Table of contents for 28 August 2024 in MCN

BSB Mountain magic While some riders gush about Cadwell Park being their favourite circuit, OMG Grilla Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde has made no secret of the fact that he regards the Lincolnshire circuit as a bit dangerous. But he managed to put those thoughts aside this weekend when he took two victories and a second place over the summer bank holiday weekend, placing himself as a new and somewhat surprise title contender. Although Ryde’s been under the radar this season until now, let’s not forget he’s already got a pair of British championship titles to his name, after winning his first (125GP in 2011) at just 14 years old! PAGE 70 ‘It’s very difficult riding a superbike around here’ KYLE RYDE ON CADWELL, P70 INVESTIGATION What's in a name? After strong performances…

SAVE £2350 £22,495 BMW K1600 GTL The K1600 is pure luxury. It offers refinement and smoothness found nowhere else outside of the Honda Gold Wing. But beyond mile-munching comfort and a silky-smooth ride, the big Beemer is surprisingly adept in the twisty stuff, offering bags of power from its inline-six motor and sure-footed handling. Better still, there’s a big saving. www.lind.co.uk SAVE £2000 £13,295 Indian FTR1200 Sport Don’t be fooled by the flattrack inspired, laid back looks, Indian’s FTR is a bona fide sporty naked competitor – it’s properly fast and handles well. moorespeedracing.co.uk • Engine 1203cc • Power 123bhp • Weight 233kg • Seat height 780mm SAVE £1500 £11,999 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 Its motor may be as old as time, but the big Strom remains superbly comfortable, while offering…

GET MORE OF THE INSIDE LINE WITH A PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP greatmagazines.co.uk/mcnpremium The FTR750 is a machine that’s helped cement Indian’s reputation for building machines that are sportier than you’d expect – but rule changes in the US flattrack scene mean the bike has hit the end of the line. New regs mean flattrack racers have to be based on production machines but with the FTR’s 748cc DOHC V-twin not featuring in any road-going machinery, it no longer fits, meaning it will be forced to retire at the end of the season. Since entering the series in 2017, the FTR has secured seven successive SuperTwin titles, as well as 101 race wins from 135 starts – making it the most dominant race bike in the series’ history. The machine has also…

Ducati’s motocross programme has taken its first steps onto the world stage, with a debut in the MXGP World Championship. With nine-time world champion, Tony Cairoli at the helm, the Desmo450 MX achieved seventh place in Saturday’s qualifying, followed by 15th place in Sunday’s main event in the Netherlands. Cairoli said: “Our goal was to test the Desmo450 MX in extreme conditions.” Next year, the bike will see further MXGP action and go into full production.…

AGV Pista GP-RR £999.99 Never a bad time for a new helmet Your helmet is the control room for every ride – it’s where information is processed and decisions are made, so it stands to reason that it should be as comfortable and protective as possible. Upgrading this vital piece of real estate can be almost as good as buying a new bike, so we’re seeing out the summer with the internet’s finest deals on a new office for your noggin. AGV’s top-of-the-line, FIM-homologated and ECE 22.06 certified race lid is pretty much the pinnacle of head protection. Developed for MotoGP, the Pista GP-RR is the same model as used at the highest level of road racing, which is as good an endorsement as you can get. Construction is a…

1 Sept 2 Ian Simpson The Stirrup Cup in Kettering has invited racer Ian Simpson to talk about his new book Forever Playboy. Tickets are £15 which includes the book. From 7pm. www.facebook.com/thestirrupcupbarton 2 Aug 30-31 TR30C rally The Trident and Rocket 3 Owners club are heading to Newark Showground this weekend to celebrate 50 years of the Triumph Trident T160. www.tr3oc.com 3 September 1 Stratford autojumble Stratford Racecourse (CV37 9SE) will be transformed into a goldmine of mechanical bits and bobs. Tickets are £5 in advance, or £7 on the gate. stratfordautojumble.co.uk 4 September 1 ABF Motorcycle ride The Army Benevolent Fund ride will be welcomed by the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience this year. You can register online from £27.35. armybenevolentfund.org…

Enjoy your visit to Mr Watson’s Cafe (p20)? Well if you were bitten by the sidecar bug you need to meet the Sidecar Guys. Since they’ve returned from lapping the world by sidecar, they’ve established themselves in Morpeth, Northumberland, to encourage riders to experience life with a third wheel. Previously you could try out a Ural outfit for the day, but now is your chance to ride a Royal Enfield teamed up with a Watsonian sidecar. The half-day experience is £145pp on Saturdays and Tuesdays and will take you out into the countryside so you can try out your newly learned sidecar skills on the road, too. Visit www.sidecarexperience.co.uk/service-page/watsonian- half-day-experience to book…

