Table of contents for March 21st 2018 in MCN

1 Dovizioso is now 3-0 against Marquez It looked a few years ago like Marc Marquez could become a dominating force with few able to take the fight to the young Spaniard. But Andrea Dovizioso has stepped up to the mark and he’s now 3-0 up in winning last corner battles with the Honda rider. 2 The field is closer than ever Sunday’s race saw the closest ever premier class top 15, with the field covered by a mere 25 seconds, smashing the previous record set in 2017 and all despite the long fast Losail circuit normally spreading out the pack. 3 Satellite machinery is right in the mix With two satellite machines in the top five and Johann Zarco leading the race for two thirds of it it means…

Ducati on the up Ducati have announced that their sales are up despite a shrinking global market. Last year Ducati sold 55,871 motorcycles, 0.8% up on last year. Ducati say this lays a perfect foundation for further model development. Big old Scrambler Last week we brought you the news that Triumph are working on a 1200cc Scrambler but it seems they’ve been beaten to the punch. Reader Dave Webster built his own using a T100 as the base bike, modifying the suspension, brakes and exhaust. Get gaming Spanish company LeanGP have invented a simulator for biking computer games. The LeanGP is compatible with all the major consoles has already exceeded the crowdfunding goal. More info can be found here: tinyurl.com/y9lxqhsz It’s showtime The Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show has…

When Kawasaki unveiled the Ninja H2 and H2R in 2015, most assumed it was just a bit of corporate one-upmanship. What was the point of supercharging a litre bike already capable of over 200bhp? Surely it was just an attempt by to grab the headlines and prise open the wallets of rich customers? No. There was far more to it than that – both the H2 and the H2R were great machines and a sign of what was to come - a range of supercharged Kawasaki road bikes. This year sees the introduction of next generation of supercharged H2, the Ninja H2 SX. Not only does this sports-tourer bring supercharging closer to the masses with a £15K price tag, it could set the ball rolling for a whole new technology…

MEASURE TWICE, FIT ONCE Choose an anchor location then run your chain through it to your bike’s wheel to ensure it’s long enough. Clean the area and mark the fixing holes (NB some kits provide a template). DRILL SMALL HOLES FIRST Drill pilot holes of 6-8mm first to stop the bigger drill wandering. Measure the length of the rawlbolts and if the drill has a depth gauge, set it accordingly. Drill the larger holes. TAP IN THE RAWLBOLTS Clean the area and tap in the rawlbolts until flush. Position the anchor and insert the bolts a few turns. With all positioned, screw all bolts in evenly until they begin to tighten up. TIGHTEN AND PUNCH Tighten the bolts in turn then give them a final hard turn for extra strength.…

Q How do I choose an ultrasonic cleaner? I’ve picked up an early Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer that has sat outside for three years under a cover which I intend to convert from a sports tourer into a stripped down cafe racer. I’m considering saving some time and money by investing in an ultrasonic cleaning machine for the carbs, calipers, fixings and so on but there seems to be a baffling choice. Which would MCN recommend for an average garage spanner twirler? If it ends up being a good idea, I’ve plenty of biker mates who’d be tempted to use it for the price of a beer. Mike Brierley, email A Answered by Alan Seeley, Technical Editor, Practical Sportsbikes magazine You’re right – there are a bewildering array of ultrasonic cleaners…

Bargain lids from £59.99 MT’s new Targo helmet is on sale now with prices starting at a penny under £60 for plain colours and £69.99 for the Doppler and Interact schemes. Features include a Pinlock insert and a quick-release visor. www.tri-motive.com £200 off clothing or your CBT St Neots Motorcycles are offering £200 off either clothing or a CBT when you purchase a new Suzuki GSX-R125 or GSX-S125 in either the standard or GP paint schemes and extends to the 113cc Address scooter. The offer runs from now until the end of March. www.stneotsmotorcycles.com Win ferry trips with Ventura Anyone who purchases a Ventura Pack, L-Brackets and/or a Pack Rack between now and July 20 will be entered into a free prize draw to win a P&O Ferry voucher worth…

