Editorial Note: Use the zoom and scrolling tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all pages of the race results.
SS FP1© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
World Superbike: Rea Rules In Rainy FP1 At Magny-Cours
Editorial Note: Use the zoom and scrolling tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all pages of the race results.
SBK FP1Video: Building The 2020 Honda Fireblade SP British Superbike, P4
The Honda Racing team is pleased to announce that Episode 4 of the Building the Blade series is now available on YouTube and Facebook.
The first episodes of Building the Blade followed the Honda Racing team as they developed the all-new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, ready for the start of the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike and Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championships.
Now with the penultimate event this weekend (2-4 October) at Donington Park, Honda Racing and its riders Andrew and Glenn Irwin, Tom Neave and Davey Todd have shown the potential of the new Fireblade claiming six wins and five podiums so far this season, across both the Superbike and Superstock classes.
Episode 4 focuses on the development of the radiators with Bora Specialised Fabrications, as well as a round-up of how the team got on last time out at Oulton Park for Rounds 10/11/12.
October 2020
On the Front Cover: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich flew cross-country overnight from a MotoAmerica race to ride the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California, north of Sacramento, on a Monday morning. Ulrich was impressed by the bike built for Honda’s latest World Superbike effort. But is it enough to make Honda win again in WSBK, and when will it show up in the USA? Photo by Drew Ruiz.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Read the October 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE
In This Issue:
FEATURES
Inside Info: 1078cc Aprilia Tuono V4 X, BMW M1000 RR, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1970 Yamsel TR2 250cc Two Stroke
New Model Intro: Riding the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
MotoGP Analysis: KTM Went From Last To First, Its Own Way
At Home (On The Road) With Josh Hayes & Melissa Paris
PROFESSIONAL RACING
MotoGP In Austria & San Marino: Championship Chaos
MotoGP Notes: Tough Times For Honda
MotoAmerica At The Ridge: Beaubier and Yamaha Rule Again!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Off-Camber Apexes And Pile-Ups
MotoAmerica At New Jersey: Beaubier Is The Unstoppable Man!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Flooding, And Remembering 9/11
World Superbike At Aragon & Catalunya: Rea On Top, American Gerloff On The Podium
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor
10 Years Ago, October 2010: Bobby Fong And Martin Cardenas At VIR
Trivia & Numbers: MotoGP Race Wins
Back In The Day Editor’s Scrapbook: 1980 Suzuka 8-Hour
The Crash Page: Carl Soltisz At NJMP
The Kids’ Page: Tiffani Clark
New Products: Digital Tire Gauge; TPX Parking Sensor
Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Team Ups and Downs At The Ridge and NJMP; Intro At Thunderhill, Riding The 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and Jayson Uribe’s Superbike!
American Flat Track Announces “Road To AFT” Program
Progressive AFT Announces Road to AFT Initiative Aimed to Usher in New Talent in Coming Seasons
Program poised to build bridge between amateur series and professional competition.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 1) – With the second half of its 2020 season on the horizon, Progressive American Flat Track proudly announced today the Road to AFT program, its newest initiative designed in conjunction with the American Motorcyclist Association to create a pathway for rising stars striving to progress to professional competition. This landmark progression for the series will debut at the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track event with a featured amateur exhibition race held during the weekend program.
Effective immediately, the Road to AFT will recognize young, talented riders from AMA-sanctioned amateur flat-track racing series and aid in their progression and transition into professional competition in the AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys class. The program also will provide a resource for obtaining the knowledge necessary for success in Progressive AFT to pave the way for the next generation of champions.
“The need for a springboard from amateur to an AFT Professional Singles license has never been more apparent,” said Joey Mancari, chief competition officer of Progressive American Flat Track. “The Road to AFT will not only accomplish that, but will also give AFT Singles riders with limited pro experience a place to hone their skills. In both cases, the Road to AFT program is where these riders will gain the skill sets needed to succeed as an AFT competitor.”
The Road to AFT will include the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship and AFT Championship events. The program also will be present at select AMA-sanctioned amateur and Pro-Am events.
Next Up:
The 2020 Progressive American Flat Track series heads to Woodstock, Georgia for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track presented by Law Tigers at Dixie Speedway on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. Live coverage of the entire weekend’s racing activities will be available on any device for less than $1 per event via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold. Tickets are available now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3132.
For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.
MotoAmerica: Zanetti Returning With Factory Bike
Lorenzo Zanetti is coming back to ride with Celtic HSBK Racing in MotoAmerica Superbike October 9-11 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Italian rider is bringing reinforcements.
