Automotive industry charity, Ben, is revealing next year’s Industry Leader Challenge (ILC), which will see participants tackle the most chilling challenge yet: The Glacier in Iceland from 18th to 27th March 2026.

Taking place in the icy wilderness of Iceland’s Langjökull ice cap, this extreme expedition will see 24 of the automotive industry's boldest leaders ski-trekking through sub-zero temperatures, dramatic terrain, and battling isolation in the name of challenge and charity. Up to 12 teams of two will need to raise a minimum of £25,000 per team for Ben.

The Glacier continues ILC’s tradition of taking a group of senior leaders far beyond their comfort zones. The challenge lasts 10 days in total and challengers will spend eight of these on the ice cap, journeying together through one of the most remote environments on Earth. They will face:

• Up to nine hours of ski-trekking each day
• Ski-trekking to 1,450m above sea level
• Temperatures as low as -25°C overnight
• Zero contact with the outside world
• Seven nights of camping in the freezing wilderness.

Participants will wake up early each day to melt snow for water, haul gear across snowfields, face biting winds and navigate vast, shifting glaciers.

So far, teams from LKQ Euro Car Parts and Hella have signed up to take part and this will be the third ILC that Spencer Grinham, Sales Director at Hella, has taken on.

To date, the ILC has raised over £1.02million, and the impact continues to grow with every new expedition. The ILC is an epic personal challenge taken on each year by an automotive industry leader (or leaders) to fundraise for Ben. Previous ILC adventures have included swimming across the English Channel, skydiving, cycling down the Thames, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking the Sahara Desert. The ILC requires extraordinary personal endeavour that tests the challenger(s) either mentally or physically - or both.

Indian Motorcycle, America’s first motorcycle company, is set to make a strong showing at the 43rd Faro Rally, one of Europe’s most iconic biker gatherings that takes place in Faro, Portugal from July 17–20, 2025.

This year, Indian Motorcycle brings a full throttle experience for rally-goers, especially members of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group (IMRG). Riders who purchase their Faro Rally ticket through the Indian Motorcycle Algarve dealership will receive an exclusive IMRG Welcome Pack.

At the heart of the action, Indian Motorcycle will host a dedicated hospitality area exclusively for IMRG members, a display of Indian Motorcycles, and a designated parking zone for owner’s bikes in front of the official booth. The Faro Rally also serves as an official stop for the Indian Motorcycle Rally, inviting riders to connect with fellow enthusiasts from across Europe.

A major highlight of the weekend will be the Motoclube Faro’s Grand Prize Draw, where one lucky participant will ride away with a brand-new Indian Motorcycle—a fitting celebration of biker spirit and freedom.

“The Faro Rally is one of Europe’s most anticipated motorcycle events, and Indian Motorcycle is proud to be part of the experience again this year,” said Miriam Torrens, Marketing Manager for Indian Motorcycle Iberia. “We look forward to welcoming IMRG members and all rally visitors to our booth for an unforgettable celebration of riding culture over four days with rides, music, giveaways, and camaraderie.”

Event Dates: July 17th – 20th, 2025

Location: Faro, Portugal

Event Details: https://www.motoclubefaro.pt/

Join us for four days of rides, music, giveaways, and camaraderie—Indian style.

For more information on Indian Motorcycle visit IndianMotorcycle.eu and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

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ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivalled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion are reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.eu

INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same.  Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand, and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Jorge Martin has been cleared by MotoGP’s medical director to get back on his Aprilia for a one-day test. The reigning champion, who has not raced since Qatar, won’t feature at the German Grand Prix. His first competitive appearance of the season might only come the week after.

German GP Odds Placed Him Among the Favourites

Before confirmation came that he’d miss Sachsenring, Martin’s odds to win there were sitting at 7/4 at various online bookmakers not on Gamstop that offer extensive betting markets, competitive odds, and enticing promotional offers. Only Francesco Bagnaia had shorter odds, while Pedro Acosta’s line floated just behind. It said a lot about how oddsmakers viewed Martin’s ability to rebound fast, and it underlined how close he’d come to making a proper return.

For a rider recovering from cracked ribs and a healing scaphoid, 7/4 showed more than optimism, it signalled faith in what he could still do on a bike. Many expected a push for the title, or at least a string of strong performances starting in Germany. Now, the earliest he can do that is Brno.

Martin’s Season So Far

Martin’s 2025 has been disjointed and opened the podium for other contenders. In Qatar, the only race he has ridden so far, he crashed and was run over by Fabio di Giannantonio. He’d already been nursing an injured wrist before that. The crash left him hospitalised in Doha, with rib fractures and renewed damage to his scaphoid. It was only after weeks back in Europe that recovery began to take shape.

A recent update from Dr Xavier Mir pointed to solid progress in the wrist. Movement was almost back to normal, but the bone itself hadn’t fully set. As for the ribs, MotoGP medical director Angel Charte confirmed that most fractures were healing well, though not yet fully fused.

