Table of contents for 10 May 2023 in MCN

‘We want to fight always for wins and podiums’ ROSSI ON YAMAHA SWITCH WIN BIG WITH HARLEY! WIN THE BIKING PARTY OF A LIFETIME IN BUDAPEST! P22 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Reaping the Rossi effect in MotoGP Valentino Rossi's career may have fizzled to an end that disappointed fans, and poured fuel on the flames of his detractors’ desire for him to vacate his ride – but while his own success dwindled, he was building the foundations of a whole new generation of title success. That bore fruit in spectacular fashion last year as Pecco Bagnaia took the MotoGP title in a dramatic overhaul of Quartararo's 91-point lead. And the fruit got even fruitier this year as Marco Bezzechi took team VR46's first MotoGP win. So how does he feel about their…

Exclusive access NEWS EDITOR The Head of Ducati's Scrambler programme, Rocco Canosa, has told MCN that the Bologna brand have no current plans to diversify their retro line-up – instead focusing their attention on the rejuvenated six-strong Scrambler range. “For the moment, we are just focusing on Scrambler and that's the best option that we can give to customers who are looking for a classic flavour, but don't want a vintage bike,” Canosa told MCN in London last week. “They want to have a modern Ducati motorcycle with technology belonging to Ducati and with an attitude.” The confirmation came during an exclusive interview at the capital's HERE at Outernet venue, during the British leg of the company's Next-Gen Tour – which is being used to showcase the latest range of…

SAVE £1015 £8195 Yamaha R7 60th Anniversary Sporty, friendly and with a voracious appetite for corners, the R7 is the perfect machine for new riders to start their sportsbike journey when it's full licence time. Its basic spec might put some off, but Yamaha are currently offering £750 of accessories so you can bling it up with a MotoGP exhaust cover, billet footpegs or Öhlins shock. www.mototechniks.com SAVE £670 £11,129 Kawasaki Z900RS The 900RS oozes ‘70s Z1 charm and mixes it with modern tech, easy speed, light controls, and superb build quality. seastarsuperbikes.co.uk • Engine 948cc • Power 109bhp • Weight 215kg • Seat height 835mm SAVE £500 £5499 Benelli Leoncino Trail The funky roadster is stylish, well built, easy to ride, fun, charming, characterful and refreshingly different. www.mmcbikes.co.uk •…

SAVE 55% Bull-it Ladies Fury ll Covec Skinny Jeggings £69.99 Look, no pink… Women bikers have traditionally had a tough time of it in terms of kit, and finding something that fits well, looks good and offers a decent level of protection was akin to a quest for the holy grail. ‘Shrink it and pink it’ seemed to be the only concession in most clothing ranges, but thankfully many manufacturers now take this growing market segment seriously – allowing us to trawl the web for deals on kit specifically designed for women. As a brand, Bull-it always score highly in our reviews, and on paper these skinny jeggings look to be no exception. The Fury IIs are constructed using abrasionresistant Covec in a denim weave and come with Level 2…

‘Driver blamed a wasp sting’ I was riding my bike when a car swerved from the other side of the road onto mine and hit me, knocking me off and causing several injuries. The car driver has blamed his swerve on a wasp sting and his solicitors are arguing that I have no entitlement to compensation. They say that their client was not negligent as the sting caused the loss of control so it was not his fault. James, email Your opponent's solicitors are relying on a legal defence known as “automatism”. This is where someone cannot be held responsible for their actions if they had no knowledge or control over them. For example, committing a crime while sleep walking or having an epileptic fit out of the blue while…

▶ Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Chris Abbott, Steve Ridley, Darren Gilkes and Paul Roberts The ride Three of us from Warwickshire, and a friend from Derbyshire travelled down through the Cotswolds, and the forest of Dean into Wales, and then up the stunning Gospel pass (Wales’ highest mountain road) and back to Monmouth to our hotel. The following day we participated in the Round Ribbon charity ride in aid of Blood Bikes. The route was around five cafés in South Wales with time spent in the Brecon Beacons. ‘The view at the top of the pass is sublime’ When to do it As it was a major success, it should be repeated next year, presumably in again April… Don't miss… There is no set route, so you could…

