Table of contents for 13 March 2024 in MCN

Mourners from the world of motorcycle racing and journalism have paid tribute to former MCN Sports Editor Mike Greenough who has passed away after a short illness aged just 61. Former MCN colleagues and dirt bike journalists joined his family to say farewell to the well-liked Lancastrian in Kettering, MCN's home for more than 40 years. He is survived by four daughters and a son, and six grandchildren. Greenough was one of Britain's most promising youth trials riders but while still a teenager gave up chasing a world championship dream when he joined a new newspaper, Trials & Motocross News. He then joined MCN during the mid-1980s to report on off-road sport. He covered the glory years of the world 500cc motocross championship, reporting on Dave Thorpe's three titles and…

Birmingham Harley-Davidson Owners’ Group are working with the RSPCA to present their first annual custom and classic bike show on Saturday, July 20. The event will take place at Rockingham Castle, as part of the Rockingham Rocks music, food, and drink festival, and will feature six show classes. Entrants can turn up and compete for Best in Show, Best Paint, Best Classic, Best Custom, Best Cafe Racer and Best Hog. Being part of the larger festival, which raises money for the Northamptonshire RSPCA, customers can enjoy top tier local music, street food for all appetites, and two licensed bars on site.…

Electric Motion are branching out from their usual remit of high-quality battery powered trials bikes, to create a road-legal enduro aimed squarely at tackling the harshest terrain. The EM Escape X and XR appear to blur the lines between extreme play bikes, such as KTM's Freeride EX-C models and more conventional enduros. With a claimed weight of 87kg for the £9499 X version and 88kg for the £10,999 XR, the electric is a real featherweight, coming in around 10kg lighter than many rivals. Both machines are propelled by a 3.5kWh battery that should be good for 50 miles of use, and both can be ridden on a CBT thanks to a quoted nominal power output of 8bhp. The top-of-the-line XR gets a hydraulically operated diaphragm clutch – a clever piece…

Pikes Peak Hill Climb lap record holder, Isle of Man TT racer, and experienced motorcycle journalist, Rennie Scaysbrook has written a 62-page hardcover book recounting the incredible battle between Steve Hislop and Carl Fogarty at the 1992 TT. Scaysbrook is no stranger to authorship, having written his first book, The Big Book of Motorbikes, in 2021. Nor is he unfamiliar with the Isle of Man, making his debut at the Tourist Trophy in 2022, following in his father's footsteps, who tackled the TT course in 1978, 1980, and 1984. Following Rennie's Supersport outing in 2022, the Aussie racer went on to compete again in 2023, racing a BMW S1000RR to 31st position in the Superstock race. Race of the Titans delves into the intense duel between the two motorcycling greats…

Laser Off-Line 2-In-1 Socket & Bit Set £60.96 Developed for accessing hard-to-reach fixings, the bit holder in this 26-piece set can be angled to make a whole host of jobs easier. It has a quick-chuck end for use with cordless drills and screwdrivers, and comes in a plastic storage case with a range of 1/4in drive sockets, plus hex, star, flat and PoziDrive bits. lasertools.co.uk LS2 Feng gloves £99.99 With CE level 1 KP certification, these sports gloves are constructed from fullgrain cowhide and goatskin. Knuckle, fingers and palm all get carbon fibre armour, with additional TPU wrist and metacarpals protection. Superfabric gives the palms extra abrasion resistance, and the elasticated fingers are touchscreen friendly so you can access electronic devices. ls2helmets.com Oxford Exhaust Protector £49.99 Designed to shield your…

Indian motorcycle firm, Hero MotoCorp, have announced they will soon be introducing a new A2-legal single-cylinder roadster to the UK market. The bike is currently on sale in India as the Mavrick 440, but it is not clear if that name will carry over. With competition from the likes of Triumph and Royal Enfield already available for under five grand, Hero will need to ensure keen pricing. Back in late 2023 Hero CEO Niranjan Gupta told MCN an expansion into Europe was on the cards for 2024 using well-established MotoGB as distribution partners. At that time we were told the first of their machines to enter the UK would be the electric Vida V1 Pro urban scooter, and that may still be the case. The 440 roadster, meanwhile, features a…

