APRILIA RS 660 RIDERS EARN VICTORY, PAIR OF PODIUM FINISHES IN MOTOAMERICA TWINS CUP RACES AT THE RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK

RODIO RACING – POWERED BY ROBEM ENGINEERING RIDERS LANDERS, RODIO, NOW SECOND, THIRD, IN POINTS STANDINGS

SHELTON, WA- It turned out to be a near-perfect weekend for Aprilia rider Rocco Landers at The Ridge Motorsports Park. The Rodio Racing -- Powered by Robem Engineering rider and three-time MotoAmerica class champion was the fastest rider in practice, qualifying and both races at the northwest Washington State circuit. Though a post-race penalty reduced a victory to a podium finish on Saturday, Landers and his teammate -- and fellow podium finisher at The Ridge -- Gus Rodio are now just 11 and 13 points out of the lead in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup standings.
The Ridge’s undulating and technical 2.5-mile road course also proved to be a good match for the Aprilia RS 660. Aprilia riders claimed four of the top 10 grid spots in qualifying, half of the podium finishes and nearly half of the top 10 places in the weekend’s two Twins Cup races.

Landers and Rodio showed immediate pace in the first on-track session of the weekend. Landers led the field in Friday morning practice with a 1:48.063 lap time -- which was 0.525 seconds faster than the next-fastest rider. Rodio finished the session in fourth place, and Luke Luciano of Zone 9 Racing/EDR Performance and Tyler Duffy of Duffy Racing gave Aprilia four riders in the session’s top 10. Later Friday, Landers ended the first of two qualifying sessions on provisional pole and improved his best lap time to 1:45.546. Rodio finished the session fifth-fastest, and Jacob Crossman of 3D Motorsports was the third Aprilia rider to end the session in the top 10.
Landers didn’t improve his blistering lap time from Qualifying 1 in Saturday morning’s Qualifying 2, but still clinched pole position. Rodio found some additional pace in Qualifying 2 and joined his teammate on the front row by qualifying third. Also qualifying in the top 10 was Agustin Sierra of Top Pro Motorsports, who secured 10th on the starting grid for the round’s two Twins Cup races.
Saturday’s Race 1 saw Landers put in a dominant performance that was partially undone by a late-race infraction. Landers briefly lost and then re-took the lead during the short run to the first corner and didn’t relinquish the lead after that. He crossed the finish line in first place by a margin of 4.8 seconds. However, Landers passed a lapped rider in a yellow flag zone at the start of the final lap, and as a result was reclassified in third place. Rodio got a good start and finished the first lap running in fourth. After falling as low as fifth in the running order at the end of Lap 2 and nearly crashing on Lap 3, he gradually got closer to the battle for the last two steps on the podium but had to settle for a fourth-place finish. Landers and Rodio were joined in the top 10 by three other Aprilia riders – Top Pro Motorsports’ Alex Arango in eighth, Duffy in ninth and Righteous Racing’s Ray Hoffman in 10th.

The start of Race 2 was a near-mirror image of Race 1, with Landers getting an OK jump off the line but still leading the field through the holeshot. Rodio also dropped one position in the running order like he did on Saturday and was running in a lonely fifth place for the first couple laps. As Landers gradually built a big lead at the front of the field, Rodio gained pace as the race went on. By the end of Lap 4, Rodio had moved up to third place and finished Laps 9-11 of the 12-lap contest in second place. Landers took the victory in commanding fashion -- crossing the finish line more than 11 seconds ahead of the runner-up -- while Rodio lost one position in the closing stages of the last lap and finished third. Two other Aprilia riders – Crossman and Arango – finished in ninth and 10th place, respectively. More than half of the riders registered for the Ridge round – 16 of 29 – were set to compete aboard Aprilia RS 660s.

The MotoAmerica Twins Cup has a one-weekend break before it’s back in action July 7-9 at the Laguna Seca circuit in Monterey, California. More information on that round and the series can be found on motoamerica.com
 
Rocco Landers / Rodio Racing - Powered by Robem Engineering
“The end to Race 1 was disappointing, but my Aprilia RS 660 is working amazing. My favorite thing about the bike is how easy it has been to set up. We found a solid base setup at the Road Atlanta round, and we haven’t had to make any big changes since then. We actually didn’t change anything from Friday’s Qualifying 1 to today’s Race 2. I don’t see why we can’t get a couple 1-2 finishes at the next round at Laguna Seca and keep this momentum rolling.”
 