‘The whole Speed Triple range has been good for us. There hasn’t been a bad one since the original. But, when it turned to the one with the angular headlights it got a new lease of life. We sold an awful lot of them. ‘The engine is robust as hell. We hardly have any problems with them. There have been a few recalls. The headlight lenses crazed and there was also a recall on the regulator. So, as with any bike, if you’re buying privately give a dealer a ring to check nothing's outstanding. Even if there is, it’s all free of charge. ‘The drag links on rear suspension can seize up if not maintained properly, which will require taking apart and greasing and it can be a bit of…

Chilly Guadix After Monteblanco, Be Wiser Ducati, Honda Racing and JG Speedfit Kawasaki went to Guadix where poor weather again intervened. Leon Haslam was again quickest. Jerez washout Smiths BMW left their test at Jerez, which was a complete washout, and headed to Guadix to join the final day of the PBM/Kawasaki/Honda test before staying on at the picturesque circuit for a few more days. Tag livery unveiled TAG Racing confirmed Anvil Hire as their title sponsor again for 2018 with James Ellison and Shaun Winfield. The duo hit Donington last week before this week’s official test.…

Italian Francesco Bagnaia has got his second season in Moto2 off to a flying start by handing Valentino Rossi’s Sky Team their first win in the class, keeping his composure to fend off late a charge from Lorenzo Baldassarri. Leading from the early stages, Bagnaia was able to keep his cool as the sun warmed the Losail circuit with the result that fellow Rossi Academy member Baldassarri wasn’t able to get past despite an impressive ride to hunt Bagnaia down. “During pre-season, we were fast and strong and worked hard on race rhythm,” said Bagnaia. “It’s nice to share the podium with Balda, even if he did try to overtake me at the end. I was waiting for him to arrive and we had fun but I knew I could…

‘I had no brakes at all and was going fast towards a wall’JORGE LORENZO Former MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo’s hopes of taking his debut Ducati win ended in the gravel trap when he suffered brake failure and crashed out. “I could feel the front brake lever getting closer and closer to my fingers, and I needed to try and use less front and more rear to try and delay a problem that was getting worse lap by lap. Then I arrived into turn four, had no brakes at all, and was going very fast towards the wall, so I jumped off the bike to avoid hitting it.” After the race Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi was quick to point out that the problem wasn’t the squad’s fault – but says…

‘I won’t be happy if I’m not the obvious choice (to replace Pedrosa)’CAL CRUTCHLOW Cal Crutchlow has made it clear that his strong result in Sunday’s opening race of 2018 is simply the first move in his strategy to secure a factory Repsol Honda seat for 2019. By just missing out on a podium finish to Valentino Rossi, Crutchlow came home as the first satellite bike – but says that’s not enough for him in the future. Already on a contract directly with Honda and on an LCR machine that’s essentially the same as that of reigning champion Marc Marquez, Crutchlow has been motivated even more by the latest rumours linking Dani Pedrosa to other teams. And despite Johann Zarco also supposedly in the mix to replace Pedrosa, Crutchlow is…

‘I tried to fight back at them, but all the wolves behind us started to growl’VALENTINO ROSSI Valentino Rossi celebrated a new two-year extension to his Yamaha contract that will keep him racing until at least 2020 (as predicted by MCN in February) by taking an impressive podium at the opening race of 2018. Not quite able to deliver a challenge for the victory against rivals Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez despite being ultra-competitive all race long, the Movistar Yamaha racer was able to get his title campaign off to a solid start. He said: “It was a great fight. Last year I didn’t expect to make the podium, but this time I was more competitive. But you never know if you’ve got enough in you for a podium. I…

Crafar on the grid for electric future MotoGP’s all-new electric support series broke cover in Qatar at the weekend, with new commentator and former 500GP race winner Simon Crafar completing a demonstration lap on the Energica Ego that will make up the grid for the one-make class from next season. Michelin face Argentina GP challenge MotoGP tyre supplier Michelin could face a new challenge next time out in Argentina thanks to patches of the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit having been resurfaced since MotoGP last visited. Already one of the hottest and most abrasive tracks of the year, they’ll bring an extra fourth front and rear tyre to cope with the unknowns. More drugs testing due Grand Prix racing’s athletes are set to see more drug testing in the future,…