Zanetti, a veteran racer with experience in the FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championships and a current test rider for Ducati Corse’s Superbike testing program, filled in for Celtic HSBK Racing’s injured PJ Jacobsen at August 28-30 at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Zanetti did well, riding Jacobsen’s Ducati Panigale V4 R (which was much closer to Stock 1000-spec than Superbike-spec) to sixth in Superpole and seventh in Superbike Race One despite running off the tricky and unfamiliar track during the race. He then crashed out of seventh place in Race Two due to an fluid leak on his bike.
At Ridge Motorsports Park, Celtic HSBK Racing co-owner Bobby Shek said he hoped to bring Zanetti back, and in spite of challenges getting travel visas in a timely manner, that is going to happen.
Only this time Zanetti is coming back with a full-on Panigale V4 R Superbike built by Ducati Corse to MotoAmerica specifications with members of Zanetti’s Ducati Corse Superbike test team supporting him.
“Honestly, we’re not looking for [race] results,” Shek told Roadracingworld.com Thursday. “We’re realistic on what it takes to race Superbike. We’re not the kind who thinks just because you get a bike with a fast engine you’re going to go out and win Superbike races. It takes a lot of development [and] we don’t have any.
“We’re just looking at this as trying to gauge what it would take to put a budget together for next year. This will be a realistic test on what level crew and rider and budget we need to race up front.
“We don’t have any realistic experience in Superbike, so this is kind of feeling it out. We’re going to use this round and next round to figure out a budget for next year.”
Having said that, what is the plan for the MotoAmerica season finale October 23-25 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca?
“We’re going to leave that up to Ducati,” said Shek. “It’s a possibility we will get a different rider for Laguna. Zanetti has to miss a [CIV] round to be at Laguna, so they may have someone else riding for him.
“We will be at Laguna for sure and the same Superbike will be at Laguna, as well.”
WERA Racing At Road Atlanta This Weekend
WERA AT MICHELIN RACEWAY ROAD ATLANTA WITH A DOUBLE HEADER SPORTSMAN AND PIRELLI NATIONAL SPRINT 10/3-4/2020!
On Friday, October 2nd N2 will host a Track/Practice Day prior to the WERA Sportsman/ Pirelli National Double Header.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Sportsman Series and the Pirelli National Challenge Series will be on track Saturday and Sunday with Sprint racing featuring the Michelin WERA Superbike Class and will have grids set in the 600cc and WERA Superbike Expert Class by timed qualifying based on the second round of practice in the morning. The competition at these Sprint Regional/National weekends has been fierce with riders getting personal best times and taking down standing best lap times.
Due to the pandemic social distancing, masks in gatherings are still required. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will have hand sanitizer and masks if you need one available. We encourage you to bring your own pens and let’s have a safe paddock. Also be aware Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will have Covid protocols with waivers and temp checks at the Credential Building which is the trailer at the top of the property on the road coming in.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle road racing. The legacy of Pro riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing with a co-sanction by the AMA and they go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as a Pro-Am Series with the WERA National Challenge Series, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing also offer Vintage Racing and limited Endurance Racing with Track Day Partners N2 and Sportbike Track Time. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was voted the 2017 AMA Track Organizer of the Year.
For more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing please check out our web site at wera.com
Dainese Group Acquires TCX
DAINESE GROUP ACQUIRES TCX
Acquisition Continues Dainese Group Mission of Providing Motorbike Rider Safety from Head to Toe
VICENZA, Italy – October 1, 2020 – Dainese Group, the legendary motorcycle protective gear brand, is proud to announce the acquisition of TCX, a renowned Italian brand specializing in of motorbike footwear.
Based in Montebelluna, Italy, TCX has deep technical and development expertise in motorbike footwear and shares with Dainese its proven, high-quality product line. TCX is known for craftsmanship, innovative technology, and decades of field research, and brings a deep understanding of rider needs to the development of footwear for all purposes including racing, off-road, and urban and leisure use.
“Improving safety in dynamic sports has always been the Dainese mission,” said Cristiano Silei, CEO at Dainese Group, “We are committing to ongoing research into innovative systems that protect athletes from head to toe, and are extremely proud of the operation we’ve built. TCX shares with Dainese the passion for product and adds technical and development skills that are fundamental in motorbike footwear. I welcome the TCX team – we’re extremely excited to be working together”.
With the acquisition of TCX, Dainese Group, with the Dainese and AGV brands, further strengthens the company’s position in the footwear category and expands its head-to-toe range of market-leading protective gear. Dainese’s mission continues.
