A motorcycle adventure for children in need – with Touratech-equipped bikes

"These bikes surpass all our expectations. The equipment and the look are spot on, and the ride is smooth as butter." Claudia and Mirko Nagler were "on cloud nine" when presented with their motorcycles – provided by Suzuki and equipped by Touratech – at the season launch party held at Touratech headquarters in Niedereschach/Germany. In May, they are embarking on the world's first adventure ride with the new V-Strom 1000.

Two motorcycles, 45,000 km, 18 countries – through North, Central and South America. Claudia and Mirko Nagler expect to take between 12 and 18 months to complete their journey. From New York, they will set off towards Canada, then ride down the west coast until they reach Tierra del Fuego, before continuing on to Brazil. Apart from seeing something of the world and experiencing different cultures, the couple – both native Dortmunders – want to make a positive difference.

Claudia and Mirko are calling their project "2AR – a challenge to support kids in South America". (2AR stands for "2 Auf Reisen", or "two people on one journey".) They want 2AR to attract attention, persuading people to get involved and do something for a good cause, while also raising awareness for important social projects.

Suzuki International Europe and Touratech are supporting this motorcycle adventure to benefit children in need in Latin America. Suzuki has provided two new V-Strom 1000 bikes, and Touratech has kitted out the bikes for long-distance touring – with headlight protectors, fairing crash bars, auxiliary lights, sat-nav holder bars, GD hand protectors with spoiler, extra power sockets, tank bags, engine guard panels, pannier racks and ZEGA Pro panniers (31 and 45 litres), long-distance foot pegs, aluminium luggage racks, rackpacks, heated grips, Heidenau K 50 tyres, Scottoiler chain lubrication system, plus specially made decals on the panniers and bodywork. Breathable seats, handlebar bags and crash bar bags will be added. Compañero motorcycle suits in a matching design, sponsored by Stadler, and Nolan X-lite X-551 helmets with communication system complete the equipment.

"We are delighted that we were able to work with Touratech on this project," said Jan Hendrik Breckwoldt, motorcycle and ATV sales manager at Suzuki International Europe GmbH, during the official handover. "The motorbikes look absolutely superb." Touratech sales manager Martin Wickert, who presented the accessories that were developed for the bikes, thanked Suzuki for their fantastic support. He added that Touratech had worked on these motorcycles for about three months, and was pretty pleased with the results.

 "We have immense confidence in these motorbikes. They are lightweight, strong and handle really well," say a delighted Claudia and Mirko as they look forward to their journey.

More information about the project is available here

70’s superstar drummer Don Powell founder member of SLADE will be with us at the BMF May Show!

Having raised funds for the National Autistic Society at last year’s Kelso Bikefest (and because he had such a great time) Don has agreed to join us at the BIG ONE – May’s BMF Show 16-18 Peterborough Arena.

Don will be on site all through the weekend and will once again be asking people to support the good work of the NAS and later into the evening he’ll be picking up those famous drum sticks and putting in some ‘guest’ appearances with the bands on the main stage on Friday and Saturday evening.

For more information about any of the BMF shows visit www.thebmfshow.co.uk. Or talk to the show organisers, The Mulberry Group, on 01869 277077.

Spaniard Augusto Fernandez won today’s second-round European Junior Cup race at Assen in the Netherlands, leading from first corner to chequered flag to narrow the lead at the top of the 2014 championship.

Fernandez is second in a Spanish 1-2-3 at the top of the table with Marc Miralles leading the way after finishing in third place in today’s six-lap race at the 4.542km Assen circuit, adding to his first round win at Aragon in Spain two weeks ago. Javier Orellana could finish only eighth today, but still sits in championship third position.

In damp conditions in Assen, which followed disruption to the schedule following a heavily-delayed second World Superbike championship race, Jesper Hubner finished in second place today. The Swedish rider is just one point behind Orellana in the table.

Podium finisher in Aragon, Mika Perez, was one of several riders who fell victim to today’s wet conditions but local Dutch wildcard, Ricardo Brink, finished in a creditable fourth place, while his fellow Dutchman and the second Assen wildcard, Jamie van Sikkelerus, rounded out the top ten.

“It was a difficult weekend,” said Fernandez after the race. “I started from sixth place on the grid but my start was OK. I was a bit nervous but went into the first corner in the lead. I thought I could push, but I had to concentrate very hard. I’m very happy with this win, though, and I look forward to Imola.”

2014 European Junior Cup, powered by Honda Racing

Round 2: Assen, Netherlands - race result:

1 Augusto Fernandez (ESP)

2 Jesper Hubner (SWE)

3 Marc Miralles (ESP)

4 Ricardo Brink (NED)

5 Hannes Soomer (EST)

6 Paolo Grassia (ITA)

7 Connor London (NZL)

8 Javier Orellana (ESP)

9 Alex Wisdom (USA)

10 Jamie van Sikkelerus

Championship points after two of eight rounds:

Miralles 41, Fernandez 38, Orellana 28, Hubner 27, Soomer 20, Grassia 18, Perez 16, Angelo Licciardi (BEL) 14, London 14, Brink 13.