1 MAKE A NOTE OF YOUR MILEAGE Your target is simple – to ride 5000 miles in 2018. But this is just really a number – the idea is just to ride more, to enjoy riding and to love biking more than ever. So, make a note of your odometer’s figure at the start. Take a picture of it, write it down, or even put a sticker with the figure on your bike as a reminder. On modern machines with two trip meters, reset your second trip. 2 RIDE TO SOME PLACES Sounds obvious, but that’s all you need to do. These pages are full great roads to ride to and great events to attend, so go to some of them – and don’t let that awesome bike rot in…

1 THE MOORLAND ONE North York Moors – Beverley to Whitby ‘You can lose yourself for hours’ As recommended by Chris Hood Length 68 miles What makes it great The North York Moors are a fantastic place to head towards for a ride because there are so many little roads heading off into the wilderness that you can easily spend all day exploring. Starting at Beverley, take the B1248 towards the wonderfully named Wetwang and then on towards Malton. From here you enter the Moors. Either go to Whitby for some fantastic seafood, cut towards Scarborough, or explorie the Moors. Stop for a break at Goathland. Just off the A169, this is where Heartbeat was filmed and also the scene of the Hogwarts Express stop in Harry Potter. 2 THE…

October Watch the carnage! Weston Beach Race, Weston-Super-Mare October 19-21  Why it’s a must For this one weekend in October, Weston’s beach is devoid of donkeys and instead plays host to a bonkers off-road race that attracts two and four-wheeled nutters. It’s crazy to watch, let alone take part in, but riders love it and the fans just love to drink cider and cheer the carnage as it unfolds. While you’re there Take a detour on your way and ride through Cheddar Gorge on the B3371 and B3135. November See all the new bikes Motorcycle Live, NEC Birmingham November 17 - 25  Why it’s a must The first chance for UK riders to see and sit on all the new metal from every manufacturer. Alongside the new bikes there’s loads…

1. The wave Austrian GP, 2017 Race-long battle reaches its peak with a lunge from Marquez. Dovi knows it’s coming, squares the corner off and re-passes, saluting Marquez on the way! 2. The lunge Japanese GP, 2017 After passing and repassing on a soaking track, Marquez, desperate for a win on Honda soil, comes from miles back at the last turn. Dovi has it covered. 3. The tactical error? Qatar GP, 2018 After a slow start Dovizioso picks off riders until he leads but Marquez isn’t giving up and tries another last-corner lunge. Dovi is wise to it. Will Marquez now have to re-think his game-plan?…

HIGHLIGHTS • 279cc single • 24.8bhp @ 7000rpm • 780mm seat height • 182kg (wet) Honda’s best-selling Forza scooter has been around for the best part of 20 years but for 2018 there’s an all-new 300 version. The bodywork has been restyled to make it look sportier, it’s narrower to make it easier to use, while the seat has been raised to improve the rider’s view. There’s also a new electrically-adjustable screen, a lockable fairing pocket plus internal storage space for two helmets. The lavish, car-style dash is now a digital/analogue mix, with an LCD panel displaying information such as odometer, fuel range and trip. While if you buy the optional top box that now is linked with the Forza’s keyless ignition and locks automatically when you walk away. Peak…

In 1937, Hirotake Arai took over his father’s Tokyo hat business but when war broke out the Japanese government tasked him with building protective headgear. After the war, Hirotake modified a fiberglass helmet by cutting it into a half-cap style so that he had some head protection while he rode his motorcycle. Seeing the potential for this new product, he replaced the cork lining with Styrofoam and started to sell them under the brand name HA (his initials) in 1956. As demand grew, in 1963 Hirotake looked to export his helmets to America, however the importer didn’t like the HA brand and suggested it was changed to Arai. The Arai brand was trademarked in 1971 and the famous logo, which was designed by a 19-year-old art student friend of the…

