The final round of the Triumph Triple Challenge at Silverstone was action packed as ever with Jimmy Dye winning the Michelin Cup Championship and Duncan Knox winning the TDG Cup Championship.

The weekend started with Chris Northover taking pole position from Phil Atkinson who held pole for the bulk of the session and only lost out in the closing moments as Northover took it from him by 0.497secs.

Tommy Dale lined up in third place on the front row of the grid and Tom Hayward completed the line up. Championship leader Jimmy Dye found it difficult to get to grips with the new circuit and gave himself a lot of work qualifying back in 11^th position.

Coming into the Silverstone round Atkinson had been dominating the racing and knew he was still in with a shout at the title as he was 25 points behind Dye.

Mark Cheetham joined the ranks of the TDG Cup riders qualifying in eighth place overall and pole position for the TDG Cup.

TDG Cup Championship leader, Duncan Knox qualified in 13^th place and second in the Cup. He had a tough qualifying as he went out initially without his transponder fitted so his team had the forethought to have him black flagged so this issue could be rectified. However when he went back out he felt he didn’t get into a good rhythm.

Northover said: “I just got some laps in and was concentrating on set-up. I was happy enough when I was in third as front row is what is important. I put a few more laps in and was surprised to see that I was pole when I came back in. I’m excited about the race and the weather has improved so it will be good. I want to stay out of the Atkinson Dye battle and just ride my own race.”

Cheetham said: “I made up 6 seconds from yesterday, we fitted a different shock and it is a lot better. I’m happy to be on pole. It’s a great track; it’s as good as it looks on TV. It’s all about the apexes and not shutting off. I still feel I can go a bit faster as I had a problem with my front tyre warmer before I went out so I had to go steady for a few laps.”

Pole sitter Chris Northover picked up the first win of the weekend but he had his work cut out as Championship contender Atkinson took the early lead and held off Northover for the opening two laps. Tommy Dale briefly interrupted play by taking the lead on lap three, but Northover was determined to win and it was at this point that he took the lead and stayed there to the chequered flag.

The podium battle saw six different riders in contention as they all jostled for position. Dale and Toby Markham got well and truly mugged by quiet Irishman Emmet O’Grady. He tailed the leading group for the full race distance and made his move right at the end to secure second place. This left Markham with third place on the podium.

Atkinson came over the line in an uncharacteristic fourth place whilst championship leader Dye, came through from 11^th to seventh. This left the Championship chase to be decided on the outcome of the final race of the year.

The TDG Cup riders also had an epic race with Duncan Knox playing it safe and settling for second place to take the Championship. The race was won by Mark Cheetham who finished in 11^th overall and gave Knox a run for his money at the start of the race. Chad Hashmi took third place just ahead of Jamie Poole.

Northover said: “That was good fun and it’s great to get a win here at Silverstone. I was determined not to get mugged today, I know I’ve mugged a few people so I didn’t want a taste of my own medicine. I’m looking forward to race two on Sunday.”

O’Grady said: “I sat on the back of the top three as they had the pace and then on the last few laps I started to make some moves. I’m happy to be on the podium and can’t wait for race two.”

Markham said: “I got a bad start, I went from fifth to ninth and then tried to ride around everyone at turn one. It was a hard race trying to get through everyone; by the time I got to second place Chris already had a bit of a gap and then Emmett got me.”

Cheetham said: “I wheelied off the start and all the young guns came past me. I had a good battle with Duncan but then I got away. I used an old tyre and I had a few big slides towards the end so I’ll have a new one for Sunday.”

TDG Cup Champion Knox said: “I really enjoyed that. I started well and had a good dice with Mark Cheetham but I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardise the title so when I saw +2, +3 on my board I decided to bring it home. Well done to Chad as he has pushed me all year, the TDG Cup has been excellent and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Hashmi said: “Well done to Duncan on winning the Championship. I had a big battle in that race with Jamie Poole; I need to stay ahead of him tomorrow to keep my second place in the Championship so we shall see how we go.”

The second race of the weekend saw Toby Markham finally stand on the top step of the podium and while Markham was taking the win, Jimmy Dye came home in ninth place which was enough to secure the title.