THE MCN TEST ● THE HOTTEST BIKES ● EVERY WEEK £7999 (£8360.51 as tested) KTM 790 Duke ● 799cc parallel twin ● 95bhp/64lb.ft ● £99 per month PCP, £1513.50 deposit £6799 (current offer) CFMoto 800NK Advanced ● 799cc parallel twin ● 94bhp/58.2lb.ft ● £99 per month PCP, £533.50 deposit CFMoto are here, and they are here to stay. A behemoth of a brand in the Asian market, CF’s close ties with the Pierer Mobility Group have not only allowed them to enter the European market with relative ease, but also to use their technical expertise, too. The two brands are closely linked, with CFMoto building some KTM machinery while also using some of KTM’s parts and goodies to create what is essentially a CFMoto-badged KTM. To further confuse things, when…

'Tank logo, or price tag?' The KTM and the CFMoto are two different sides of what is essentially the same coin. The question lies not only in how hardcore you want your naked to be, but also how much that big orange logo on the side of the tank means to you. The KTM has that signature, Austrian edge which makes it so sharp; thanks to an aggressive throttle response, stiff suspension settings and almost supermoto-style stance. It is a machine built not only for attacking corners, but for being a bit silly on, too. But on the flipside, the CFMoto gets so close to the KTM on every single one of its strongest aspects, and backs up its impressive nature with the likes of adjustable suspension, cruise control and…

One Edinburgh-based biker found himself in a tricky conundrum – his pristine R1 had developed a misfire and poor running after being stored. To make matters worse still, there was nobody local that he trusted to take on his fuelling woes. The result was an 800-mile round trip to Dursley-based Superbike Surgery, where owner Jim Wright-Roberts was up for the task. “He’d been around the houses with it. He’d had the carbs off and cleaned them, but he just couldn’t fix it no matter what. He’d even bought a brand-new fuel pump which was £350 alone,” said Jim. It turns out that the bike’s issues had been caused by a simple, but critical mistake. “He’d managed to put one of the float bowl breathers for carburettor two and three onto the…

Ulster Grand Prix winner and NW200 podium finisher, Adam McLean, has been exploring a new road racing avenue during 2024. “With so little road racing in Ireland, I wanted to try something new with the International Road Racing championship in Europe,” the 28 year-old explained between Manx GP sessions on a fleet of Steve Linsdell 350cc and 500cc Royal Enfields plus a Yamaha GTS1000. After wins at Schleiz and Chimay, he leads the IRRC Supersport title race on a Performance Racing Achterhoek Yamaha R6 with just one round to go at Frohburg. With Irish road racing currently in the doldrums, McLean says the IRRC championship with meetings in the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Belgium and the Czech Republic, can provide an alternative route for aspiring road racers. “Michael Dunlop, Lee Johnston…

After Jake Dixon’s Moto2 GP win at Silverstone, we bemoaned the gulf between BSB and MotoGP. There is another side to this coin, and swoopy Cadwell (aka Thrillsville) is the time and place to celebrate it. Especially after a dreary Austrian GP. Cadwell compares well to MotoGP’s rollercoasters, COTA, the Sachsenring (almost exactly the same length) and Portimao. For all its lesser international status, BSB improves generously on current MotoGP in all sorts of ways. Let’s count them. The first can’t be guaranteed, but is to be expected anyway. Close and varied racing. In MotoGP, one or another of the latest factory Ducatis will win. That’s happened at all but one of 11 races so far this year, and all but three of the Sprints. BSB by contrast has seen…

Portsmouth rider, Phil Howarth chopped in his BMW F800ST in exchange for a ’21-plate Benelli TRK 502 in February of this year. He’s since covered around 2800 miles, sharing his riding duties with a Suzuki 1250 Bandit that he bought brand new in 2008. “Other bikes I have are always what I call my ‘second bike’, so they get used as much as the Bandit, but are usually something a bit smaller and something that I’ve just had an urge to own,” the 68-year-old explained. “I’ve seen the Chinese bikes at the NEC over the years and noticed that they’re getting better in build quality and design. More companies are manufacturing abroad – China being one of the countries they are using – so when I saw the Benellis, I…

