Table of contents for 22 June 2022 in MCN

THE CHANGE-MAKERS Want to be a BSB racer, run the series, or work in the motorcycle industry? Meet the women who already are. MEET THE TRAILBLAZERS Women riders have been amongst the pioneers of biking since day dot. Meet some of the women who blazed a trail for others to follow. WELCOME TO WoMCN RIDER! Get inspired to ride Ask almost any female biker if they feel that they’re treated differently – positively or negatively – by male bikers, and the answer is an almost unanimous no. So why have we created WoMCN Rider, now in its second year, promoting a division where none exists? The answer is simple. While female riders don’t tend to feel anything other than included, it’s still sometimes a struggle to be visible in the…

CCM have released the new Classic Tracker – a flattrack-inspired addition to their single-cylinder Spitfire range which builds on the existing Street Tracker model. Previously reported by MCN in spyshots, the now finished machine will start at £10,695 and climb to £11,495 for a chrome finish. Expect OTR charges of £117. But what does that money buy you? Well, starting at the back, there’s a slim new twin-exit exhaust system running to the right of the rear wheel, complete with carbon end caps. The wheels are available in either petrol blue with black, or as a gold finish on the chrome version. Both colour schemes come on spoked 19in rims, which are wrapped in a set of road-legal Mitas flattracking tyres. To test its sideways ability, CCM took the bike…

Despite the Government recently announcing the end of its plug-in car grant scheme, assistance for people buying bikes is set to continue with dealers reporting strong demand. On Tuesday, June 14 Transport Minister Judy Harrison said the £1500 electric car grant scheme would end, stating that resources would be refocused towards improving the charging infrastructure and supporting other electric vehicles including taxis, vans/trucks – and bikes. She said: “Having successfully kickstarted the electric car market, we now want to use plug-in grants to match that success across other vehicle types, from taxis to delivery vans and everything in between, to help make the switch to zero emission travel cheaper and easier.” Latest Government figures show that battery and hybrid electric vehicles now make up more than half of all new…

‘The throttle is pleasingly predictable’ Chinese company NIU has just released details of its new 125cc equivalent electric bike, the RQi Sport. The world’s largest manufacturer of electric urban mobility solutions, NIU has produced more than two million vehicles since its birth in 2014. The electric equivalent of a 125cc petrol bike, and A1-legal, the RQi is powered by a 7.5kW electric motor with two removable 2.6kWh batteries. NIU claim this provides a range of 70-80 miles in Eco mode, with a recharge time of about seven hours through a domestic three-pin supply. With a top speed of 62mph (which can be briefly boosted to 70mph via an overdrive button), the RQi boasts an impressive spec list, with forward and rear facing cameras recording your ride, keyless ignition and steering…

Triumph Motorcycles are aiming to attract a new wave of young off-road riders to the British brand, having announced the acquisition of kids’ electric firm OSET Bikes. East Sussex based OSET was founded in 2004 by Ian Smith, who initially set out with the intention of building an electric off-roader for his son, Oliver. Fast forward to the present day and they’ve sold over 40,000 bikes worldwide. “We are excited about the opportunity of joining forces with OSET Bikes: a dynamic brand that has been encouraging children into motorcycling for many years and have been at the forefront of developing electric trials bikes for fun and competition, ” Triumph CEO, Nick Bloor said. “Whilst the two brands will continue working independently, Triumph and OSET will collaborate on new state-of-the-art products…

Following the demise of previously popular Japanese 125cc trail bikes such as Yamaha’s XT and WR, Suzuki’s DRZ and Kawasaki’s KLX, there’s not been much choice for 17-year-old looking for a modern, off-road-style learner machine. Aside from Aprilia’s near-£4000 RX 125, the only options were some fairly old-tech, air-cooled retro scramblers or hard-to-find Spanish-sourced Riejus and Derbis. Until now. Meet the all-new Sinnis SM-XE: a liquid-cooled, four-stroke 125 trailie from the leading Chinese/UK brand that combines modern mechanicals, styling and performance, with upright, novice-friendly trail bike ergonomics and a price tag just under £3400. The first bike to use Sinnis’s all-new liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve, Euro5-compliant, 124cc four-stroke single, it produces the A1-class regulation 14.8bhp at 9000rpm, making it the marque’s most powerful CBT-friendly model yet. Along with 8.48ftlb of torque…