Make sure you don't miss an episode by heading to www.bikertekshop.co.uk 1 Speed management LIVE NOW The first episode in the new series looks at how speed can land you in trouble if you don't approach it in the right way. This thoughtprovoking video also covers ways to see speed as your best friend and how you can use it to get out of trouble. 2 Cornering LIVE NOW Essential viewing, this video is all about taking the best line through bends. It can be the best feeling in biking and this episode looks at road positioning, braking tactics, speed and getting the right line. It will help you become smoother and safer. 3 Overtaking LIVE NOW Blasting past a car or stacked-up traffic is when a motorcyclist literally puts…

March 17 Celebration of Speedway With displays of speedway bikes from 1928 all the way through to the modern day, if you're a fan of sideways action, this celebration at the National Speedway Museum in Hertfordshire (EN10 7QA) is not to be missed. There will be ice racing bikes, stalls, BBQ and much more – plus there's an on-site zoo as well, so it's a proper family day out! £15 per person, book online. www.pwpark.com/events March 17 Brooklands Sunbeam 100 The Brooklands Museum (KT13 0SL) is celebrating 100 years of the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club. Now welcoming all makes of pre-1940 motorcycles, the event will run from 10am4pm. Tickets are included in museum admission (members go free) for £24.95. Kids aged under 18 are £10.45 with under 4s welcome for free…

What's happening? The Scottish Motorcycle is back and ready for action. With a host of manufacturers lined up featuring the latest metal for the first time in Scotland, you'll be gawping for hours. Plus, Knockhill are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a stage hosting racing legends, and you can even have a go yourself on the Moto Trainer bike simulator. The essentials The show is taking place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston (EH28 8NB) this weekend. Day tickets are £16 in advance (£20 on the gate), and under 12s get in for free. It's always best to go by bike as parking is free, but if you have to drive be aware that parking costs an extra £10. Visit thescottishmotorcycleshow.com for tickets.…

Honda's bulletproof 599cc inline four-cylinder CBR600RR engine has been there and done that. It's won supersport races and titles the world over and powered the Moto2 grid from 2010 to 2018, until Triumph took over with their 765cc triple. Revived for 2024, it gets a host of upgrades to get it through Euro5+, including 100g lighter cams, thinner valve springs, a new crankshaft and revised valve timing. Throttle bodies are 4mm bigger (up to 44mm) and while the underseat exhaust design looks the same, the system has been reworked with new pipework, silencer and does away with the old butterfly valve, saving 400g. A new slip and assist clutch lightens the lever action by 32% and smooths out engine braking during rapid downshifts. The whole engine weighs 57.9kg, which is…

‘And the rest is history…’ Guiding Steve Hislop to a Senior TT win on the unfancied and underfunded Norton must count as one of Barry Symmons’ greatest achievements, but it certainly wasn't all plain sailing. “Hizzy rode the bike at a test session at Oulton Park prior to the TT and one of the engines let go after just a few laps, so he wasn't impressed,” Symmons explained. “I promised him we would get things right in time for the TT and, thankfully, we did.” In the Formula 1 race, Hislop came second to Phillip McCallen by just 12 seconds. “Talking to him after that race he said the bike was a real handful, so I asked him if he'd let us make some changes to it,” Symmons said. “He…

FIRST RIDE The Svartpilen 401 has been around since 2018 and has just received its first major update. Built in India by Bajaj, it's been released alongside an updated Vitpilen 401, with both sharing almost identical spec. Stepping out from the shadows of the KTM 390 Duke they are based on, the headlines for both include a new Euro5+ engine, new trellis chassis, updated styling, and lean-sensitive electronics – all for £100 less than its orange counterpart. Like before, the Svartpilen is pitched as the more rugged of the two, thanks to knobbly Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres on 17in spoked rims, plus a more upright stance. 1 Create a bit of a buzz Capacity has grown from 373cc to 398.6cc and it's fed by a larger 13-litre fuel tank…

1300 miles ON TEST Oxford USB 2.1A fused power charging kit £24.99 The simplest thing to say is that this fused charger works perfectly, pumping juice to my phone continuously from within its waterproof housing while I ride. But… it's designed to fit under the seat and comes with very short wiring that didn't reach my CRF250L battery from any suitable mount. You can buy an optional extension lead for £7.99 so you can mount the socket on or near your ‘bars, but I went a different route – cutting the connectors off and grafting on extra wire to make it long enough to reach the underseat compartment. Then routed a long USB cable (not included) along the frame up to my handlebar-mounted phone holder. It's a cleaner installation and…