Chinese-owned Italian brand, Moto Morini have launched a range of bolt-on kit for their £5999 Seiemmezzo STR and £6399 Seiemmezzo SCR retro nakeds. Despite their modest prices, each A2 restrictable, 60bhp, 649cc parallel twin machine features Pirelli tyres as standard, plus braking hardware from Brembo, and safety technology from Bosch. There’s also fully adjustable KYB forks, and a colour TFT dash with mobile connectivity and a subs-based navigation system. The new accessories will be available for both the SCR and STR, with the more rugged SCR scrambler seen in these photos. Options for the bike start at as little as £39 for handlebar covers, and range to £458 for a pair of 12-litre soft saddlebags, made in a mixture of black leather and waterproof fabrics. Alongside this, extras available include…

Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire is looking for a new Circuit Manager, and it could be you. Applicants are able to apply from now until Wednesday, September 4, with the successful candidate then responsible for ensuring that the grounds, facilities, buildings and 2.25-mile track are kept to their current high standards. To apply, go to alljobspro.com/motorsport-vision/careers now. Used summer sale Surrey-based Doble Motorcycles are hosting a summer sale, promising up to £3000 off their used stock. Running until September 7, deals can be found on numerous motorcycles from a range of manufacturers, including everything from diddy Honda Monkeys, to fully dressed GL1800 Gold Wing tourers. It’s not just new bikes either, with the full three grand reduction available on a stunning 2000 Honda VTR1000 SP-1, which is now £9999. Trade-in deal…

‘Time to take a shot at a Spitfire’ In 2018 I was invited up to CCM’s Bolton factory to do a feature on the Spitfire. The factory was wonderfully old-school but what really surprised me was the sheer number of Spitfires the firm had built. At a rough count I made it 80, which was bloody impressive for a hand-built bike. To be brutally honest, the original Spitfire wasn’t a great handling bike. The combination of 19in wheels, Maxxis flattrack tyres and a very lightweight chassis made it a bit concerning at speed. But did it matter? Not really, most owners intended on simply sticking it in their garage and looking at it, only venturing out on sunny days for a gentle potter (at which point they would have discovered…

Two males, who rode unregistered off-road bikes through City Park in Bradford have admitted a number of offences. Both pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle dangerously, using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and riding a motorcycle on a road without wearing a helmet. Abdul Khan, 21 was sentenced to a 12-month disqualification, 80 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation order. A 17-yearold will be sentenced on September 16.…

GET YOUR FIRST SIX ISSUES FOR JUST £5! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer Gear up Guzzi fans, the Moto Guzzi Open House is back for 2024, with the Italian marque ready to welcome enthusiasts from all around the world on September 13-15. Celebrating over a century of the eagle-badged brand, the weekender will take place in Moto Guzzi’s hometown of Mandello del Lario on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Italy. Here, guests will be able to enjoy a range of activities, with test rides available on all models including the classic V7 and V85, plus the V100 Mandello and Stelvio. There will also be motorcycle exhibitions, special guest speakers, live music every evening and a kids’ test track where budding bikers can try out electric minibikes. Attendees can…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Whit's well-deserved honour' What a delight. The best-loved motorcyclist in the country has finally won the award he’s deserved for years and years. I’ve met him a couple of times and he’s the most genuine and lovely, lovely person. Down to earth, willing to chat, a real diamond. Well done MCN for giving James Whitham the recognition he so richly deserves with the Lifetime Achievement honour in this year’s awards (MCN, August 21). Steve Palmer, email STAR LETTER Write something that spikes our interest, and you could get selected for the Star Letter slot. Each week one lucky reader will receive an MCN T-shirt in a variety of different designs Fewer blindspots? During my last two rides I have noticed what feels like a significant increase…

OUT AND ABOUT THE UK’S HOTTEST RIDES MCN staffers share their favourite riding routes At 27 miles, this may not be a long route that will take a full day of riding but it is a lovely one, flowing through the picturesque Thetford Forest, in Norfolk. Not only is it calm, peaceful and pleasant to look at, but it’s a gorgeous stretch of road too, that is filled with long smooth curves and enjoyable, open stretches. If you’re starting in Thetford, all you need to do is head north, out on the A1066 and onto the A134. Go at a time that isn’t too crazy for traffic because it can get busy (especially during sunny, school holiday times) and it opens up instantly, through Lynford, Mundford and beyond. Just stay on…