Italian motorcycling greats including former world champ Max Biaggi have paid tribute to Ivano Beggio, the former president of Aprilia, who has died after a long illness. Beggio succeeded his father, who founded the Noale firm, in 1968 when they employed just a handful of people. Under Ivano’s leadership Aprilia grew rapidly. In the 1990s their sports and racing lightweights were ridden to multiple GP world titles by the likes of Biaggi, Loris Capirossi and even Valentino Rossi. Aprilia’s move into V-twin superbikes and MotoGP then ruffled the feathers of established giants Ducati and Honda. Along the way Aprilia took over Italian legends Laverda and Moto Guzzi and looked set to become Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. However Beggio’s empire came crashing down in 2003/4 due to financial difficulties. Piaggio stepped…

Yamaha are bringing TWO complete test fleets to this year’s Carole Nash MCN Festival of motorcycling in May – giving you the opportunity to get onboard everything from restricted licence machines to the MT-10 SP. The Yamaha Dark Side of Japan MT Tour test fleet boasts all of the MT range including two new models for 2018, the MT-07 and MT-09 SP. For those without full licences the MT-03 and MT-125 will be available to ride in a special area away from public roads and observed by experienced instructors. The Roads of Life tour features the FJR1300 and Tracer models, including the Tracer 900 and 900GT. The 900 Tracer is new for 2018 and the Festival is the first time you’ll be able to ride it so don’t miss out.…

The riders Adam Child Age 40 Height 5ft7in CV Testing bikes for 20 years and rode the Harley Street Rod on its launch. Bruce Dunn Age 50 Height 5ft7in CV MCN speed tester. Has been professionally testing bikes for over 25 years. Justin Hayzelden Age 45 Height 5ft11in CV A regular member of the MCN team who has toured the USA on a Harley several times. HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET ROD £6745 • 69bhp • 229kg ‘Hopped up’ version of Street is H-D’s latest entry-level machine. Based on the Street it boasts both an uprated engine and sportier chassis. HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER IRON 883 £7995 • 51.2bhp • 247kg The 883 Sportster family has been Harley’s ‘entry-level’ bikes since 1986. Two versions are currently offered, the Superlow and this cheaper, bare bones Iron. HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET 750 £5995…

Tester Matt Wildee Time used 3000 miles/one year What’s good? Richa have been slowly repositioning themselves as a top-end clothing brand and this fully-loaded, highly capable jacket is proof that they’re getting it right. It’s got all the kit you could want from a capable, high-end jacket. You’ve got a two and three-layer laminated Gore-Tex construction, a removable thermal liner, clever venting system, loads of adjustment in the torso and arms and decent-spec D30 armour. All this translates into a jacket that has been useful and comfortable all year round. I’ve used it for 1000-mile day trips to Germany plus lots of commuting and tried it on every kind of bike. It works very well, doesn’t leak and is well ventilated. One of the best features are the vents. The…

 With the 2018 TT launch set to take place on the Isle of Man today (Wednesday), almost all the top riders have already confirmed their 2018 plans. All except the biggest name out there – Michael Dunlop. ‘BMW Motorrad is also known to be keen to debut the carbon-fibre framed HP4’ The 15-times TT winner dropped a bombshell last Friday evening when he announced he was not renewing his contract with Hawk Racing to ride the Suzuki GSX-R1000RR he raced to victory in last year’s Senior TT. Thanking Hawk bosses Stuart and Steve Hicken for their support, Dunlop said he was still considering his superbike options for 2018. The 28-year-old Northern Irishman had tested the Suzuki in Spain two weeks ago, leading many to assume he would retain the successful…

‘I was doing a good job so there’s plenty of positives for us’SAM LOWES Former Moto2 title contender Sam Lowes had an inauspicious return to the middleweight class when he crashed out of his first race on the Swiss Innovative Investors KTM following gearbox issues. Clearly struggling on the opening laps to replicate the pace he’d shown earlier in the weekend, Lowes looked to be finally improving during Sunday’s race before hitting the deck and missing out on a comfortable top ten finish. After being fast throughout practice (despite the hindrance of a self-inflicted crash) it all went wrong for Lowes in Sunday’s race. Although the Honda CBR600 powertrains provided to the teams by ExternPro are normally bulletproof, a combination of high temperatures and, according to paddock rumour, a possible…