Latest news from the roads as new season approaches Isle of Man TT winner Lee Johnston faces a race to be fit after suffering another injury blow while testing in Spain. The six-time TT podium finisher, who suffered serious injuries at last year's North West 200, had worked tirelessly to get back to full fitness. But in his first ride back he crashed at Cartegena, Spain, caused by a mechanical failure, breaking the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Speaking to MCN on his way back from one of his frequent visits to the oxygen chamber he said: “I've got a cage on my leg and the doctors are saying three months, but in my head that's two months.” In addition to the oxygen chamber, Johnston is also doing…

Going behind the headlines at the first round of 2024 After a year like 2023 and a woeful start in Qatar where the top Honda was Johann Zarco in 12th with former front runner Luca Marini in 20th, surely the only way is up for Honda. Pre-season and the opening round has shown the factory are facing a long road back to the top of MotoGP. But at least the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world has finally demonstrated initiative and a new direction in recent months. That was all seriously lacking this time last year. Whether it was Marc Marquez's decision to join Ducati, Joan Mir considering retirement after just a handful of rounds on the RC213V, or Alex Rins slipping through their fingers, 2023 wasn't enjoyable for anyone…

So much for change. Pirelli have taken over Dunlop's role as tyre supplier, but Moto3 still delivered all the slipstreaming and 10-bike tussles for the lead that we usually see in Qatar. David Alonso took a thrilling last corner victory by 0.041s from Dani Holgado after a last lap for the ages. The diminutive Colombian gained an astonishing seven places on the final circuit. There were positives for MLav Racing's two runners. Scott Ogden struggled with chatter throughout practice, but scored good points for 13th. “Difficult weekend for me mentally,” he said. “From lap 6 to 11 I was as fast as the leaders, but the first laps were tough.” Teammate Josh Whatley was hampered by the crash he suffered at this track last November as he finished 18th. “My…

WELCOME Halfway through the main MotoGP race on Sunday, I could probably have been persuaded to pop a cheeky bet on Marc Marquez or Pedro Acosta for the race win. But luckily, I'm not a betting man – which means I can still afford to put petrol in my bikes and ride them. But while any such bet would have left nothing but egg on my face and a hole in my wallet, there was an undeniably palpable sense of impeding threat from both Spaniards. Marquez may have been pushing to his limit, but he didn't look like it. He looked like a coiled spring just waiting for the right moment to unfurl with maximum trademark MM93 aggression in a bid for an historic debut win on the Ducati. But…

Dainese's new CEO, Angel Sánchez, has told MCN he plans to ramp up the accessibility of airbag tech and will not compromise safety in favour of sustainability targets. “We are making [airbags] more available this year,” he confirmed. “We are coming with a significant discount because we believe more people should use them.” The Italian firm are no strangers to innovation, having been responsible for the first back protector with Barry Sheene in 1979, and then knee sliders with Kenny Roberts in 1981. The first D-air airbag system appeared as a prototype in 2000, before becoming available to the public as of 2011. “It's key to develop those products with the athletes… but to me the key thing is democratising this for everybody because we are saving lives,” Sánchez continued.…

Royal Enfield company historian Gordon May and motorcycle traveller Jacqui Furneaux are finishing off a lecture tour of Enfield dealerships this week. The tour began on March 7 at Fowlers in Bristol, and will continue tonight (March 13) at Poole Moto from 7pm, and then at M&P Cardiff at 6pm on March 15. The talks will include a range of tales about rides across the globe on Enfields. One-ton deals on E-Clutch CBRs Honda have given their middleweight range a major shakeup for 2024, debuting their CBR650R and CB650R models with a host of new kit including an optional E-Clutch. The unit can be used like a traditional manual ‘box, but can also operate without using the left lever. Pricing has now been announced for both, with the CBR650R costing…

