NINETEEN times TT winner Michael Dunlop is set to take centre stage at the 2021 Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show on October 9-10.

Michael is the first rider to complete a lap of the most famous road racing course in the world in under 17 minutes, with an average speed of 134mph.

He is also the last member of the Dunlop quartet who have dominated the dangerous and thrilling scene of motorcycle road racing for more than 40 years. Despite losing his uncle Joey, father Robert and elder brother William through the love of the sport, Michael continues to race and is currently chasing his Uncle Joey’s world record of 26 Isle of Man TT wins.

One of Michael’s most famous wins - and probably one of the most remarkable chapters in the Dunlop story - came immediately after another family tragedy. Just hours after his father Robert’s death at the North West 200 in 2008, Michael and his brother William were out preparing their bikes for racing the next day. Despite protests from organisers, family and friends, Michael went out and won the North West 200 the following day. He suitably dedicated the win to his father and since then has firmly established himself as one of the greatest motorcycle road racers in the world.

Fans will be able to hear from the man himself as he chats to TT commentator and former champion Steve Plater throughout the weekend. Catch the pair live on stage and in the GP Paddock on both Saturday and Sunday, where there will be signing opportunities and Q&A sessions too.

Plans are in place for a full return of all the much-loved aspects of the show, including the multi-million-pound Bonhams Auction, wall of death, massive indoor and outdoor trade and autojumble and club stands. There’ll be bikes everywhere, live trials action and live music too. More details will follow and will be updated on our website: www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com

Tickets are on sale now at an early bird price of £13 until October 4. Visit www.staffordclassicbikeshows.com or call 01507 529529 to purchase.

... as voted for by members of THE BIKER GUIDE facebook group - Biker Friendly Places UK and Europe 

The Bikers Cove, are the winner, with 151 votes, 2nd  place is Doms Bike Stop with 94 and Pinewood Bar & Cafe are 3rd with 75.

The poll has shown the passion and loyalty cafes in the poll have from their customers, which comes from not just the food served, but also from the lovely owners/staff and the welcome they get!

See the full results below

1st - The Bikers Cove 151
2nd - Doms Bike Stop 94
3rd - Pinewood Bar & Cafe 75
4th - Owls Nest Tea Room Diner 55
5th - Butchers Hook Cafe 37
6th - Squires Bikers-cafe 30
7th - Nell's Cafe 29
8th - Ponderosa Cafe 24
9th - Route 59 Cafe 23
10th - Castle Cafe 17

Super Sausage Cafe 14
The Old Stores Motorbike Cafe 10
The Custom Cafe 9
Seaways 8
The Manor Farm Cafe 7
H's Kent Motorcycles 5
Hungry Hogs At Hillside Cafe 4
Route 1066 Cafe 4
The Nook Cafe 4
Yondermann Café 4

Chequered Flag SW 3
Devils Bridge 3
The Filling Station 3
Whistlestop Cafe, Whitby 3
Loomies 3
Union Road Moto Velo Cafe 3
Strawberry Fields Cafe 3
Choppers Cafe 3

Pitstop Diner, Leyland 2
Zoom Cafe Bar 2
H-Cafe Berinsfield 2
Whistlestop Cafe North Wales 2
Coast Riders Diner 2
Salt & Pepper Cafe, Newcastle 2
The Picnic Bar Tattershall 2

One vote

Billy's on the Road
Hot Tram Roll
Ace Cafe London
Jacks Hill Café
Two Hoots Tea Room
Chain & Sprocket Cafe
Amici Coffee
The Tea Set at The Quiet Woman
Cafe 33
The Pit Stop Diner Stockton
The Green Welly Stop
Blu-Belles Cafe
The Bike Shed
Mavericks Mostyn
Gilks Garage Café
Krazy Horse
Baffle Haus
Ann's Kitchen
The Glen Café
Henrys Cafe
Tan Hill Inn
Route 11 Kitchen
Ryka’s Cafe
Chapter 1
Sunshine Cafe
The Honey Cafe
Touchdown Inn Cafe
KOTI Autotalli
Green Hut Café
Iron Horse Ranch House
Seaside Cafe, New Brighton

Well done to all those Cafes who were voted for, whether that was one vote or 150, as we know that many of you are passionate and loyal to places that you frequent.

We hope that people happily accept this vote and not want to storm on THE BIKER GUIDE® HQ, now the results are in.

The poll ran from 19th May to 1st July 2021- 12 noon.

Voting took place on THE BIKER GUIDE facebook group - Biker Friendly Places UK and Europe, via the poll at the top of the page.

