Table of contents for 12 July 2023 in MCN

French firm DAB Motors and Peugeot Motorcycles have announced a partnership that will bring together their tech knowledge to target the electric motorcycle sector. DAB Motors will provide know-how in electric motorcycle design while Peugeot will contribute expertise and global distribution network. As part of this collaboration, Peugeot have made a substantial new investment in DAB Motors, and now own the majority stake in the company, which will allow the serial production of the DAB Concept-E, a 125cc equivalent supermotostyle machine. “The primary driving force behind our collaboration lies in the DAB brand promise – to provide thrills on wheels to bold humans,” said Sebastien Mas, President of Peugeot Motorcycles. “This powerful commitment has led us to recognise the necessity of venturing into the electric realm, building upon our legacy…

WHAT'S NEW IN TECH? BMW are taking rider tech to the next level, launching head -up display (HUD) glasses to beam key data straight into your line of sight. The ConnectedRide smartglasses are worn as a regular pair under a helmet and sync with the BMW Motorrad Connected smartphone app to project speed, navigation instructions and gear selection into your peripheral vision. They come with two swappable lenses as standard (clear and tinted) and there's an RX adapter allowing them to be adjusted by +/-4.5 diopters for glasses wearers. HIGHLIGHTS • BMW launch HUD specs • Compatible with both clear and tinted visors • Choose info you want to see They're claimed to be the first manufacturer-supported smart eyewear available for motorcyclists and are designed to ensure riders spend less…

OUT AND ABOUT Ride further in 2023 with a little help from our one-stop event guide JUST BREW IT Ride out to Britain's best biking cafés THE DETAILS • Noon ‘til late. Opens at 10am on weekends, Thurs bike night • Pavilion Terrace, Burnhope, Durham DH7 0DN W ith its welcoming atmosphere, fabulous vibe, and fantastic food, Durham hotspot the Garage Bar & Grille has helped fill the gap in the North East's biking scene left by the loss of the famous Hartside Café. “We've been open for six years now,” says co-owner Terry Clarke. “I owned a selection of classic cars and bought the place to put them on display for car clubs and bike clubs. But we realised there was no pub in the village. We decided we…

What's happening One of the most prestigious motoring events in the UK, this year's FoS is celebrating MotoGP in a big way, with a star-studded line up of both legends from yesteryear and today's GP heroes, along with their incredible racing prototypes. Not only that, but with the hill climb, forest rally stage, Red Arrows and of course, plenty of racing, there's also loads of highoctane action to enjoy as well as stalls, entertainment, the chance to meet your heroes and much more. The essentials Tickets are limited. As MCN went to press there were only Thursday tickets available. Admission starts from £60 each, but you get free parking, and kids can go for free. For more information check out www.goodwood.com…

A splinter of scarlet splits the greyscale of the Silverstone scenery, the ‘Lenovo’ logo across the back of his kangaroo-skin leathers my only focal point. “Do not look through the corner, for now you are not riding for yourself. You must keep your eyes locked onto my tail. Trust me.” Who was I to ignore direction from the man credited as helping return Ducati back to winning ways in MotoGP? I make the leap of faith and barrel in… Factory MotoGP test rider, Michele Pirro is just one of the star instructors on hand today, as Ducati bring their acclaimed Ducati Riding Experience programme to UK shores for the first time. A huge success in Italy where it's been running for the past 20 years, the DRE comprises a package…

FIRST RIDE Fantic's single-cylinder Caballeros are everything you'd hope from a neo-retro scrambler – light, easy to ride, with personality from a punchy four-stroke thumper. And anything powered by Yamaha's 689cc ‘CP2’ parallel-twin seems to be a winner – the MT-07, Tracer, Ténéré and XSR have all sold in droves. So when Fantic announced a Caballero 700, we expected a corker from this Italian-Japanese collaboration… but that's not quite how it's turned out. There's more to building a retro-themed bike than spec-sheet engineering. Outright performance isn't the priority – it's capturing the feel and entering the mindset of these bikes. The 500cc Caballeros nail that, and in the multi-cylinder class, Ducati's Scramblers are still hard to beat. They're easy-going if you're just out for a potter or heading to work,…