May 14 Inspire Ride This charity event is descending on the International Bomber Command Centre (LN4 2HQ) this weekend from 10am with a ride in from the north and south. internationalbcc.co.uk May 7-13 North West 200 You can watch the action for free, but if you want paddock passes then they start at £35 and parking, accommodation and more info is all online. www.northwest200.org May 13 Kempton jumble Bring out the bargains! This weekend at Kempton Park Racecourse (TW16 5AQ) you may be able to find the project of a lifetime, or perhaps a great deal on that final bit you need. kemptonautojumble.co.uk…

THE A2 LICENCE TEST THE MCN TEST • THE HOTTEST BIKES • EVERY WEEK £6599 Honda CBR500R ● 471cc 8v parallel twin ● 47bhp/32lb.ft ● £89 per month PCP £7510 Yamaha MT-07 ● 689cc, 8v parallel twin ● 72bhp/50lb.ft (47bhp A2 restricted) ● £79.50 per month PCP £3999 2001 Kawasaki ZXR400 ● 398cc, 16v, inline four ● 64bhp/27lb.ft ● N/A PCP MCN videographer Joseph Wright, 22, is at the start of his biking journey. He's owned a 125 for a year and recently passed his restricted A2 licence, which shackles him to life in the 47bhp lane until he's 24. Unusually for one so young, he bought a bike as old as he is: a Kawasaki ZXR400. A poster bike of the 90s, the dream of owning one prompted him to take the plunge and do…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world Bruce Anstey is the quiet genius of road racing, avoiding the microphones to do his talking where it matters most, out on track. ‘The Flying Kiwi’ has enjoyed an unequalled record over the past two decades, notching up 12 TT victories, 10 North West 200 wins and 13 Ulster Grand Prix successes. But perhaps his most impressive achievement is his unbroken run of rostrum finishes at all three of those international events between the TT in 2000 until the Ulster GP in 2015. It is a remarkable display that hasn't been equalled by any rider, including the great Joey Dunlop. One of Anstey's fiercest rivals, Steve Plater, feels those achievements might have been even greater if the mercurial New Zealander had got…

‘Polished but pricey’ The SMT is at the sportier end of the sport-touring sector, offering more of the aggression and feel that an ex-sportsbike rider may pine for when looking for a versatile road bike. It still remains to be seen how the SMT will handle a big trip, but our first ride suggests it'll be perfectly acceptable. The main issue is price: £12,499 doesn't include cruise control, heated grips, quickshifter or the ability to fine-tune the electronics for sportier tastes. Pound-forpound, rivals are better value, and being asked to pay for features that are present but ‘locked out’ feels a bit salty. THE FACTS £12,499 KTM 890 SMT…

‘Supersonic touring…’ With its mix of supercharged power, unflappable handling and spec, this is an endlessly impressive bike. Cornering traction control, ABS and semi-active suspension are all useful, but you could live without adaptive cruise control, collision warning and the auto high beam. What it really needs is an electric screen, slightly taller bars and lower pegs. Then it really would be the mother of all supersonic sports-tourers. THE FACTS £25,649* Kawasaki H2 SX SE…

Itching to get out and tour around the country and beyond 1 The riding position When I'd sat on this bike stationary at shows I had wondered how much strain would be put on my back. With newly added mid controls instead of forward controls, the overall cruising position has changed and as a result I feel stretched towards the handlebars. I added a seat cushion to lift me an inch or two to see if it made a difference, and it did help a touch, but I still ended up with backache (and had an annoying seat cushion). Don't get me wrong, I've got used to it after the now 2000 miles I've clocked up, but for a long time in the saddle I think I'm going to have…