Since 2009 we have promoted Biker Friendly cafes, places and meets on THE BIKER GUIDE® website - See THE BIKER GUIDE® website for extensive listings of Biker Friendly Cafes -
www.thebikerguide.co.uk/bikerfriendlymeetingplaces.html

• Norton Motorcycles engineers have supported students at WMG, University of Warwick to develop a TT capable electric racing motorcycle, named ‘Frontier’
• This includes donating a high performance bike frame and data to students undertaking research into study of electric motorbikes at WMG, University of Warwick
• Students adapted the sports bike platform to run a specially developed electric powertrain rated with a power output of 160kW/201bhp and 400Nm torque
• Immersion-cooled 16kWh battery pack is the first of its kind for application on a motorcycle, with battery cases manufactured using advanced laser-welding technology to deliver structural integrity and maximise reliability and repeatability

The Norton Motorcycle Co Ltd. is proud to support students at the University of Warwick who are researching the future of electric racing motorcycles. The group of students undertaking the project are aided by the donation of a sports bike frame by Norton Motorcycles, which has been adapted by the student team to be fitted with an electric powertrain, with batteries and control systems designed in-house.

The group of 13 students at WMG, University of Warwick – made up of cross-functional team from first- to final-year degree students, with the support of some EngD students – are joined by a selection of leading academics, engineers and researchers representing WMG, at the University. On-campus research has been reinforced with input, support, mentoring and technical guidance from Norton’s own designers and engineers, further to the supply of the frame.

The research team supported by WMG Centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult have developed an electric motorcycle powertrain, using a high performance sports frame as a platform. The motorcycle developed using this frame has been called the Frontier. The electric powertrain designed to work in the Norton frame is rated with a power output of 160kW or 201bhp, and delivering 400Nm of torque from a standing start. The acceleration and speed characteristics of the electric bike in motion roughly translate into a combustion-engine equivalent of around 900cc to 1,000cc.

The electric motor draws power from an immersion-cooled battery pack that has been designed and tested by the students and is the first of its kind for application in an electric motorcycle. The battery with a capacity of 16 kWh is designed to last longer with the application of robust thermal management strategies, while also allowing for larger short term power peaks required by a racing motorcycle.

In addition, the cooling system will enable the team to operate at a more efficient temperature range by optimising the starting temperature of the dielectric fluid prior to a race or testing, based on the requirements of the track.

The battery can be recharged with the common CHAdeMO connector, facilitating fast charging where available and allowing for a full charge of the battery in around an hour (up to 80% from empty in just 32 minutes). These impressive figures have supported the testing and development of the electric bike prototype, with research teams able to maximise riding time on the track thanks to reduced charging times, allowing for further track-side development and optimisation with the help of a fully instrumented bike.

The battery case was manufactured using laser welding techniques developed at WMG, The University of Warwick, a manufacturing process that is easily repeatable for potential serial production, while also incorporating process-control to maximise reliability and strength of the joints.

Students have been able to craft a functioning electric motorcycle based on the Norton frame in just seven months. The project began in October 2020 with the donation of the frame and associated parts, with students working hard to realise their goal alongside studying for their degrees. The bike has undergone significant testing including much computer-based validation such as CFD of battery cooling, modelling around thermal management, along with physical testing of cells and modules – whilst constantly reviewing engineering decisions to minimise and mitigate the risk of failure.

Dr Robert Hentschel, CEO of Norton Motorcycles, said:
“We are thrilled to be able to support the engineers of the future, who are developing tomorrow’s technology today, on the basis of a Norton frame. Our support by means of donation of the frame is just the beginning. Norton’s team of designers and engineers have been very interested to observe how this project is taking shape, supporting the student team wherever possible with advice and guidance.”

Aman Surana, Chief Engineerf the Warwick Moto team, said:
“Ever since we started the Warwick Moto project, the overall goal has always been around learning and enhancing our engineering experience. We have gained practical experience in our research that is required to deliver a real-world project, along with balancing considerations such as tight budgets and deadlines, while learning logistics and everything around delivering an industry project. This has made us all the more proud with the way the Frontier looks.

“To have access to Norton’s engineering team, years of experience and data has been a great resource, integral to the design of the bike. Combining the motorcycling knowledge from Norton, with the leading research at WMG, University of Warwick has been a fantastic learning opportunity for all students involved. We’re very excited to see what this collaboration leads to.”

SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RIDER IN APRILIA'S HISTORY

THE ONLY ITALIAN WSBK CHAMPION ASTRIDE HIS AMAZING RSV4

An important occasion, an umpteenth milestone achieved by a great champion: six-time world champion Max Biaggi turns 50, or perhaps it would be better to say that he has completed 50 seasons. The Roman’s life has been marked by wins on tracks all over the world. Many of these proudly bore the Aprilia name, a brand for which he is now a popular ambassador.

From the roaring years of his four consecutive world championships in 250 to his return to Superbike in great style, Max and Aprilia share a long history. The first to ride the “quarter-litre” from Veneto to a world championship title, the first Italian (and on an Italian bike) World Superbike Champion, the list of firsts is long and lends merit to the value he demonstrated on the track. Without following the traditional path, making a rather late début as compared with the usual practice of grooming pure natural talent. All the way to his return to the podium with a wild card in the 2015 Malaysia WSBK round, almost three years after his retirement, that has all the flavour of a legend.