Last month, Harley-Davidson celebrated their 120th anniversary by hosting one of the biggest parties Budapest has ever seen, with many (me included) riding thousands of miles from the UK and beyond to be there. But why do people feel compelled to make the pilgrimage? “I loved the ride here, going through Europe and trying all the different towns, cities, countries,” says Emma Poole, Ladies of Harley Officer, Wolfruna Chapter UK. “It's also great to talk to all different people. I joined HOG when I was 19 as my dad always used to ride Harleys. But as soon as I could get my bike licence, he said I couldn't! So, I put it on my mum's credit card and did it on my lunch break at work. Then I bought my…

BUYING USED EXPERT GUIDE TO Blisteringly fast when requested, these high-speed tourers are also sporty enough to enjoy on twisty mountain roads while delivering comfort, luggage-carrying capacity and relaxed riding positions to help ease your journey. And not just for the rider, for a pillion as well, because touring is an experience best shared. If you are looking at exploring further afield this summer, one of these big-value machines could make for your ideal travelling companion. And there are some bargains to be had. £4000-£8500 ’08-’17 Kawasaki 1400GTR Go further on Team Green's over-looked grand tourer The 1400GTR hyper-tourer never really caught the imagination of the bike buying public. Stacked with well thought-out tech and powered by a much-loved ZZR1400-based engine, the GTR is superb at smashing out the miles and…

Former racer, IoM TT winner and MotoGP tech expert Turn to p62-63 for more… MotoGP hasn't known this kind of domination since the final days of the 500cc two-strokes and the earliest days of the 990cc fourstrokes, with Honda's NSR500 and RC211V. As factories prepare for the second part of the season, starting with the British Grand Prix in early August, here's a recap of the technical happenings during the first part of the year. The story is utter Ducati domination: victory in all but one of the eight GPs so far, three-quarters of all podium positions and five of the top six championship positions, taken by a selection of Ducati's eight riders. Aprilia and KTM are chasing hard, but they're not there yet, while Honda and Yamaha are in…

ROUND 5 SNETTERTON | BSB Leon Haslam returned to form at Snetterton by adding another two podiums to his extensive collection in British Superbikes. The ROKiT BMW rider, still struggling with the effects of a shoulder injury sustained in the Knockhill test last month, was plagued by bike gremlins on two occasions on Saturday, causing him to retire from race one. Haslam recovered on Sunday, storming through from 15th to fifth in race two before taking advantage of the red flag to take the fight to PBM's Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin after the restart. He'd do the same in race three, showcasing the potential of the M1000RR. Haslam wasn't left behind on the straights and was able to hold his own against the runaway title contenders. A pair of…

It didn't take long for Tito Rabat to prove his doubters wrong at Snetterton with the 2014 Moto2 World Champion putting in a very impressive debut with McAMS Yamaha. The news of his signing for Snetterton and Brands Hatch was met with negativity, with some questioning why the team didn't pick a young rider. Rabat soon silenced the critics, finishing fifth in FP1, before topping Q1 and then putting his R1 on the front row of the grid on Saturday. Two top 10 results followed, and the 34 year old learnt first-hand what it's like to battle towards the front of BSB.…

WELCOME Every time we give in to the grin-inducing allure of big retro inline-fours from Japan I find myself getting very conflicted. There's no doubt that the bulk of the attraction is the push-button ease of jumping on board and riding into the sunset with the relatively certain knowledge that you'll make it back again without needing to top up the oil, call the AA, or wash the rich whiff of unburned hydrocarbons out of all your kit. But for all the pleasure I get from time in the saddle, I've never quite succumbed to buying one. And this week's big test of the new Katana, CB1000R and Z900RS has made me wonder (all over again) why their easy desirability has never inspired me to add one to the collection.…

A close family friend of former MCN Editor Bob Berry, who died from throat cancer on April 13 aged 73, is gearing up to run a half marathon in his name, to raise money for charity. Andy Godfrey, 46, from the Midlands, is attempting the Newark Half Marathon on Sunday, August 13 in order to raise money for the Palliative Care Team in Portugal, who looked after Bob, and his wife Tammy Berry, at the end of his life. “I was overwhelmed when Andy asked if I would mind him doing this run in Bob's name,” Tammy said. “The money was always going to be for the Palliative Care Team here, I doubt we could have received better care anywhere. Other family members have done fundraising for cancer charities in…