Maybe it's a sign we're all getting old, but it seems that with modern bikes there's becoming less and less for at-home mechanics like us to tinker with. So, if your bike is fitted with ABS, as most post-2016 machines are, then unfortunately changing brake fluid is yet another task that you'll probably have to enlist the help of a dealer with. Although the steps involved when bleeding a brake fitted with ABS are fundamentally the same as shown here, it is more complex and can require access to the ABS control unit. The best advice concerning anything to do with ABS will come from either a qualified technician or supplying dealer to save an expensive mistake. But if you don't have ABS, go for it! And don't forget to…

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW It's 18 months since Valentino Rossi bowed out of the top flight of MotoGP, but his legacy burns bright. In addition to his own car racing activities, where he races a BMW M4 GT3 for the Belgian WRT team, he's achieving incredible success with the VR46 academy and VR46 MotoGP team. Star pupil Francesco Bagnaia was crowned 2022 MotoGP champion and currently leads the 2023 standings, while fellow academy stalwart and VR46 squad rider Marco Bezzecchi is now a premier class race winner and sits second in the standings. Even Valentino's own brother, Luca Marini, has already stepped up in 2023 to secure his first MotoGP podium. MCN caught up with the racing legend himself to find out what it all means to him… How did it feel…

2023 DEVITT INSURANCE MCN Manufacturer village A huge range of 2023 models, kit and accessories from Aprilia, BMW, BSA, CCM, Harley-Davidson, Herald, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Moto Guzzi, Royal Enfield, Super Soco, Suzuki, Triumph, Yamaha and Zero. Tickets just £17 You can still purchase discounted tickets online Book before midnight May 10 to grab a bargain! mcnfestival.com The Devitt Insurance MCN Festival boasts huge manufacturer test fleets with hundreds of test ride slots available over the weekend. You could be cruising down an A-road on a Harley-Davidson Road King in the morning and scratching down a twisty back lane on a Triumph Street Triple RR in the afternoon. Securing your test ride couldn't be easier, just head over to the manufacturers’ area with your licence, lid and suitable riding kit. Note:…

2023 DEVITT INSURANCE MC Download the show timetable and map direct to your phone The Devitt Insurance MCN Festival has more live action than any other show in the UK. In the Speedway arena there's a full weekend of DTRA dirt track racing, plus on Sunday the Moped Mayhem lunacy kicks off. AND there are six wild stunt shows. See p6 for a full timetable. DTRA and Moped Mayhem The DTRA Dirt Track championship races include everything from Rookie and Junior classes (7-11 year-olds) to Electric bikes, Vintage and the dramatic Hooligan class. The wacky world of Moped Mayhem takes place on Sunday at 12.30pm with an insane mix of home modified mopeds, fancy dress and no-holds-barred racing. Bold Dog FMX This world-class outfit of Freestyle MX riders are ready…

2023 DEVITT INSURANCE MCN With over 150 bikes up for grabs, the Silverstone Auctions sale has every pocket catered for. There's everything from a Panigale prototype to a 16-bike collection of vintage speedway machines. The auction takes place on Sunday at 11am. If you can't make the Festival in person, you can bid online at www.silverstoneauctions.com Here's our pick of the bunch… 1 2022 Ducati Panigale V4R This is the actual race bike that Josh Brookes piloted to third in the 2022 BSB championship. That's one hell of a trackday weapon for someone… Guide price: £60,000-£80,000 2 1980 Laverda Jota Genuine Slater Brothers Jota developed from the Laverda 3C. A well restored, matching-numbers example and supplied with a Slater Laverda Letter of Authenticity Guide price: £13,000-£15,000 3 1982 Suzuki GSX1000…

Under Euro5 rules, when big bikes leave the factory they need to meet a ride-by noise limit of 77dB(A) when measured at 50kmh +/- 1kmh. The Government says: “It's illegal to modify the exhaust system to make a vehicle noisier after it has been ‘type approved’.” They add that the police can act if your silencer does not work correctly or you are riding in a way that creates excessive noise. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 42) the penalty for not complying with these rules is a £50 spot fine. Getting an MoT If you've got an aftermarket pipe, what happens when it comes to the annual MoT test? Well, here's where things get a little bit vague… There is actually no maximum volume to which exhausts have…

