Isle of Man Post Office is proud to present this collection of eight stamps celebrating the centenary of the Manx Grand Prix (MGP). The collection, which will be issued on 15th May 2023, was created in collaboration with author David Wright and designer Tracey Dean.

The MGP, as it is now known, was originally a single race called the Amateur Motorcycle Championship aimed at amateur riders, as opposed to the mostly professional riders who competed in the Tourist Trophy (TT) races. A century later, on the same world-famous 37¾ mile Isle of Man Mountain Course, the race has become a well-anticipated event, crowning motorcycle legends such as Geoff Duke, Phil Read, Carl Fogarty, Steve Hislop, and Michael Dunlop.

John McBride, Chairman of Manx Motor Cycle Club said: “Commemorating the centenary of the Manx Grand Prix is important to honour the history and significance that the event has played in the Island’s road racing history, and the stamps, adorned with some of the event’s motorcyclists from across the decades do just that. It’s a year filled with celebration for the Manx Grand Prix and the Manx Motor Cycle Club is delighted that this unique collection will be available to fans as it allows them to hold on to their own piece of Manx Grand Prix history. In addition to the stamps, there are a number of other special events taking place to mark the centenary celebrations including the “Legends of the Manx Grand Prix” parade lap that pays tribute to some those who have graduated from the races since 1923. More current racers that will be involved include Mick Grant, Ian Lougher, and Phillip McCallen to mention but a few, and that, the stamps will pay homage to the last 100 years, and look forward to the next.”

Isle of Man Stamps and Coins General Manager, Maxine Cannon added:

“We are thrilled to be a part of marking an exciting period in the history of the Manx Grand Prix. To many people, including myself, the Manx Grand Prix is a must-see and memorable event. I'm looking forward to hearing the roaring sounds of the machines flying around Mountain course this year”

The set consists of four se-tenant pairs with the following values 80p, £1.28, £1.51 and £1.75. Within the collection is a Set, Sheet Set, Presentation Pack (limited to 1100), First Day Cover (limited to 1500), Prestige Booklet and a Booklet Pane.

The full collection can be seen here - www.iompost.com/MGP100

Pictured above (from left to right): Tracey Dean, John McBride (Chairman of Manx Motorcycle Club [MMCC]), Ned Bowers (MMCC Financial Director and former MGP Competitor & Travelling Marshal), Dean Harrison (Former MGP Competitor & Travelling Marshal and Nathan Harrison's father), Nathan Harrison, Phil Taubman (MMCC Director and former Clerk of the Course), Maxine Cannon and Carolynn Sells

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THE APRILIAS ARE SUPER COMPETITIVE IN LE MANS, HINDERED BY THE EVENTS OF AN EXTREMELY HEATED RACE

MAVERICK ENDS UP IN THE GRAVEL IN A DUEL WITH BAGNAIA AFTER DEMONSTRATING THE POTENTIAL TO AIM FOR VICTORY

ALEIX LOSES EIGHT POSITIONS IN THE OPENING BATTLE, COMES BACK AND FINISHES IN AN OUTSTANDING FIFTH PLACE

AND NOW IT’S OFF TO MISANO FOR APRILIA ALL STARS!

This press release must find a way to convey how the Le Mans race leaves Aprilia Racing both with feelings of great disappointment and great strength in view of the upcoming events, beginning from the next round in Mugello.

In the French race, Maverick Viñales ended up in the gravel after contact with Bagnaia as he was completing a manoeuvre to overtake the Ducati rider but not before he had the time, in almost four laps, to show that he was fast enough today to be in the running for the win. At that moment, Maverick was moving up toward the race lead after a good start from the second row, demonstrating speed and clean riding, fully supported by an RS-GP in grand form.

Things went a bit better for Aleix Espargaró who, also off the line well from the eleventh spot on the grid, had already moved into sixth place when he dropped down no fewer than ten positions during a battle that included contact among several riders on the first lap. From there, he rode a brilliant comeback race to finish fifth, just behind the riders who were battling for the podium.

The next event for all the Aprilia riders and enthusiasts is set for 27 May at the Misano circuit for Aprilia All Stars. This is the huge Aprilia celebration starring the riders and bikes which have written motorcycling history. The RS-GP machines will be on the track with Espargaró, Viñales, Oliveira, Fernandez, and Savadori (who finished with an outstanding twelfth place today for the RNF satellite team). And with them will be Aprilia World Champions Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi, plus many other riders and friends of the Aprilia brand from the sport and entertainment world. Entry is free of charge and the paddock will be livened up by music and events for the entire day on Saturday, 27 May.

Aleix
"The first thing I did today was apologise to the team for the mistake in qualifying, which did not make things easy in the two races. I started well today and then there was the usual chaos so I lost time trying to avoid it and found myself rather far back. I recovered and I had a great pace. Toward the end, I would have been able to have a go with Augusto but it wasn’t worth the risk of ruining his great race too. The good thing is that the RS-GP continues to be fast on every track and that is the most important thing. Now we’ll recharge and get ready for the upcoming races."

Maverick
"I’m angry, not so much about what happened but because of the lost opportunity. I felt really strong today and I’m sure I would have been battling for the win. It was one of those races where, as a rider, you just feel like you have a little something more. Bagnaia and I are two professional riders. It was an unfortunate contact and the adrenaline of the moment had us heated up, but the one thing that is clear is that we riders – all of us – need to settle down and be an example for the young people. The regret remains but no controversy. It happened and we’ll keep looking forward as early as Mugello. Here in Le Mans we demonstrated once again that we are extremely fast and we improved a lot of things this weekend."

The French GP’s traditional full Sunday race at Le Mans was an elimination game, with only 14 riders able to make it to the finish line. Alex Marquez is among those who left the battle early on as he was the unlucky co-protagonist of a dangerous coming together with Marini, who was trying a desperate save after losing control of his Ducati machine. The collision was inevitable and led to a bitter, early end to the Spaniard’s weekend. 
 
It was a completely different Sunday for Fabio Di Giannantonio as today’s eighth place equals his so-far best result in MotoGP (Sachsenring 2022), with the Italia who has been constantly in the top ten in the last four GPs.

It was a Saturday with no glory for Team Gresini Racing MotoGP with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez who could not finish higher than 12^th and 15^th, respectively, in the first encounter at Le Mans.

The two standard bearers of Gresini Racing had opposite type of performances: the Italian rider had a not-so-good start from row five but put together a solid performance pace-wise. On the other hand, the Spaniard #73 was among the protagonists at the start of the race and in the battle for the points before a coming together with the fellow Spanish rider Espargaró.

With six laps left, the #41 was a bit too hot entering turn ten and ended up pushing Marquez wide (the contact was clearly visible on the front-right wing) and in the back of the pack. He finished 15^th with something to complain about.

Triumph will be returning to Motorcycle Live at the NEC from 18-26 November and we hope we’ll see you there.  

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