Spanish Moto3 title favourite Jorge Martin began 2018 as he ended 2017 by adding to last year’s Valencia victory with another Moto3 win in Qatar. Using his incredible qualifying pace to make an early break alongside fellow Spaniard and title rival Aron Canet, the Gresini Honda rider used all his experience to out-fox the Estrella Galicia Honda rider in a photo finish dash for the line. “It was a hard day after crashing in warm up because it cost me a lot of feeling,” said Martin afterwards. “But I was able to reset my brain and to push in the early stages of the race. I had lots of near-crashes because of the high wind during the race and that crash in warm up might have helped me find the…

Using your bike more is a sure-fire route to happiness – and that’s a fact. Boffins in white coats have proven just spending time with bikes will release feel-good hormones in your brain – and in this world of uncertainty and strife, that can only be a good thing. MCN’s #ride5000miles is all about getting out on our bikes more. The average rider does about 3000 miles a year but having a target that pushes past that distance will enrich your life. At the very least, riding more will make you more at-one with your machine, but if you use the target to spend more time with your biking mates, or head out on a trip you’ve always fancied, it’ll improve your life, too. Nearly 5000 MCN readers took up…

1 NORTH COAST 500 “I’m planning a big trip to the North Coast 500 this year. I love the Scottish Highlands for its stunning scenery and amazing roads and the NC500 has all that and more. I live in flat, congested Cambridgeshire and thoughts of perfect roads cutting through stunning valleys and mountains get me through the misery of winter commuting. “They say it’s Scotland’s answer to Route 66, but this looks better. There’s some amazing beaches (I’m going to go surfing at Thurso) superb castles (Advreck on Loch Assynt for one) and not a dull second of the 516-mile circuit. I’ve been using www.northcoast500.com for inspiration.” Matt Wildee 2 AN ALPINE TOUR “Four of us are planning to take the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, ride to Germany then…

‘Marc didn’t get dirty on the last corner – but I think it’s coming ’ In a way, Dovi surprised me by being able to beat Marc in the last corner. The way I see it, Dovi had an advantage all weekend – maybe 0.1 seconds. That means Marc had to be on the limit to be able to beat him, and no other rider I know is capable of that. Dovi didn’t surprise me with his speed, but I can’t believe that he got away with it another time with Marc! I know how Marc thinks and learns – Dovi isn’t going to get away with it again. Marc is already learning, and if he’d managed to get that bike stopped a fraction earlier – literally only a foot…

AGV K-1 £139.99-£179.99 What’s good Available in two shell sizes, the K-1 has removable and washable padding and a central air vent, for better airflow. It’s Pinlock ready with a Double D-ring fastener. What’s not If you’re a Rossi fan, then you’re spoilt for colour choice, however for everyone else it’s available in just black, white or matt black. www.agv.co.uk Alpinestars GP Pro R2 Glove £199.99 What’s good These CE Level 2 GP Pro R2 gloves from Alpinestars are available in sizes S-XXXL and have a full-grain multi-panel leather construction, as well as a dual cuff closure at the wrist and hard knuckle protection. The index finger is desinged to work with touchscreen controls. What’s not At a penny shy of £200, these are not the cheapest of gloves. www.alpinestars.com…

This September MCN takes up residence at Ally Pally with a new show that has a very special twist, the world’s only indoor Supersprint! Ally Pally is a one-of-a-kind venue with a history of great motorcycle shows. The cathedral-like main hall will once again reverberate to the sights, sounds and smells of race bikes as they thunder towards the famous rose window. See McPint ride in the Supersprint We’re gathering together the finest line-up of classic and modern machinery for the Supersprint and onboard them will be some very special riders going head-to-head in an explosion of acceleration. Confirmed riders for the Supersprint include… • Carl Fogarty • John McGuinness • Chris Walker • Dougie Lampkin • James Whitham With such an array of star riders expect some fireworks and…