The clearance for Martin to ride again doesn’t mean a return to racing just yet. The current MotoGP rules, which changed earlier this season, allow a test session specifically for riders recovering from long-term injury. That’s what Martin’s been cleared for. Just a single day, on a limited tyre allocation, to see how much pain he’s in and how far he’s come.

It’s worth remembering that the test is meant to be a stepping stone, not a comeback race. The number of tyres allowed is restricted to three sets. No full race simulation, no pushing to the limit. Just a controlled session to measure movement, comfort, and stability on the bike.

Aprilia Holding Back, For Now

The call now sits with Aprilia. Despite having the go-ahead from MotoGP’s top medical figure, the team has said they won’t confirm the Misano test until another round of medical checks is completed next week. They’ve not committed to anything yet, which lines up with the cautious stance they’ve taken since Qatar.

Some of that caution may come from elsewhere. Martin’s current contract situation remains unresolved. His status with the team is still unclear heading into 2026, and it’s no secret that there have been complications behind the scenes. Aprilia backing the new injury test rule made sense when it was first proposed, but that doesn’t mean they’ll rush into using it now.

Key points on the situation:

• Martin has medical clearance for a one-day test, possibly at Misano.

• Aprilia hasn’t confirmed it will go ahead with the session.

• Another medical assessment is scheduled before any final decision.

• Only three sets of tyres are permitted under the new regulation.
  
  

The test rule itself is new. It wasn’t on the books before this year. Aprilia had pushed for it ahead of Martin’s attempted comeback in Qatar. At first, rival teams resisted it. Eventually, the rule was adopted in time for the French Grand Prix. Martin is now the first rider to be cleared under it.

The irony is that Aprilia were the ones who lobbied hardest for the rule change, hoping it would help speed up Martin’s return. Now that he qualifies for it, they’re the ones holding back.

His Title Defence Has Faded

With five races already gone and at least one more to miss, the championship picture is no longer realistic for Martin. Even with perfect form from Brno onwards, it’s hard to see a way back into contention. The maximum he could have earned from those five events was 125 points. He currently has none.

MotoGP’s 2025 calendar runs for 20 rounds. The title isn’t mathematically gone, but it’s as good as. Bagnaia has passed the 100-point mark already. Others like Acosta and Bastianini are stacking up consistent finishes. Martin can still win races, but the idea of a full title defence is out the window.

That might actually work in his favour. Without pressure, he can focus on getting fit, riding freely, and proving to future employers that he’s still fast. Whether Aprilia wants to keep him or not, Martin’s next contract will depend on what he shows in the second half of the year.

For now, there’s little point in chasing a championship that’s already slipping away. The priority is simply getting back on the bike and building rhythm again.

Possible Brno Return, If Test Goes Well

If Aprilia goes ahead with the Misano test and if Martin completes it without setbacks, the Czech Grand Prix becomes the likely target for a return. That event falls one week after Germany. It’s also a track where Martin has been strong in the past, and one that could suit his rhythm if his body holds up.

A return there would give him half a season to build momentum, not for the championship, but for his next contract, his reputation, and whatever team he lines up with in 2026. All of that depends on Misano first, then on Aprilia saying yes.

Photo by Olav Tvedt on Unsplash

article supplied

Cooperb Motorcycles, Northants, England - Royal Enfield proudly announces its first ‘Journey, Destination, Memories’ (JDM) event, taking place on the 3rd of July at Cooperb Motorcycles. Kicking off a summer of special JDM events, customers can learn more about the Royal Enfield Custom project, take a test ride, and for this Cooperb event, join the team on a ride out for dinner and drinks at Brewpoint.

Running alongside the brand’s renowned Global Riders community events, the JDM programme offers riders a unique insight into the Royal Enfield Custom Team, where many of the renowned and unique machines showcased at events like BikeShed are conceived.

On top of this, riders attending the Cooperb event get to freely experience the Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor on the open flowing roads of Northamptonshire, with coffee and refreshments provided throughout the day. Cooperb Motorcycles are also offering the chance to ride the special ‘Wayward Edition’ Shotgun fitted with accessories, and a chat with the Custom Team may give you some ideas on designing your own ride!

Royal Enfield UK Marketing Manager, Becky Blackmore, commented

“JDM events aim to offer our riders a real insight into the passion behind everything we do. We are nothing without our global community. Being able to host events like this—where riders can learn more about the Custom Team and then hit the road together—is a fantastic opportunity for us all. We can’t wait to meet and ride with everyone who joins us.”

Test ride slots will run from 11:30am to 4pm, giving riders the chance to explore some of Northamptonshire’s best A and B roads aboard Royal Enfield’s Shotgun 650 and Super Meteor. The Custom Team will be due to arrive in the afternoon ahead of the evening JDM event, and riders are more than welcome to join them for a brew before setting off on a test ride.

The event also includes an exclusive introduction from the Royal Enfield Custom Team, with a specially commissioned custom build on display, before the group ride to Brewpoint for dinner and drinks, bringing the event to a memorable close.

A total of 50 slots will be available and can be booked here: Royal Enfield UK Riders Club

Royal Enfield Rider Club members will also receive an email invitation to this and future JDM events.