The organisers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed have announced Two Wheels for Life as their official charity partner for 2024. The fundraising organisation, who are also the official charity of the FIM and MotoGP, provide life-saving programmes across Africa covering Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, and The Gambia. Working with their own charity partner, Riders for Health, the team aim to deliver dependable motorcycles to healthcare workers, allowing them to reach remote locations to immunise new-born babies, diagnose diseases, educate on nutrition, combat diseases, and more. ‘They make such good use of two wheels’ Alongside supplying bikes, the team provide motorcycle maintenance training, plus access to fuel and riding gear. “After leaving school, I spent time working with a doctor in Africa in some of the most remote places, so I…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? Wheelie control systems have been around for several years with the express aim of preventing or minimising front wheel lift and maximising acceleration, but Ducati's new Hypermotard 698 Mono adds a new dimension by introducing a wheelie assist system that actually helps you maintain a wheelie for longer. It's not something you get as standard, though. While every Hypermotard Mono gets four levels of wheelie control, ranging from ‘level 1’ that allows substantial wheelies before intervening and reducing power, to ‘level 4’ that's aimed at keeping the nose firmly on terra firma, the new wheelie assist system is available only as part of the £2093.04, non-road legal Termignoni exhaust package. It's an intentional move, of course – Ducati don't want to be seen to be encouraging…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Feb 2019, I sat my CBT and got a wee KTM Duke to get some experience on until I put myself in for my test. Simon Boyle The reality of my first trial. Score of 180! (5 in every one of 36 sections.) I did get better, but not a lot. Richard Craven First big bike. Used to alternate the commute between the Big Zed and a Maico 500! Hence the outfit! Nick Sanders My first time sitting on a bike was when I was a wee tike on holidays with my parents on the Isle of Man. Simon Boyle Me on my dad's bike, a 1937 Triumph Tiger 90. He sold it before I could ride it. I now have a 2020…

When 26-year-old Johnny Allen breathed in the atmosphere at the Bonneville Salt Flats on September 6, 1956, he didn't know he was about to make history. Riding a twowheeled streamliner built by his mates and housing a Triumph Thunderbird 650 motor with no supercharger, it was a surprise when it smashed the 211mph record set by a factory NSU just a month before. Allen had been racing since he was 16, and he was fast, claiming 38 race victories in 1949 alone. But after a bad crash in California, he went home to Texas to recuperate. While there, he met Pete Dalio, a member of a crew planning to break the land speed record. They had hit 165mph with a stock motor, and thought they could push it further, so…

FIRST RIDE There's nothing quite like Moto Guzzi's V85. Launched in 2019, the old-as-the-hills Italian firm say the adventure bike is the ‘first and only in class when it comes to a classic enduro’, and they're right – nobody else makes quite such a retro-tastic adventure bike. Comfortable, breezy to ride, grunty, and overflowing with charisma, it's a hard bike not to fall in lust with. It's even harder now Guzzi have freshened up the V85 with new tech, variable timing and a smattering of updates with increased comfort, electronic trinkets and an improved engine. 1 Upping the ante There's a decent list of features on each of the three versions. The cast-wheel V85 Strada (£11,200) has simple ABS and traction control, new switchgear with cruise control, a 5in TFT,…

Has garage full of eclectic bikes including a Monster 695, XMAX 400 and an NV50 Stream. My time with the Zero DSR/X is coming to an end and for my last hurrah I'm riding to Scotland, which will be a challenge for the electric machine's mileage ability. The good news is that the Zero has been equipped with a fast charger so I should be able to get to Annan for my first night with just two stops. I plot a route to take in three-phase chargers that claim to kick out up to 22kWh of juice, meaning around 70 miles of charge in just over an hour. First stop, Doncaster – and my heart sinks as I hook up. The charger is delivering 3kWh when I'd expect it to…

PHR Performance pairing Peter Hickman and Richard Cooper were both forced to retire from the Daytona 200 race at the weekend. Cooper was in the leading group in the early stages and did lead at one point, but dropped down the order due to a problem during his pit stop. He later crashed out on lap 25. Meanwhile, Hickman, making his Daytona debut, had made his way up to 12th onboard his Triumph before being forced to retire with a technical issue just three laps remaining. “It was a frustrating Daytona, but we showed plenty of potential,” Hickman told MCN. “Coops had the pace to win, and I had pace, probably, for between 8th and 10th. I got caught up in someone's blow-up early on and got covered in oil.…

