CRASH FOR ALEIX WHILST BATTLING FOR A TOP-10 POSITION

ANOTHER SOLID RACE IN THE POINTS FOR BRADLEY

The race had started on the right foot for Aleix Espargaró in Jerez de la Frontera, quick off the grid and able to make up five positions during the first lap. Once he was in the battle for the top 10, the Spanish rider began to settle into his pace until an unfortunate crash on the ninth lap kept him from finishing this double round with a smile.

Bradley Smith, on the other hand, had to deal with all the confusion on the first turn, involved with contact that was no fault of his own which forced him to slow down. Back in the mix, Bradley rode a judicious race and, thanks in part to a few DNFs, finished twelfth when the chequered flag came out. It’s a result that earns 4 championship points for the new Aprilia RS-GP.


ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"There isn’t much to say. I'm disappointed and sorry for the team who, after many hours of hard work, did not have the satisfaction of finishing the race. I had a good start, but in order to maintain the pace with my rivals, apparently I need to take more risks and ride very close to the limit, especially in mid-turn to help acceleration. I know that starting the season with two DNFs isn’t the greatest, but I always go into the races giving 100% to take Aprilia to a position to battle with the best."

BRADLEY SMITH
"In this second race, we made some progress, especially in managing to contain the gap with the rider ahead of me. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of time on the first corner, having to slow down a lot to avoid the fallen riders. I made the smartest choice, without taking pointless risks. It was a pity because I would have liked staying in the group. One of the positive aspects is certainly the fact that we were able to finish both races without any serious problems and I know that the guys already have some solutions ready to solve some of the issues that came out during these two weekends."

• A selection of accessories for Diavel, Multistrada, Supersport and Monster families, to make each trip even more comfortable and pleasant
• Side panniers, comfortable lowered seats, passenger backrests and many other Ducati Performance accessories designed and produced for those who love to travel, alone or with a passenger

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 22 July 2020 - Ducati looks at the world of touring with particular attention and provides its fans with a vast range of accessories branded Ducati Performance, to make each trip riding their motorbike even more pleasant.

Among the families of the Ducati range that best lend themselves to the touring concept are Diavel, Multistrada, SuperSport and Monster. All the models in these families, in fact, enjoy the right balance between the typical Ducati sports spirit and a high level of comfort, which makes the bikes suitable for long itineraries, even spread over several days.

The pleasure of travelling on a Ducati doubles with the choice of the correct Ducati Performance technical equipment and accessories, designed by the Ducati Centro Stile and made in synergy with the best companies in the sector. Among the accessories included in the selection there are side panniers, larger windscreens, comfort seats and other accessories, created specifically for those who love to explore and visit new places, alone or in the company of a passenger.

• Automotive charity asks the industry to get behind new virtual challenges - Formula Ben
• The first virtual challenge, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, will raise vital funds for the charity
• Ben needs the industry’s support to help automotive people get back on track

Automotive industry charity, Ben, is launching its first ever series of virtual challenges, as part of Bring It On 4 Ben. The first of the charity’s virtual challenges to run this year, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, starts on 2nd August and is inspired by the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

After the last few months of uncertainty, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP will help automotive people get back on track, funding vital support which is needed now more than ever.

To take part, each participant needs to complete the length of the Grand Prix, a total of 190 miles, by exercising in their own way to raise vital funds for Ben. Participants choose how they complete the challenge, for example, by walking, cycling, running, swimming, or even by playing basketball, wrestling, trampolining – or a mixture of whatever they like! There is a whole list of activities to choose from so click here to find out more.

Participants have 8 weeks to complete the challenge which ends on 30th September. Those taking part will also be able to see their location on the Silverstone circuit and track their progress as they complete the 52 laps of the British Grand Prix.

Sign up for Formula Ben Silverstone VGP
To find out more and sign up, click here

Registration costs £15 per person and each participant will receive a Ben T-shirt. On registration, participants can download an app, link to their fitness tracking device and join the leaderboard for some healthy competition!

