The Aprilia Racing Team leaves Imola with the third place Sylvain Guintoli took home in Race 2 which, together with his fifth place in Race 1, keeps the rider close to the top of the championship standings. Sylvain, coming off two wins and demonstrating consistent performance, now lies in third place in the championship, just 16 points behind the new leader, Rea, and 12 behind Sykes.

In the first race, after holding onto second place for much of the race, Guintoli suffered a drop in tyre performance which forced him to a more defensive strategy in the second part of the race. These are important points in a Championship which, after only four rounds, promises to be extremely well balanced. Sylvain's redemption came in Race 2 where he played a key role, staying in the leading pack from the start and finishing in third place in front of some of his fiercest rivals in the battle for the title.

Sylvain Guintoli: “It was a hard battle in both races. In Race 2 we managed to improve our pace quite a bit. I knew I would have to start off strong because we are struggling a bit at the moment in the second half of the race. I fought all the way to the end. I knew that the podium was within reach so I gritted my teeth and tried not to make any mistakes. A fifth and third place don't exactly make me jump for joy, but in any case they mean 27 points. I know that I put forth my best effort on this track. The test tomorrow is important because we'll be able to continue improving and looking for new solutions so that we can be incisive in any conditions”.

The weekend at Imola was decidedly disappointing for Marco Melandri who, after two days of positive sessions, was expecting to be strong in the races. Instead, his sixth place in Race 1 and eleventh place in the second match, despite two excellent starts, kept the rider from Ravenna out of the spotlight on the track at Imola.

Marco Melandri: “This was a very disappointing Sunday race day, definitely not up to our expectations which were quite high after such a good start to the weekend. Friday and Saturday were positive and it seemed like we were on the right track. This means that we still have a lot of work to do. I am quite capable of bringing home very different results, but that's how this sport is at these levels”.

Touratech handlebar mount and Bike & Car Set as a complete package for the Zumo 590 LM The Zumo 590LM is Garmin's new top-end GPS motorcycle navigator.

This premium sat-nav device features a larger, even easier-to-read touchscreen display, practical route planning options and universal connectivity. As well as the made-to-measure bracket, Touratech additionally offers the Zumo as part of a Bike & Car Set, which is a complete package for all-round use. Specially developed for the Zumo 590LM, the handlebar mount with tried-and-tested Touratech vibration damping is a must for everyone who wants to extend the life of their valuable navigator for as long as possible. Utilising aluminium and stainless steel, the robust, lockable mount is designed like a hand that encloses, grips and protects the Zumo. Damping elements eliminate vibrations and even shocks, e.g. when riding on gravel roads. The bike's on-board power supply connects to the Zumo via a Garmin cradle built into the bracket. The handlebar mount can be ordered keyed alike with existing Touratech accessories. Available in black and natural aluminium. 065-0790 Handlebar mount for Garmin Zumo 590LM, natural aluminium  065-0791 Handlebar mount for Garmin Zumo 590LM, black   

Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set

Touratech has put together the Bike & Car Set as a complete package that includes the Zumo 590LM along with everything you need to use the Zumo in your car and on your motorbike. The Zumo is supplied with preinstalled City Navigator® NT maps for Europe (full coverage of 45 countries) including lifetime map updates. We have added the lockable, vibration-dampened Touratech handlebar mount and in-car attachment kit to complement this navigation system's extensive set of features.

The set comprises the following items: - GARMIN ZUMO 590LM - TOURATECH handlebar mount for ZUMO 590LM, *lockable* - Set of bolts for RAM mount adapters

060-0531 Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set, natural aluminium  060-0532 Garmin Zumo 590LM Bike & Car Set, black

The IAM is calling for more information and advice on SMART motorways for drivers.

The call comes after seventy-one per cent of drivers said they would feel less safe on a motorway with no hard shoulder than a motorway with one, according to the latest poll by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

One of the main concerns of respondents is the plan to increase the distance between safety refuges with forty-eight per cent of respondents believing that safety refuges should be no more than 500 yards (0.45km) apart.

Forty per cent of respondents are sceptical that new monitoring systems on SMART motorways, such as electronic signs, can protect them in the event of stopping in a running lane.

