Table of contents for 8 January 2025 in MCN

'It is the most asked about product' ROYAL ENFIELD'S MARK WELLS USED TEST Get a lighter life There's been a real shift towards lower powered, lighter weight bikes over the past few years, thanks in part to the amazing models that are available in almost every segment of motorcycling. If you're looking for an easy rider to put in your garage, perhaps as a second bike or maybe because you want to downsize, we've rounded up three sub-£3k used models that are well worth considering. PAGE 29 NEWS Ready to not race? With KTM now in self-administration, more details have come to light about how the Austrian firm intend on getting themselves out of their estimated €3bn debt, brought on in part by an excess of stock following the pandemic. Austrian creditor…

Affordable low-capacity bike specialists AJS have launched their British designed but Chinese built Sedona 250 V-twin cruiser for 2025, priced at just £4599. Producing a claimed 26.6bhp at 9000rpm, and tipping the scales at 172kg in running order, it looks set to go up against other affordable cruisers including the £4059-on Royal Enfield Meteor 350 single. Unlike the air-cooled Enfield, however, the AJS sports a more authentic 75-degree V-twin engine with air-oil cooling, shrouded by chunky bodywork and blacked-out chassis components. With it fed by an 18-litre fuel tank, AJS say the bike is capable of a top speed around 80mph, with provisions chucked in for both a rider and pillion, and 15.5lb.ft of torque to get things moving. Along with the fairly modest performance, the dimensions should make it…

Specially trained Staffordshire Police officers riding off-road motorcycles were deployed as part of a successful operation in Stoke-on-Trent tackling bike theft. The initiative took place on Sunday, December 15 and saw the force call in officers from a number of units to parts of Park Hall Country Park, Werrington and Bucknall as part of Operation Transom. The move was set up in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to help communities plagued by anti-social riding on roads and green spaces, with increased patrols in hotspot areas and offending bikes seized. “On many occasions the actions of those involved have not only been anti-social but also reckless and criminal,” Inspector Becci Price said. “Riders risk injuring themselves, other road users and pedestrians. They will be dealt with through disqualification, arrest and prosecution.”…

THIS WEEK'S HOT DEALS BikeTek Urbano Combo £175.33 Fully loaded with top luggage deals Now is the perfect time of year to start planning your touring adventures, looking forward to longer days, interesting places to visit and exciting roads to ride. But while you're poring over maps and getting stuck into travel guides, it's worth bearing in mind that it's also a good opportunity to snap up deals on out-of-season gear such as luggage. We've scoured the web for some banging deals on baggage to make your long-distance excursions that bit easier. This comprehensive combo from Biketek provides a healthy 129 litres of load space with all elements expanded, which should be more than enough for a comfortable multi-day road trip – or a weekly shop for the family. It…

mcn.letters@motorcyclenews.com motorcyclenews motorcyclenews MCNnews 'Trials were no error' I really enjoyed Emma Franklin's article about trials riding (MCN, December 18). A very interesting, informative and well written insight into a discipline that hitherto I had no understanding of. I may try it myself one day, if I can source some appropriate boots first, of course! Congrats to all at MCN for the Christmas edition, great reading all round for the festive period. Paul Ankerson, email Ed: Thanks Paul, as Allen Millyard commented in his column recently, there is nothing like riding off road for improving your bike control skills. Let us know how you get on and be sure to send us a picture! MCN has teamed up with Zerofit – The World's Warmest Baselayer® – to award the author…

'Guess where I am' PAUL LYONS We took the ferry from Santander then rode to the South of France, through Italy, Switzerland, back to France and then home. 2700 miles in 10 days on my V-Strom. 'Speed and sun' KEVIN FOX On the way to the Pyrenees in September where we called in at the Circuit Reims-Gueux. It was a two-week trip covering 3200 miles on my Tracer. 'African adventure' LEWIS PRIEHS I took this while we were somewhere in mid-Morocco in April this year, on my Ténéré 700. It was a 17-day trip, and we rode just shy of 4000 miles. 'How many CCs?' PHILIP WESTON The Harley-Davidson Monument at Faak am See in Austria for an Iron Butt Association ride to eat. I've ridden four bikes this year…

'The CB500 really has the X factor' Talk about a great selection of used A2-legal bikes – and this is just the tip of the iceberg. We could have included the Yamaha R3 or MT-03, any of Honda's CB500 range, Kawasaki's Ninja or Z300/400 models, KTM's small-capacity Dukes, Husky's 401s, Royal Enfield's Himalayan or 650 bikes… and all can be found for less than £3000. There is one that stands out here as the best used buy – Honda's CB500X. It is a bike that is hard to fault and very, very, easy to love. Arguably it's not as sexy or exciting as the KTM RC390 or as good value for money as the BMW G310R, but for its combination of practicality, reliability and fun, it is very hard to…