We have to respect the riders wish to keep racing the Isle of Man TT. Back in 1976, when the TT lost its world championship status, everyone thought that was the end of the event but it’s gone from strength to strength since then. As long as the riders want to race, they should be allowed to. Only the riders should be able to decide when to call for the end of the TT. Stephen Gilby, email Be our Star Letter writer and win a pair of touchscreen-compatible Weise Apex leather gloves worth £59.99 from weiseclothing.com…

Make the most of this biking summer with a new video series that is set to make for essential viewing. To help everyone make the most of their motorcycling, BikerTek and MCN have teamed up to produce a third series of exciting and informative riding videos. Presented by MCN’s Chief Road Tester and regular Bike magazine contributor Michael Neeves, Secrets of a Road Tester takes an in-depth look at a wide range of subjects, and how focusing on the safety side can help improve your riding as a whole. Individual episodes cover setup, maintenance, mindset and group riding, as well as what to do if you’re the first on the scene in an emergency, with input from industry experts such as racer- turned-bike dealer Chris Walker and the DocBike team.…

New 4.2in R1-derived TFT dash lacks connectivity but does have a fuel gauge. It is a bit cluttered with the power modes tricky to read on the go New for 2022 is a Brembo radial master cylinder. A new IMU adds angle-sensitivity to its assists Taken from the R1, the crossplane engine has lightweight pistons, a heavier crank and more mid-range ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ £13,500 Yamaha MT-10 5in TFT was increased in size in 2021 and comes with connectivity as standard. It is clear to read with a good use of colour and large fonts Full Brembo set-up with radial master cylinder and M50 calipers. Assists are all angle-responsive 1077cc V4 is similar to the firm’s V4 sportsbike. It has remained pretty much unchanged since 2015 ★ ★…

Rides every day, all year, in all weathers. Much prefers performance to plodders. I’ve absolutely no idea where I am. There’s a snaking blue line on the dash, revealing the next, constantly unfurling section of tarmac through the hills, but beyond that fallback and my accurate inbuilt compass letting me know which direction is home, I’m lost. And it’s bliss. This doesn’t look familiar I’m somewhere in the Peak District (I’ll look at the route trace on the BMW Connected app when I get home so I can see where I went), and I’m deliberately hopping between places I know, on roads that I don’t. So apart from momentary ‘oh, I’m here’ revelations as I reach known locations from unknown angles, the mantra for the day is firmly ‘this doesn’t…

Knockhill was always going to be a weekend to remember for local hero Rory Skinner. With both he and Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing Kawasaki teammate Lee Jackson firing on all cylinders, it was almost a given that they’d be Yamaha’s biggest threat. And they were. Both Skinner and Jackson secured two podiums each, including FS-3’s maiden double podium result, whilst also treating fans to a thoroughly entertaining battle for second in race two. They got close, but you couldn’t really see them taking each other out. For Skinner, his weekend ended with heartbreak. Whilst leading the final race, Skinner was attempting to give himself extra breathing space between him and the chasing Yamahas, but crashed out on lap four. “I braked a fraction too late into Clark and as soon…

Despite a rare mistake costing Aleix Espargaro two podiums in as many races, the Aprilia man remains the primary title threat to MotoGP defending champion, Fabio Quartararo. Espargaro has scored five podiums in 10 races, including an Argentina victory, to edge Aprilia ahead of Ducati in the chase of Quartararo’s Yamaha. While Espargaro identified vibration from his front tyre for his ‘Moto2 pace’ he admitted a braking error conceded third place to Jack Miller. “My tyres were always perfect (in practice) but today unbelievable. A lot of vibration and chattering, ” Espargaro said. The race was a turning point for Maverick Viñales who also showed impressive pace before being cruelly outed with a jammed rear ride height device. Aprilia team boss Massimo Rivola remains opposed to costly ride height devices…

Slim to none. That’s about all you can say about Pecco Bagnaia’s chances of becoming Italy’s first MotoGP World Champion since Valentino Rossi in ‘09. A fourth DNF in just 10 races surely dealt a terminal blow to the Ducati rider’s title hopes, as he slid out of second place at turn one on lap four to plummet 91-points behind Fabio Quartararo. And we are only at the halfway stage of the season. Bagnaia is undeniably a rider blessed with more talent in his little finger than most of us could dream of, but unless he can banish his error prone ways, the 25-year-old doesn’t have a hope in hell of defeating the sublime speed or the unrivalled consistency of Quartararo. Sachsenring was Bagnaia’s fifth DNF in the last 13…

