The eighteenth Grand Prix of the season, currently underway at the Buriram International Circuit, has seen a Friday characterised by milder-than-usual (especially for the region) temperatures and good track conditions, with Marc and Alex Marquez immediately competitive in the morning FP1 (in which they were fourth and fifth, respectively). 
 
In the afternoon session – the one that counts the most – both riders were able to hit the target: Marc set the new outright best lap of the track in what was his first Thai weekend on a Ducati and Alex also managed to finish in the top ten, being now among the candidates for the Thai GP pole position. 

1^st - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (1’29.165s)
“It was a good Friday, but our goal for tomorrow – at least the realistic one - is to qualify on the front two rows. I know where we’re losing ground and where we can improve, we’re suffering in the first two sectors and it won’t be easy tomorrow.”
 
8^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’29.613s)
“We did quite a few changes to the bike set-up, and they worked, and the main thing is that we’re in Q2. We still need to do a lot of work and focus on tyre choice, which is something that we still have to evaluate.”

ACT Adventure Country Tracks e.V. has opened a new chapter with the eighth track of the ACT series. For the first time in ACT history, a track crosses two countries: Montenegro and Albania. This challenging adventure was meticulously prepared in multiple stages, starting with the first scouting missions in spring and culminating in a full team scouting in September.

The new track starts near the Croatia track and can be seamlessly connected with the Greece track, thus linking these popular ACT routes. With more than 50% of the route being offroad and a difficulty level rated as "hard," this track is particularly suited for experienced adventure bikers looking to tackle the final offroad challenges of the Balkans with their large touring enduros.

One of the track’s standout features is its flexibility: Over the course of 6 to 7 days, riders can follow various alternative routes with different difficulty levels. Some sections even offer exciting onroad detours. Additionally, the more difficult offroad sections at the end of the tour can either be spread out over two days or entirely enjoyed on-road, making ACT Montenegro and Albania one of the most versatile and thrilling adventure trips in the entire ACT lineup.

Thanks to the support of numerous sponsors, this year also provided the opportunity to test an impressive variety of vehicles and products. In addition to the well-known Yamaha Teneres and the Triumph Tiger, KTM, Husqvarna, MV Agusta, two special Touratech BMWs, an Edelweiss Suzuki, and two Ducatis were part of the team. Equipped with the latest products from Garmin, GoPro, Sena, Metzeler, and Earpeace, as well as apparel from REV'IT!, Nexx, and Touratech, the team had the chance to thoroughly test the gear under extreme conditions. The expedition was also supported by Ford, Good Souls, and Westerfeld Logistics.

The first videos of this adventure will be released in the coming weeks on Instagram and Facebook. The official film premiere of the new ACT movie will take place on December 6, 2024, at the Cinenova Cinema in Cologne. In addition to the ACT team, many partners and sponsors, ACT ambassador Charley Boorman will also be present, having experienced his third ACT track. After the premiere, guests will have the opportunity to exchange stories about the routes and their experiences with club members, partners, and fellow riders.

In addition to the cinema premiere, the film will be released as usual on December 25 at 8:00 PM on the ACT YouTube channel.

The Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island started with a one-two that, despite not leading to a KO, is still an important sign for the weekend Down Under. Marc Marquez dominates the Friday action in the only session of the day (the morning free practice were cancelled due to adverse weather condition) as he topped the timesheets almost the entire time, while getting close to the outright lap record towards the end of Practice.
 
It was an excellent Friday also for Marc Marquez, who set the second quickest time of the day in his very last attempt, finishing one tenth shy of his brother. Both Gresini Racing standard bearers will battle for pole position directly from Q2 in the #AustralianGP. 

1^st - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (1’27.770s)
“I always adapt quickly to track conditions, but surely the others will improve their performance tomorrow and we’ll all be very close. Qualifying will tell a lot about the possible sprint race goals. Alex was incredibly quick and without his mistake on the last lap he would have been ahead of me. It wasn’t an easy day as we needed to attack in each lap, plus the new asphalt is always a factor especially on Friday.”
 
2^nd - ALEX MARQUZ #73 (1’27.872s)
“It was probably one of my best-ever laps. I made the most of Marc’s reference ahead of me in the first two sectors, then I put in some extra of my own. The feeling with the bike was there and so was the one with the circuit, which bodes well for the remainder of the weekend. I don’t know why things seems to be better with anticlockwise circuits this year, but it’s a good thing nevertheless. Obviously, Sunday’s penalty will have its impact, especially considering the good feeling, but we’ll deal with it.”

THE unmistakable sound of classic motorcycles and the buzz of enthusiasts filled the Stafford County Showground this past weekend for another hugely successful Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show sponsored by Carole Nash.

Compact, sturdy, waterproof and equipped with a whole host of well thought-out features, comes the completely newly developed ‘Sport’ tail rack bag from the EXTREME Edition by Touratech Waterproof series. An indispensable piece of luggage for everyday use as well as for tough off-road use.

If you're out on the trails with your adventure bike, you want to have all the small, useful items such as your first aid kit, tool set, smartphone, keys or wallet safely stowed away and ready to hand. The brand new Touratech ‘Sport’ tail rack bag from the EXTREME Edition series is the perfect piece of luggage for this. Developed in response to many customer requests, this new rear bag is a highly functional addition to this successful soft luggage range.
 

Ultra-rugged three-layer laminate
The ‘Sport’ tail rack bag is made from an advanced three-layer laminate that combines waterproofness with abrasion and tear resistance. In combination with the sturdy base plate the robust material also gives the bag the necessary rigidity. The textile material is fully welded, making the bag completely dust and waterproof. As with all EXTREME Edition by Touratech Waterproof bags, the interior is bright yellow, making it easy to find even smaller items thanks to the bright contrasting colour. The technical surface of the robust material has an exceptional haptic that emphasises the high quality standards. The Sport rear bag is closed with an extra-robust waterproof zip.

Practice-orientated features
Based on the robust concept of the EXTREME Edition, the ‘Sport’ tail rack bag offers numerous practical features. It starts with the universal fit. The rear bag has been specially developed for small luggage racks and fits the large majority of motorcycles thanks to the clever strap fastening. 
The volume of approximately five litres is sufficient for short trips or offers a welcome addition to the luggage system on longer adventures. The interior stores everything from essential items to a small set of tools that need to be within easy reach. There is a mesh pocket with Velcro fasteners on the inside of the lid to ensure that fragile or small items stay exactly in place. There is also a practical pen holder. Other items of equipment that are not sensitive to moisture can be securely fastened to the outside of the lid with an adjustable, elastic cord system.
 

Distinctive look for the adventure lifestyle
The unique robustness and functionality of the EXTREME Edition by Touratech Waterproof series is also reflected in its attractive rugged look. These products, imbued with the spirit of great adventure, not only do a great job in challenging off-road activities, they also set a clear lifestyle statement in everyday use.
Tail rack bag »Sport« EXTREME Edition by Touratech Waterproof. Dimensions: approx. 17 x 27 x 12 cm, volume: approx. 5 litres, item-no.: 055-1023
 

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