GET SIX ISSUES FOR JUST £6! Subscribe to MCN now at: greatmagazines.co.uk/mcn-offer The FIM Enduro GP is the pinnacle of enduro racing, with rounds taking place in countries including Italy, Slovakia, Romania and Wales. Riders must battle through unforgiving landscapes, for hours on end. It's a serious test of man (or woman) and machine. Before we get into the nitty gritty, here's a bit of a lowdown on what the FIM Enduro GP is made up of. There are three different classes of engine size and type within Enduro GP - E1, E2 and E3. E1 is for bikes up to 250cc either two- or four-stroke; E2 is for four-stroke bikes over 250cc; and E3 is for bikes that are over 250cc in two-stroke or over 450cc in four-stroke. Riders…

'I'd always recommend a trusted brand' When it comes to changing the brake pads on your bike, it's worth checking out what types of pad are available, and what will best suit your style of riding. For a start, you will never go wrong if you fit the original units, although they are not always stocked and can be more expensive than other replacement brands. My default, go-to replacement brand is EBC, as I have never had any issues with fitment or quality, and the range of bikes they fit goes back years. Talking of which, EBC recently helped me out with the brakes on a 1989 Yamaha TDR250, as the front disc was cracked and would have failed an MoT… a job made harder by the fact that Yamaha…

SAVE £6150 £16,499 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX The Ninja H2 SX sports-tourer is arguably the most practical incarnation of Kawasaki's stupendous 200bhp supercharged family, but there are still plenty of impressive dealer discounts to be had on both the SX and SE versions, as this brand new, 0-mile 2023 SX, reduced from £22,649 at Clay Cross Kawasaki, proves. www.claycrosskawasaki.co.uk £15,990 BMW R18 Classic SAVE £5795 The 'bagger' version of BMW's big boxer twin cruiser is a great alternative to a Harley and this example at Shipley dealer Vertu is also a bargain. vertumotorcycles.com • Engine 1802cc • Power 91bhp • Weight 365kg • Seat height 690mm £14,499 Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory SAVE £3601 OnYerBike have just reduced the price of this all-black example of Aprilia's top-spec Factory version of the…

'Catch a Tiger Sport bargain' It was with a mix of frustration and pleasure that I read Triumph have updated their Tiger Sport 660 with, among other things, cruise control. At its launch in 2022 the first question asked was 'why hasn't it got cruise control?' as it was such a glaring oversight. Happily 2025 sees this wrong righted along with angle-responsive ABS and TC, an up/down shifter (previously a £229 extra) and connectivity (previously a £214.15 extra) all fitted as standard. Impressively, the 2025 bike (£8995 RRP) with all this tech is only £545 more than the price the 2022 launch model. I've always rated the Tiger Sport 660 as it reminds me of the original Street Triple in its fun factor and feeling of balance – with the…

After previously rejecting calls to allow motorcyclists into bus lanes by default, the Government will not pursue research to determine whether the idea could hold potential safety benefits. Minister of State at the Department for Transport (DfT), Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill said: “The Department has no plans at present to carry out research into the safety impacts of allowing greater access to bus lanes.” The announcement follows comments made by Fabian Hamilton, Labour MP for Leeds North East, who recently told MCN: “Labour is not interested in motorcycles” – casting doubt on the likelihood of future parliamentary backing for the two-wheeled sector, raising concerns about continued support for riders and industry advocates alike. In reply to the Government's online consultation on default bus lane access for bikers, which ran…

Leatt ADV helmet from £479 Cape Town-based Leatt have released their first helmet and it looks to be a belter. Features include the firm's '360° Turbine' technology to reduce rotational injuries, and it ships with a photochromic visor, goggles and Pinlock as standard. leatt.com Pyramid fly screen for Triumph Speed 400 £162.99 Available in three colour-matched finishes, Phantom Black, Caspian Blue and Carnival Red, this acrylic fly screen adds extra protection from wind and weather and comes with the necessary fittings. pyramidmoto.co.uk Oxford Courier HotGrips £119.99 Designed for professional riders and those who spend a long time in the saddle, this latest version of Oxford's heated grips is more durable and the grips are compatible with the firm's Courier Muffs. oxfordproducts.com Merlin Axe Hydro Kevlar shirt £179.99 With a fully…