1967 First British woman to ride around the world Mary Sievier, British In 1967 the world was a very different place, especially for women, but it was also the year when 26-year-old Mary Sievier bought a BSA Bantam and planned to ride to Russia. After her Visa was refused, she set her sights for India and left with just £80 and not much riding experience. During her nine-year, 45,000-mile odyssey, she threw her luggage around the Arc de Triomphe, worked in Afghanistan for the American embassy and taught foreign royalty English. And that’s just the tip of the adventure iceberg. “I also rode through Africa and went down to South Africa in the days of apartheid. I found that very, very difficult to put up with, ” Mary, now 80,…

Laura Stevens, BSB Media & Communications “I’ve been working here since 2008 after being fascinated with racing when I was younger. I think as long as you prove you are willing to learn and work hard, everyone gets treated the same. Certainly, sometimes people don’t expect you to say you work in racing, but I think that is because they are expecting a normal office 9-5!” Claire Fennell, BSB Series Coordinator “I joined the ACU at the age of 16 as a work placement on a Youth Training Scheme, progressed over 10 years to become Road Race Department Manager. Then we broke away from the ACU and setup MCRCB Events. Our sport is doing great strides to show the world how motorcycling is an inclusive activity.” Olga Budimir, Senior Startline…

Egle and Jurga are founders of Big Little Rides, a motorcycle event planning company designing all-female adventure, dirt, and training tours. Travellers, adventure riders, and guides, Jurga and Egle have ridden bikes in Asia, the Americas, North Africa, and Europe. Obsessed with dualsport riding and obscure destinations and driven by the desire to share their adventures, Jurga and Egle started Big Little Rides back in 2020. They began organising a few women’s enduro weekends here and there just for fun, but soon found there was so much interest they felt like there was no turning back. “Our trips and training events are aimed at women riders who are looking for adventure and a travel experience, but what usually ends up happening is that they also get a major confidence boost…

Diversity has become a polite buzz word to rally around wherever there are closed doors and discrimination, and deliberate – or unconscious – bias. And biking isn’t exempt from this. It’s always been a male dominated pastime, sport, industry, and method of transport, characterised by well-founded stereotypes. But biking is changing. Not only is the genetic landscape of the bikes we ride evolving as alternative fuels, ULEZ pressures and social acceptability all exert their forces – but the rider gene pool is changing, too. An ever-increasing number of female riders are joining our ranks, and as urban mobility and electrification inspire greater accessibility, we’re also seeing more interest from an age group that largely still has all their own hair and teeth and who don’t make involuntary noises when they…

This year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride has beaten previous records for fundraising and attendance – and next year’s could be bigger and better still. Fund raising from the 2022 gathering closed earlier this month, with almost £5 million generated between 93,456 riders in 802 cities across 104 countries on May 22. The first DGR was held in Australia in 2012 after founder Mark Hawwa took inspiration from a vintage motorcycling photo for a charity ride featuring riders on classic and retro machines in dapper gear, with a view to showing a more friendly face of biking and bust a few stereotypes. The event raises funds for prostate cancer research and male mental health programmes and has since grown into a global phenomenon – backed for the last nine years by Triumph…

BMW’s Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales says there is no plan for the German firm to pursue hybrid motorcycles, instead focusing on internal combustion and electrification. “The hybrid solution has always been an important step, but it has always been an in-between step, ” Dr Alexander Wehr told MCN. “We can see on the car side that the trend is towards fully electric. “On motorcycles there is no upside of a hybrid drivetrain, if you can have an electric drivetrain, ” the BMW man continued. “We will keep pursuing both internal combustion engines and electric, and they both fit very well – not only to scooters but to motorcycles.” BMW have already taken strides towards an electric future, releasing the £11,700 CE 04 maxi scooter earlier this year.…

We’ve teamed up with Caberg to offer one lucky reader the chance to win one of their Ghost helmets – worth £249. It’s certainly not a helmet for shy and retiring types, but its aggressive styling is matched to great functionality so you can be sure that it has the performance to match its looks. Thanks to a spring tilting system, it is very simple and intuitive to open and close the visor with only one hand. This sets the Ghost apart from other similar helmets on the market. It’s four helmets in one… 1 Wear it with the visor, the foam profile along the inner side of the visor, and the mask 2 With the visor and the mask, but without the foam profile 3 With the visor and…