BMW are offering women riders free places at this year's UK GS Trophy Qualifier in a bid to widen the event's appeal. The normal price is £249. In much the same way as previous years, the September 8-10 event is open to all skill levels and takes in a range of on- and off-road challenges, as well as tests of practicality, teamwork, and navigation. Set within the 4000 acre off-road Walters Arena, participants are expected to ride their own bike on the tarmac, with off-road GSs then provided by the Off Road Skills team. Women riders can email bmw@worldofbmw.com for free entry, with more info at offroadskills.com.…

Created by two kiwi inventors in a shed in New Zealand, a new range of two-wheel drive machines have been built to tackle tough terrains without the noise of petroldriven alternatives. And they are on sale in the UK now. Starting at £4499 for the 2x2 Work and climbing to £4999 for the 2x2 Adventure, both offer a range of up to 75 miles. Although the motors and chassis parts are the same, only the Adventure can be ridden on the road, with the Work designed as a workhorse for use on farmland. Providing power is a lkW brushless DC air-cooled motor on each wheel, with a top speed of around 30mph. Designed more for slow, steady traction over obstacles, there are multiple removable battery capacity options – with a…

Send your trips to yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Readers Biff, Sexy Steve & Ricardo aka Unde Darkness The Ride London to the ‘Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans’ for the MotoGP France 2023 (the 1000th GP celebration weekend) When to do it May How many miles 600 How long do you need A weekend Tell us about the trip Rarely do you get to see bikes so far outnumber cars on the road, it's genuinely a highly recommended experience to ride to a MotoGP race at least once in your life. Le Mans is particularly camping friendly too! Setting off from London we took the overnight ferry from Portsmouth. The direct return route from Le Mans to Caen ferry port took us through the regional national park of Normandie-Maine – lots of very…

HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI…

BIKING LEGENDS People who have shaped our world Without Thierry Sabine one of the world's biggest and most challenging events, the Dakar Rally, would never have existed. Sabine created the first Paris-Dakar Rally in 1979 and through PR skill and force of personality grew it into a global phenomenon. And yet, if not for a chance, near-death experience in 1977, it might never have happened. Born June 13, 1949, to a wealthy family, Sabine's father was a dentist in Le Touquet and occasional rally driver, his mother a Paris antiques dealer. After graduating in marketing and advertising, Sabine became a moderately successful racing driver, winning France's 1974 GT series, competing in world rally and racing the Le Mans 24 hours between 1975 and 1977. By then he'd had his first…

“The Racetrack Academy has just started here in the UK and our intention is for it to continue and also make it bigger by adding more dates. And who knows, also in the future we may look at doing two days not just one. But this is a long-term project and this is something that will happen in the years to come,” says Fabrizio Cazzoli, MD of Ducati UK. “The second step is the touring element of DRE, the travel experience, and considering our product range it makes a lot of sense. This will fit perfectly in the UK. In terms of the Road experience, maybe this is step three. We are very proud of the performance of our motorcycles and we want people to be able to experience what…

Alluring aluminium Odds are any curious bystanders will remark on the machined aluminium-alloy swingarm pivot plates, or the matching top yoke. They're a touch of class rarely seen on sub-£10k machines. No parts-bin tat Every bracket, ancillary and sundry item is either Fantic-specific or so well chosen it looks at home. The smart LED tail light and leather seat cover complement the overall styling job. Simply comprehensive dash Small but easy to glance at, with a minimal display that's also easily controlled through the switchgear to cycle through trip computer readouts, or dive into the menus.…

1903 – the birth of Harley-Davidson After experimenting with single-cylinder engines on bicycles, William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson adopted a small engine with a belt drive. By 1903 the first HarleyDavidson was born (and sold) in a shed at the bottom of Davidson's garden. 1908 – The first HarleyDavidson dealer In Chicago, helped by businessman Carl H Lang, the bikes were in their first shop windows. Lang led rides around the city, the first steps of the Harley community. 1914 – A racing breed? After small races and endurance competitions, in 1914 H-D entered motorcycle racing with the team known as the ‘Wrecking Crew’ as they dominated the sport. 1915 – Model J Initially the Model J was engineered for military service. The Model J began to be sold…