Gus Rodio / Rodio Racing - Powered by Robem Engineering
“It was a good weekend on my Rodio Racing -- Powered by Robem Engineering Aprilia RS 660. It was a little bit of a learning curve for me, as I hadn’t raced here on a Twins Cup bike before. I think we did a pretty good job at figuring the bike setup out, and I’m happy to leave here with a podium finish after not scoring any points at the last round. I’m looking forward to racing at Laguna Seca and making more improvements there.”

Thousands of riders welcomed to Ragley Hall for Europe’s Greatest Ever Celebration of Adventure Biking

• ABR Festival returned to Ragley Hall Estate on the 23-25 June 2023; the sixth and most successful show to date
• Record-breaking, sell-out festival with over 12,500 adventure riders in attendance
• ‘Bigger and better’ visitor experience with more live music, guest speakers, test rides, exhibitors and food caterers than ever before
• Packed-out talks from legendary adventure motorcyclist Ted Simon, YouTube mega star Itchy Boots and TT icon John McGuinness, plus an improved 30k Bridgestone Trail
• Over 130 of the world’s leading motorcycle and adventure brands in the Exhibitor Village
• 45 motorcycle manufacturers in attendance, facilitating over 1600 test rides in three days
• ABR Stage delivered a full line-up of the UK’s best party and tribute bands, including headliners The bEAT
• Overwhelmingly positive visitor and exhibitor feedback from the event
• A limited number of 2024 loyalty weekend tickets now on sale for only £89

This past weekend, the Adventure Bike Rider Festival returned to the magnificent grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire for three sun-soaked days of biking action and festival entertainment. 

Adventurize, the organisers behind the festival, have declared this year’s event as their most successful show to date, with a record-breaking number of visitors passing through the gates. The sold-out festival welcomed over 12,500 bikers, plus festival crew, surpassing all prior attendance figures and marking 2023 as the finest event in the festival’s history.

Billed as the Glastonbury of the motorcycle industry, the festival promised to deliver their ‘best ever’ visitor experience, with even more special guest speakers, live music, test rides, off-road tuition, motorcycle exhibitors, and food caterers than ever before. 

An incredible line-up of special guest speakers was on show, with the biggest names from adventure biking world present. Talks from the ‘Godfather of Adventure Biking’ Ted Simon, and YouTube Superstar Noraly Schoenmaker, aka Itchy Boots, were particularly well-received with packed crowds seen at the Ténéré Speaker Stage. Interviews with Enduro Champion Chris Birch and TT racing icon John McGuinness also entertained large crowds within the Bridgestone Campfire Stage.

Within the Adventure Arena, the Exhibitor Village had over 130 of the world’s leading motorcycle and adventure brands, showcasing the latest accessories, clothing, luggage and hardware. Visitors were presented with an ideal opportunity to see, try and shop the latest gear, as well as to speak to industry experts – all in one location.

All the major motorcycle manufacturers were also in attendance including Yamaha, Ducati, BMW, Honda, Triumph and Suzuki. Over 1600 test rides were taken by visitors over the weekend, a festival test-ride record, with the new look Yamaha Ténéré 700 World Rally, Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and Honda XL750 Transalp amongst the crowd-favourites.

The ever-popular ABR live music stage kept the party going throughout the weekend. As the sun went down, visitors were treated to performances from a spectacular line-up of the UK’s best tribute and party bands including Mercury (Queen), Definitely Mightbe (Oasis), Quo’d (Status Quo), Red Hot Chilli Peppers UK (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and the Detroit Soul Collective. Iconic ska / 2-tone outfit The bEAT opened the festival with an exclusive show for VIP ticket holders on the Thursday evening.

The jewel-in-the-crown of the festival though is the Bridgestone Trail, which returned once again for 2023. Even more sections and trails were added for this year, increasing its size to over 30km of exclusive closed-road trails through the stunning Estate grounds, it provided the perfect off-road riding experience for all abilities. The beginner-friendly 5km loop was also back, offering bikers an ideal an introduction to off-road riding, over gentle, confidence inspiring terrain. 

Even with a record amount of festival-goers at this year’s event, the incredible welcoming, friendly, respectful and fun atmosphere, synonymous with the ABR Festival, remained. Everyone who turned out was there for a great time, brought together with a common interest - bikes. A real sense of community resonated throughout the festival over the weekend, with each person there to make new friends, create memories and to have a great time on and off the saddle; a sentiment supported by overwhelmingly positive visitor and exhibitor feedback. 