Readers Adam Ainger The trip London to Scotland, the NC500, and back again. My first solo wild camping experience How many miles? 1573 How long do you need? Seven days Best time to go Spring or autumn What were the highlights? On day two I was up at the crack of dawn, heading north without a real plan, except to ride through the Cairngorms. I picked up breakfast at an amazing café near Balmoral, called Tarmachan café. Tongue has beautiful views over Castle Varrich that I appreciated in the morning. The next day I set off west to overcast skies, and rode the amazing A838 which offered some incredible scenery. So, what did I learn overall? Maybe I need a more practical bike… maybe I need top-end waterproofs… One thing…

Thirty years ago, Wayne Rainey swept to a third straight World Championship, his dayglo-and-white Marlboro Yamaha YZR500 king of the thrilling generation of 500cc two- strokes. The Californian racer with the surfer-dude looks was on top, in an era where courage and determination were at a premium. The following year, 1993, while on course for a fourth straight title, the beast bit him. A strange crash, which he later explained as “a frontend highside”, sent him looping and tumbling through the gravel at Misano. He didn’t get up. A fractured vertebra left him lucky to survive, but paralysed from the chest down. In the shocking aftermath Misano was banned from the calendar for the next 14 years, and Wayne spent months in hospital and rehab, coming to terms with his…

Loves to build bikes as much as he loves to ride them, whether old or new. I am trying not to go over the top with extra gadgets and gimmicks for the Kawasaki Z900RS, but there is room for improvement on most bikes, some of which used to come as standard back in the old days. I am a big fan of shaft-driven motorcycles, as there is very little maintenance involved with them compared to chain-driven machines. With this in mind, and the fact the Z900RS is not a shaftie, the easier solution was to fit an official Kawasaki centrestand (£224.95). Now I can’t complain about the quality here, nor with the additional Z900RS sidegrips (£133.95) to complement the centrestand. The best bit, though, is it takes the absolute minimum…

“I feel the best that I’ve ever felt on the Yamaha.” It’s not exactly what Jason O’Halloran’s title rivals want to hear after the Aussie stormed to another Sunday double at a circuit where he’d never won a race before. In fact, before last year’s meeting at Knockhill, O’Halloran had never even podiumed at the Scottish circuit, never mind being able to challenge for victory – it was the only venue he didn’t win at in 2021. That’s history now, and O’Halloran is well and truly in the fight once again after a slow initial start to 2022. For the first two rounds, he and his crew spent the time experimenting with the R1, testing multiple parts and setups to ensure he had more than just a Plan A. He…

Back in 2020 Ducati rescued Johann Zarco’s career. Cast into outer darkness after his 2019 mid-season meltdown with KTM, and with two strong debut years with Yamaha’s satellite Tech 3 team forgotten, the double Moto2 champion faced career extinction. Ducati thought otherwise, recognising that his struggles on the KTM were not the last word, choosing to ignore his outspoken comments and broken contract. They pumped special support – machinery and manpower – into the struggling Esponsorama team to give Zarco a seat. Two years later, the 31-yearold is returning the favour. As star rider Bagnaia falters at the mid-point of the season with too many crashes, and factory teammate Miller struggles with erratic results, Zarco’s fourth podium of the year in Germany (his second runner-up spot) hoisted him to a…

As Spaniard Raul Fernandez ponders his MotoGP future, targeting an RNF Aprilia gig next year, he scored his best result of a frustrating KTM Tech3 rookie season. After starting 22nd and finishing 12th, three places ahead of teammate Remy Gardner, Fernandez said: “It was the first time this season I enjoyed racing the bike. I had a similar pace to Oliveira and Binder, which I am really happy with.” Suzuki crash out Suzuki’s final season in MotoGP spiralled further downwards in Germany with 2020 champion Joan Mir crashing his GSX-RR out of 13th place. This on the day when Yamaha’s similarly configured M1 was ridden to a comprehensive victory by Fabio Quartararo. Mir had started 12th. Alex Rins was a spectator, nursing fractures in his left hand. Diggia’s best yet…

