Table of contents for 25th September 2019 in MCN

I nearly got wiped out while heading to London down the A1 last week. Approaching a junction I noticed two cars coming down the slip-road and deliberately waited a few extra seconds in the overtaking lane (after passing a lorry) to allow them to join the carriageway with ease. What I wasn’t expecting – but thankfully saw coming – was the lady in the second car making an aggressive overtake of the first on the slip-road, before careering across the inside lane and directly into my path. Good anticipation saved my bacon, but if I hadn’t got off the throttle I’d now be a smudge on the central reservation. Oblivious to me and seemingly unperturbed by the fact that there was nothing to overtake, she eventually eased back over. As…

Chiefs have been an Indian staple since 1922 when the first ‘big twin’ 998cc V-twin pumped out about 20bhp. The new 2020 Indian Chieftain ‘bagger’ gets a larger Thunder Stroke 116 motor, a 1901cc monster which produces 126ftlb torque, plus a redesigned Ride Command infotainment system to go with the more aggressive looks it received this year – but there’s plenty of older versions around to choose from, too. 2020 CHIEFTAIN DARK HORSE What is it? New Dark Horse’s blacked-out finish is designed to appeal more to European riders. MCN says “It sits at the top of the Chief range as the fully-specced touring model. Its heritage and imposing styling makes a Harley look almost meek in comparison.” Want to buy one? Official prices will announced at the Milan…

A police operation in Epsom and Ewell, Surrey, has resulted in 31 vehicles being stopped and the recovery of a stolen motorbike, while another machine was impounded by officers. Following a rise in motorbike and moped-enabled crime, including violent assaults, robberies and anti-social behaviour, Surrey Police equipped themselves with SelectaDNA tagging spray for special patrols on Thursday, September 12. The DNA spray can be used to target riders that fail to stop when asked to do so by the police, leaving invisible forensic evidence on the suspect’s clothes, skin and vehicle that can later be used to tie them to a specific crime and location and thus help secure a conviction. “Tackling anti-social use of motor vehicles is at the core of reducing casualties on the roads, not only in…

‘BMW have started taking deposits’ BMW’s new R18 is just around the corner and appears incredibly faithful to the concept bike first seen in May. This new picture was taken by an eagle-eyed MCN reader who saw a pair of the machines being tested in France. The picture confirms that the bike will feature a softail and the exposed driveshaft that made the concept bike so startling. The fork and headlight design is a little different from the original concept, but we can now see that the bike has a traditional round analogue speedo as well as the controls seen on BMW’s other heritage models such as the R nineT. It will also have a pillion seat and pegs, although we imagine both will be easily removable. And… it’s massive.…

‘GSX-R’ Here’s my boy on his miniature ‘Gixer thousand’. Naturally he’s already eyeing up my R1 for his next bike. Lee Adams PUSHBIKE… My first bike, on my first time on the Oulton Park track. I met Danny Buchan, my favourite BSB rider! Oliver Edgley GM SPEEDWAY BIKE Here I am ready for tapes up on the next race meet on my GM speedway bike in 2003. Jamie Bridgett APRILIA AF1 First bikes don’t come much better than my Aprilia. Ian Balfour DUCATI MONSTER This is me enjoying my time on my first bike: a lovely yellow Ducati Monster at Mullaghmore, Co.Sligo. Leza Monaghan FRANCIS-BARNETT A photo of my father in law, John Freeman polishing his pride and joy, his 147cc Francis-Barnett way back in the mid-1950s. Garry Innoles HONDA…

This is the second time I’ve ridden the Z1000SX around the MCN250 and it’s as impressive now as it was last year when we pitched it against the Yamaha Tracer 900GT. Thanks to the Kawasaki’s quiet competence, smooth, power station-like torque and an ability to cosset and excite in equal measure, it beat the GT, which had a screen louder than a jet engine, weird handling and a bum-battering seat. It’s easy to see why the SX is such a popular choice because what you see is what you get: it’s a tried, tested and safe way to spend your money. It has bombproof reliability, is put together beautifully and has a generous level of equipment: lean-sensitive traction control and ABS, power modes and a two-way, manually-adjustable screen. Sure, it’s…