BOOK NOW AND SAVE Don't miss our advance ticket offers. Simply scan this QR code with your phone and follow the link With the Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show now a little over a month away, we're thrilled to confirm the return of The Motorbike Show's Henry Cole on the brand-new Henry Cole Live Stage supported by Machine Mart. Appearing on stage regularly across all three action-packed days, Henry will be accompanied by engineering master Allen Millyard and ace motorcycle designer, Guy 'Skid' Willison, with the hugely entertaining Steve 'Stavros' Parrish adding to the dynamic mix. The former Grand Prix racer and teammate to two-time world champion Barry Sheene will attempt to bring some order to the occasion by hosting the Henry Cole Live Stage, providing plenty of laughs…

Q 'A wheelie bad idea' I have received court proceedings summonsing me to court for “not being in proper control of my motorcycle” and “driving without due care and attention”. I was apparently recorded pulling two wheelies on the same road by a police van parked in a lay-by. The summons refers to two counts of each offence, presumably one for each wheelie. Is there anything I can do to defend the charges or should I just accept guilt? I accept that I did do it. Alex, email A You are fortunate that you are being charged with driving without due care and attention. A wheelie is a specified example of the offence of “dangerous driving”. That is a more serious offence and the consequences can be severe. An early guilty plea…

'When I got into a racing crouch, my jeans split! It was a bit embarrassing' Happy New Year! This year's got off to a pretty exciting start as I've been signed up to do another biking stunt job for a forthcoming production. Although I can't say much about it (and to be honest, I don't even know what it's called as it's all referred to in codenames) but what I do know is it will involve going on a long-haul flight and being away for 17 days this month, so it's all very intriguing. The stunt work originally came about in 2014 as a direct result of me competing at the TT. I got contacted by a production team who were looking for a female who could ride fast, mountain…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Reader John Young The ride Morocco and back How many miles? Around 2800 Tell us about the trip… I'd been down to the Sahara with a few friends in February and then up to Nordcapp in July, but I'd been to both places lots of times before and I'd used my modern Hinckley Explorer, so that was no adventure. My big trips that I'd planned for the 1969 T150 had to be postponed (I'm off to Australia, God willing, in 2025 on the T150) and it was August time and apart from a trip to Germany in January, I'd been nowhere much on any of my “proper” bikes (OHV BSA/Triumph triples). On the spur of the moment I caught a ferry to Santander with no…

GET PROTECTED WITH MCN – AT MCNCOMPARE.COM £1500-£3900 KTM RC390 • 2014-2021 • 43.4bhp / 25.8lb.ft • 157kg (kerb) £2800-£5500 Honda CB500X • 2013-2023 • 46.9bhp / 31.7lb.ft • 199kg (kerb) £2000-£5000 BMW G310R • 2016-current • 33.5bhp / 20.7lb.ft • 158.5kg (kerb) So exciting and vibrant is the current A2-legal class, it's now more tempting than ever to downsize and take advantage of the lower running costs, lightweight handling and sheer fun-factor delivered by this breed of bikes. And for those looking to get on two wheels, although the structure of the A2 licensing laws is frustrating and off-putting for new riders, if you persist and battle through the bureaucracy, there really has been no better time to hold a restricted licence. With the choice of models now as…

FIRST RIDE The Speed Twin is no longer Hinckley's entry-level roadster (the Speed 400 takes care of Triumph's rookie punters now), so it's gained a little more edge on the dynamic side. There's also a host of stylistic changes that don't materially change the offering, but have cumulatively made it a slicker and more appealing thing to look at, too. The price has risen by £400, though there's enough spec and extra gadgets to account for that: but the bike's simplistic, joyful feel was always its key selling point. Have the changes added to, or diluted the Speed Twin's winning formula? 1 Given a lift There's a new, flatter bench seat atop a slimmer subframe that contributes to a sleeker look, but also raises the seat height by 15mm to…

READ OUR LATEST IN-DEPTH KIT REVIEWS Go online now: www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-kit RATINGS Exceptional Very good Good Average Poor 5 months ON TEST Squire Massiv Padlock & Chain £199.99 'Gold standard kit' Tested by Adam Oldfield for five months When you leave your bike during the day for work, or at night when you have reached your destination, you want to feel assured that it's safe, secure, and going to be there when you return. There shouldn't be any niggles or seeds of doubt that your pride and joy may be vulnerable to opportunists. Well, seeds of doubt be gone; no more anxiety with this hefty ally. The Squire Massiv chain is exactly that, massive. Weighing in at 5.52kg, and 1.2m in length with a chain thickness of 14mm, it's hard to…