THIS WEEK BEATING BIKE CRIME SAVE OUR BIKES! ASSISTANT EDITOR Criminals using tech that is openly on sale on the web could target high-end bikes fitted with CAN bus electronics and trick the system into starting the engine without the key. A Controller Area Network, or CAN bus as it's more commonly known, uses a single electronic wire to link all the electronic systems in a vehicle. This has several advantages; it simplifies the diagnostic process for the ECU, does away with traditional fuse boxes (as individual systems can be switched on and off by the CAN if needed) and saves weight too. But in the car world, thieves have found that by removing a headlight or drilling through plastic panels, they can gain access to the system and plug in…

Caberg Avalon X from £149 Boasting a host of fresh colours, this is a new addition to the Caberg range. The ABS shell features a wide eye port with integral sun visor, and adjustable vents. It's compatible with Caberg's comms system and has a fully removable and washable interior. cabergcares.co.uk Smart HJC Bluetooth Next Gen Comms System from £299.99 This second-generation Bluetooth communication system has been designed for a range of compatible HJC helmets, namely the RPHA 31, 71 and 91, and the i71. Features include 22 hours of talk time and a four-way intercom function which works to a distance of up to 1600 metres, HD speakers and advanced noise control. oxfordproducts.com Touratech Suspension EVO for Yamaha Ténéré 700 £1513.66 Stock suspension isn't the T7's best feature, but this…

‘Take a fast blast from the past’ The other week a bike cropped up in one of those layby road tester chats (killing time waiting for a photographer to do their nails or something…) that I hadn't thought about for years – the Kawasaki 1400GTR. Ring any bells? It did slip somewhat under the radar. First of all none of us could remember if it was a 1400GTR or GTR1400 (it's the former, I was right) and secondly, we all struggled to remember if we had even ridden one. So when I got home, I checked my archive and I can confirm, I have thrown a leg over one. And this is odd because you would have thought riding a 155bhp ZZR1400-derived Grand Tourer would have stuck in the old…

ENTER NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! bit.ly/HD120Comp Harley-Davidson will be rocking beautiful Budapest this June with their European 120th Anniversary Festival celebrating both the history and the future of Harley-Davidson. For owners and fans of the brand, the Anniversary Festival will be the biggest meet of 2023. Over the four-day event, 50+ bands will feature, including internationally renowned artists Wolfmother and The Darkness. The Anniversary Festival will feature a whole host of exhibitions commemorating the 120-year history of Harley-Davidson, and there will also be a Harley-Davidson demonstrator fleet and a chance for visitors to win a brand-new, limited-edition Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 120th Anniversary motorcycle worth £28,295! With our exclusive Harley-Davidson prize draw, two lucky MCN readers will win a very special prize of a four-day Entry Package for themselves…

‘Riding around NZ’ ANDY WILLIAMS This was shot during a ride around New Zealand's South Island a few weeks ago. ‘Enjoying amazing roads’ DUNCAN SUTCLIFFE A selfie in Catalonia, enjoying amazing roads and terrific weather on my way south to Andalusia. ‘Club ride loop of Kent’ MAX HITCHCOCK After a cold foggy start, the sun finally came out whilst we were admiring the views at Farthing Common. Breakfast at the Airport Cafe near Folkestone and onto the twisties near Camber Sands. A cracking Easter! ‘Back in the saddle’ PETER CHISHOLM A recent serious health issue had me doubting if I would be able to ride again. A couple of short rides then a 261-mile round trip to Glencoe had me grinning from ear to ear. ‘Damp in Dartmoor’ PHIL STEVENS…

