The partnership continues between Sifa SpA and Gresini Racing who will be once again side by side in a very important season. Sifa, one of the biggest packaging companies in Italy, will be - for the second year in a row – technical sponsor o the Faenza-based squad and its brand will be visible inside the Gresini Racing hospitality.  
 
A family-run company with decades of experience, it currently has three factories in Italy based on a packaging production system with a circular economy design. This is an institution in which design, use and re-use are part of a perfectly synced context of innovation, performance improvement and collaboration with the biggest worldwide technology producers.

A GOOD TEAM RESULT SLIPPED AWAY FOR APRILIA IN LE MANS

ALEIX E LORENZO FAST IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS AS WELL, NOW ALL EYES ARE ON MUGELLO

It could have been a great Sunday for Aprilia in Le Mans. In a race that started on dry asphalt and was then interrupted by the rain, with a consequent bike change on pit lane, Aleix started well from the fifth row, moving up into the top 6. The Spanish rider’s pace gave him the potential to gain another spot and, along with it, important championship points. Unfortunately, a problem, currently being investigated by the technicians, shut down his RS-GP ten laps from the end.

Lorenzo was also headed for an important result, achieved in conditions where he proved to be particularly incisive throughout the weekend. When he had to stop, Savadori was managing twelfth place, but with a pace good enough to make up ground on his rivals. Yet another confirmation of the Italian rookie’s consistent growth.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"We missed a great opportunity today where we could have racked up important points against our rivals. The first 5-6 spots were well within my reach, partly because after the bike change, I really felt fast and capable of managing the race. I hope this is just a fluke problem, because the competitive level we have demonstrated even on a complicated weekend like this one is definitely promising."

LORENZO SAVADORI
"I lost a bit of ground at the start due to contact with another rider. Then, when the rain came, I changed bikes and immediately tried to narrow the gap. I was succeeding and lapping well, but a technical problem forced me to retire. In any case, it was an important weekend for me. I tackled these conditions for the first time in MotoGP and continued growing. The latter is still my main objective."

Sweden is one of the most picturesque countries in Europe for a motorcycle tour, due to the wide, open roads and stunning scenery. As an adventure motorcyclist, you'll be treated to a range of landscapes, depending on which area you tour. Choose the Dalarna country in central Sweden and you'll be charmed by traditional red cottages surrounded by gorgeous lakes and mountains. Tandövala's ancient pine forest will remind you of a Lord of the Rings novel! If you opt for a trip in the south-west, you can visit the stunning nature reserve Bohuslän — an area famous among locals for its delicious prawns and granite cliffs.  

Where to eat when you're touring

There's a meal to suit every taste in Sweden's many eateries. Traditional Swedish meals enter the realm of fusion cuisine where old meets new. Delicious wild meats are cooked in berries, 'ripa', a white fish, is cooked in many creative ways in the Summer. 

Some beautiful, lesser-known towns in Sweden

Jokkmokk's a tiny town in Northern Sweden and Lapland. In summer, it's ablaze with the midnight sun and in winter it's a magical, snowy place where you can almost hear the reindeer bells jangling. Grundsund is a charming town on the west coast of Sweden. Here you'll find a traditional fishing village and all the delicious fresh fish you could ask for. Multicoloured houses contrast with the blue sea to create a postcard-esque picture. If you crave a city but don't want the hustle and bustle of the bigger ones, try Västerå. Built on the shores of Lake Mälaren in central Sweden, its medieval charms will wow you.

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THE WEATHER PLAYED THE MAIN ROLE ON THE FIRST DAY IN LE MANS

ALEIX CRASHES TWICE WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES, LORENZO DOES WELL IN THE WET

The weather playing the main role is nothing new when it comes to the French GP in Le Mans. In fact, the Bugatti Circuit is famous for its varying weather conditions, capable of sudden turnarounds even during the same session. Today, on the first day of MotoGP practice, the FP1 session was held on a wet track, although a few breaks in the rain began drying off the asphalt toward the end. In the afternoon, on the other hand, the riders were able to use slicks, in spite of temperatures which were anything but summery and some rather intense wind.

These conditions took a significant toll in terms of crashes, including two involving Aleix Espargaró (on turn 3, but inconsequential). The Aprilia rider, finishing tenth in the morning, struggled in the afternoon and, after getting back on the track, had to settle for fourteenth.

Lorenzo Savadori showed good signs in the wet, improving and even finishing sixth this morning. His lack of experience kept him from confirming the good result in FP2, where he finished twentieth.

ALEIX ESPARGARO'
"A complicated day. I felt good straight away, fast in the wet too, and I was confident at the start of FP2. However, the asphalt conditions were less than ideal. They demanded a bit of caution and I crashed. I went back out on the second bike, which I don’t prefer, but still finding the feeling to be able to push. Unfortunately, the front tyre wasn’t up to temperature and on turn 3 I crashed again. I got the bike back to the garage as quickly as I could and the guys did an incredible job getting me back out onto the track where I only missed the top 10 by about two tenths of a second. Considering what happened, it still shows that we are competitive on this track as well and in these conditions. It will definitely not be a relaxing Saturday for me!"
LORENZO SAVADORI
"An overall positive day, although peculiar. This morning, in the wet, I was able to be fast. In those conditions, the small details count a bit less, so even with less experience, you can narrow the gap. FP2 was a sort of qualifying session. With the track dry, a lot of riders pushed hard on the soft tyre, given how extremely variable the weather is. I used the first part of the session to increase my confidence on a track where I haven’t ridden for about 10 years. Then, in the finale with the new tyre, I made a mistake that unfortunately cost me more than half a second. We’ll keep working. There are stages where I’d like to improve the setup, especially in terms of cornering."

To meet the current Government safety guidelines (regarding indoor event capacities) there will be no cash on the door tickets available for the forthcoming KICKBACK Custom + Retro Bike Show.

Please buy your tickets in advance from ticketsource.co.uk - enter Kickback in search button and choose to visit in the morning or afternoon session.

KICKBACK is on Sunday 23rd May inside and around the wonderful Cheltenham Town Hall.

Image above is Paul's masterpiece, the R1 powered drag bike which will be unveiled at KICKBACK next week. Photo by Dave Manning.

This is a great opportunity for some of the UK's finest bike builders to show us what they have been building in their sheds over lockdown. It's also a fabulous chance for visitors to jump on their bikes and blast through the Cotswolds into Cheltenham for a great day out with their mates.

The whole show takes place inside and around the wonderful Town Hall and the stunning Imperial Gardens, there is a licensed bar and cafe inside the Hall and outside in the gardens!

Due to Covid protocols we can only have half capacity in the hall at any one time so we have introduced a morning session and an afternoon session. It's an all ticket event with limited numbers.

To buy your tickets please visit ticketsource.co.uk and just enter Kickback in search button.