VICTORY AND SECOND PLACE FOR HASLAM IN THE TWO AUSTRALIAN RACES. THIS IS APRILIA'S 50TH WIN IN WSBK.

LEON HASLAM LEADS THE RIDER CHAMPIONSHIP, APRILIA AT THE TOP OF MANUFACTURER STANDINGS

Phillip Island (Australia), 22 February 2015 - Aprilia never gets tired of winning.

The RSV4, reigning World Champion bike, and the new Aprilia Racing - Red Devils team, pick up where they left off in November, on that magical night in Qatar when the Italian team took the double world title.

On the Phillip Island track Leon Haslam made his début astride the RSV4 and brought home Aprilia's 50th win in World SBK.

The first victory was in 2000, right here at Phillip Island with the RSV Mille ridden by Troy Corser. But it has been in the last 5 years, and with the RSV4, that Aprilia has won all its championships in the factory derivative category, taking 4 Manufacturer and 3 Rider titles and racking up 42 of their 50 total wins.

With these results Aprilia comes home from the Australian round with first place both in the Rider (with Haslam) and Manufacturer standings.

Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Manager had this to say about the 2015 opening round: “After a long winter where the guys in the racing department worked hard we arrived here at Phillip Island with a lot of question marks. These were all erased by this fantastic Sunday where Leon came so close to bringing home a double win, in any case putting in an excellent result in his first races with the RSV4. This promises to be a very well balanced season, with several riders in contention for the win, but I believe that our performance today once again confirms our competitiveness. Leon showed incredible courage and determination today, while Torres continues to improve and has already reached an enviable level for a rookie in this category.”

Arriving at the Australian round with two new riders and the new RF version of the RSV4, Aprilia found itself in the limelight straight away with Leon Haslam. The fast English rider, making his first curtain call on the Italian V4, confirmed the RSV4's ability to win with riders of any style, and he was a key player in both races, battling courageously and cleanly with his countryman Jonathan Rea.

In the first of the two races, after they pulled ahead of the pack along with Davies, they engaged in a memorable duel overtaking one another several times before the spectacular last lap. In the final race for the chequered flag, Rea broke through by just 39 thousandths of a second.

The script was much the same with the players reversed in the second race. Haslam and Rea did battle, doing full honours to the spirit of this championship - which promises to be particularly spectacular this year - taking turns in the lead, once again down to the last lap. At the last turn Haslam came around in his countryman's slipstream, looking for the pass in the final run. And that is exactly how it went, with Leon Haslam winning his first championship race on an Aprilia 10 thousandths of a second ahead of Rea.

Leon Haslam: “This race brings back great memories. My last win was at Kyalami in 2010 after a great battle with Rea. My compliments to my team. They did a great job all weekend. In Race 1 I unfortunately made a mistake, but luckily I felt like I had a wide enough margin and I was able to rejoin the pack and finish second in the final dash by just a few thousandths. I started Race 2 even more motivated to win. Despite feeling like I had less “reserve” after the halfway point, everything went according to plan. In the last turn I opened up the throttle at the right time and I realised that I had overtaken Rea straight away right on the finish line. I am truly happy to finally be back on the top step of the podium!”

The young Spanish rider, Jordi Torres, also had an opening day full of positive notes. In his first SBK race he stayed in the top spots of the standings, showing no reverential fear for the big names in the Championship and, after battling with the likes of Guintoli and Bayliss, he made an excellent fourth place finish. This was a great placement well within his reach in Race 2 as well, but just after overtaking Sykes after a long battle for fourth, he fell victim to a sliding crash without any physical damage, but which ended his race.

Jordi Torres: “This was a Sunday where I learned a lot. In the first race we performed well. I was fast from the start and I learned a lot about tyre wear and what sort of riding style to use to conserve it. You have to avoid leaning all the way over and be very careful on the gas - a lesson that I was putting to good use in Race 2. Unfortunately Sykes really brakes hard, so I struggled to overtake him and just when I thought I could do it I pushed to hard and crashed. I need to take away all the good we did this weekend and stay calm. I can be fast but I need to improve the way I manage the race.”

Andrea Petricca: “Today Haslam and the entire team won, a group of professionals who are accustomed to winning. We were well aware of the great potential that both Haslam and the RSV4 have and today at Phillip Island we received confirmation that Leon is capable of riding a top level championship to fight for the title. It won't be easy because we are competing at a very high level, but we will give it our best effort. Torres was making his début in the Superbike championship but he showed that he can compete with the fastest and most expert riders in the category, so we are confident that in the coming races he will bring home great results.”