Saving you money on essential bike maintenance BRUCE DUNN MCN's expert technician 1 Know what to look for Brake pads only have a certain lifespan as the friction material on them gradually wears out from general usage. It's common for pads to have wear grooves (much like wear indicators on a tyre) and when the groove is worn flush it's time to change the pads – alternatively, you can check the pad minimum thickness in your bike's manual. 2 Undo the caliper Apply gaffer tape to protect the paint on the rim. Work on one side at a time and always keep one caliper mounted on the disc, because you will need to move the pistons back and forth – with both calipers removed, you run the risk of running out of…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Going behind the scenes in the MotoGP race paddock Commentators bring the excitement and stories from the race track to your living rooms each season. They might make it sound easy, but nothing could be further from the truth. MCN sat down with TNT Sports' dynamic duo Gavin Emmett and Neil Hodgson to discuss their role within MotoGP and find out what life in the box is really like. Preparation is key Emmett is the lead commentator, the journalist who has been telling the stories for over 20 years. Hodgson is the expert ex-racer, on-hand to share thoughts and explain what's happening from a rider's point of view. Both have different ways of preparing for the race weekend. “I'm reading relentlessly; I'm a devourer of everything across every…

JOSH CLOSE INSIGHT Going behind the headlines in the MotoGP paddock The role of crew chief is one of the most important within a racing team, no matter what championship or discipline. They're the person closest to the rider. The rider's first port of call each time they return to the garage during a session, and after it. The debriefs are crucial to determining what changes should be made to the bike in order to progress. Frankie Carchedi is one of the most experienced in the MotoGP paddock, winning the title with Joan Mir in 2020, and working with Marc Marquez last season at Gresini. He sat down with MCN to discuss this pivotal role. How do you become a crew chief? “After university I was going to go to F1,…

MICHAEL GUY INSIGHT Bringing you the latest news from 2025 Dakar Rally DAKAR IN NUMBERS* *At end of Stage 2 Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Official withdrawals . . . . . . . . . . 5 LEADER'S TIME Daniel Sanders . . . . 16h 10m 31s LAST PLACE Jatin Jain . . . . . . . . 98h 44m 55s (including 58h 15m of time penalties) 'It slammed me into the sand face first' JAMES HILLIER James Hillier was helicoptered out of Dakar after crashing heavily 290km in to stage one of the gruelling event. The WTF Racing rider suffered a broken nose in the crash and was forced by the medical…

It's been a fairy tale start to Dakar 2025 by Australian Daniel Sanders onboard his Factory Red Bull KTM, with the 30-year-old winning each and every stage of the race so far. Sanders has form of coming out of the blocks quickly and won last year's Prologue but has stepped it up again in 2025 by winning stage one, which he then backed up with an emphatic victory on the brutal 947km Chrono stage which was run non-stop over two days. As a result he enjoys a not insignificant overall lead of over 12m from the chasing pack. There is, of course, a very long way to go in what is already turning out to be a tough Dakar in terms of not only terrain, but long stages and navigation.…

MAT OXLEY INSIGHT Former IoM TT winner turned MotoGP tech expert TECH INSIGHT Part 4 of 5 Next week: Yamaha KTM had one vital upgrade for the 2024 championship – its name was Pedro Acosta. The stellar rookie was the only non-Ducati rider who regularly took it to the Desmosedici horde, easily out-performing KTM's more experience riders, scoring five podiums, four more than KTM's other three riders put together. In 2025, Acosta joins Brad Binder in the Red Bull factory team. KTM had high hopes for 2024. The RC16 was mega-fast on the straights (Binder achieved the best top speed of the year: 226.6mph, at Mugello) but KTM ended the season with fewer than half the constructors points scored by Ducati. And without an all-important win. Binder started 2024 well, chasing…

A Department for Transport (DfT) consultation has been launched online, proposing to shift the phase-out dates of new combustion car and van sales to 2030. The document was launched by the Government on Christmas Eve and has been produced in response to previous Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak who pushed the cut-off date for new petrol and diesel four-wheelers back to 2035 ahead of losing power. “In the move away from combustion vehicles to those powered by electricity, the automotive sector is almost uniquely placed in its ability to deliver huge cuts in carbon emissions, and to deliver them quickly,” a statement read. “All new cars and vans will need to be 100% zero emission by 2035. And no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030.” 'Nobody in…