I’ve just got back from an invigorating ride on Kawasaki’s H2 SX. Kicking out 190bhp at the back wheel, it is stupendously fast, has a bulging midrange and it’s comfortable enough for 500-mile days in the saddle. But part of me can’t help but think Kawasaki are building the wrong supercharged bikes. The first supercharged Kwak, the H2, is brilliant and the SX is great, but all it really does is add another option if you want a Kawasaki hyper tourer – they already make the ZZR1400. I’d be interested in Kawasaki using their forced induction tech to boost bikes that really need it – and the result could be mouth-watering. The Z650, for example, is a plucky bike but with more power it would be brilliant. At the moment…

‘I’d like to be able to get my elbow down like Marquez’ QUICK-FIRE ROUND • Fast, intermediate or novice group? Intermediate • Mud or tarmac? Tarmac • Four-stroke or two-stroke? Four-stroke • Dark visor or clear visor? Clear • Gloves in or out? Inside • Filter or queue? Filter • GPS or map? GPS • Dealer service or do it yourself? Dealer service Q1. What are you riding? I’m riding a 2012 Honda Fireblade, which I helped develop. It’s easy to ride and very fun! Q2. Which living motorcyclist do you most admire? It’s got to be Marc Marquez, because he’s just so crazy. Q3. What’s your worst riding habit? Probably riding too fast. Q4. If you could have one riding super skill, what would it be? I’d like to…

TOOLS • Screwdriver • Spanners • Pliers • Fuses • Puncture repair kit 1 Don’t forget the kill switch There’s always the potential of your bike suffering a breakdown or mechanical/electrical failure. Fortunately, when this happens, there are a few faults that you can check for yourself. Firstly, in the event a bike refuses to start, the kill switch is an obvious and easily overlooked culprit. Check the switch is in the correct position and also that any connectors leading from it are firmly pressed in. 2 Next, try the sidestand switch The sidestand has a safety switch that will prevent the engine starting if the stand is left down. Due to its position behind the pivot point where the stand is mounted on the frame, this switch can attract…

Airhawk Dual Comfort Sport Seat £135 Inflatable air pockets minimise pressure points on the pelvis and spine. It also cuts vibrations and soaks up bumps. Enter until: April 30 Mammoth Alarm Disc Lock £40 This lock fits to either the front or rear disc and the motion sensor alarm hits 110dB. Enter until: March 31 Sonic Scrubber Cleaning Kit £49 Taking some of the pain out of cleaning, Sonic Scrubber’s cleaning head oscillates 10,000 times per minute. Its rechargeable battery gives three hours of brushing. Enter until: April 30 SportsBikeShop Voucher £50 We’ve joined forces with this online dealer to offer a £50 gift voucher. The winner can chose from thousands of products for sale. Enter until: March 31 Free and easy to enter, register at winit.motorcyclenews.com…

Q Can I still claim if I didn’t call the police at the scene of an accident? Last summer I lost control of my bike on a bend due to some diesel on the road. I felt a bit shaken up but OK so I got up, dusted myself off and carried on with my journey. My wrists started hurting when I got home and I later found out that I had broken one of them. A few weeks later, I called a local solicitor to see if anything could be done, but he said he couldn’t take the case on because I hadn’t called the police. I didn’t know I was supposed to call them. Am I going to have to take the hit? Lester, by email A You…

If only I had a tenner for every time someone has asked me where they can buy cheap bikes. People seem to think there’s some sort of hidden wellspring: a source, a fount of cheap quality motorcycles that they don’t ever get to hear about. It just isn’t so, but then these people generally also believe that Elvis isn’t dead, but that’s a different story... However, there are auctions that are closed to the public. These often take write-offs from insurance companies and punt them out to the trade from a number of sites. You have to be a recognised trader to participate. I am through my own small motorcycle business, but the idea of fixing up crash-damaged 125s and scooters (which make up most of their trade) isn’t my…

2011 Triumph Speed Triple Colours White, purple, black Dealer £5500 Private good £5300 Private average £5100 This one £5291 buys this 2011 dealer model. Mods include a tail tidy and an Arrow exhaust. 2012 Triumph Speed Triple Colours White, black, red Dealer £6000 Private good £5800 Private average £5600 This one This dealer sale is largely standard and is at Wheels Motorcycles, Peterborough, £5495. 2013 Triumph Speed Triple Colours Black, white, red, gold or grey Dealer £7250 Private good £6750 Private average £6250 This one Our test bike: 2013 model with flyscreen, belly pan and 12K miles, £6299. 2014 Triumph Speed Triple R Colours Black or white Dealer £8200 Private good £7950 Private average £7750 This one 2014 model with Arrow cans, seat cowl and carbon goodies, 13K miles, £7799.…