Just before the race the weather took a turn for the worst leaving the riders in a quandary as to what tyres to run. The track was actually quite dry which caught a lot of people out.

As the lights went out it was Phil Atkinson who jumped straight into the lead with Chris Northover second and Markham in third place. Atkinson’s lead was short lived as he got mugged on the first lap going from first to fourth and fourth place man Tommy Dale taking first!

TDG Cup Champion Duncan Knox was able to ride his own race with no pressure as he had already secured the title. He was finally able to race the red Michelin Cup bikes and by lap three he was up to fifth place.

Markham started pushing for the lead on lap three and Atkinson slotted back into second place leaving Dale trailing in third with Knox up to fourth. As the race came to a conclusion Markham pipped Atkinson to the win by just 0.056secs.

Knox won the TDG Cup but finished in fifth place overall, Mark Cheetham was second and Jamie Poole in his usual third place.

Newly crowned Michelin Cup Champion Jimmy Dye said: “I felt more relaxed today after Saturday’s race. I knew I needed to finish in the top 11 so I didn’t push it and came home in ninth place. It’s great to pick up the title again. This series has helped give me my confidence back after my big crash at Cadwell Park last year.”

Markham said: “My first race win, it’s been a long time coming! I left it to the last round to do it but I was determined I was going to win. I think this circuit suits me better as it is more like what I’m used to racing on with the GPs. I also think I’ve finally got used to the bike. I’d like to thank everyone who backed me this year and supported me along the way.”

Atkinson said: “It just didn’t go my way today and it was a tough race. The weather didn’t help matters. Also being the final round a lot of riders who have been steadily progressing all year were suddenly at the front, so I was racing people I haven’t raced before and I didn’t know what to expect.”

Dale said: “That was a good race but I went for the wrong tyres so towards the end I couldn’t keep the pace. It’s been a good season, I’ve really enjoyed it.”

TDG Cup Champion Knox said: “That was excellent. No pressure on me and I’ve wanted to race the red bikes all year! It’s been a great year, great championship and great lads. I’m really glad I came back, I’ve really enjoyed racing Chad and Jamie.”

Cheetham said: “I’m amazed I got back in one piece as I had a big front end slide on the first lap. I slide for about 40 metres before it caught again. Then I had a big rear slide later on! Great race.”

Poole said: “That was a good finish. The track has been hard to learn and the weather hasn’t helped. I got a good start and picked my way through. It was a good race and a good finish to the year.”

As well as recently joining the MCIA, RideSafe BackSafe has now expanded to include Cumbria Road Safety Partnership with immediate effect. Britain’s second largest county is a magnet for many motorcyclists who are drawn to beautiful countryside, wide open roads and sweeping bends. And Cumbria has the same concerns for the well-being of both local and visiting bikers as they travel through the county.

Road Safety Co-ordinator for Cumbria Road Safety Partnership, Chris Broadbent explains: “During the last six years the total number of fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic collisions has reduced in Cumbria, but motorcyclists and especially young riders, still represent a disproportionately high number of casualties. RideSafe BackSafe is established, friendly and trusted by motorcycling enthusiasts because it is run ‘by bikers, for bikers’. By joining a well-known initiative that already works well in neighbouring Lancashire, as well as Greater Manchester and Merseyside, Cumbria is reinforcing its commitment to the motorcycling community“.

RideSafe BackSafe does not manage safety cameras and is not police-led; although police motorcyclists and BikeSafe, together with IAM, BMF, MAG and KillSpills, play a part in its promotional activities.

The initiative focuses on the vulnerability of bikers and promotes the benefits of ‘post-test’ training and rider assessment schemes, as well as the need for all bikers to wear proper kit and body armour. This is achieved by building relationships with motorcycle dealers, meeting bikers socially at bike meets, shows and dealer open days and by working closely with the motorcycle industry as whole.

The RideSafe BackSafe team is well aware that bikers are not always at fault when collisions occur and therefore, promoting the “THINK BIKE, THINK BIKER” campaign to other road users is of equal importance.           

More information, advice, news and events are featured at www.ridesafebacksafe.co.uk

News that bus lanes in the Bedford Borough are to be open to motorcycles for a trial period has been welcomed by the bmf.