Standard, even on the base model, the BMW’s dash is one of the best: clear, easy to read and uncluttered. Bluetoothenabled, you can link it to BMW’s satnav app, or a headset to take calls and listen to music. Deep within its layers of menus and sub menus you’ll find the basic stuff, from trips to engine temperature and the more options boxes you tick the more information there is, from extra modes to electronic suspension adjustment. The SX’s LCD/ analogue dash is altogether more basic, but still effective. BMW BMW SWITCHGEAR On this top-spec RS you’ll find controls for cruise control, heated grips, suspension and more. TC and ABS can be disabled at the touch of a button. FUNCTIONALITY KAWASAKI KAWASAKI SWITCHGEAR The extra switchgear buttons on the left…

‘I never got into this with an agenda. I just wanted to race bikes’ Pure road racing like the Isle of Man TT is about as demanding and male-dominated as bikesport gets, so it’s no surprise female competitors shine out. But one name – Maria Costello MBE – stands head and shoulders above the rest, not just for her speed and success (Maria holds one TT bronze and 10 Manx/Classic TT silver replicas) but also for her enduring commitment (she’s been racing there since 1996), versatility (on everything from lightweights to 1000s, classics and now sidecars) and also for the inspiration, mentoring and promotion of women in motorsport she gives. What’s more, after more than 20 years ‘between the hedgerows’ the Northamptonshire racer shows few signs of slowing down. With…

★NEW AND EXCLUSIVE ★ BARRY SHEENE RACING COLLECTION In a special tribute to one of the world’s greatest racers we’re pulling together an unprecedented display of Barry Sheene bikes and memorabilia. No fewer than nine of Sheene’s bikes will be on display, including his two world championship machines. With bikes flown in from Australia, this will be your one and only chance to see the full line up in the UK. MCPINT v RUTTER Huge stars get set to do battle on track John McGuinness and Michael Rutter will be going head-to-head around the new Michelin Thunderdrome. “I can’t wait” explains McGuinness. “The banking looks a right laugh, it’ll be elbows out and flat out!” THE RETAIL ZONE Big brands and even bigger bargains… More than 180 exhibitors will be…

‘It’s been set-up to showcase their sporting lineage’ If you find yourself in Hamamatsu you’re in the home of Nippon Gakki – now better known as Yamaha Corporation. Originally a musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha switched to aircraft propellers during WWII but the end of the war had to put their metalwork machinery and expertise to use elsewhere, deciding on a motorcycle business in 1955. Director, Genichi Kawakami, created Yamaha Motor Co. as a spin-off and set to work in a small wooden factory with 150 employees. The first result of their labours was the YA-1. Kawakami knew he was onto a winner. The YA-1 was immediately entered into – and won – Japan’s two most prestigious races, cementing Yamaha’s place as a formidable newcomer on the motorcycle scene and pushing…

Josh Brookes was typically honest as he looked back at his Assen results. Second behind team-mate Redding in Race 1, the Australian pulled some brave moves in Race 2 but lost out to Tommy Bridewell and Danny Buchan at the flag. “The weekend has been difficult,” said the 2015 champ, now 14 points behind Redding. “For some reason, the typical set-up we’ve used over the last few rounds hasn’t worked. It took us by surprise. The team has worked really hard. We bridged the gap quite well but I knew it was still going to be difficult. I’m down by a few tenths per lap and at the end started making mistakes. Clearly, Scott’s riding the best this weekend.”…

