. Look forward to seeing you on the 8th October.”

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com