20 MPH Speed Limits At The Northern Ireland Assembly
Previously we have reported on a Private Members’ Bill – Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill – being introduced at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

On Tuesday of this week this bill when through its second stage to go forward to Committee Stage due on the 15th April 2015.

The committee responsible will look at the bill in more depth.

The basics of the Bill is to set a maximum speed limit on residential roads of 20 miles per hour – whether this is a blanket enforcement or where residents along with all agencies (a stakeholder led approach e.g. the local community – police – public transport service – young people), feel that a 20mph zone would be beneficial in terms of road safety is up for further discussion – for amendments to be tabled as the bill progresses.

At some stage we believe this will also include a full public consultation.

If you read the latest debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly – you will read what has been described in the debate as “devilment” in engaging with other members (politicians) – and big words such as “facetiousness” – you will read about concerns that the bill, “for many people might be not a Road Traffic (Speed Limits) Bill but a “horse – and – cart Bill” – then read past what you would expect from a debate and read the thoughts and reasoning behind the proposed bill.

The thoughts and reasoning includes the aim of reducing casualties on residential street which concerns vulnerable road users such as young and old pedestrians and cyclists and during the debate various politicians offered up varied figures on fatal road collisions, where and how, speeds and examples of other 20 mph limits that have been introduced in the rest of the UK but there did not seem to be any thoughts on why these fatalities happen.

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Production of the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 has begun; the bike will be available from the end of March in Ducati dealerships throughout UK
• The former Superbike world champion came to Borgo Panigale (Bologna) in person to collect the first bike off the production line
• The new Multistrada 1200 is available in three versions (Standard, S, and D-Air) with four available accessory packages (Touring, Enduro, Sport, and Urban), and takes the concept of the multibike launched in 2010 to new frontiers

The new Multistrada 1200, presented last November at the World Ducati Premiere 2014, has won over not only the public of EICMA in Milan, but also a celebrated Ducatista: Carlos Checa. The Spaniard, who was World Champion in 2011 among the modified production bikes, riding a Ducati, expressed the desire to ride the new Italian multibike. The opportunity arose when production of the bike began, and Carlos took possession of the first model to come off the production line at the Borgo Panigale factory.

“I already had the first version of the Multistrada 1200 and I saw right away that this was my ideal bike. When I saw the new model at EICMA I literally fell in love with it,” said Carlos Checa during his visit to Borgo Panigale. “I realised immediately that the bike had been completely changed and had taken an important step forward in terms of technology, safety and performance. I asked if I could ride it and the moment has come at last. I've already ridden a few kilometres and that's all I needed to notice that the new Testastretta DVT engine is a good step ahead in terms of functioning regularity and performance. The new electronic system, commanded by the inertial platform, has made it possible to introduce a lot of new elements such as ABS Cornering. I also really love the new instrumentation which provides multiple possibilities for connectivity, as well as the new handlebar controls which are more ergonomic and easier to use. For certain I'll be riding a long way with my new Ducati Multistrada 1200”.

Carlos Checa and the new Multistrada 1200 were in Courmayeur last weekend, guests at the second appointment with the Winter Tour (the third stop will take place in Ischgl, Austria, 21-22 February, for info wintertour.ducati.com) and they'll soon be taking part in other adventures to come.

The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be available in UK Ducati dealerships from the end of March.

As soon as it was launched back in 2010, the Multistrada 1200 revolutionised the motorcycling world by offering, for the very first time, nothing less than four bikes in one: from super sport to long-distance tourer, from everyday runabout to enduro. Now, Ducati’s technological expertise has produced a new generation of Multistradas, bikes featuring the latest Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine and a state-of-the-art technological package that sets a whole new standard in its product segment. The new Multistrada 1200 is the “multibike” par excellence, with cutting-edge technology making it far more than just the 4-bikes-in-1 offered by its Riding Modes.

In what is a first for the motorcycle industry, the DVT engine features a variable valve timing system with independent control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. This optimises engine performance throughout the power range in all riding conditions, thus ensuring maximum power at high rpm, fluid delivery, punchy low-rpm torque and low fuel consumption in full compliance with the latest Euro 4 regulations.

The new Multistrada 1200 also sets a new electronics benchmark thanks to the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), developed by Bosch technicians, which dynamically measures roll and pitch angles as well as the acceleration on three axis; with this information, the Bosch IMU enhances both performance and safety. For example, the presence of the IMU enables the ABS to include a Cornering system capable of controlling braking even on bends where wheel lock could otherwise cause skidding. On the Multistrada 1200 S it also enables control the Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) in its full LED headlamp. Moreover, the Bosch IMU has allowed the introduction of Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC): this detects and corrects any front wheel lift to ensure maximum acceleration in complete safety. Like Ducati Traction Control (DTC), DWC features rider-settable 8-level sensitivity. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution (DSS) control system featured on the Multistrada 1200 S.