British Moto2 rookie Jake Dixon looks certain to land a prized Kalex Moto2 ride for 2020. Speculation was rife in Aragon that the former BSB contender will join Xavi Vierge in the high-profile Petronas Sprinta squad. We understand the deal is already sealed and an announcement is imminent. Dixon has been racing an uncompetitive KTM chassis in his debut season and at Aragon finished 23rd. He’ll leave the Spanish Angel Nieto squad after just one season with the team expected to draft in KTM Tech 3 MotoGP rider Hafizh Syharin to partner Aragon Moto3 winner Aron Canet.…

Despite a heroic seventh place at Aragon, Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro is in no doubt about the mountain his Italian team still has to climb. After his superb, season-best result, the Spaniard said his level needed to be the new benchmark for 2020 when an all-new RS-GP arrives. “This result doesn’t mean we are in a different moment, we are still not competitive enough, no excuses,” he said. “I really hope next season that every single race can be like this one. Not for the podium but top eight rather than 30 seconds behind the winner.”…

Marc Marquez is now the king of MotoGP. That’s the verdict from the greatest-ever Grand Prix rider, Giacomo Agostini following Marquez’s utter domination of the Aragon MotoGP race. ‘Ago’, who notched up an incredible 122 GP wins during his illustrious career, heaped praise on the 26-year-old Spaniard, knowing full well that his own win record will one day come under threat from the Repsol Honda man. “Marc is fantastic, he is now the king of MotoGP,” Agostini said. “Before it was Valentino and now it is Marquez but that is racing, there is always someone new, young and fast.” And according to Ago, it’s not just Marquez’s ability to win on track that makes him so special – it’s the way he does it. “He’s always exciting to watch even…

Steph Jeavons is leading the first-ever all-female ride from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp, aboard a fleet of Royal Enfield Himalayans. The multinational group set off from Kathmandu on Sunday, September 15 and plan to arrive at Everest Base Camp today (Wednesday). The trip, or ‘Girls on Top’ as it’s known, has seen the gang work their way down roads, through deep gravel and even mud on their 1454 mile journey, ending at a height of 17,000ft above sea level. “We have a good group,” Jeavons told MCN from Nepal. “They all have the right attitude and that will stand them in good stead.” But they aren’t alone, they are joined by a support vehicle carrying a medical and mechanical team, with supplies including tools and oxygen. “The conditions so…

‘More power, less weight and a better spec’ Honda have unveiled a significantly updated Africa Twin for 2020 that’s more powerful, lighter and easier to ride. The current Africa Twin range comprises two models: the Africa Twin and the Africa Twin Adventure Sports. The latter was more off-road orientated with taller suspension and crash bars along with a bigger (24.2 litre) tank. But that’s all changed for next year as the standard bike becomes the more off-road focused machine while the AS becomes the more comfortable world tourer. At the heart of both is a bigger and smoother engine with capacity boosted to 1084cc by increasing the stroke by just over 5mm. The cylinder head has also been revised, valve lift increased, the throttle body is larger and the injectors…

‘They’re using Harley-Davidson LiveWire bikes’ Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman have been spotted filming their long-awaited TV follow-up to the The Long Way Round and The Long Way Down – aboard a pair of modified electric Harley-Davidson LiveWires. The actors and biking buddies rose to stardom among the biking community in 2004 when they circumnavigated the globe on a pair of BMW R1150GS Adventures. Their second series, the Long Way Down, went through Africa while this third series is believed to be heading up through the Americas with Los Angeles rumoured to be the final destination for the trip. They were spotted in Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, the southernmost town in South America, along with their regular cameraman, Claudio von Planta. A few days later they…

It’s been an action-packed summer of motorcycling for the dedicated female members of #R5K, with riders tackling big trips and achieving high-mileage. Making up 10.1% of the 12,000-strong group, women have taken centre stage in 2019, sharing their amazing experiences, hints and tips and offering stacks of encouragement to all members. Trisha Waugh, 54, from Chippenham, joined the group around a year ago, after starting riding two years ago. She has piled on the miles aboard her trusty Honda CBF600, exploring local roads, touring Wales and even marshalling at this year’s Isle of Man TT races. “My sister and her husband have been riding for years. I thought she was mad for learning in her 50s, but now I’m like ‘This is the way to go.’ “Then there’s all the…