Royal Enfield look to be gearing up for a larger new Himalayan 650, powered by the firm's tried and tested 648cc parallel twin engine. Used in six bikes in the range, including the Shotgun, Super Meteor, and Classic 650, it already meets Euro5+, and would likely arrive in a larger Himmy producing the A2 licence-capping 47bhp. Spotted in southern Europe, this new development bike looks almost production ready – wearing its indicators, mirrors, and number plate bracketry in what appears to be homologation specification. This being an Enfield test model, there's also the signature sari guard over the rear wheel (required for the Indian market), with the engine casings and architecture clearly recognisable as based on the brand's existing air/oil-cooled design. Great expectations We've been anticipating a larger capacity Himalayan…

Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service (LEBBS) covered more than 180,000 miles in 2024, delivering life-saving medication and transporting biological samples to support the NHS-that's almost 60,000 miles more than the previous year. LEBBS were able to increase their output thanks to an updated fleet, which was paid for by sponsors, grants and public donations. Morocco calling A 2020-mile adventure route through Morocco has been mapped out, with a network of trails and remote roads spanning the North African country. Created by overlanders Chris Scott and Ed Gill, the Trans Morocco Trail starts in Nador on the Mediterranean, before heading south to cross the Rekkam plateau, then looping between the Atlas Mountains and the Saharan outskirts to finish on the Atlantic. Fancy it? Visit transmoroccotrail.org now. Happy new year, happy New…

Moto Guzzi love an anniversary and for 2025 they have chosen to honour the 200th birthday of the Stelvio Pass. The Stelvio Duecento Tributo is effectively a Stelvio equipped with PFF Rider Assistance Solution radar technology, plus a special paint job and a selection of Guzzi accessories as standard. As well as radar-assisted cruise control, the PFF package brings with it forward collision warning, lane change assist and blind spot information. The Duecento Tributo also features heated grips, comfort seats, a centrestand, tyre pressure monitors, an up/down quickshifter and connectivity via Guzzi's MIA platform, plus unique paint. 'Each bike's unique number is on the clamp' According to Guzzi the livery is 'inspired by natural elements' with the white reflecting snow and the blue and red being popular mountaineering clothing colours.…

• Save £££s on Devitt Insurance MCN London Motorcycle Show entry with our ticket offer! • Tickets are just £26.50 until midnight on February 13. PLUS! Free indoor motorcycle parking. • Need refuelling? Get a pie and a pint for £8. • Meet Spanish MotoGP ace Pedro Acosta, see thrilling flat track racing, check out the latest new bikes and timeless classics, browse premium bike gear at great prices and much more! • Be part of the action and book your advance tickets today at www.mcnmotorcycleshow.com…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com…

Q My 15-year-old son really wants to be a bike mechanic. What tips can you give to get him going? Steve Sandiford, email A When I started, I applied for a motorcycle mechanics course at the local college, which was great because they had bikes there that you could get hands-on with. My course was three years long and you got a vocational qualification out of it. But these days there are online courses that you can do, which seem very affordable – I think one's only £20 – and that would give a brilliant starting point, especially if you teamed it up with getting a cheap bike of your own that you can practice on. Then, while you're doing that, consider trying to get work experience at a local dealer; if they…

1 January 11-12 Winter Classic Get the year started right and surround yourself with some serious metal this weekend. Held at Newark Showground (NG24 2NY) tickets are £13 in advance, or £16 on the gate. Kids go free, and with scooter world, autojumble, trade stalls, club stands, and guests of honour Wayne Gardner and Roger Marshall, there's plenty to keep you occupied. www.classicbikeshows.com/newark 2 January 3-17 Dakar The world toughest off-road race is in full swing and who knows how things are going to pan out. Will it be Ricky Brabec at the top of the board? Will Daniel Sanders pull it out the bag? Or maybe Kevin Benavides has got it sorted. You can watch the action on Red Bull TV and Eurosport. www.dakar.com 3 January 12 Chilly Willy charity ride With…

'You'll feel the nimble chassis' The 2025 Speed Twin has a bit more sporty verve, as befits the name, thanks to the new chassis, but if you're not into attacking apexes and prefer a quiet life on two wheels, you'll still feel the benefit from the more nimble, communicative chassis for more sedate riding. The re-worked bike is also better looking, and boasts superior electronics than the machine it replaces. There's even an argument it renders the Speed 1200 redundant: it does the charming, fun retro thing just as well, if you don't need the outright performance. THE FACTS £9195 Triumph Speed Twin 900…