Designed to reduce congestion around the town centre, the eighteen-month trial starts today and will also include bicycles, taxis and private hire vehicles.

Bedford has four bus lanes in the town centre and for many years local bmf activists have lobbied for motorcycle access. Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, said: “I am delighted we have been able to open our bus lanes to more people whilst ensuring they continue to encourage people to consider more sustainable forms of transport.”

Chris Hodder the bmf’s Government Relations Executive said: “Access to bus lanes is one of the bmf's main campaigns so we are very happy to show what local bmf activists can achieve. No doubt this will improve the lives of riders in Bedford and hopefully will inspire those local authorities who are still unsure over allowing motorcycles into their bus lanes."

A long-term campaigner for bus lane use by motorcyclists, the bmf say that London’s recently extended trial has shown that such schemes work well and bear out experiences from other permanent and trial sites. However despite several UK towns and cities adopting bus lane use*, this is still not a national policy and that is what is now wanted from the Government say the bmf

*Note: Bus lane access has been allowed in: Bristol (has operated a permanent bus lane access since 1996) and Reading (since 1999). Other sites are in: Northern Ireland, Birmingham, Colchester, Derby, Bath, Hull, Swindon, Richmond on Thames, Newcastle on Tyne, Sunderland, Plymouth and the M4 bus lane. Most of London’s red routes are now currently being trialled for motorcycle use.

Castel Gandolfo (Rome) 15 September, 2010 - The gift of two Ducati Multistrada motorcycles for the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City has been presented to Pope Bendictus XVI to be used as part of the Pope’s official security motorcade.

During a ceremony at Castel Gandolfo, Ducati Motor Holding made the gift of two Ducati Multistradas to the Pope, the motorcycles specially prepared as special escort vehicles for the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City during official security duties for the Pontiff.

The two 1200cc Ducati Multistrada motorcycles, finished in the special livery of the Pontifical State, were delivered directly to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Rome on 15 September. In the beautiful gardens adjoining the villa, a delegation of top management from the world-famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer officially presented the gift to His Holiness, Pope Bendictus XVI.

At the ceremony today, Carlo Bonomi, Andrea Bonomi (President of Investindustrial) and Gabriele Del Torchio (President of Ducati Motor Holding) had the honour of presenting the keys of the Ducati motorcycles personally to the Pontiff, and to greet him on behalf of the entire Ducati Company.

“We are very honoured for the unique opportunity of delivering our two special Ducati Multistradas to His Holiness today,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, President at Ducati Motor Holding, after the ceremony. “For us, and for everyone who works at Ducati, this event represents something to be very proud of and a gesture that reinforces our daily commitment in our work at the factory. It is a symbolic gift with which we would like to express our sincerest appreciation and respect for the Pope and embrace his message of hope and trust in the future, which he addressed to all industries in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate.”

Thanks to Ducati’s gift, this will be the first time in history that the Vatican Gendarmerie Corp will use motorcycles in their delicate security tasks and the fact that this privilege has been given to an Italian manufacturer, gives merit and additional pride to all Italian industry. Furthermore, it strengthens the aura of excellence that already surrounds the dynamic and innovative motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati.

The new Multistrada 1200 has been finished in the special Pontifical livery of yellow and white and is extensively modified for the Gendarmerie Corp with a vertically telescopic flashing light mast, siren and radio communication. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 represents a completely new concept of motorcycle, designed to tackle any kind of journey and road surface by using technology derived directly from the Bologna-made race bikes that compete in MotoGP and World Superbike. The motorcycle has few limits and can transform itself to suit any rider’s demands at the press of a button. Described as being four-bikes-in-one, the Multistrada can transform itself from a sport bike to a touring bike suitable for long journeys with a passenger and luggage, or from an everyday commuter bike to an agile enduro bike, which can tackle off-road routes with ease. In designing the Multistrada, Ducati’s goal was to create a versatile motorcycle able to achieve impressive levels of performance at all times and in all places and their special blend of Italian innovation, elegance, style and technology perfectly characterises the motorcycles that come out of its Bologna factory.