Idon’t know about you, but I’d love to give MotoGP a proper shake-up just to see what would happen. If you had a fantasy league then the first thing you’d do would be to take Marquez off the Honda and stick him on the KTM, then you’d really get to see what it was all about. Next up I’d get Rossi on the Honda, and I’d love to see Lorenzo back on the Ducati. Then I’d take Iannone and put him on the best bike on the grid. ‘GET RIDERS TO PULL A NUMBER OUT OF A HAT EACH WEEKEND’ But which bike is the best on the grid? It’s a good question. The Honda seems to be strong everywhere (but only with Marquez on board) and the Ducati also…

It’s Britain’s best road test route. A tough 250-mile mix of A and B- roads, a stretch of motorway, plus plenty of towns, villages, blind corners, ballistic straights, and a huge range of grippy to slippy tarmac. There are two cafés, an off-road section for adventure and trail bikes, track time for sportsbike evaluation, and Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and the dyno for hard and fast data when needed. You want answers? We’ve got ’em. 1 Electronics ready We set the Kawasaki to full power mode and traction control to minimum (and leave it there all day). We start the BMW in Road mode (there’s also Rain, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro on this top-spec bike), which gives normal power and traction levels, with supple semi-active suspension. We save ‘Dynamic’ with…

Make no mistake, the Z1000SX is fast, comfy, capable and for just over ten grand, exceptional value, but the do-it-all BMW puts it in the shade. The Kawasaki doesn’t need a quickshifter, heated grips, colour dash or cruise control, but they’d make such a difference to your long-term enjoyment, they’re conspicuous by their absence. They exist on Kawasaki’s H2 SX and top-spec Versys 1000, so it would be good if they could sprinkle some of their touring fairy dust on the trusty SX. The BMW has these toys, at a price, of course, but even if you put them to one side for a moment, the RS is still sublime. The difference between the two is stark when you jump from one to the other. Settling down on its more…

Yamaha’s £21,999 R1M gets the same engine overhaul, chassis, styling and electronics tweaks as the 2020 R1 we tested last week and, as has been the tradition for this special online-order only machine since 2015, it’s dripping with goodies. The extra £5299 over the standard model gets you semi-active Öhlins, a polished tank and swingarm, a wider 200-section rear (Bridgestone RS11s are standard), a datalogger and a Yamaha Racing Experience Day. You can also download an app that lets you set the electronics, which now works on a smartphone as well as a tablet. New this year are gas-pressurised forks and a fully carbon fairing. Fight the power With four power-sapping cats in the exhaust to meet Euro5, Yamaha have worked on their crossplane crank motor, just to get it…

‘None is more impressive than the Honda Collection Hall’ No nation has had a bigger impact on modern motorcycling than Japan. The Far East country’s bike boom in the 1960s was so loud it nearly wiped out both the British and American industries in a tsunami of devastatingly-effective new metal. As production skyrocketed, Japan’s innovative technology, superior performance and reliability and affordable prices obliterated overseas competition and led to the establishment of the Japanese ‘Big Four’. They weren’t the only manufacturers left standing, but they were the dominant ones: Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki. These two-wheeled titans still dominate global motorcycling today, selling millions of bikes worldwide every year. But Japanese bikes are now so intrinsically woven into the landscape of British motorcycling that we often forget where they came…

The Kawasaki Heavy Industries museum is an eye-opener… but not for its bikes. The motorcycle section is tiny compared to what else the firm showcases. While Kawasaki is the oldest of the Big Four, dating back to 1878, it was the last to join the motorcycle scene – in 1962. The firm’s foundations are based on heavy manufacturing – planes, trains, industrial robots, spacecraft, submarines, ships, tankers, helicopters, defence equipment, energy plants and so on. Luckily, they managed to find time to squeeze in the original H1, which shot Kawasaki to success.…