EDZ MERINO WOOL CAMI £29.99 1000 miles ON TEST Riding through all seasons it's vital to layer dress and starting from the inside out has to be the key. This super-soft merino wool camisole is a new firm favourite and I've worn it throughout last winter and into spring. I've worn gear from the guys at EDZ for years and this is up to their usual quality, although it is a little pricey. The fit is perfect, there are adjustable shoulder straps and having been through the wash on numerous occasions it's never become mishapen. At 5ft 10in I do have a long body and often find cheaper garments don't come up long enough, not the case here, there's ample material to tuck in my pants, keeping chilly draughts at…

Owns a Ducati 996, a Laverda Mirage project, and a 276bhp ZX-7R turbo. Michael left his KTM in the MCN shed while he took some time off: if you don't nail a good bike down around here, it'll be on the move soon enough… I had (and loved) a Super Duke 1290 R back in 2018, so the unused Adventure R was the perfect bike to nick for a trip to the Lake District with three friends on comparable adventure bikes. Some of that Super Duke spirit came through as soon as I reached the first national speed limit: next to the imperious R1250GS, the super-serious Multistrada V4 and the gentlemanly Triumph Tiger 1200 in our posse, the Austrian contender is a mischievous blighter: lighter, punchier and generally sportier than…

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 more advice and deals. 2021-CURRENT Yamaha Tracer 9 Owners’ rating Despite its updated engine and electronics, owners seem a little disappointed by the latest Tracer model. A lack of equipment and poor screen prevent it from scooping five out of five. 2018-2022 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX Owners’ rating Kawasaki's pricey supercharged sports tourer has a lot of fans. Owners rate it highly, only really criticising its value when compared to its rivals where it scores a fairly low 3.9 out of five. 2019-CURRENT KTM 1290 Super Duke GT Owners’ rating KTM's spirited sports-tourer has a dedicated fanbase, however reliability is an…

For the second consecutive race weekend in a row, Christian Iddon was able to fight back towards the front in BSB, securing a pair of fifths either side of an eighth in race two on his Oxford Products Ducati. He said: “We're looking for podiums but we're not quite there yet. We're massively better than where we were at the start of the year. It's starting to feel like a bike I can use to its potential.” Hectic Blade debut Franco Bourne's Superbike debut with Honda was certainly an eventful one. After finishing 19th on Saturday, ahead of Peter Hickman, Bourne retired in Sunday's opening race, with his clutch starting to slip after he over-revved the bike at the restart. He then ended the weekend in hospital after sustaining a…

Danny Kent returned to form at Snetterton with a pair of sixth places in the opening two races of the weekend. The Lovell Kent Racing Honda rider has been on a disappointing run of form recently, with four retirements in the last seven races. However, the 2015 Moto3 World Champion was back in the mix at the weekend, and was comfortable inside the top six fighting against the podium contenders – as he did in the season opener at Silverstone when he bagged a season best of fifth after briefly leading. Fellow privateer Honda rider Charlie Nesbitt secured a best result of ninth, but finished inside the points in all three races.…

Glenn Irwin's weekend didn't go quite as smoothly as his seriesleading teammate, but by Sunday evening he'd secured his ninth podium of 2023 and understood what he needs to work on. Irwin is now 25 points behind Bridewell after taking two fourths and a second in Norfolk. Problems on Friday cost Irwin time, with the Ducati man admitting: “Saturday was the start of our weekend.” “I know it has long straights, but there's a lot of this track which is difficult for the Ducati against the BMW and Yamaha,” Irwin said. “Those bikes are better on the edge of the tyre and there's a lot of that. “At Knockhill we didn't expect the bike to be amazing and here, we probably did expect it to be amazing, and for sure,…

THIS WEEK TOP STORY With just over a month before London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) is extended to all boroughs, a challenge into its legality has been mounted in the High Court. The expansion, announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan last November, is due to be introduced on August 29, and will see anyone entering the zone charged £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles, including motorcycles, in an attempt, says the mayor, to improve air quality in the city. HIGHLIGHTS ● Four boroughs plus Surrey County Council bring case ● Judge is expected to issue ruling before the end of July The charge mostly affects older vehicles. With bikes produced after 2007 meeting Euro 3 to Euro 6 being exempt. The problem is that many commuters use older machines to…