With 100 days to go before the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, the seat swapping madness and behind the scenes deals of the close season are well and truly behind us.

All of the leading riders having confirmed their machines for this year's TT Races and the debate is whether the new factory supported Yamaha ride for 11 time champion Michael Dunlop and new BMW machinery for TAS Racing's Guy Martin and William Dunlop will help them in their head to head against Honda Racing's established duo of John McGuinness and Conor Cummins and Valvoline by Padgetts Racing's Bruce Anstey, the outright lap record holder, with the latter trio undoubtedly benefiting from the stability of riding the same machines again this year.

Road Racing fans can get up close and personal and see the drama of the races as it unfolds with official TT fanzone and VIP hospitality packages designed to put fans at the very heart of the action. Tickets are selling fast, with the Glencrutchery Road Grandstand seats all snapped up shortly after going on sale but there is still limited availability for the qualifying sessions.

The three course fanzones - Nobles Park, Ballacrye and the Creg Ny Baa - have been sited in these locations because of the spectacular racing that each offers, from the logic defying speed through the grandstand, to the stunning sight of airborne bikes at the jump at Ballacrye and the long view back up the mountain that spectators enjoy as the riders approach the right hander at the iconic Creg Ny Baa. Quaylifying and race tickets can be purchased from £5 to £30.

The ultimate TT experience is available at the TT's VIP Club with guests enjoying the chance to rub shoulders with some of the legends of motorsport as well as other celebrity visitors. You'll also get the chance to hear from the the first three riders from each race who'll share their thoughts in an exclusive interview with compere Charlie Williams, himself no stranger to standing on the top step at the TT.

The package comes complete with complimentary breakfast and lunch as well as all day access to the bar. This year a new grandstand is being installed as part of the hospitality complex itself, offering guests a convenient solution to enjoy the VIP club's facilities as well as the best of the race action. The VIP packages can also be upgraded to Platinum which includes your very own race guide in the shape of an ex TT legend who'll share his own experiences and insights. You'll also receive the unrivalled experience of a closed road lap of the course in one of the official course cars.

To reserve your tickets today visit www.iomtt.com or alternatively contact Regency Travel on 01624 694456 or Duke Marketing on 01624 640000.

AMOR SET FOR FULL TIME TT RETURN IN 2015

Former Honda factory rider Keith Amor is set to make a renewed road racing challenge this season. The 42 year old Scot, who made his initial comeback last year after a shoulder injury forced him out of the sport in 2011, will return to the premier class on a 2015 spec BMW S1000RR at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

Enjoying backing from RigDeluge, a fire suppressant safety systems company in the oil and gas industry, the former Supersport TT podium finisher will also have a brace of World Supersport spec CBR Hondas for the 600cc class.

"I will have six bikes in total, three BMWS and three Hondas." Amor explained. "The plan is to have two stockers, one set up for the dry and the other for the wet, alongside the superbike. I am getting Motorrad support from Germany with engines, electronics and data and we will run Ohlins factory suspension on all the bikes."

With his shoulder now fully repaired following two major operations, Amor says he wants to emulate his 2010 season that brought him international wins at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

"That was my best ever season and I want to go back to what I know and what I ran then." he said. "I was on a low budget in 2010, it's anything but that now." he explained. I am in a really good position and this is my job for the next two years. I have my brother Guy as my mechanic setting the bikes up for me and I just have to build myself up to race speed."

Amor's first test will be at Cartagena in March and he will take in the Easter short circuits meetings at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown before returning to the roads at the Tandragee 100 in May. "I like Tandragee and it is a good place to sort out if the bike is going to work at the TT." he says.

In spite of finishing on the TT podium five times, a Mountain course win still eludes the Stirling based racer and remains the principal goal for 2015. "I would like to get a TT win and then I could retire happy."

There will be no return to the smaller class that he made his racing comeback in last year, when he finished fourth in the Bikenation Lightweight TT Race following two top ten finishes in the Supersport class.

His fastest lap around the Mountain Course, 130.177, his only 130+mph lap, was set on his final lap on a Superbike, the 2011 PokerStars Senior TT, when he finished in fifth place. Despite not racing a 1000cc bike around the Isle of Man since 2011, his fastest lap places him 14th on the all-time list of fastest laps.

www.iomtt.com