What's happening? East Anglia will be alive with the sound of motorcycles this weekend as they head to Trinity Park Showground in Ipswich, Suffolk for the Copdock Bike Show. Racing legend Steve Parrish is this year’s special guest, along with plenty to see and do including the wall of death, Two Brothers stunt team and Dangerous Steve. Topped with dealerships and traders, there will be plenty of metal on offer. The essentials There are loads of options to get you to the show this weekend. If you only want to go for the day then it’s £15 for an adult, and £10 for a young person. But if you fancy immersing yourself in the action all weekend, then it’s £25 (excluding show entry) or £100 including show entry. Head to…

ICONS ‘In 2017 production tipped past the 100 million mark’ Practically every rider over a certain age has had some exposure to Honda’s ubiquitous step-through, whether it was tearing around on a tatty field bike with friends, being über frugal for that first low-paid job or just seeing them clattering around the country’s roads almost everywhere you went. In terms of both design and execution, the Super Cub is a work of true genius, so much so that as of 2017 production tipped past the 100 million mark. The little Honda is by far and above the most mass-produced vehicle in history and it’s a testament to the basic concept that the model is still in production. The genesis of the Super Cub lies in a fact-finding trip that Soichiro…

Contis top the scores It is very interesting to see how our two, very different, testers rated the tyres. Both agreed that Bridgestone’s Battlax A41 didn’t really work on the big BMW. Simon felt they were a complete mismatch while Carl was more forgiving, appreciating their slightly sporty high-speed cornering nature. Both agreed the Pirelli Scorpion Trail II rewarded the rider who pushed on harder, particularly once warmed up. Similarly, the Michelin Anakee Road is another tyre that works very well out of the box but benefits from being used, with Simon saying they felt like a hard-compound sporty tyre. And both said that the Metzeler Tourance Next 2 was a capable, middle-of-the-road tyre that covered almost every base but didn’t inspire or excel in any and should suit the…

One of the tools I mention every now and then in these How To features is a heat gun. If you don’t have one and you still rely on an old-school gas burner or torch to apply heat then you are missing out on a much better option. For me, when it comes to all of the tasks that rely on applying heat to a motorcycle component the heat gun is the safest, most convenient and quickest way of getting the job done. I haven't used my old gas torch for years now. Why is a heat gun better? They usually run on mains electricity, meaning you don’t need gas canisters; you’re unlikely to inadvertantly set fire to your motorcycle, and there’s no naked flame to worry about. For as…

Bringing you the inside line on the next round of MotoGP The MotoGP paddock makes a welcome return to north-eastern Spain this weekend at the picturesque MotorLand Aragon circuit. Aragon was not on the 2023 calendar, and there has never been a sprint race here before. This is Marc Marquez’s home circuit, and he loves it as much as the local fans love him. By the time he lines up on the grid on Sunday it will have been an unbelievable 1043 days since his last MotoGP victory, taken at Misano on 24 October 2021. Ahead of him the spotlight remains on Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, who are split by just five points after 22 races. Bagnaia was unstoppable at the Red Bull Ring, so Martin needs to halt…

Leading road racing photojournalist writes for MCN ‘Mike Browne gave the 916 its first island win’ After more than a week of doing virtually nothing because of bad weather on the Mountain Course, the final day of the 2024 Manx Grand Prix reached a frenetic climax. All of the race distances were slashed as organisers battled the odds to salvage something from eight days of torpor. And fans were treated to an historic moment on the island as Irishman Mike Browne finally put Ducati’s 916 on the top step of a Mountain Course podium by taking victory in the short-but-sweet Classic Superbike race, fittingly in what is the Italian model’s 30th anniversary year. The victory had come after a day of yet more delays with the initial plan being to…

It’s been frustrating, I want to ride my motorbike the same as everybody else but our arms are up our backs with the weather. Some people have said it is my fault that we don’t race in the rain on the Mountain course any more [referring to the cancellation on the 2012 Senior due to weather conditions] but I don’t call the shots. I genuinely don’t. We live in a world now where it isn’t acceptable to be riding round in dangerous conditions. And there’s always someone that will have the finger pointed at them if something goes wrong. Then the plan was six races in a day. Six or seven laps is hard on anyone and here at the Manx GP the riders are mostly amateurs. It is frustrating…