BEATING BIKE CRIME Statistics compiled by the Motorcycle Industry Association from Police National Computer data have revealed a 2.6% drop in bike thefts to May this year, compared with 2022. In that time, 9492 powered two-wheelers were stolen, which equates to 63 per day, with 58% classified as motorcycles, and the rest being scooters and quads. Greater Manchester Police have recorded their largest drop, seeing 24.9% fewer than last year, with an average of 4.2 two-wheelers stolen every day, down from 5.6 in 2022. The Met Police have also put the brakes on motorcycle crime, seeing their figures drop to an average of 26.1 bikes taken every day, down from 31.6. Police statistics from forces in Kent (21.5%), Essex (5.1%) and Hampshire (22.2%) all showed a decline in year-to-date motorcycle…

Harley-Davidson boss Jochen Zeitz says the firm aren't ruling anything out as the motorcycle industry moves towards more sustainable practices to tackle climate change. Speaking at an exclusive Q&A session during the firm's recent 120th anniversary celebrations in Budapest, the Chairman, President, and CEO spoke of the difficulties facing electric design – with design teams hamstrung by the lack of storage space available onboard. “We're not the industry that sells trillions of cars every year,” Zeitz said. “It's a much more niche industry in motorcycling and it's much more complicated. “It's almost like being in the plane business,” he continued. “Cars are relatively easy in comparison, but with motorcycles you only have two wheels, and you have less space to cram all that technology into a little battery and powertrain…

Kriega Rollpacks from £129 These new universal rollpacks from British brand Kriega are constructed from durable 420D Cordura and promised to be fully waterproof with a roll-top closure at both ends. They can be fitted to virtually any machine and come in either 20 or 40 litre capacity. kriega.com Oxford Stormland £399.99 jacket/ £299.99 pants CE AA rated waterproof and breathable tri-laminate shell, with Level 2 armour at the shoulder and elbow. Boasts 10 ventilation zones and a removable Polartec liner. oxfordriderwear.com Pyramid Handguards for Honda Hornet £109.99 Produced by UK firm Pyramid Plastics, they're available in low-profile matte black, and come with a bracket kit, bar end set and all the fixings for a swift and fuss-free installation. pyramid-plastics.co.uk Zerofit Cold Skin and Ice Weave Base Layers from £45…

Send your first bike pics to: yourpics@motorcyclenews.com Here I am aged 20, had the bike for 14 years… I am now 65 and riding Triumphs and Aprilia RSVs. Chris Powell This was 1986 and that is my Z1300, defo a few stories, but won't bore you! Plus a mate's Ford Cortina MK3. Rod Preece My second bike with a spray job done by a friend, sadly this bike ceased to be sometime around 1982. Mark Stroud I'd spent a whole month learning to ride on a Kawasaki Z250C but needed something faster. James Tumeth The picture is me and my dad on the day I got my first big bike, a 2006 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. Mike Fabris This is my very first Bonneville, a T140VI bought aged 18. Since…

1 July 15 Kempton Park Autojumble Standard ticket is £6 online or (£7 on the gate). Get jumbling! kemptonautojumble.co.uk 2 July 15-16 Suzuki Live Classics, racers and more at Cadwell Park. classicbiketrackdays.com/suzuki-live-2023 3 July 16 Classic Car and Bike Show 700+ vehicles are expected at to Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire. classicshows.org 4 July 15 RWYB Want to take on the quartermile? Now is your chance with a Run What Ya Brung this Saturday at Santa Pod, Northants. santapod.co.uk…

WEDNESDAY July 12 1pm, BTS3, MotoGP Films: Science of Survival FRIDAY July 14 9.20am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Imola, Italy: Free Practice 1.1.50pm, Free Practice 2 8pm, ITV4, The Motorbike Show SATURDAY July 15 8.30am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Imola, Italy: Supersport 300 Superpole. 9.15am, Supersport Superpole. 10am, Superbike Superpole. Supersport 300 Race 1.11.30pm Highlights 5.30pm, EUR2, Live Speedway Grand Prix from Mililla, Sweden SUNDAY July 16 9.30am, EUR2, Live World Superbikes from Imola, Italy: Superbike Superole. 11.15am Supersport Race 2 9.45am, BTS2, Live FIM JuniorGP Championship KEY TO CHANNELS: DRT - DISCOVERY REAL TIME DSC - DISCOVERY CHANNEL DHD - DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD EXS - EXTREME SPORTS CHANNEL EUR1 (2, HD) - EUROSPORT 1 (2, HD) MOT - MOTORSPORT.TV CH4 - CHANNEL 4 CH5 - CHANNEL FIVE BBC…