Commenting on the success of the event, ABR Festival founder Alun Davies stated, “From the outset the ABR Festival was all about offering the industry a premium platform to meet face to face with the customer.  Our aim was to show respect to the rider by providing a 1^st class venue, 1^st class services and 1^st class value, and judging by the overwhelming feedback (and volume of ticket sales for ABR 2024) it’s an approach that the motorcycle community wants. It’s said that the ABR Festival is now the largest motorcycle festival in the UK, and I’ll not argue with that. 

As I like to say ‘think Glastonbury, with motorcycles and posh toilets and that’s the ABR Festival blueprint’. But we can now go one better. So, that’s a big thank you to all ticket holders, exhibitors and staff that made ABR Festival 2023 such an absolutely wonderful experience. See you all in 2024.”

The ABR Festival will return again to Ragley Hall Estate on 28-30 June 2024, promising an even greater event yet again. Loyalty tickets for 2024 are now available for only £89 (holding the price from last year) from the ABR Festival website at www.abrfestival.com. Loyalty tickets will guarantee attendance to next year’s festival and include three-day access to the festival, as well as two nights of camping. This will be the lowest price available for a ticket but limited in numbers. General tickets go on-sale shortly at an increased price.

When the open road isn't calling, many bikers find solace and excitement in the virtual world of an online casino. These digital gambling platforms provide a thrilling and convenient way for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy their favourite games and experience the adrenaline rush of the casino floor. In this article, we explore how online casinos cater to the adventurous spirit of bikers, offering an exhilarating alternative to their passion for two-wheeled adventures.

The Freedom of Choice

Bikers are known for their love of freedom and independence, and an online casino can provide the perfect avenue for bikers to exercise their autonomy. With a wide array of online casinos just a click away, bikers can choose from an extensive range of games, including slots, poker, blackjack, and roulette. These platforms often offer various themes and designs that resonate with the biker culture, allowing riders to immerse themselves in a world that reflects their passion for motorcycles and the open road.    

Convenience and Accessibility

One of the biggest advantages of online casinos for members of the biking community is their accessibility. Bikers are often on the road, and the ability to access their favourite casino games from any location with an internet connection is a major convenience. Whether you’re having a quick stop on your long ride, spending a rainy day inside or just relaxing at home after a bike trip, online casinos are close and easily accessible on a phone, tablet or laptop. Online casinos are available around the clock, allowing bikers to enjoy their favourite games at their own convenience. The traditional brick-and-mortar casinos are more restrictive in their accessibility.

Safety and Security

Safety is paramount for bikers, both on the road and online. Reputable online casinos prioritise player security by implementing state-of-the-art encryption technology to safeguard personal and financial information. Licensed and regulated platforms undergo rigorous auditing to ensure fair gameplay, providing bikers with a trustworthy environment to enjoy their gambling adventures. Additionally, online casinos offer a variety of secure payment options, allowing bikers to make deposits and withdrawals with ease, ensuring their funds are protected throughout their virtual gambling journey. If you want to learn more, you can find more information provided by the UK’s Gambling Commission.

Community and Camaraderie

The biker community is built on camaraderie, and online casinos foster a similar sense of community among players. Many online platforms feature chat functions and multiplayer options, allowing bikers to interact with fellow gamblers, share experiences, and even compete against each other. Virtual tournaments and leaderboards create a sense of friendly competition, which resonates with the spirit of adventure that bikers thrive on. These features help bridge the gap between the solitary nature of online gambling and the desire for connection that bikers often seek in their pursuits.

Conclusion

For bikers who relish the thrill of the open road, online casinos provide a captivating and accessible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. With their freedom of choice, convenience, safety measures, and community-building features, online casinos cater to the adventurous spirit of bikers, offering a virtual gambling experience that complements their love for two-wheeled adventures.

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The first part of the season draws to a close at Assen with Alex Marquez back among the protagonists and in the higher part of the classification in today’s race. The Spanish rider was sixth at the finish line of an encounter characterised by high temperatures and marked by a long-lap penalty as he exceeded track limits. The #73 managed to score some important points with the championship standings that see him now 10^th, only one point away from Quartararo. 
 