5 months ON TEST Draper tyre tread depth gauge £14.99 I've had a pencil-style depth gauge for about 40 years, but never really trusted it was accurate, so I've embraced the digital era and bought this Draper digital unit so I can be accurate to an unnecessarily detailed ±0.01mm (or 0.00039”). It's superbly simple to use. Supplied with a battery (it uses the easily available SR44) all you need to do is turn it on, ideally calibrate it each time on a flat surface by pressing the ‘Zero’ button, then extend the probe and locate it at the lowest point in the tread, then push main body down until it's flat on the raised tread. Et voila, one digital read-out (in metric or imperial) of the depth of tread available.…

Shaun Lock from Bridge Motorcycles is seldom surprised by badly bodged bikes, but this Honda XR125 was a shocker. “This guy pitched up at reception wanting someone to cast an eye over his bike, which he'd just bought privately. As we walked across the car park I could see the issue from 10 metres away. The front wheel was about 8cm out of line with the back. It looked like one of those comedy bicycles that clowns ride at the circus, but it was no laughing matter. I was amazed he had managed to get here at all,” said Shaun. It didn't take long to find the problem; a massive kink in the frame's front downtube was kicking the headstock out to the right. The owner wasn't very experienced so…

Sam Lowes rubbing Pedro Acosta's nose in it, in front of the Spanish teenager's home fans at Jerez, was more than just a welcome comeback for the Briton. Sam gained almost three seconds over the boy wonder, hotly tipped to add the Moto2 crown to his Moto3 title this year. And something else… 14 years. Sam turns 33 in September; Acosta is 19 later this month. Along with 37-year-old Dani Pedrosa's astonishing challenge for pole and podium (second row start, sixth on Saturday and seventh Sunday) in a one-off wild card ride, it proved age need be no barrier. Pedrosa, 37, is coming up five years retired. It's a welcome relief from a tide of pubescent teenagers, most of them Spanish, and each hailed as the latest pimply genius. It…

I don't think it's right that a rider gets penalised for doing the best job. I know Bautista winning every race is unbelievably frustrating to watch and I hate that he's dominating, but you can't deny he's absolutely flying. He's poetry in motion and you have to credit the man. People say some riders are inch perfect, but he is millimetre perfect. But it's like watching anyone at the top of their game. He's just cruising, he looks very Doohan, Fogarty, Rossi, Lorenzo or Marquez when they were peaking. He's in that sweet spot. But when someone has stretched enough of a lead to be standing up on the pegs crossing the finish line, it just isn't good for the sport. As for levelling things up, it's a hard one…

MCN reader Mark Mynott got a nasty surprise as he filled up at a petrol station and got charged £2.18 per litre. Mark was riding home along the Cat and Fiddle when he pulled in at the Essar station on Leek Road, Buxton. “I started to fill up and did a double take when £33 rolled around and I was nowhere near full. Squinted at the pump price as I didn't have my reading glasses on and saw a blurry price ending in what I thought was 78. I thought £1.78? That's expensive. I went in and it came to £41.53!” Fowlers’ big night Bike Nights have returned to Fowlers of Bristol and will be held on the first Friday of the month through to September. The free events feature…

Watsonian are expanding their scooter compatible range with a new fitting kit for the Lambretta V-Special line-up. Thanks to the retro inspired Lambretta having a smoothed metal body, the team at Watsonian have had to design a new specific subframe, which bolts in under the footboards. Once that is in place, customers can then choose between the £6295 GP Manx body, or the £5395 Prescott (which can be seen above). The fitting kit costs £1200 while Watsonian can build you a finished product with a brand new V-Special 200 and Prescott sidecar for £10,995. Sparking up for historic SSDT ride For the first time in the event's history the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) will feature an electric bike entry which will take on slippery rocks, rivers and brutal, endless…