It’s a pleasure to remember him on the occasion of a special anniversary for Max Biaggi, the man, to whom all of Aprilia and the Piaggio Group send their best wishes.

MAX BIAGGI
“This is also a nice milestone and it’s great to celebrate it with so many friends, with the entire Aprilia family, and to celebrate it along with the many victories that we have taken on tracks all over the world. I am especially proud to have been the most victorious rider ever for Aprilia and adding two SBK titles to my trophy case is truly a particular feeling, because we won them many years after the world championships won in the 250 class. Just like having marked two very different and very important eras with those wins. But I must say that I am always thinking of the future and the challenges that await us. With Aprilia and with many friends who are riders and former champions, I still love and frequent the track. Putting myself to the test and always being fast is a goal that I hope I’ll never lose. See you on the track, at my next outing on my RSV4.”

Max Biaggi, Roman, born in 1971, begins his motorcycling career in 1989 at 18 years of age making his début in the 125 cc category. One year later he is already the Italian champion in the "Sport Production" category.
Max, immediately held in high esteem for his efficient and clean riding style, Max shows his talent each time he changes categories. In 1991 he is already racing in the 250 world championship with Aprilia. The 250 title in 1994 is the first of an exceptional hat trick where he dominated astride the Italian bike through 1996.

In the “quarter-litre” category, Max catalogues results that are unprecedented in the history of World Championship Motorcycling: the most ever pole positions, the most podiums in the category and 4 world titles won (three with Aprilia) consecutively from '94 to '97.

In 1998 he makes his début in the 500 category on a Honda. His entrance on the scene at Suzuka is a memorable occasion when he takes a triple victory: pole position, first place and the fastest lap in the race, an accomplishment which had only ever been achieved by the Finn, Jarno Saarinen, 25 years earlier. At the end of the season Max will come in second place in the world rankings.

In 1999 Biaggi moves to Yamaha and begins a progressive ascent. He places fourth in the rankings his first year, improving in 2000 with third place and then growing again in 2001, ending the season in second place. The 2002 season ends the same way, marked by the change in rules for the premier class and the birth of MotoGP.

In 2003 when Biaggi moved over to Honda, he ranks third with the Sito Pons private team. In 2005 he is the Repsol HRC team rider.

In 2007 Max made his Superbike début with Suzuki. Once again, Max astonishes everyone from the outset on the Qatar track. He wins Race 1 and takes second in Race 2. The season is characterised by the battle for the championship, with Max missing the title by just eight points.

In 2009, Biaggi comes back to Aprilia to ride the futuristic Aprilia RSV4 that marks the Noale-based manufacturer’s return to World SBK. Aprilia had never before won the WSBK title and with the new RSV4 attempts the assault on the championship in the races reserved for large-engine four-stroke bikes.

It is a triumph: Max rides the Italian V4 to victory in the rookie season and dominates in 2010 and 2012, earning a double world title - Rider and Manufacturer - the first and only Italian to succeed in this undertaking. He retires from racing after the 2012 title with six career World Titles under his belt, but the call of the track brought him back to racing in 2015. Riding as a wild card in the World SBK Malaysian round, he made an extraordinary podium finish on the Sepang track, reiterating (at 44 years of age and almost three years after his last race) the talent of a champion and the competitiveness of the Aprilia RSV4 project.

The 2022 Gresini Racing MotoGP project continues to take shape.

After the announcement of the two-year deal with Ducati and the confirmation of the all-Italian line up of Fabio Di Giannantonio and Enea Bastianini, another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.

FLEX-BOX, for more than fifteen years a leading international company in the development and manufacturing of long-distance shipping containers, will be the title sponsor of the team entered by Gresini Racing in the 2022 MotoGP season.

FLEX-BOX, which has already been present for many years in the world of motorcycle racing as an official sponsor of Ducati Corse, will become title sponsor of a MotoGP team for the first time, with the Team being named FLEX-BOX Gresini MotoGP TEAM.

HENRIK NIELSEN – CEO FLEX-BOX
“We are delighted to join Gresini Racing in their new effort in MotoGP. We have been in the motorsport world for a while already, and it is still pretty exciting to start a partnership like this that places our bran at the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. I believe we have two very talented young riders and a very solid project for the next season, and I can’t wait to work alongside Nadia, Carlo and all the Team”.

CARLO MERLINI – DIRETTORE COMMERCIALE E MARKETING GRESINI RACING
“I’m so happy to welcome Flex-Box and Henrik Nielsen in the #gresinifamily. Building new partnerships is always very exciting and the fact that Henrik was one of the first believers in the new Gresini’s MotoGP project makes it somehow special. Flex-Box will be an integrant part of the team naming and this tells a lot about how they decided to places their bets in the Gresini MotoGP, since the beginning, and I’m obviously very grateful to Henrik for his trust. Everybody knows that our 2022 project will be “dressed in red” and I’m sure that, together with Enea and Fabio, we will put some good show on stage and deliver excitements to our partners like Flex-Box, as well to all our fans.”