THE STUDENT Andy Gardner, 38, Cambs Paramedic Andy returned to biking after a 12-year break, and now rides his Versys 650 to work as well as on fun rides with friends. Andy’s riding problem ‘I went over the bars of my push-bike as a kid so I’m wary of using the front brake and as such I do most of my braking with the rear.’ THE TUTOR Mark Edwards, Rapid Training Former police motorcyclist with the Met, Mark’s been teaching people to be faster, better, safer road riders for over 20 years. Mark’s action plan ‘Proper use of both brakes will maximise your stopping distances and could make all the difference in an emergency situation.’ THE LESSON 1 Braking the habit On an assessment ride Mark noted that Andy…

THE OWNER SimonMclevey, 42,Stockport Simon’s been bitten hard by the biking bug since passing his test last year. He’s wasted no time in trading-in his CB125 and is now the owner of a CB1000R+. Sometimes, you just know when something’s right, which is why MCN reader Simon Mclevey waited until he was in his forties to learn to ride and also the reason why he bought this handsome Honda CB1000R+. “I’ve been into bikes for years but never got around to taking my test,” he explains. “Despite a lot of my friends being bikers I never took the plunge simply because I thought I’d end up hurting myself. I had a bad experience with a paddock scooter once, so thought it was probably best that I stuck to four wheels.”…

Single-cylinder engines are slow, shake your glasses down your nose, shed parts as you ride along, and will make you a social outcast. Rubbish. Singles have come a long way since their reputation was forged in black and white times, and the one-pot wonders of the last couple of decades are smooth, friendly, reliable – and more than fast enough for today’s cluttered, camera-strewn roads. Here’s our pick of the thumpers. MCN’S BEST BUY £6295 KTM 690 DUKE 690cc |150kg |67bhp |835mm seat height • Dealer up to £6995 • Private up to £6000 • This one 2016, 5000 miles The best single ever. Some claim, but KTM’s twin-spark 690 is some bike. Smoother and easier to ride than its twin-cylinder rivals, it’s super-frugal: 65mpg is easy, and it’ll…

1 Grab yourself a rebuild kit The front master cylinder is a basic hydraulic pump. The design is very simple and generally maintenance free, but over a long period of time the internals can become worn or start to perish, resulting in a soft, spongy sensation at the lever. This is where a rebuild kit comes in handy. You can pick one up for around £40 from your dealer and it’s a relatively easy job. 2 Free the master cylinder Remove the master cylinder by first undoing the banjo bolt that secures the hose. When the hose is off, disconnect the brake light switch connectors. The front brake lever needs to be taken off, so undo the bolt and put the lever to one side. Undo the bolts…

Following Bradley Ray’s two second places and a fourth at Oulton Park, Buildbase Suzuki continued their excellent late-season run of form when teammate Luke Stapleford made the running at Assen. The 2015 British Supersport champion seized a front row start on Saturday before grabbing a fourth and fifth in each of the two races. And the former World Supersport pole-sitter shone even brighter in Race 2 by leading the race ahead of Scott Redding in the early stages. The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is strong on corner entry but its nervous nature and propensity to wheelie forces riders to manhandle it, which can cause fatigue. “We’ve gone back to the standard swingarm that we used at the first round at Silverstone, which I think has helped,” Stapleford told MCN on Sunday evening.…

Scott Redding put a halt on any optimism his British Superbike championship rivals may have had entering The Showdown by dominating the opening round at Assen at the weekend. The meeting is the only time BSB ventures onto mainland Europe and the event’s use of the Dutch grand prix circuit saw the former MotoGP star first seal pole position in qualifying before grabbing both race wins to snatch back the championship lead from Be Wiser Ducati teammate Josh Brookes. Going into Donington Park in nine days time Redding now leads Brookes in the standings by 14 points. “Doing the double here is great,” claimed the World Superbike-bound Gloucestershire rider. “I lived in Holland for a year and a half so have a lot of friends and people I class as…