Overreliance on Marquez Honda's dramatic turn for the worse coincided with Marquez entering his own personal hell. Injuries ravaged the eight-time World Champ for three years, as he raced at just 50% of the 52 GPs from 2020-2022. As LCR Honda Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello explains: “It didn't help that Marc had a serious injury. He's not only a great rider; but he was a great leader inside Honda. Honda has a lot of consideration for him. They kept waiting to hear his comments on which direction they should go.” It seems engineers felt Marquez simply returning would elevate their fortunes and LCR's Technical Director Christophe Bourguignon admits as much: “We had Marc covering the weakness of the bike. Probably they were waiting for him and thinking all would be…

How about this for a shake up? With a pre-season outing in Portimao weather affected, and Friday evening's Practice 1 session rained off, Moto2's first race with Pirelli as tyre supplier was always going to be a something of a step into the unknown. But few expected results to be distorted to this extent. Not only did Alonso Lopez win for only the third time, ahead of debut podium finishers Barry Baltus and Sergio Garcia (18th on the grid), but pre-season favourites Fermin Aldeguer and Tony Arbolino were guilty of a wrong tyre choice, limping home in 16th and 20th, 25s and 30s respectively behind the victor. ‘Riders need time to adapt to the Pirellis’ All of the top seven finishers went against popular wisdom, and selected Pirelli's softer SCO…

All eyes were on Marc Marquez's Ducati debut. Riding the bike that smashed the title last year, what would the most highly decorated rider on the grid make of it? A win first time out? Or at least a podium? He came close. But it was a smouldering performance, rather than the full-on Marquez blaze. Marc's pre-event comments were conservative. He was still adapting his style from Honda to the very different Ducati. “I need to concentrate not to ride with my instinct,” he explained, pronouncing himself “not ready” to fight for top positions. It was different when racing… a serious podium contender until the closing stages. He was fifth in the Sprint, a close fourth in the full GP, less than 3.5 seconds down. Yet this was a different…

ROUND 1 QATAR | MOTOGP “Sick to death of spinning laps” in testing, Brad Binder could finally demonstrate that KTM are closer than ever to Ducati in racing trim after notching up a pair of second places in MotoGP's 2024 opener. The South African finished just 0.5s behind Martin in the Sprint, before holding the Spaniard at bay the following evening for another runner-up spot, 1.3s behind Bagnaia. And his trademark late-braking antics proved the RC16 has taken major strides with the front end. “I'm so happy with the way my bike was handling on braking and entry,” he said on Saturday. “We made huge steps forward compared to when we were last here.” Pedro Acosta, meanwhile, stated he had never felt so strong when braking in Sunday's main event,…

Ducati's DRE Adventure Academy UK at Sweet Lamb in Wales will be up and running next month. It kicks off with a £599 Level One course on April 27-28 where riders will have the opportunity to learn different techniques through focused theory lessons and practical sessions. A fleet of Ducati adventure machinery is on hand, including the new DesertX Rally. Visit dre-adventure.co.uk to book. Kove boss Zhang Xue steps down Visionary boss of premium Chinese bike builder Kove, Zhang Xue, has resigned from his position with the company. Xue had launched the Kove project in 2017, alongside a team of engineers and achieved a number of significant steps with the brand, including finishes at the Dakar Rally. Kove intend to continue operations and are planning to carry on with expansion…

Four ex-servicemen are preparing to embark on an epic 5000-mile adventure to raise money for Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes. The ex-squaddie quartet, all of whom served in the Royal Hampshire Regiment – nicknamed The Tigers – will set off aboard their HarleyDavidsons in June. They will ride from Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire and through mainland Europe before crossing the Bosporus into Turkey, eventually finishing the first leg of their trek at the Dhekelia Station base, in Cyprus. Upon completion of the first leg of their adventure, the group will retrace their wheel tracks, returning to Tidworth Camp on June 19. Alan Sands, one of the veterans, said: “This was about us having the experience of a lifetime; sharing it would be a statement of our friendship and a…

