Losail (Qatar), 14 March 2015 – The first session of night testing on the Qatar circuit has the riders, Alvaro Bautista and Marco Melandri, working hard testing the many changes made by the Noale factory. The tests, organised over three days, are the last trials scheduled before the launch of the MotoGP season, which will also be held on this circuit and at night on 29 March.

The four RS-GP bikes available for the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini at Losail represent yet another step forward with respect to the versions initially seen during the Spanish tests at Valencia and Jerez and then during the February test sessions in Malaysia. Along with changes to the frame came new electronic management strategies. These are all changes that need to be tested throughout a season that promises to be one of trial and growth for the Italian team, which chose to jump straight into the racing mix a year ahead of the originally scheduled plans. Marco was only able to begin the work scheduled for today as he was hindered by an extremely irritating flue that initially limited his performance and then even forced him to end his track day early for a visit to the Mobile Clinic. Bautista was able to lap more consistently to “smooth out” his RS-GP, and this is the most important information for a project that needs time and testing to grow.

In the end 53 total laps were put in, 34 for Bautista (with a best time of 1.58,459) and 19 for Melandri (1.58,990).    

ALVARO BAUTISTA “Today we worked quite a bit on the electronics to improve going into turns and rear grip. Even after changing bikes I still continued testing the electronics. Toward the end of the session we also tested the new material. We had some good results, so tomorrow we'll pick up our work from here to improve further.”   MARCO MELANDRI “Unfortunately today I was very ill and I was only able to take a few laps. Losing time right now is a shame, but I preferred stopping today so that I can take the best possible advantage of the next two days of testing.”  

The biggest indoor bike display in the UK, with over 1,000 motorcycles set to gather at EventCity, Manchester!

Since its inception in 2012 the Manchester Bike Show has grown exponentially in size and popularity. As a result, when the Manchester Bike Show, sponsored by Accident Advice Solicitors, returns to EventCity this month on March 28th and 29th, it will host the largest indoor bike display currently on offer at any modern motorcycle show in the UK.

EventCity is a popular venue is situated just minutes from the M60 motorway and is next to the intu Trafford Centre. The show will take over Halls 3 & 4, covering a total of 22,000 sq m of floor space, this is sufficient to house 650 motorcycles privately entered, and club stands ranging from the earliest cycle motors through the British classics of the 1950s and 1960s; the Japanese classics of the 1970s and 1980s; the modern classics of the 1990s, not to mention cruisers, custom bikes, street fighters, racing and off-road bikes and much, much more. In addition, the Auto Cycle Union have organised for race trucks from a variety of WSB and BSB teams to be in attendance along with grass roots racing and off-road teams all of whom will be bringing star riders to meet the crowds. All this is in addition to the brand new 2015 models from Triumph, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Victory and Indian, plus many more that you would expect to see at a modern motorcycle show.

As well as the 1,000 plus display motorcycles, the show also features an extensive retail village where you can buy everything needed to keep your bike where it should be... on the road. With stunt shows by Stunt Monkey, Try our Sport by Bumpy Ltd, live music and DJs, the Manchester Bike Show is an excellent day out for all the family.

A full list of exhibitors in now available on the dedicated show website www.manchesterbikeshow.com

Advanced ticket sales are currently 240% up on the same time last year so we are expecting a bumper crowd over the weekend. Advanced tickets at reduced prices can be purchased from the show website today.

The Manchester Bike Show, sponsored by Accident Advice Solicitors

28th & 29th March 2015 
EventCity, Manchester, M41 7TB

Michael Rutter will make a return to the Classic TT presented by Bennetts in 2015 and will again line up for the Ripley Land Racing team where he'll be gunning for victory in both the Bennetts 500cc Classic and Okells 350cc Classic TT Races.

The Midlands rider made his first appearance at the Classic TT last year, where he rode Ian Garbutt's MkII Seeley Matchless in the 500cc event as a last minute substitute for the injured Dan Kneen. It proved to be an inspired decision by Guildford based Garbutt as, despite limited practice time, Rutter went on to break the 500cc single cylinder record with a stunning lap of 109.102 mph. The British Superbike Championship veteran was leading the race and on course for a fairytale victory until a minor problem on the third lap caused him to retire on the Mountain Mile.