If our test bike trio gives you a sense of déjà vu, it's with good reason. All owe their existence to range-topping classics from the 1970s and ‘80s – although some more than others. Most obvious are the Suzuki and Kawasaki, which share model names with their inspirations. Kawasaki's Z1 ushered in the modern superbike age in 1972; a 903cc, dohc, inline four with a claimed 82bhp and genuine 130mph-plus potential. Those were big numbers, made all the more vivid by the Zed's ‘interesting’ handling. Fortunately, by the time the Z1 became the Z900A in 1976, Kawasaki had strengthened the frame and added an extra front disc brake. The Z900RS draws heavily on the original's style, right down to its teardrop clocks, two-tone paint and duck's arse tail. Heritage sells.…

“The first Dakar was set up by Thierry with the help of a few friends, his wife Diane and on a wing and a prayer,” Sabine's friend Frederic Harrewyn remembers. Which makes the start, on Boxing Day 1978, when 182 vehicles of all kinds lined up in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, all the more astonishing. Initially, as intended, most competitors were amateurs. On the bikes side only French Yamaha importer Sonauto entered a ‘works’ squad. Ahead of them all was 10,000 kilometres (6250 miles) through France, Algeria, Niger, Mali, Upper Volta (today Burkina Faso) to Dakar on the coast of Senegal. There were few paved roads, many dirt versions but mostly the sandy tracks across desert that could disappear in a gust of wind. Yamaha privateer, 21-year-old Cyril…

MCN READER'S VIEW Steve Clements, 65, Kent owns a Ducati Streetfighter V4SP, Panigale V4R and a Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak “I was never a Ducati fan, all my life I've always had Japanese bikes. But I've always wanted a streetfighter that has everything on it, and Ducati has that. So I was bought the SP as a present, and it grew from there – and the other two came along in the next few months. My wife suggested that I should I come here on the DRE so that I can learn to ride my own V4R rather than going around thinking I can ride it! “What can I say about Chaz! He's been absolutely amazing – so friendly and very good at explaining things. Just following him, he pulls…

Hoping to find the perfect blend of sporty performance and comfort. I once read that nobody actually knows the top speed of a cheetah because they only run as fast as they need to, not as fast as they can. I didn't want that to be the case with the BMW M1000R, so I headed to an airfield with MCN's Datalogger and speed tester, Bruce Dunn. Unfortunately, the day we turned up, there was some tarmac being laid and so we could only use a shortened version of the runway, but we were (well, Bruce was) still able to achieve some mindboggling figures from the BMW. Before all that, though, I headed to BSD Performance near Peterborough to get a more accurate answer than ‘enough’ to the question of ‘how…

If you want to fit new brake lines, a word of caution if your bike has ABS, as most bikes these days do: make sure you are confident in what you are doing. The steps in this How To are for a nonABS equipped bike, so if your bike has ABS you need to check the procedure in a workshop manual before you attempt to swap the lines, as there will be very specific steps relating to fitting the lines and bleeding the system, in particular. Some ABS bikes are relatively straightforward when it comes to changing the brake lines, the real problem starts when you start to bleed the whole system with fresh brake fluid. ‘Venhill can make up lines to suit any bike’ When it comes to buying…

ROUND 5 SNETTERTON | BSB It was hard not to feel sorry for Jason O'Halloran. For every fantastic move he made through corners like Coram and Riches, he quickly found himself back where he started after both the Bentley Straight and the start-finish straight. His Yamaha R1 is unable to match the straight-line speed of the Ducati, and also the BMW, which on occasion was able to prevent the red bikes from getting away. O'Halloran was a sitting duck as Bridewell, Irwin, Haslam and Brookes rode by him with ease. It shows, then, the quality that O'Halloran has that he was still able to bag a podium on Saturday, before coming home in fifth and sixth on Sunday. He certainly wasn't willing to give up positions without a fight through…