Ducati have launched a one-of-a-kind finance offer on their £10,995 Full Throttle and Nightshift plus the £9995 Icon Scrambler. The deal will give customers access to a brand-new bike, totally interest free and with no monthly repayments after they've paid a 50% upfront deposit. After two years, you can then choose to pay the remaining half of the bike's retail value, securing your ownership, or give the keys back and call it quits owing nothing, but also not having any equity in the bike. ‘There are no monthly repayments’ Whatever option is taken, no interest will be charged on the original purchase price and the deal is completely free from the need for monthly instalments. The offer applies exclusively to any of the 803cc Scrambler models in Ducati's lineup. The…

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has confirmed he will freeze fuel duty and maintain the 5p cut in prices at the pumps for another 12 months. The announcement came as part of last week's Budget, with the Chancellor saying: “If I did nothing, fuel duty would increase by 13% this month, so instead I've listened to my right honourable friends. “I have as a result decided to maintain the 5p cut and freeze fuel duty for another 12 months,” he continued. “This will save the average car driver £50 next year and bring the total savings since the 5p cut was introduced to around £250.” ‘Retailers have been upping margins’ The cut was first announced in March 2022 by the then Chancellor Rishi Sunak, and while it's been welcome,…

Former Special Forces Operator and star of BBC 2's The Speedshop, Steve ‘Titch’ Cormack has spoken exclusively to MCN about the ordeal of having two bikes stolen from his property and the impact it has had on his mental health. “I'm sure you're aware of my background. I'm a fairly robust individual. I've been through a lot of things, but I'm not afraid to say that this has massively affected me,” he told MCN. “If they sell [one of the bikes], they'll sell it for a few hundred quid because they know nothing about that thing. They have no idea how special that bike is. They're just going to flipping wreck it.” The motorcycles in question are a 2020 Husqvarna FE350, and a 2001 Honda CR250 two-stroke. Although very fond…

Givi GRT709 Canyon waterproof panniers £494 Lightweight load-luggers With the touring season about to kick off in style, we've had a dig around for deals on soft luggage and found some great savings on lightweight bags. Designed for enduro and off-road use, the Givi GRT709 is a lightweight, durable luggage solution constructed from water-resistant polyester. A secure roll-top closure gives access to 35 litres of storage space per side, contained within a removable hi-viz waterproof tarpaulin inner bag that features an internal document pocket and carrying strap. Mounting is via a lockable quick-release system to a sturdy nylon plate. There's a military style MOLLE system on the front and bottom for adding additional equipment, and this Givi includes 10 fasteners to suit a range of applications. They're supplied as a…

Honda have partnered with automotive giant General Motors (GM) to start production of hydrogen fuel cell systems at their joint venture production facility, Fuel Cell System Manufacturing LLC (FCSM). The 70,000-square-foot Michigan facility was constructed in 2017 utilising a joint £72.3m investment and now has capacity to begin providing products for both manufacturers. The partnership represents the first joint effort between companies to achieve high-volume H2 vehicle production. FCSM President Suheb Haq commented: “Ongoing investment and commitment by both companies is driving our success at FCSM. “This commitment aligns with our mission of making high quality, durable and affordable hydrogen fuel cell systems for a wide range of applications and customers.” No direct mention of how the project may immediately apply to the firm's motorcycle manufacturing has been made. However,…

It's our final session on Honda's revived CBR600RR here at Portimao, and the supersport gods are finally smiling on us. We've been splashing around on a rain-sodden track until now and enjoying the smoothness and surprising flexibility of its engine. But dry patches are starting to appear and instead of treating it with respect, we can finally ride the screaming 600 as it was intended. Supersport heaven Due to the conditions we're on grippy Pirelli racing wets. Standard Dunlop Roadsport 2 tyres would be sketchy on such a quick track in the rain. We still can't fully let the Honda off its leash, but at least we can have some fun. Along the MotoGP circuit's long straight the joy off slicing through the gears and revving a 599cc inline four…

‘I had to sell JPS stickers to pay Read's carnet’ Barry Symmons, who died last week aged 79, was a giant in the world of motorcycle road racing. As team boss of the Honda Britain squad in the 1970s and ‘80s he was in charge of riders such as Phil Read, Ron Haslam and Joey Dunlop, and later, as boss of the JPS Norton team, he counted Robert Dunlop, Trevor Nation and Terry Rymer among his riders. He even oversaw Steve Hislop's Senior TT win on the Abus Norton in 1992. It all started with the Milk Marketing Board where Symmons was working in the mid-1970s. Involved with the sponsorship and advertising division, Symmons might well have led a life of complete obscurity had he not received a phone call…

