The seamless gearbox makes its debut on the Aprilia RS-GP bikes ridden by Bautista and Melandri. The chassis and setups have also undergone many changes

Mugello Circuit (Italy), 29 May 2015 - The first day of free practice at the Italian Grand Prix forced Aprilia Racing Team Gresini to set an extraordinary work pace. In fact, if the entire 2015 season is set up as a long and demanding test of the MotoGP project's growth for the Italian team, the home round is characterised by a series of development changes on the Aprilia V4.

As already announced, the seamless gearbox made its début on Friday. This is a continuous shifting system which, after the tests that only Bautista conducted at the post-Jerez sessions, here it is available for both riders. Some changes to the setup and chassis arrived as well for the RS-GP bikes. A series of new solutions tested directly in the races in accordance with the spirit of this championship season.

At the end of the first day Alvaro finished in 21st place (1’49.741) whereas Melandri had the 26th best time at 1’51.800.


ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)
“We brought the seamless gearbox to the races for the first time. It worked very well with both riders and this is an important step taken. It is quite significant that even Melandri, who also tried the bike with the conventional gearbox today, confirmed the clear difference between the two solutions. Marco also tried a front end with various rigidity but that doesn't seem like the right direction for us. At the moment we are focusing a lot on the setup because that's where we want to improve the most.”

FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
“We are really working a lot on various areas of the bike, trying a lot of new parts, so in this first phase we certainly couldn't expect immediate progress. We are continuing our policy of baby steps and we hope to see the first signs of progress as early as tomorrow. We are all fully committed, from Aprilia to the team and the riders, so we will continue to stay focused and confident as tomorrow approaches.”

ALVARO BAUTISTA
“This morning I tried a more tapered saddle with new ergonomics which make me feel a bit more comfortable on the bike, in addition to the seamless gearbox and an engine evolution. On the gearbox I had the same good feelings as the tests at Jerez so I'm satisfied. In the afternoon I tried a smaller fairing which performed well in the wind tunnel and on the track it also seems to provide some advantages in terms of more agility. The bike still tends to go wide coming into turns but tomorrow I'll have both the bikes fitted with all the changes so it will be easier to focus on chassis comparisons, which is the area where I think we have the most room for improvement.”

MARCO MELANDRI
“Today I was able to try the new seamless gearbox for the first time and it works well. Aprilia did a good job. As for the chassis the situation hasn't changed and I had the same problems that have continued to slow me down since the beginning of the year. So tomorrow we'll try to work more on the chassis to improve.”

Gresini Racing: the collaboration, started back in 2011, sees the Italian group, a European leader in the field of tube manipulation and its components, supporting the team led by Fausto Gresini both in MotoGP and in Moto3, the ambitious project dedicated to young talents in the smaller class of the World Championship.

Making use of highly qualified personnel and advanced equipment, and thanks to over 40 years of experience, SAG TUBI is today capable to produce any kind of rigid tube or flexible hose combination for any application. High quality competitive products, accompanied by an extraordinary service, which led SAG TUBI to become a partner of the most important manufacturers of engines, agricultural machinery, earthmoving equipment, forklifts, passenger and freight transport.

WALTER ZINI (CEO SAG Group)
“I’m very pleased to continue the partnership with Gresini Racing, now in its fifth year: the 2015 season is proving to be one of the most interesting from a technical and sporting point of view, with the return of Aprilia in MotoGP and the great performances that the young Moto3 riders have been showing so far. For a big fan of the sport like me, being able to live first hand this experience, through the great reception that Fausto Gresini and all the people at Gresini Racing have always given to us, it’s a great privilege. We hope to live many beautiful moments during the season, starting with the home Grand Prix at Mugello, which is just around the corner!”.

FAUSTO GRESINI
“The 2015 represents a new chapter in Gresini Racing’s history, having reached an agreement with Aprilia in MotoGP and having made a lot of changes in the Moto3 program: SAG TUBI embraced with great enthusiasm this breath of fresh air, thus renewing a collaboration which continues uninterrupted since 2011. Therefore I would like to thank Walter Zini, a great lover of the sport, for having believed and continue to believe in our projects”.

A pair of stars from the world of motorbikes are set to join riding enthusiasts from all over the country for the IAM Motorcycling Festival (Institute of Advanced Motorists) taking place in early July.

The event takes place at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull and features a full day of activities including many not available to museum visitors. The event is also open to non-members who can buy tickets in advance.

The IAM Motorcycling Festival is a celebration of IAM volunteers from around the country who are the lifeblood of the organisation. Guests and friends are welcome to attend.