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s race came to an early and in what was probably the best moment for the Italian rider, who was all the way down in 20^th place at turn one; he managed to get back to ninth position and to get in a fierce battle with Nakagami. With eight laps left, the #49 lost the front at turn five and was forced to retire.
 
It is holiday time now for Team Gresini MotoGP who will be back in action with fresh energy in slightly more than a month at Silverstone, with one test at Misano with the Panigale scheduled for July 18-19.

6^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (10^th in the championship standings with 63 points)
“We played our cards right: we solved some issues feeling-wise in the warm up and chose the softer tyre-option for the race, even though we knew we would have struggled in the second part of the encounter. After the 12^th lap it was really challenging with the rear tyre, but we still managed to bag some important points and finish this first part of the season in a crescendo.”
 
DNF - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (16^th in the championship standings with 34 points)
“Too bad really, because we were having a great race, a bit like in Germany. It’s clear that we must improve at the start as we lose too much ground but we’re improving in every race and this time we could have battled for the seventh-eighth position easily. The crash shouldn’t have happened, but with such a performance we’re going on holiday with a smile.”

ALEIX ESPARGARÓ TAKES APRILIA BACK TO THE PODIUM WITH A HEROIC RACE, RIDDEN ENTIRELY WITH THE BIKE MISSING A WINGLET, LOST IN THE EARLY STAGES

MAVERICK SUPER-FAST, ALREADY IN THE LEADING PACK FROM THE START, CRASHES OUT TO MISS OUT ON A RACE WHERE HE SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN A PROTAGONIST

IMPORTANT POINTS FOR LORENZO SAVADORI WHO, FAST AND CONSISTENT, BATTLED ALL THE WAY TO THE END TRYING FOR A TOP-TEN FINISH

Aleix Espargaró puts Aprilia back on the MotoGP podium in the Assen race. And he does it his way, in true team captain style, battling like a lion even in the face of the misfortune which robbed his RS-GP of the front right winglet in the early stages of the race after contact on the first corner. With the bike unbalanced, Aleix never lost contact with the trio battling for the podium and, in the race finale, he defended against Martin’s attacks. So, by just a few thousandths and thanks to a penalty levied against Binder, he took home a well-deserved third place, just nineteen tenths behind the race winner.

Maverick also had an outstanding start and, super-fast, settled into sixth place overtaking Oliveira, Marini, and Miller. However, during the fourth lap, when he was staying close to the group which then went on to fight for the win and the podium, a crash excluded him from the race and from a certain role as protagonist. In any case, he is still taking home the outstanding sensations he had throughout the weekend and the good performance – both his and the bike’s – in situations that had proved to be difficult in the past, such as the race start.

It was a fantastic race for Lorenzo Savadori, the Aprilia Racing tester who rode in his second wild card of the season at Assen and who confirmed his outstanding performance from the sprint race yesterday in the full-length race today. He battled hard for a top-ten finish which he missed by just over a second, finishing eleventh and taking home another five points in the world championship, not to mention a lot of extra data for development of the RS-GP.

Aleix
“We deserve this! We have been working hard and we need to continue to do so. Today’s podium allows us to go on holiday with a bit more peace of mind. I started well but lost part of the front winglet straight away after contact with Marini. In fact, the bike moved around a lot and it wasn’t easy to maintain the pace. When I caught up with Brad, I tried to put him under pressure because overtaking was not at all easy. I knew he would be struggling in the finale with the soft tyre and, in fact, he was sliding around a lot and he touched the green. I’d like to dedicate this podium to everyone who works with me and to my family. This is not a simple sport and being surrounded by a good group of people is truly important.”

Maverick
“This is a weekend that leaves me happy, even with the race. I really started strong and braked extremely well at the first turn. I felt really strong on the bike, which was working quite well, so I pushed hard. I crashed because I lost the front end and that can happen if you decide to really have a go. Anyway, it’s all good. We need to continue looking for the limits, pushing the bike to the max, and this can happen. Our potential is clear and when we are able to exploit it, we can battle for the very top spots.”

Lorenzo
"It was undoubtedly a great weekend. On a track where we do not test, and with a lot of things to try, just missing a top-10 finish in such a close race is truly wonderful. It’s a shame about a small problem at mid-race that forced me to slow down, just when I was rather easily recovering to move into tenth place. But nothing can take away this performance that does a world of good for me and for Aprilia, demonstrating the quality of our hard work."