In addition to his outing in the 500cc Race, Rutter will also expand his activities this time around to include the 350cc Classic TT Race where he'll be on board the same 350cc Ripley Land Honda that Chris Palmer rode to victory in 2013.

Speaking about his return, Rutter said

"Last year was my first attempt at the Classic TT and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The G50 Seeley is a lovely bike to ride and was superbly prepared and presented by the team. As for the little Honda, I can't wait to get my hands on it!"

Team principal Garbutt added

"After Michael's performance in the 2014 Race, we are delighted to have him back on board for this year. We will not be subjected to last minute pressures as in 2014, and will be able to spend more time testing with Michael to fine tune the bikes to his exact requirements."

From Gravel to Snow: Touratech Breaks New Ground

Motorbike outfitter in a co-operation with Finnish Lynx snowmobiles.

Bound by a passion for adventure: Touratech, based in South Germany and the leading brand in aftermarket accessories for touring and adventure motorcycles, is to enter into a co-operation with the Finnish snowmobile manufacturer BRP Finland Oy based in Rovaniemi.

What Touratech embodies in the world of adventure bikes, Lynx is for snowmobile fans. A passion for adventure that fuels innovation, unlimited riding fun and the pleasure found in new experiences and memorable moments are firmly entrenched in both companies' philosophies. Lynx experience in the snowmobile industry and Touratech's expertise in the field of adventure touring are now being bundled, merging in a joint project that was be presented to the public in Hermavan / Sweden on 9 March: the Lynx Commander Touratech, designed for ultimate winter adventures.

Developer and manufacturer of Lynx snowmobiles, BRP Finland Oy, is part of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), based in Valcourt, Québec. BRP is the well-established world leader in the construction, development, manufacture and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles and powersports engines. The company founder built the first tracked vehicle for transportation on snow-covered terrain back in 1937.

The German motorbike outfitter presented a Touratech styled snowmobile at the Intermot trade fair in Cologne. This was a project vehicle by Touratech’s Head of Sales, Martin Wickert, and one in which a number of developers, under the guidance of chief designer Bart van den Bogaard, have given free rein to their creativity out of their sheer pleasure in crazy ideas.

It's no coincidence that Touratech is breaking new ground: for months after going on a snowmobile tour, Martin Wickert talked about little else than the speed, the vehicle's power and the tremendous amount of fun to be had riding over a frozen lake or ploughing single trails through deep snow.

The maiden voyage of the Lynx Commander Touratech has started on March 9 from the "Santa Clause" town of Rovaniemi, Finland. Touratech’s Head of Sales joined professional adventurer Sami Päivike for a snowmobile journey from the Arctic Circle to the Arctic Ocean. Follow their adventure at www.lynxadventure.com

On behalf of a major motorcycle manufacturer, MM-Eye would like to invite a few Cruiser owners along for a focus group discussion to hear your thoughts on riding and Cruiser bikes.

Your opinions will be greatly appreciated and participants will each receive £100 as a thank you.

The event will last about 2 hours and will take place on Tuesday 10th March 2015. between 8- 10:15pm @ Edgbaston, Birmingham. 

They are looking to speak with people who own one of the following models:

Harley-Davidson Softail (Breakout, Fat Boy/Fat Boy Lo, Softail Slim, Heritage Softail Classic)
Dyna (Fat Bob, Street Bob, Wideglide)
Touring (Road King Classic)
Yamaha XVS (950A/1300)
Indian Chief Classic/Vintage
Kawasaki VN1700 Classic
Suzuki Intruder C1500T B.O.S.S.
Victory Cross Roads Classic

If you own one of these models and you are interested in participating, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information:

• Model owned
• Year of purchase
• Contact telephone number

Spaces are limited for what they anticipate will be an interesting occasion.

Previous events have proved very popular, so please contact Karen at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment – this is a first come, first served registration.