Next race: Imola, Italy – 9-11 May

Sam Lowes finished the Gran Premio Red Bull de la República Argentina Moto2 race in eighth place today after starting from 22nd on the grid.

Sam showed optimism, true grit and determination to improve and build on the difficulties the Moto2 rookie and his team has encountered since arriving in Argentina.

Storming through the warm-up session he finished in P5 and was just 0.25 seconds off the lead rider. In the race he made his way through the field and by lap-15 was with the top ten riders, and firmly in the points. With just five laps left the reigning World Supersport Champion had settled into eighth position, where he finished the race.

Sam’s result from today sees him in tenth place in the overall rider standings, with 18 points in his debut Moto2 season.

The next round of the Moto2 Championship takes place next weekend (2-4 May) with the series heading to Europe for the Gran Premio bwin de España in Jerez, Spain. The Spanish circuit will be familiar ground for the young Brit and the first circuit of the year he has ridden at before.

It was a hard race and a difficult weekend overall with the bike settings, but I improved a lot in the warm up. The race was always going to be hard starting from 22nd, but I’m so happy to finish eighth and have shown we have good potential when everything is right. Jerez is up next and the first circuit of the year I know so I’m excited to race there again. Thanks to everyone for the support!

Kevin Manfredi took his Honda CBR600RR to an impressive second place in Saturday’s second round Superstock 600 FIM European Championship yesterday at Assen in the Netherlands.

The Agro-on WIL Racedays Honda, who graduated from last season's European Junior Cup, led for two laps and looked strong before a massive slide at the Geert Timmer chicane dropped him to second place where he eventually finished five seconds behind race winner Niki Tuuli, with local rider Wayne Tessels finishing third.

The race start was delayed as heavy rain fell on the Assen circuit and, as the race finally got underway, several riders fell victim to the difficult riding conditions. Among them were Manfredi’s team-mates Jake Lewis – a fellow European Junior Cup graduate – and young British rider Harry Stafford, both of whom crashed out unhurt.

Similar conditions greeted the Agro-on WIL Racedays Honda Superstock CBR1000RR Fireblade SP riders, Kyle Smith and Josh Day, when they took to the Assen circuit for today’s second round championship race.

Starting from ninth place on the grid, Smith got a remarkable start that saw him in a strong second place before he crashed out unhurt mid-race. Josh Day enjoyed only a slightly less eventful race, finishing in 11th place.

Rider quotes:

Kevin Manfredi – STK600:

We didn’t have a good grid position because of some problems in qualifying, but I felt confident in the rain. I thought it might be possible to win but I made some mistakes when I was leading the race and then had that big moment at the last chicane. I tried to close the gap again but decided that second place was a good result in those conditions.

Jake Lewis – STK600:

They were really difficult conditions, going out to the grid when it started raining heavily. It was a bit of a surprise but I made my way up through the field at a good pace. Unfortunately, I made a small mistake and ended up highsiding, but we were in the points which is pretty good. We’ve just got to move on to Imola now and keeping going forward. I know the team will keep pushing to have us fighting at the front so I’m looking forward to it.

Josh Day – STK1000:

I was really hoping for dry weather conditions after we made a little bit of headway in the setting on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP in practice. Unfortunately, it ended up raining and those aren’t usually my best conditions. I was happy to finish and to come home with some points. Hopefully, Imola will be a lot better where we’ll aim to keep moving forward with the bike and get in the top five, which is where I need to be.

Kyle Smith – STK1000

I normally like riding in the wet and managed to get a good start. We had struggled with bike set-up all weekend, especially with rear grip but we made a few changes for warm-up which felt a bit better. But because it was wet for the race, we went softer again to something we thought would be better for the wet. These are all things we’re learning because everything is so new – it’s just a bummer that I had to crash out of the race.

2014 Superstock 600 FIM European Cup – round two

Assen, Netherlands – results:

1 Niki Tuuli (FIN)

2 Kevin Manfredi (ITA)

3 Wayne Tessels (NED)

4 Rob Hartog (NED)

5 Andrea Tucci (ITA)

6 Gauthier Duwelz (BEL)

7 Eemeli Lahti (FIN)

8 Luca Salvadori (ITA)

9 Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR)

10 Marco Faccani (ITA)

Championship points after two of seven rounds:

Tuuli 38, Tessels 32, Faccani 31, Tucci 31, Manfredi 27, Mikhalchik 18, Duwelz 18, Salvadori 18, Hartog 13, Lahti 10.

Next round: Imola, Italy – 9-11 May

2014 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup – round two

Assen, Netherlands – results:

1 Kevin Valk (NED)

2 Ondrei Jezek (CZE) 3 Matthieu Lussiana (FRA) 4 Lorenzo Savadori (ITA) 5 Leandro Mercado (ARG) 6 David McFadden (RSA)

Championship points after two of seven rounds:

1 Mercado 36, 2 Savadori 33, 3 Valk 32, 4 Lussiana 26, 5 Jezek 20, 6 McFadden 18, 7 Kyle Smith (GRB) Honda 16, 11 Josh Day (USA) Honda 10.

Next round: Imola, Italy – 9-11 May