THIS WEEK Organisers of the Isle of Man TT are taking you behind the scenes of the world's toughest road race with a new documentary called No Room For Error. All episodes will be available on ITV4 and ITVX from Monday, May 22. It will also be available via the event's own streaming platform TT+. The series will take viewers behind the curtain at the 2022 TT races – the event's first return to the island since Covid-19 – and will follow on-track rivalries, the people behind the scenes, and how riders weigh up the risk and reward. Speaking about the Superbike race in the series trailer, TT winner Lee Johnston said: “It's Manchester to London, on an A-road, in two hours… It's f*****g mental, innit.” Sums it up quite…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews ‘FHO treated us like VIPs’ I purchased VIP tickets for Oulton Park recently. My wife and I spent the Bank Holiday Monday with the FHO team and were looked after fabulously and even allowed on the grid. I would recommend it massively! I'm going through dark times at present medically, this was an escape for a day. Big thanks to everyone at FHO, keep up the good work. Simon Redford, email STAR LETTER Police van scam Unmarked camera vans are nothing more than a legal scam! They are sold to the public on the basis of road safety, without any evidence that a particular road is dangerous. They penalise generally law-abiding motorists, who may be a couple of mph over the limit – yes the limit…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday May 10 BIKE MEETS ■ King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton Facebook: The King BiLLy Rock Bar ■ Sycamore Cafe, Great Billing, Northants 4pm www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ MFN, Seven Oaks Inn, Stanton By Dale, Derbyshire. 5pm till late Facebook: MFN Bike nights ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ Seaways, Fridaythorpe East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Park Road Cafe, St Helens Merseyside 01744-808440 ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, MoLd, FLints6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Park Road Cafe, St Helens Merseyside 01744-80440 ■ Loomies, West Meon, Hants Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ Paignton Seafront, Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey. From 10.30am-1pm Facebook:…

Last summer UK temperatures hit a record high of 40°C, and that's very hot indeed when you're wrapped up in protective motorcycle clothing and a helmet. Even opening vents, if you have them, has a limited effect in such conditions. Getting overheated while trying to control a motorcycle isn't just unpleasant, it's potentially dangerous. Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling tired, dizzy and sick, which will reduce your ability to concentrate, read the road and react to situations, all impacting your safety. Fortunately there is a solution. Mesh jackets and trousers are becoming increasingly popular with British bikers, because they offer maximum airflow with levels of protection found on regular bike gear – giving riders a win:win. The Weise Scout jacket, for example, has large mesh panels at the…

‘He was right first time’ Joseph racked up almost 4000 miles during his two-week stint and is convinced he bought the right bike. He concludes: “Knowing what I know now I'd still choose the ZXR400. It's more special and I can get more enjoyment from a 45-minute ride than I managed on the Honda and Yamaha over thousands of miles. Everything about it is just amazing, from its rawness and sound to the way it looks. It's a race bike with lights. “But if I had my non-emotive road tester hat on, I'd say the Kawasaki is outclassed by the newer bikes. The last 20 years of development really shows, from the way they perform to their practicalities like multifunction dashes and heated grips. They made my bike seem very…

MotoE is on the verge of a revolution. Now entering its fifth year, the series has gone from a World Cup to a World Championship for the first time. To gain that status, it has been expanded, going from 12 races at six GPs in 2022 to 16 races at eight for 2023. And most importantly, it now has Ducati providing spec machinery for the 18 participants. This could be a game-changer in how electric racing is perceived not just by fans but by other motorcycle manufacturers, now uneasy at seeing a direct competitor gaining experience in what will come to be a lucrative worldwide market. “In the past the races were really entertaining. But it was really difficult to attract the attention of people,” said Nicolas Goubert, MotoE Executive…

1000 miles ON TEST Roadskin Bronte Leggings £149.99 My riding career has spanned more than 20 years and during that time motorcycle clothing, particularly for ladies, has improved beyond recognition. I've been known to wear my stone-washed, denim, Levi 501s (think female equivalent to Nick Kamen in the launderette circa 1985) to ride in but always feel a little vulnerable, so the evolution of the riding jean has been very welcome. Over recent years I've taken to wearing riding leggings or jeggings, being made from Aramid or Kevlar lined stretch fabrics, they are more forgiving and far easier to size than a traditional riding jean. And being a lady of a certain age, I find nothing beats an elasticated waist to hide an ever-increasing muffin top. I've been impressed with…

BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician Sharper stopping Changing brake fluid is easier than you think with our easy guide 1 The forgotten fluid Brake fluid is one of those easy-to-forget components despite the fact it has a crucial role to play on your bike. Depending on the model, brake fluid should be completely replaced every two years, and there really is no excuse as it's a task that can be easily done at home – and a dedicated brake fluid bleeding kit will make it even easier. BRUCE'S TIPS This Oxford Solo costs just £14 and is super simple to use 2 Peer at those pads Before you change the brake fluid or attempt any service work, check the thickness of the pads. Low fluid levels are often a sign that the…

Bringing you the stories behind the headlines Ducati go electric! Fans will get their first glimpse of the Ducati V21L as the new MotoE season gets underway in France (see p34). The MotoGP paddock comes together to celebrate the 1000th Grand Prix this weekend as Le Mans hosts round five of the 2023 season. Expect former champions and hall of fame heroes to be in attendance for this special occasion, which comes 74 years after Harold Daniell won the inaugural 500cc race on the Isle of Man. But, what about on the track? Ducati's world Le Mans has been a happy hunting ground for the Ducati. The Bologna factory has won the last three races at Le Mans with one of those wins coming from Danilo Petrucci, who returns to…

Reporting from the heart of the roads racing scene ‘The North West 200 is the Cnhampions League of road racing this year and the TT is the Europa League,” Glenn Irwin, the winner of the last six Superbike races at the North West 200, has declared. “In football, the Champions League is the tournament with the strongest teams and because there are good men at the NW200 that aren't at the TT it has a better line-up that gives it the edge.” The Beer Monster Ducati rider arrives at Ireland's premier road race leading the British Superbike championship after two rounds. Alongside him will be the familiar road racing figures such as John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Peter Hickman, Lee Johnston, Davey Todd, Dean Harrison and Conor Cummins, plus Alastair Seeley,…

‘Start your best biking summer’ Being abLe to immerse yourseLf in aLL the Latest bikes in one pLace is great, but being abLe to ride them is even better-and nowhere eLse gives you a bigger opportunity to sampLe aLL the Latest new bikes on great roads on the same day. The test ride sLots are aLways wiLdLy popuLar, so make sure you arrive earLy and book your sLots fast to ensure you get to ride the bikes you're most interested in. And if you find your perfect next bike, this weekend couLd be the start of your best summer on two wheeLs, ever. If you're you are on the hunt for a Legendary machine from biking's past, make sure you don't miss the huge SiLverstone Auctions saLe on Sunday. Then…

2023 DEVITT INSURANCE MCN Download the show timetable and map direct to your phone BULL-IT JEANS STUNT ZONE Two Brothers Racing Sat: 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm JD Stunts sponsored by BeMoto insurance Sat: 11am, 1.30pm, 4pm. Sun: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 3pm Lee Bowers sponsored by Royal Enfield Sat & Sun: 10.30am (10am Sun), 1pm, 3.30pm On the Edge stunt show Sat and Sun: 11am, 1pm, 3pm Bolddog FMX show Sat: 10.45am, 12.45pm, 2.30pm, 4pm Sun: 10.45am, noon, 2.30pm DTRA racing Sat: 9am-7.30pm Sun: 9am-noon Moped Mayhem Sun: 12.30pm-4.45pm HARLEY-DAVIDSON LIVE MUSIC STAGES Daytime Saturday 12.15pm-1pm Tu-Kay and Ryan 1.30pm-2.15pm Amii Dawes 2.45pm-3.30pm Stevie Jones and the Wildfires 4pm-4.45pm Matt Keneson Band 5.15pm-6pm Stephen Tanner and his Band Daytime Sunday 11am-noon Tommy Philpot 12.30pm-1.30pm Flashback Photograph 2pm-3pm Kings & Bears EVENING VENUE* Friday…