Reporting direct from the bank holiday BSB meet TOP STORY Motorcycle racing is a funny old game. One minute Ryan Vickers is the man on a mission after winning five of the last six races heading into Cadwell Park, finishing second in the other, and is being talked about as a title favourite. Fast forward to the end of the bank holiday weekend and Vickers’ title dream is just about over after a dismal few days in Lincolnshire. A crash in qualifying put him on the back foot, then his Yamaha R1 broke down in race one. Vickers fought valiantly from 20th to sixth in race two and bagged himself a front-row start in race three as a result, only to then crash out of the lead on the third…

Michael Dunlop, the most successful Isle of Man TT racer of all time with 29 wins, found himself back on the island to meet up with Tour de France legend Sir Mark Cavendish MBE. The pair share a connection with the island, it being the home to Dunlop’s greatest feat but also home to Cavendish himself and the place where the sportsman learned his craft before going on to global fame. SV soldiers on Suzuki have launched three new colours for the naked SV650 to mark an incredible 25 years of production. Still mechanically unchanged, the easy-to-ride V-twin middleweight will now be available in ‘pearl vigor blue’ – including colour-matched frame and wheels. There are two further options which both come with bronze frame and wheels, and the choice of…

Malle London have announced dates for the first running of the Malle Canyon Festival, with the event scheduled to go ahead from October 10-13 in Lisbon, Portugal. The emphasis is on participation, community and inclusion, and riders are encouraged to use ‘inappropriate’ bikes with organisers billing it as a “four-day celebration of culture, motorcycle racing, music and local food.” The rally will follow a similar format to other events on Malle’s calendar, which include the UK-based Malle Mile, and various European rallies. ‘It’s a four-day celebration of biking culture’ After Thursday night’s ‘Canyon Feast’ dinner, the action kicks off on Friday, with attendees set to head out for the 60-mile Arrabida Rally, which will be fully guided. Saturday will see familiar events from the Malle Mile and Malle Beach race…

Nigerian musician Udoh Ebaide Joy has ridden from the Kenyan city of Mombasa to Lagos, Nigeria, making her the first documented black African woman to ride from the east to west coast of Africa. Over three months, Joy covered 5600 miles on her 250, passing through various countries. “I want to live life to the fullest,” Joy told MCN. “I want to pursue my vision to become the first African woman to ride in all the countries on the continent.” Despite her achievement, Joy had barely even ridden before setting off and had to undertake a one-week training course. ‘I want to ride the whole of the continent’ “I still can’t ride a bicycle, and before I left, I’d only done 1900km on a motorcycle,” she said. Starting in Kenya,…

Q ‘Were MIB right to refuse me?’ I read last week’s MCN Law column about the diesel spill via the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) with interest because I came off on some oil or diesel at a roundabout six months ago. I didn’t see anything until I was right on top of the spill, then lost control – breaking my collarbone. I put in a claim through local solicitors and everything seemed OK until the MIB rejected my claim, based on what I thought was some pretty shoddy logic. Unfortunately, my solicitors agreed with them, telling me I have low ‘prospects of success’ and basically washing their hands of it. Where does that leave me? Macsen, email A The MIB have a duty to conduct reasonable investigations and to assess…

KEY TO THE AREA ■ SOUTH WEST ■ CENTRAL ■ NORTH & SCOTLAND ■ SOUTH EAST Wednesday August 28 BIKE MEETS ■ Sycamore Cafe, The Causeway, Great Billing, Northamptonshire 4pm-9pm /www.facebook.com/SycamoreForestCatering ■ Amici Coffee Biker Night, Girtford Bridge, Sandy, Bedfordshire www.amicicoffee.co.uk ■ King Billy Rock Bar, Northampton 6.30pm Facebook: The King Billy Rock Bar ■ Huggys Speedshop, Mallory Park, Leicestershire. From 10am www.huggysspeedshop.co.uk ■ Seaways, Bike Night, Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 4pm-8pm mike@seawayscafe.co.uk ■ Squires Cafe, Newthorpe, West Yorks www.squires-cafe.co.uk ■ The Old Stores, Pontblyddyn, Mold, Flints 6pm-9pm 07548-224866 ■ Chequered Flag Bike Night, Liskeard, Cornwall, 7pm Facebook: Chequered Flag SW ■ Loomies Moto Cafe, West Meon, Hants. Open till 9pm www.loomiescafe.co.uk ■ English Riviera Bike Night, Paignton, Devon 6pm Facebook: English Riviera Bike Night ■ The Pathfinder Cafe, Blackbushe, Surrey.…