As well as raising vital funds to support automotive people, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP also aims to help people improve their physical and mental health & wellbeing during this challenging time. In addition, taking part in the challenge offers people the opportunity to connect with others and be involved in something fun, while supporting Ben to help automotive people get back on track for good.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Ben’s fundraising initiatives have been cancelled, including Ben Ball, leaving the charity with an anticipated £1m income shortfall this year. Therefore, this new approach to fundraising is Ben’s way of adapting to the situation, with more virtual fundraising events set to take place throughout 2020.

Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “The whole team at Ben are incredibly excited to announce our new series of virtual fundraising events! In the current landscape, we had to adapt quickly and come up with new ways of fundraising because mass participation events can’t physically take place right now.

“So, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP is a fantastic way to have fun and raise money so we can continue providing life-changing support for automotive people - which is needed now more than ever! We’re supporting more and more people with their health and wellbeing during this challenging time, so we need to make sure we can help them get back on track, which we can only do by continuing to fundraise. 

“We hope you’ll be part of something amazing and Bring It On 4 Ben by getting involved! Thank you for your support and I can’t wait to see how you choose to complete Formula Ben Silverstone VGP.”

Less than a week after the Spanish Grand Prix, which took place last Sunday at Jerez Circuit, the Ducati Team is back once again at the Spanish race track for the second round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Andalusia.

Andrea Dovizioso's third place last Sunday (his best result in MotoGP at Jerez) brought to five the third places obtained by Ducati on the Spanish circuit, while the only victory and pole position of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer in Andalusia date back to 2006 and 2003 respectively, both with Loris Capirossi.

After the podium of the rider from Forlì and the ninth place of Danilo Petrucci, the Italian team is ready to face another challenging weekend, with very similar conditions on the track, and the temperature of the asphalt that could again exceed 50 degrees. Thanks to the data collected last Sunday in the race, Dovizioso is confident that he can improve his performance and is aiming for another important result in the second Grand Prix of the season.

Danilo Petrucci, who last weekend was the protagonist of a difficult race due to the after-effects of the bad accident suffered in the pre-race tests, returns to the track intending to redeem himself. The rider from Terni, who boasts a fourth place in Jerez in 2018 with the Pramac Racing Team, is confident that he can fight for the top five positions on Sunday.

Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 3rd (16 points)
"After such an intense race weekend, I took advantage of these days to continue my rehabilitation after the collarbone surgery. Last Sunday's result was good, and we managed to get positive feedback from the first Grand Prix of the year. We arrive ready at the second race and, above all, knowing better the aspects that we will have to improve to get more speed. It will be important to continue the work in this way, continuing to accumulate the maximum points without making mistakes. Temperatures will once again be very high, and the race will be physically tough. I want to wish Marc, Alex and Cal a speedy recovery. I hope to see them again on the track soon."

Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – 9th (7 points)
"I can't wait to race again in Jerez. After the last two days of rest, I feel much better: I managed to solve the stomach issues and also my neck muscle is fine. I know we have the potential to fight for the positions that count: Dovizioso, Miller and Bagnaia have shown that, so my goal for this race will be to stay in the top five. Although it is not an ideal track for our bike, I am sure that without physical problems I will be able to improve my performance. I also hope that Marc, Alex and Cal can recover well from their injuries and get back on track very soon."

The Ducati Team will take to the track on Friday, 24th July for the first free practice session at 9:55 a.m. local time (GMT +2.00)

BREAKING NEWS

27th Annual Ace Cafe Reunion 4th, 5th, and 6th of September 2020.

It is with a heavy heart, we have decided that this year due to concerns and ongoing government advice regarding Covid-19, and always with your safety in mind, we are cancelling the Ride with the Rockers Brighton Burn Up on the 6th of September 2020.

Whilst devastated to cancel the event at Brighton for this year, all of us at Ace Cafe London intend to be open for all visitors on the weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th September. Hours to be confirmed.

It has to be said that this year we will not be in a position to deliver the Ace Cafe Reunion weekend in the same style, timetable, entertainment and spirit that we all have been accustomed to.

Please watch our social media for all updates regarding ACR 2020.