Although still few in number, there are now more women holding key roles in the motorcycling industry. Chief amongst them is Livia Cevolini. Unique in motorcycling as its only female CEO, Energica co-founder and engineer Cevolini is leading the charge, quite literally, through the development of the company’s range of pioneering electric superbikes. ‘Even if you want to hire women, it’s difficult’ Despite being immersed in Formula One and Motorcycle Grand Prix from a young age via her father’s motorsport engineering company, her career aspirations initially lay elsewhere. “When I was younger, I wanted to do painting, ” Livia says. “But then I am glad that I decided to choose the engineering path, because it allowed me to really do what I like – because, this isn’t the 18th Century,…

Cruising along a narrow dirt trail as the sun beats down on the red earth, the rainforest around me teeming with greenery, I hear Suzanne, the rider behind, hit her brakes. As I slow down to see what’s up, thinking that perhaps she’s got a flat tyre, I watch her jump off her bike and bend down to look at something on the ground. Spinning my bike around, I go over to investigate. Suzanne hasn’t got a flat. She’s got a python – a live, adult python – in her hands. Sounds nuts? That may be, but we’re riding Belize, a small Caribbean country covered in lush jungle where curious creatures abound. By the time the other riders catch up, I’ve worked up the courage to pick up the python…

1 Get the right training We never stop learning as riders, so if you want to try something new or refresh your skills, make sure it’s with the right coach. If you have a bad experience then you might be put off trying again. So, make sure you do your research, talk to the people organising the training, and find out the size of groups they run – smaller groups will mean the coach has more time for you. 2 Believe in yourself Always approach new situations with a positive mindset – you absolutely CAN do it. If you’re trying off-road for the first time, there’s no reason not to start off with a small bike first to build you up – the same is true for road bikes. But…

Despite the vast range at SportsBikeShop and all the steps being taken by kit manufacturers, the fact that one of our riders still struggled is very disheartening. First and foremost, riding kit is an item of personal protective equipment – it’s there to save your skin – and not a fashion item, which is the reason why fit is so crucial. Our expert, Sandie, advises that with all items of motorcycle clothing, seldom do you buy the same size as you do in everyday clothing – you should always go up one size. The same is true for boots, too. But then again, the discrepancy in sizes between brands (and also, more frustratingly, within the same brand’s styles) means that the only way to ensure you get the right kit…

Norton have unveiled new plans to design and build electric motorbikes right here in the UK, co-funded by a Government scheme. The TVS-owned business is aiming high, with plans to ‘create an electric motorcycle that blends Norton’s design DNA with racing performance, touring range and lightweight handling’. It sounds like a tall order, but Norton won’t be working alone. Delta Cosworth – the electric powertrain division of the famous Midlands engine builder – are onboard and will tackle the battery pack, a crucial part of any electric bike as both the power source but also a significant amount of the overall weight. WMG, University of Warwick, who have already partnered with Norton on a TT Zero race bike are also signed up and will take on battery technology, modelling and…

Why not combine your love of two wheels with other outdoor pursuits like angling and clay-pigeon shooting at this year’s Galloway Country Fair? The two-day event at Drumlanrig Castle on Saturday-Sunday, August 20-21 will play host to the Galloway Motorcycle Club, as well as motorcycle displays. Adult early bird tickets start at £11.70, with more event information to be found at www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk Dorothy’s Enfield Royal Enfield have partnered with Dorothy’s Speed Shop in Devon to offer Royal Enfield Mini Experiences that will allow customers to try out the British brand’s full range of bikes on a mix of terrains, including long open roads, tight back lanes, and even gentle off-road. Prices start from as little as £159. You can find more info at www.dorothysspeedshop.com MV for Ukraine A 2022 MV…

For adventure riders, there’s never been an answer to the age-old question: what gear is cool enough off-road but protective enough on-road and waterproof too? A suit that saves you from a 70mph slide will be too hot as soon as you hit the rough stuff surely? It’s a problem that Klim have been working on and thanks to a combination of three pieces of new tech, they think they’ve solved it with their Badlands suit. “Our biggest problem is that we’re never happy – we can’t stop tinkering, ” says John Summers, Head of Marketing at Klim. “We also love a challenge. When the CE ratings came out, everyone said a AAA rated Gore-Tex jacket couldn’t be made, so we thought we’d prove them wrong.” You see the challenge…