GET YOUR FIRST SIX ISSUES FOR JUST £5! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer 'Zig-zagging to the pie shop' MIKE BELL Ninety-nine miles around the Dorset and Wiltshire border, including Zig-zag Hill between Shaftesbury and Sixpenny Handley and award-winning pies from Chettle. 'Wild Atlantic adventures' ALISON BROCK This was taken on Inch Beach along the Wild Atlantic Way. Did a trip over with some friends in early July and covered 1500 miles during the adventure. 'Dodging the snow…' MARK McGUINNESS This pic was taken in Switzerland in mid June. Unfortunately, many of the high passes were still closed due to snow. 'Can't park there mate' CAROLINE BROWN We rode 950 miles that week exploring beautiful Wales and its magic roads, and I brought my new bike home with me from…

'Open wide and say R' KTM 890 DUKE R Engine 890cc 8v parallel twin Power 119bhp Torque 73lb.ft Weight 166kg (dry) Seat height 834mm Price £11,599 (MY23) It might look similar to the 790 Duke, but if you want to know what the pinnacle of this engine platform is, then say hello to the 890 Duke R. It’s sharper, faster, grippier and more refined and gives an orange-tinted window into what a race bike feels like. Its engine is refined, punchy, characterful and proof that you don’t need huge power to get your rocks off on the road. The gearbox, blippers and shifters are all bang on the money, too. It’s hugely capable but as single-minded as a supermoto. If you’re not worried about that, this is the scratcher for…

Lee Tucker, 54, operations manager, rides 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa a 2008 Honda Fireblade and “I’ve never been on a trackday before and I like the idea of it being organised and controlled… And more importantly, using somebody else’s equipment. I’d like to buy an S1000RR so it’s like the world’s longest test ride. “I’ve seen the instructors on TV, I’ve watched them over the years and they’re all chill. You get a legend like Niall Mackenzie standing up there – it’s just unbelievable! “One of the things that has always frightened me about trackdays is the macho aspect and feeling like somebody is going to take me out on their £100 bike as I thrash mine, but there is none of that here. “Everybody is here to gain something regardless of…

'Set for fun and games' The XTrainer is not about absolute performance, it’s an entry-level machine. Cunningly Beta don’t say that, they say it’s a bike ‘for all levels’. Such positioning means it doesn’t get the best of everything, but it is good at so many things without a scary price tag. The XTrainer is light, agile and accurate. Its limitation is (high) speed. That’s the trials influence in the design. To be able to be so good in technical going, for being so plush, almost gentle, in its suspension action, of course it’s had to sacrifice the ‘full send’ capability. Ease of use is a factor, too. The Xtrainer brings electric start, electronic oil injection and an electronic ignition key which acts as a safety kill-switch. THE FACTS £6795…

BRUCE DUNN MCN’s expert technician Extract snapped bolts Felt that sickening crack as a bolt shears instead of loosening or tightening? Don’t panic – here’s how to get out of jail free… 1 A shear nightmare Unscheduled maintenance on your bike will crop up from time to time, and if have an older bike it becomes more frequent as the aging components show signs of fatigue, as is the case with this bolt which sheared under no excessive force when being tightened up. 2 Time to get a grip If you're lucky the bolt will have broken off and left a few millimetres of thread protruding from the hole. If this is the case then there is a decent chance that you can shift it by getting some grips around the stump…

*Aragon did not feature in 2023 RACE 1 Bastianini 2 Bagnaia 3 A Espargaro The last visit to Aragon was a thrilling, chaotic affair which blew the title fight between Quartararo and Bagnaia wide open. Quartararo’s race came to an end on the opening lap as Marc Marquez had a big moment on the exit of turn three after going around Quartararo, and seven others, at the start of the race. Quartararo was unsighted and crashed into the back of Marquez, and was hit by his M1 as he slid across the circuit, suffering serious abrasions to his chest. Yamaha bodywork became lodged in Marquez’s Honda, causing the rear to lock as he applied the right height device on the exit of turn seven. Taka Nakagami ran into the back…

Reporting direct from the bank holiday BSB meet ‘I’m beating everybody I need to beat’ You have to hand it to Tommy Bridewell. The reigning champion is putting together a very clever, calculated and respectable title defence. He’s a rider who plays the long game, who knows that winning isn’t the be all and end all in becoming a champion. It’s why he leads the series after 23 races despite having only won two of them. Even when his back is up against the wall, Bridewell digs deep and puts together a strategy to overcome the obstacles ahead of him. In the case of Cadwell, it was obstacles he put in front of himself after a crash in qualifying – a rare mistake. He fought from 12th on the grid…