The stars are Steve Plater, who will host the event, and John Cooper, with more names to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Steve is a four times winner in the British Superbike Championship and was the 2009 British Supersport champion, while John starred in the 1960’s and 70’s in the 500cc world championship and Isle of Man TT.

The £10 admission includes museum admission and a free quiz, a food and drink voucher plus the opportunity to participate in all activities. Your ticket also gets you a free escorted museum tour and photo opportunities with some of the prize exhibits.

There will also be five official ride-in points from around the country, so if you want to ride in good company this is a great opportunity to do so. Meeting points will be posted on the website soon.

You can also show off your prowess at the wheel of your machine with a 'horseshoe' slow riding challenge. If you don’t feel up to that, you can simply show off your pride and joy itself for the IAM’s best bike competition.

There will also be an exclusive pin badge available on the day only to ticket buyers, serving as a unique memento of the event.

And if you are in the mood to spend some money, a partners’ marketplace will give you the opportunity to part with some pounds. The latest kit from BikeStop, RealRider and many other IAM partners will be on display. In addition IAM examiners and observers will be on hand to offer demo rides and answer all your questions.

Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive officer, said: “We hope that as many people as possible will come along to our event and rediscover the joy of riding. Riding is not only an enjoyable activity, but a highly social one too. And the IAM Motorcycling Festival is going to be one of the high points of the organisation’s 2015 calendar. We urge everyone to be a part of it”.

To book your ticket call 0300 303 1134 or visit www.iam.org.uk/homecoming

Visitors can re-live the past when the Heritage Motor Centre hosts the eighth ‘Classic and Vintage Commercial Show’ on Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June.  The popular two day show features a diverse selection of classic and vintage vehicles built before 1990. Attracting an array of commercial vehicles such as the lightweight Morris J Type and Ford Transit van through to the mighty Scammell Heavy Haulage Tractors, the event is one of the largest classic commercial shows in Europe.

On show will be some familiar marques including Dodge, Ford, Austin, Morris, AEC, Leyland, Foden, ERF, Volvo, Scania and DAF. The show also attracts a number of overseas visitors, including entries from Europe, which add to the diverse selection of vehicles to view. For enthusiasts restoring vehicles, there will also be a large indoor and outdoor trade area selling parts.

In addition there will be an indoor model show within the Museum featuring over 160 tables of models on display. Whether they are kit or scratch built, the models add a different aspect to the show and highlight an array of different scaled models.

The show is supported by Kelsey Media, who have their own trade stand selling a number of their publications including Classic and Vintage Commercial magazine, Classic Van and Pick up magazine and Vintage Roadscene.

Tom Caren, Show Manager for the Heritage Motor Centre stated “This event is a real step back in time and a fascinating nostalgia trip, even if you have never been connected to the world of commercial vehicles. Around 4,000 visitors are expected to attend this nostalgic show which will showcase around 400 commercial vehicles for visitors to enjoy”.

A 1 day advance ticket costs £12 for adults, £5 for children and £10 for concessions. A 2 day advance ticket costs £22 for adults, £10 for children and £17 for concessions. Tickets on the day are slightly more expensive; please see the website for full details.  Camping is available from 4pm on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June. Last entry to the campsite is 9pm. Price per pitch, tent or caravan is £25 booked in advance or £35 on the day.

The Classic & Vintage Commercial Show is just one of many exciting and unique motoring events held at the HMC in 2015. For more information about the Heritage Motor Centre please visit www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or call 01926 641188.

Ace to Squires – Charity Ride Out

Departing Ace Cafe London at 9.30am on Saturday 20th June, the “Ride2Care” heads north to Squires Cafe, near Leeds, in aid of children with Cancer.

The Great North Road (A1) route includes with three (3) tea, coffee and petrol stops:

10:40am to 11:20am  Astwick Connect  Great North Road  Stotfold  Hitchin  Herts  SG5 4BL

12:30pm – 2pm  OK Diner  Bloody Oaks Service Station  Tickencote  Stamford  Lincs  PE9 4AD

2:50pm   - 3:20pm  Total  Old Rufford Road  Newark-on-Trent  Ollerton  Notts  NG22 9DT

To arrive about 4.20pm at:

Squires Cafe  Newthorpe  Gorse Lane  Leeds  W. Yorks  LS25 5LX

Camping available

 or more information: www.ncca-uk.org

Pre-register at: www.ride2cure.org.uk

e-mail: [email protected]

For more information about Ace Cafe London or what's on, check out: www.ace-cafe-london.com