1 Armagh Bike Show June 26 Orchard County in Northern Ireland will be treated to up to 150 gawp-inducing vehicles at the historic Shambles Market. £8, family tickets £20. www.facebook.com/events/354042456676466 2 Prescott Bike Festival June 26 This epic one-day event is back with paddock specials and a chance to run the hill. Tickets £15 in advance, £20 on the gate, raising money for Blood Bikers. prescottbikefestival.co.uk 3 Three-Day Trial June 24-26 The Motor Cycling Club is celebrating its 120th anniversary this weekend with a three-day classic motorsport trial. Around 100 competitors will take part on classic machines. themotorcyclingclub.org.uk 4 ABR Festival June 24-26 This almost-sold- out show is a great opportunity to test ride the latest adventure metal off-road in the Ragley Hall Estate, Warwickshire. £129 for the weekend, £75…

Both the Aprilia Tuono V4 and Yamaha MT-10 have higher-spec stablemates, which raise not only their performance through enhanced suspension but also their price. The MT-10 SP, which was also updated for 2022, costs £16,000 and features second- gen semi-active Öhlins, braided brake lines and a belly cowl and comes in a dedicated Icon Performance paint scheme with a clear lacquered swingarm. The Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 1100 is £18,100 (£17,100 with the tradein bonus) and features Öhlins EC 2.0 semi-active suspension, Pirelli Supercorsa SP tyres, lower gearing than the standard bike and a smaller fairing with lower bars and higher pegs for a more aggressive stance. Meanwhile, both the Yamaha and Aprilia share the same engine, chassis and electronics package as their lower-cost siblings. And there’s more. The Tuono…

Benelli are growing fast, and the new Leoncino 800s look set to deliver more sales success. The bikes are developed and styled in Italy at Benelli’s traditional Pesaro base on the Adriatic, but since Benelli were taken over by QJ in 2005, things have been gaining pace as the company build production numbers steadily from a 670,000m² factory in China. The new Leoncino 800 comes in two versions: a naked Road model and a Trail model. Benelli are focusing on the Trail as their other bikes in this style, such as the TRK502/X have proved pretty popular. During the launch this meant exploring the rugged countryside inland from Pesaro aboard the Trail. According to Benelli, the Leoncino is targeting the Yamaha MT-07 and Ducati Scrambler. The Trail is £7799, £300…

Looking back, they call them ‘The Unrideables’ – an increasingly wayward generation of over-powered 500cc two-strokes with hectic power bands. The slightest whiff of throttle or torque curve hiccup could easily overcome the grip of the last-century tyres. It brought a new phenomenon into racing: the high-side. The slip-grip-flick phenomenon had been virtually unknown to previous generations. Now it became prevalent. And it hurt. The Goodwood Four – Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz and Mick Doohan, along with Kenny Roberts – are the men who tried to tame them, and who did it better than anyone. Roberts was triple champion in the 1970s before running the Yamaha team with Rainey his star rider; the younger trio put a stranglehold on the World Championship from 1990 to 1999, between them winning almost…

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ KTM eDrive16 electric balance bike £859.89 ‘My lad’s a stunt rider now!’ Tested by Emma’s son, Angus Dunn (aged four) for six months Balance bikes are the perfect first step to getting nippers on to two wheels, but powered versions take things that one step further by introducing the concept of throttle control. Made by US company StaCyc (which is actually owned by Harley-Davidson), this KTM-branded eDrive16 is essentially an aluminium-tube-framed 16in-wheel BMX powered by a brushless motor and 20v 4Ah rechargeable lithium battery. The makers say it’s suitable for kids aged 5-8 (a smaller 12in wheel version is also available for younger/ shorter kids). With three power settings – low, standard and high – it’s capable of a top speed of 11mph (restricted to…

The owner of a Yamaha YZF125 insisted on riding his misbehaving machine 20 miles to see A55 Motorcycles’ Paul Knight… which was brave. He’d told Paul that he thought his front wheel bearing had ‘gone’, but refused the offer of a pick-up in the workshop van. Paul said: “I have never seen bearings as bad. There were no balls on the caliper side and before they made their bid for freedom, they’d worn a groove in the spacer. The other bearing’s centre had actually friction-welded itself to the inner wheel spacer.” The disc caliper was all that was keeping the front wheel running true between the pads and the brake lever needed plenty of pumping to get the pads to bite because there was so much side-play that the pistons…