Tech-fan who heads for the hills any chance he gets. Fibula back in the as-natureintended one piece, I nabbed the keys back from Rich for one more go before the Yamaha mothership came to snaffle it back to base. After nearly two months of not riding and with Rich's observations in mind, had my feelings changed? While I'd never really considered the Tracer as being built ‘up’ from an MT-09, Rich is right. There's a compactness to the bike that makes all its added on touring bits appear over-stretched. But being a human of average proportions (5ft 9in, 73kg) the Tracer is a great fit, no better than that – it's ergonomically perfect for me. Reach to the bars, pegs, seat (lower position) are all exactly where I need them.…

Upping support The hiring of Ken Kawauchi from Suzuki at the start of 2023 addressed the disorganisation, and opened communication to the factory. There have been other notable changes, too. HRC General Manager Tetsuhiro Kuwata has been relocated this year, while divisive long-time HRC Director Shinichi Kokubu was moved on last October, with Shin Sato brought in. There was also a serious recommitment from HRC President Watanabe last summer. Suddenly a greater number of engineers were present at the track toward the end of 2023. “They're increasing manpower and the number of engineers involved in the project,” says Cecchinello. “They're really focused on making it happen.” “I see many new faces,” said Bourguignon at the end of last year. “A lot of people from R&D. They have clearly invested in…

Paddock veteran casts his eye over the season opener The MotoGP championship for Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha appears over before it's begun after a demoralising performance in Qatar where he finished 12th and 11th. Of course, Yamaha's investment in upgrading technical staff and boosting engine and aero performance was never going to provide an instant fix. That said, Quartararo's modest top five aspirations this year have not lessened his annoyance that the gap to front-runners Ducati, KTM and Aprilia is widening, not closing. The Doha race confirmed Quartararo's fears that the new M1, despite a huge revamp, is not yet a title-winning weapon and that Yamaha will spend another year in world title wilderness with the current work more likely a platform for 2025. But will Quartararo be willing to…

Enea Bastianini was on the same GP24 as race-winner Bagnaia, and qualified on the front row, less than a tenth slower. He blamed waiting too long to push in the race – sixth on Saturday and fifth on Sunday – with Martin (GP24) and Marc Marquez (GP23) ahead. His main problem was another Marquez, on another GP23. ‘The Beast’ was one place ahead, but the pair battled to the end. Fabio Di Giannantonio was another place behind on Sunday, after crashing out of the Sprint. Marco Bezzecchi is in heaps of trouble adapting to the GP23, and scored just two points on Sunday while Franco Morbidelli had a good excuse for struggling, having missed pre-season testing injured.…

Reporting direct from the Qatar MotoGP season opener TOP STORY There was enough in the Qatar performances of Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta to suggest the current MotoGP hegemony won't last forever. Yet Pecco Bagnaia underscored his intentions to remain top of the pile, as he started his second title defence in emphatic fashion under the Lusail floodlights. Was this really a new year, is Bagnaia really a year older and is he really riding the Ducati GP24 rather than the GP23? There were so many aspects of his weekend performance in Qatar that mirrored 2023. Friday was disappointing, Saturday underwhelming. But, as he did on seven occasions last year, he saved his devastating best for the feature race, when Brad Binder never got a sniff, even if he was…

It was far from the perfect start but Jorge Martin declared himself “super happy” with a double podium in the opening round, even if some worrisome rear chatter issues persisted. Considering the Spaniard's best result in each of the past five season curtain raisers was 15th, his pole position, Sprint success and third place were a solid platform to launch another title push. “It's the best start of my career in MotoGP,” he said. Even after the tenth Sprint success from 20 outings, which was an astonishing 11s faster than last year's race, Martin sounded a cautious note on Saturday night. The rear chatter from his Desmosedici GP24 in the closing laps was such that he felt Binder's KTM and Aleix Espargaro's Aprilia would be superior. “I'm super happy. If…