The National Motorcycle Museum have announced the full timetable of events for their ‘NMM Live’ event on Saturday, October 26. As well as the usual array of fantastic machinery being fired up, there are also a whole host of speakers including Classic Bike magazine’s Rick Parkington and engineer Allen Millyard plus Henry Cole and Sam Lovegrove (see below). NMM Live will also host the draw of their raffle, with the winner taking home a new old stock 1977 Triumph Trident T160. For more info visit www.thenmm.co.uk.…

One of the undoubted highlights of the new Africa Twin is its all-singing, all-dancing full-colour 6.5in TFT screen. This new dash (or ‘Multi Information Display’ as Honda call it) is the portal through which all settings are changed and is standard on both models. It’s touch sensitive (good luck with that off-road) but there’s also a set of controls on the left-hand switchgear. It also incorporates Apple CarPlay, via an iPhone plugged into the USB slot by the dash, as well as supporting navigation and music apps via Bluetooth on both Apple and Android. A second ‘mini dash’ displays speed and gear, for when the main screen is taken up by mapping or other info.…

There’s a new 765 Moto2 weapon on track but it’s not being rolled out of the Triumph factory – it’s the brainchild of bike builder Tony Scott and his Associated British Motorcycles outfit. Based on a Street Triple 765, the bike is purpose-built for racing in the GP2 series of BSB. “The 675 engines we have are getting a bit tired now,” says Scott. “They’ve been reliable but we thought it was time we updated it.” As well as the complete machine, which will cost you £50k, there’s a fairing kit for people who want the Moto2 look. The kit, which consists of upper and lower fairing, seat unit, air intake scoop, clock mount and double bubble screen fits all Street Triples from mid-’06 onwards and costs £850. If you…

Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton welcomed an estimated 10,000 visitors at the weekend for the annual Sywell Classic: Pistons and Props. This celebration of all things petrol and piston powered featured a vast array of vehicles both on the ground and in the air, from tiny 50cc single-cylinder race bikes to the four 27-litre Merlin V12 engines of the Avro Lancaster bomber. With more than 60 clubs in attendance there was no shortage of classic, vintage and modified metal for petrolheads to pore over, but the Sywell Classic really came into its own with the ‘Sprint Strip’ and ‘Racing Runway’, where spectators enjoyed the sight, sound and smell of more than 75 historic vehicles being put through their paces. The beauty of Sywell is that there is no noise restriction, so…

I've been reading lots of comments about Marc Marquez being just a smiling kid and needing more personality to make people get behind him, but don't forget that not so long ago Rossi was just a kid and started rubbing the fairings and egos of established riders around him before he grew into the VR46 we know and love. Marc has probably made one mistake on his way to MotoGP domination. I'm not the biggest of fans, but we have to admire what this courteous young man is achieving. We are watching history being made. Social media makes us all armchair experts but maybe we should sit back and admire greatness when we see it. Lee Fowler, email…

NPX-EC Öhlins gas forks The R1M is the first production bike to use the new Öhlins semi-active gas forks, with rebound and compression damping adjusting on the move. Stare into its evil eyes New and improved LEDs give the R1 a more sinister look. The old model’s lights were so good they were used by endurance racing teams. Properly exclusive For the first time the R1M comes with a numbered plaque on top of the fuel tank. Yamaha press the button on just one R1M production run a year.…

Michio Suzuki started up a loom company in 1909 and, like Honda, began building clip-on engines for bicycles after the war. But like Yamaha, he was late to the game with complete motorcycles in 1953 – the Diamond Free. Suzuki’s museum showcases its beginnings in the textile industry, all the way through from its first motorcycle to the latest and racing highlights from the TT to MotoGP, plus its car manufacturing history.…