Synetiq BMW’s Danny Buchan enjoyed his best weekend of the season so far after taking two top fives and a seventh. Whilst not on the same level as his double victory last season, Buchan leaves Scotland with boosted confidence after coming close to the podium. A false neutral early in race three cost him a chance a that trophy, whilst he’s still searching for that sweet spot with the BMW. Buchan explained to MCN afterwards that it’s the mid-to- end section of the corners where he’s losing out to his rivals, but that his “corner entry feels good,” and he doesn’t feel too bad completing the turns.…

As ominous as Jason O’Halloran’s form may be, Bradley Ray is definitely up for the fight after taking another win and a strong second at Knockhill. The Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider stormed to victory in Saturday’s opener, leading from start to finish with an unflustered performance. The first feature race wasn’t as smooth for the series leader, however, who had to settle for fourth after failing to make a break on the opening lap. In race three he took control after Rory Skinner’s crash; the only issue was that he had a seemingly unstoppable O’Halloran on his tail all the way through until lap 25. Still, his consistency continued. Ray has finished on the podium in 10 of the 12 races so far in 2022, amassing three wins,…

The production line of Spanish talent is never-ending. 2021 was the year of Pedro Acosta. And with each passing week, it appears more likely 2022 could be the year of Izan Guevara. The 17-year old was dominant in Germany, winning the Moto3 race by 5s and obliterating the race record by 11.9s. It was a tough day for the Brits. John McPhee’s race was ruined by Carlos Tatay at the first turn, as he took out Riccardo Rossi and pushed the Scot into the gravel. He recovered to finish 19th. Scott Ogden was tenth when he suffered a huge fifth-gear highside at turn seven, crashing at over 100mph. And Josh Whatley retired out of 22nd due to the pain from an injury sustained during qualifying.…

Jack Miller delivered a telling response to the doubters at Bologna HQ at his first race since being rebuffed by Ducati and signing with KTM for 2023. It was a typically robust ride by the Australian for third place, his first podium since Le Mans. It came as Ducati confirmed that the contracts of youngsters Enea Bastianini, Jorge Martin and veteran Johann Zarco would be renewed. Miller’s spectacular recovery from seventh to third after a long lap penalty at a scorching Sachsenring was a signal that he is not done with delivering strong results before departing the Italian marque. ‘It is really fun when you can attack corners’JACK MILLER, DUCATI FACTORY TEAM The Borgo Panigale rider’s turnaround came on the back of front-end tech changes that returned Miller’s trademark braking…

MATTHEW BIRT INSIGHT Getting the inside line on grand prix racing since 1996 ‘Im riding better than ever.” Those five words should strike fear into the hearts of Fabio Quartararo’s MotoGP title rivals. The reigning World Champion slipped seamlessly onto the King of the Sachsenring throne, vacated by the absent Marc Marquez, with a second successive runaway win in 2022. Even illness and excruciatingly hot conditions, as Germany was in the grip of an early summer heatwave, couldn’t knock Quartararo off kilter. Quite the opposite. It was the 23-year-old who turned up the heat and pressure on his rivals with another trademark display of blistering speed and infallible consistency. It’s a sight to behold watching Quartararo right now. A rider extracting the best out of himself and his Yamaha machine.…

It’s been a decade since that soggy day at Cadwell Park when the British championship got its first female race winner. As Cat Green stood on the top step for the 125cc race in August 2012 she was one of only three female competitors in the BSB paddock. Roll forward to Silverstone 2022 and another milestone – this time it’s 17-year-old Junior Supersport rider Charlotte Marcuzzo making history by becoming the first female to take a pole position in a British championship series. Charlotte is one of 10 girl racers in the BSB paddock this year. Times are indeed changing… And yet somehow they’re still the same. Away from the action on track, women in BSB are nothing new. From those calling the shots in Race Control to others who…

Women’s Adventure Motorcycle Tour in Belize is a 10-day trip including off-road and road riding, plenty of adventure, and unique experiences. A fully supported tour costs £2970 and includes motorcycle rental, hotels, fuel, and female guides. You’ll be exploring the Caribbean on small dual-sport bikes in the company of other women, discovering jungle trails, remote indigenous villages, and Mayan ruins, and enjoy rest on the beach or snorkelling over the second largest coral reef in the world. Other Big Little Rides adventures take place in: Colombia, Portugal, Spain, Romania. www.biglittlerides.com…