Other survey findings include:

•Sixty-seven per cent of respondents said they haven’t seen any publicity about SMART motorways.
•A third of respondents (thirty-two per cent) would support the legalising of undertaking on SMART motorways.
•Forty-two per cent believe SMART motorways have reduced congestion and forty-three per cent of respondents said it has improved their journey times .

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “SMART motorways are being rolled out across England but our survey shows that drivers want more reassurance and information on how safe they will be and how to use them. The IAM has been supportive of hard shoulder running but we have always said that the Highways Agency must be quick to learn and implement any real world lessons as more schemes come into use.”

The IAM offers some guidance on using SMART motorways:

Pay attention to the overhead gantries as they provide information on traffic conditions and lane access for the road ahead.

The six signals are:

•A red cross without flashing beacons. The hard shoulder is only for use in an emergency or breakdown.
•A speed limit inside a red circle. It is absolutely mandatory and may have cameras enforcing it.
•A blank signal. Usual motorway rules apply.
•A white arrow with flashing beacons. This applies to all lanes and means you should move into the lane which the arrow points to.
•A red cross with flashing beacons. You should not continue to use the lane.
•A national speed limit sign is shown. The national speed limit, 70mph maximum, applies to all lanes apart from the hard shoulder.

Types of motorways:

•Controlled motorway – these have three or more lanes with variable speed limits. Hard shoulder use is strictly for emergency use only.
•Hard shoulder running – the hard shoulder will be opened at busy times and the speed limit will be reduced. Don’t use the hard shoulder unless overhead signs show that you can do so.
•All lane running – there is no hard shoulder on these sections of the motorway. Obey the variable speed limits and do not stop on the motorway. In the event of an emergency, use an emergency refuge area, motorway service area or exit at the next junction.

www.iam.org.uk

PROTAGONISTS IN BOTH SESSIONS ON THE IMOLA TRACK, MARCO MELANDRI AND SYLVAIN GUINTOLI ENSURE A GOOD SPOT FOR THEMSELVES IN THE SUNDAY RACES.

Imola, 9 May 2014 - On a decidedly summer day the World Superbike engines roared to life at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit at Imola. For the Aprilia Racing Team, reigning Manufacturer World Champion, it was a very promising début: Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli were protagonists straight away in the two sessions today, demonstrating great determination and an excellent pace. The only black spot on the day was a red flag 12 minutes from the end of the second session when the riders were getting ready to test the last solutions.

Marco Melandri, playing on his home pitch, ended the day with the third best time in the combined standings. The young man from Ravenna improved consistently until arriving less than two tenths of a second from the ranking leader. Efforts will be focused on two fronts tomorrow: continuing the search for the best settings in view of the race and finding speed on the flying lap in order to do well in Superpole. In fact, one of the characteristics of the Imola track is difficulty overtaking.

Marco Melandri: "I am really quite pleased. For us today was like a new, positive beginning. I feel good on my RSV4 and I am able to ride very smoothly. Today we did a lot of work in preparation for the race, trying to understand how the tyres behave and working on our electronics strategies. Tomorrow we'll continue in this direction, also looking for speed on the flying lap for Superpole. The interruption in the second session didn't even create any big problems for us. We already have a good base to build on".

It was also a decidedly positive day for Sylvain Guintoli, winner at Assen and fourth best time today. The Frenchman put in a lot of laps at Imola and showed that he is consistently fast. There are a few regrets about the time lost in the last session, which could have led to further improvements. For Sylvain and his team tomorrow promises to be a rather intense day.

Sylvain Guintoli: "We started off well. As usual we are working on race pace, but my initial feeling with my RSV4 is very good. With all the red flags that interrupted the practice sessions there are still a few things left to test. I hope we can get some consistent time to work tomorrow and finish what we have planned. In any case our times are promising and I'm confident that starting from the good work we did today we'll be able to improve even more".

The bike has been painted in a unique colour scheme and graphics to celebrate the anniversary of the formation of The Stranglers.

One of the side panels on the bike has actually been signed by The Stranglers then re-lacquered to preserve the autographs, adding to the collectability of the bike.

Full details of the competition are on the website

It's basically one of these competitions where you pay £1.50 (plus standard network rate) to text your answer through.