THE FACTS 'They were having fun like it was a ride at an amusement park.' As far as icons go, this one is hard to top. Just think back; did you ever have the chance to wake up one Christmas or a birthday, only to be greeted by a PW50 waiting for you to twist that throttle in anger? You know, chucking on some baggy kit and feeling the anticipation of finally being let loose on two wheels? Because thousands of kids across the globe have felt that sensation and have started their two-wheeled journey on the legendary little Yamaha PW50. In fact, it could easily be filed as one of the most important bikes of the last 70 years, considering how many it has inspired to ride, and the…

MCN's website has expert opinion and buying advice on hundreds of used bikes, regularly updated and packed with insight. Here are three of the latest – visit motorcyclenews.com for many more. 2018-2024 Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 Owners' rating The old air-cooled model is loved by owners. It's a touch basic and lacking in flashy kit but it's reliable, charming and very, very, easy-going. 2021-CURRENT Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R Owners' rating With Kawasaki's WSBK team changed to Bimota, you have to assume the writing is on the wall. Owners who have reviewed the current model rate it highly – but would like a fuel gauge! 2016-CURRENT Suzuki SV650 Owners' rating While not Euro5+ Suzuki haven't confirmed the SV will be killed off. Aside from its lack of equipment, it scores very highly.…

Some people are willing to go to truly extreme lengths to keep their bikes running, all without spending a penny on maintenance – even attempting to fix an exhaust with nothing more than a tin can and an old nail. Mark Stanford, owner of Edinburgh-based repair centre, Mark 1 Motorcycles, recalls the occasion when one customer presented his Chinese scooter, sporting a pipe that was more than a little past its best. “It amazes me how these things can be so bad,” said Stanford. “The customer came in with his exhaust hanging off, asking me if I could fix it. “He'd wrapped a bean can around it to try to stop the leak and keep it held together, then used a nail to hang it in place. Unfortunately, a nail…

Emmett “Be clear, spell things out because not everyone is an expert. Prepare! You're not going into any race with a blank bit of paper. It's not a script, but you're just giving yourself notes. You can't prepare for a last lap battle. You can have ideas in your head of the event you're witnessing, but just be prepared in terms of knowledge. “In my case it's working with co-commentators, pundits and experts; they're the experts. They know how to ride. I would never tell somebody whether they've ridden badly or not, or how they've done something on a motorcycle. That's not my job. My job is to tell the story how I see it as a journalist.” Hodgson “I feel I'm still learning and improving. It's like being a…

2000 Neil Hodgson (GSE Racing INS Ducati) – BSB Champion (7 wins / 17 podiums) Carchedi was in the thick of it as Neil Hodgson and Chris Walker went to war on and off the circuit for the 2000 BSB crown. A blow up for Walker in the final race saw Hodgson crowned champion onboard the Ducati 996. 2005 Gregorio Lavilla (GSE Racing Airwaves Ducati) – BSB Champion (7 wins / 22 podiums) Carchedi was the man behind Gregorio Lavilla's title-winning BSB year in 2005. Despite it being his maiden campaign, the Spaniard beat Ryuichi Kiyonari by 32 points. 2009 Leon Camier (GSE Racing Airwaves Yamaha) – BSB Champion (19 wins / 22 podiums) GSE Racing switched to Yamaha for 2009 and found instant success with Leon Camier, who Carchedi would later work…

It's a real shame about James Hillier. I re-read my last column a couple of days ago where I said Dakar is like putting your hand in a snake pit – and it looks like he's the one that got bitten. It was looking good for James, racing the Kove with his road racing team. The plan was to tick the boxes and get another Dakar finish – but it wasn't to be. It's a nasty injury, too. Painful and pretty unnerving when you just don't stop bleeding. James is a good looking bloke, but I think it's fair to say that Dakar has left its mark. Every time he looks in the mirror he's going to think how that rock got him. It may seem a bit harsh but…

There is one massive question mark over the performance of KTM's RC16 in 2025: will the bike even be on the grid (see p4-5)? KTM insists that the team will race, but the decision isn't in KTM's hands, it's in the hands of the financial restructuring administrators and creditors. These bodies will have their next big meeting to decide the future of the company and its racing projects on February 25, the Monday before the season-opening Thai GP! Therefore the Austrian brand's financial woes – which include debts of around three billion Euros – could yet end all dreams of winning motorcycling's biggest prize. Of course, even if the restructuring administrators decide that KTM cannot afford to continue racing in MotoGP, an outside investor could step in to buy the…