‘I didn’t need to think twice before saying Yes’JOHN MCGUINNESS John McGuinness will make his supertwin debut on one of Ryan Farquhar’s immaculate KMR/IEG 650cc Kawasakis in this year’s Lightweight TT. “I’ve never had the chance to ride in the Lightweight class on a Supertwin bike before but when the opportunity came around I knew that my first choice would be to ride one of Ryan Farquhar’s bikes,” 23-times TT winner McGuinness said. “I raced against Ryan for many years and know how driven he is to win and his machine preparation is second to none. So when he gave me the chance to join his team for the TT I didn’t need to think twice before saying ‘Yes’ and I’m really looking forward to making my debut.” Farquhar added:…

‘I cannot be happy with Sunday’s result. I was on top in every session’DANILO PETRUCCI Satellite Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci showed he’s out to prove a point in the opening races of the season as he bids to secure a factory seat in 2019. The Italian, who came home fifth, has made no secret of the fact that he wants a factory ride and knows that only head-turning results will that. The 27-year-old Italian has a contract direct with the Ducati factory that gives him the chance to move into the official team should either Andrea Dovizioso or Jorge Lorenzo leave. The chances of that have appeared unlikely but with Lorenzo continuing to struggle, Petrucci is not ruling out a dream move the official team. He said: “It’s not a…

‘Early I was with Jorge and Maverick and this was nice feeling’FRANCO MORBIDELLI MotoGP’s 2018 rookies were in impressive form at the opening round, with reigning Moto2 world champion Franco Morbidelli taking a strong 12th place finish. The Italian said he was able to learn a lot in the race as he unexpectedly found himself in battle with factory riders early on. “This was a better result than I expected and a very good first race for me. I’m happy especially with the commitment I had from the team. I had good speed but the most important thing was to finish the race and learn. Early in the race I was with Jorge Lorenzo and Maverick.” But arguably the most impressive rookie performance was from Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin, who was…

Bradley Smith endured a difficult start to the 2018 MotoGP season on his Red Bull KTM, with tyre woes leaving him unable to capitalise on a strong start and finishing in 18th. “I was really happy with the start,” said Smith. “I was aggressive, made up some positions, was in the mix and inside the points. For the first ten laps everything was working well and then I started to struggle with the front tyre and understeer and the lap-times slowly dropped off.” However, Smith still enjoyed a better race than teammate Pol Espargaró, who had a repeat of Saturday’s electrical problem and was forced to watch the second half of the race from the sidelines. ‘I started to struggle with the front tyre’BRADLEY SMITH…

Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis has hit back at critics who’ve said that their move to extend Maverick Viñales’ deal by two years came far too early for both rider and team. Yamaha announced an extension to his contract back in January, but the problems that Viñales has suffered in testing left many questioning that call. But the team boss says critics are being short sighted, and that Yamaha’s ambitions extend far beyond the current season. He said: “When you sign a contract, you’re not signing it for the now – you sign it to show that you have confidence that working with your partners, you can achieve your goals. I think that’s why Maverick made his decision. We were left a little short in a lot races of last…

It’ll help you pile on the miles… ALEX MORRISON “My wife Sandra and I both reached the 5000 miles. We had some superb days out and this is a memory from just one of them, visiting ‘Tommy’ the war memorial at Seaham, County Durham.” You’ll make new biking friends… SANDRA MORRISON “This is one of my favourite photos from last year’s #ride5000miles experience. I rode for five hours and 45 minutes (lots of cake and cuppa stops) covering 213 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne to attend the Motorbike Women’s record-breaking attempt at Ellesmere, Shropshire in July. Well over 1000 of us turned up and we officially broke the record! The ladies in the photo started out as strangers but became firm friends thanks to #ride5000miles – it’s one of the…