1. VISION ON Being aware of your surroundings at all times makes it less likely that you will have to perform emergency braking. 2. GO STEADY Even in an emergency, apply the brakes progressively. Grabbing a handful of will cause the suspension to dive. 3. THREE STEPS It’s a three-step process: initial take up of the lever; firmer application as weight is transferred; then bring in the rear. 4. GET A GRIP Gradual application of the front brake causes the weight of the bike to deform the front tyre, increasing the contact patch. 5. MORE FEEL It can be easy to lock the rear wheel on non-ABS bikes, so practise getting the balance and pressure right. 6. RELAX Whilst braking hard, keep your head up, arms as relaxed as possible…

Fresh from the confirmation that Kawasaki UK have signed a three-year deal for FS-3 Racing to become its officially-backed BSB team from 2020, rider Danny Buchan put in a sparkling performance to seize a podium in Sunday’s second race, backing up his sixth in Race 1. “Danny was like a puppy running around the garage, really enjoying himself!” FS-3 team owner Nigel Snook told MCN. “His sixth place in Race 1 was fantastic, as he had been squeezed out and dropped to 13th. Race 2 was an absolute cracker! It was like Moto3 for the first few laps. Danny got moving, attacking Luke Stapleford and Tommy Bridewell. He took advantage of Bridewell’s move on Josh Brookes to come away with an unexpected but incredibly well-earned podium. Danny is expected to…

It’s a case of ‘back to the drawing board’ for Tommy Bridewell as, although the Oxford Products Ducati rider grabbed a second place at Assen on Sunday, it was only after he threw his first race chances into the gravel trap. And, coming after his first win of the season at Oulton Park, the Showdown contender now says that he plans to carefully review his situation over the next few mornings ahead of the next round at Donington Park in two weeks’ time. ‘We need to enjoy the rest of the season, that is the key’ But although now 51 points behind series leader Redding and with only five races to go, as ‘the other Ducati rider’ behind the PBM bikes, Bridewell remains a championship threat. In fact, one TV…

Moto3 Scot John McPhee along with leading Moto2 Brit Sam Lowes are both targeting a late season surge following their encouraging results at Aragon at the weekend. After finishing fourth, just 0.2 seconds off the podium, McPhee also moved to fourth in the championship standings and said it is “game on” over the final five races. “I’m on a roll and there are now five circuits I really enjoy. Game on,” McPhee said. “I had to stand on the rear brake to get it turned at the final corner but overall a good day.” ‘I’m on a roll and there are five circuits I really enjoy. Game on’ While in Moto2, Sam Lowes feels that two consecutive fifth places on the back of big set-up improvements to his Gresini Kalex…

Jack Miller isn’t hiding his ambition to join the official Ducati factory team and reckons his classy third place in Aragon is another step towards his ultimate goal in 2021. The satellite Pramac Ducati rider was in scintillating form on Sunday joining factory team leader Andrea Dovizioso on the podium. “This podium, my third of the season, means lot and is a big feather in my cap,” the Aussie said. “I had a lot of pressure all race and was able to bring it home right behind Dovi. “I didn’t make any stupid moves in the race and did my job. Both myself and the team worked had from this right from FP1. ‘It’s a feather in my cap. My goal is to get over there in the red colours’…

Ducati played down reports of lingering tension between star rider Andrea Dovizioso and technical guru Gigi Dall’Igna as the Italian responded by powering to a hard-earned second place at Aragon. After a humbling defeat in Germany in early July, Dovizioso had been critical of Ducati’s seeming inability to rid the Desmosedici of a long-standing understeer problem. The comments had upset Dall’Igna and senior Ducati management, but in an interviews with leading Italian website GPOne in Aragon ahead of Dovizioso’s impressive charge through from 10th on Sunday, Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti said the rift had been resolved. He said: “I don’t deny there have been moments of tension but they have been resolved. It was due to a moment of frustration from Andrea after a race in which he received results…