DAINESE GROUP
Founded in 1972 by Lino Dainese, the Dainese group develops cutting-edge protective clothing for dynamic sports like motorcycle riding, skiing, mountain biking, horse riding and sailing. True to its mission of protecting athletes from head to toe, in 2007 Dainese acquired the iconic AGV brand, founded in 1947 and famous across the world for its innovative racing helmets. Dainese and AGV products represent the technological frontier in terms of protection in dynamic sports, and are used by the world’s best athletes, Valentino Rossi and Sofia Goggia among all.
MV Agusta Presents: “Pursuit Of Happiness – Mr. Nogues II”
MV AGUSTA EXTREME RIDING IS BACK WITH “MR NOGUES II”
“Pursuit of Happiness” is ready to take the web by storm. Again.
Varese, October 1, 2020 – After the first heart-stopping video, “Back in Black, Mr Nogues”, went viral with over 5 million views, French stunt champion Thibaut Nogues is back with a vengeance in a new episode inspired by spy movies. “Pursuit of Happiness – Mr Nogues II”, directed by Mathieu Echeverri, was shot on the scenic, devilish hairpin bends of the French Riviera. In addition to MV Agusta’s iconic bikes, the 3-minute video has all the ingredients of a classic Bond movie: speed, danger, adrenaline, dream landscapes, luxury cars and femmes fatales, with a zest of humour. And yes, Thibaut is wearing a black tie!
Riding his specially prepared F3 800 at unimaginable speeds on the roads (closed for the occasion) that climb high up in the Alpes Maritimes, Thibaut Nogues puts on an impressive show that will thrill web audiences around the world. This time the mysterious Mr Nogues is being tailgated by a wicked Superveloce which puts his extraordinary skills to the test in a spectacular chase scene.
Nogues, when not shooting hair raising films in glam locations, is the front man and star rider of MV Agusta’s Freestyle Division, led by former racing ace Virginio Ferrari. Since 2019, the team took part in dozens of motorcycling events around Europe, ranging from MotoGP and SuperBike rounds to fairs and exhibitions. The social media reach of Thibaut Nogues and MV Agusta’s Freestyle Division is impressive, with millions of contacts every month and hundreds of thousands of views within a few days of the publication of every new video, with peaks of several millions. A formidable tool to engage new generation audiences around the world, and possibly the best way to “pursue happiness”!
AIMExpo 2021 Postponed
Following the third-quarter meeting of the MIC Board of Directors, AIMExpo issued the following statement from Cinnamon Kernes, vice president and general manager, MIC Events:
“We have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 AIMExpo, the industry’s annual trade show, and while this wasn’t an easy choice it is certainly the right one.
“With local directives limiting gathering size, travel restrictions, and a myriad of other obstacles created by the pandemic, there are too many unknown factors limiting our ability to create a safe environment that will also deliver the experience and ROI our exhibitors and attendees expect. We do not want to deliver a show that doesn’t live up to their high standards. Also impacting our decision to postpone are the dealers working to rebuild their businesses after suffering devastating damage from fires, hurricanes, and floods that have hit both the East and West Coasts.
“There is tremendous value in face-to-face meetings and in-person events and we believe in their ability to create irreplaceable opportunities to connect with people and businesses to drive commerce. The AIMExpo team will continue to work with key industry partners, including Tucker Powersports, to explore options that deliver relevant and important educational content for dealer attendees in 2021. Likewise, the team will be looking for opportunities to connect the powersports brands through quality networking events later this year. We look forward to bringing AIMExpo back in 2022 and will celebrate the industry of powersports and everyone that makes it great.”
Earlier this year AIMExpo and Tucker Powersports announced co-locating shows. Tucker supports the decision to postpone and has made a separate announcement regarding their plans for 2021. In it, Marc McAllister, CEO of Tucker Powersports stated: “While we at Tucker were very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the AIME show this year, the health and safety of our dealers and supplier partners has to be our first priority. We want to respect public health restrictions and we don’t want to put anyone at risk. We are now looking forward to reconnecting with the MIC and AIMExpo in 2022.”
World Supersport: Soomer Quickest In Wet FP1 At Magny-Cours
Editorial Note: Use the zoom and scrolling tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all pages of the race results.
SS FP1World Superbike: Rea Rules In Rainy FP1 At Magny-Cours
Editorial Note: Use the zoom and scrolling tools in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to better see all pages of the race results.
SBK FP1Video: Building The 2020 Honda Fireblade SP British Superbike, P4
The Honda Racing team is pleased to announce that Episode 4 of the Building the Blade series is now available on YouTube and Facebook.
The first episodes of Building the Blade followed the Honda Racing team as they developed the all-new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, ready for the start of the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike and Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championships.
Now with the penultimate event this weekend (2-4 October) at Donington Park, Honda Racing and its riders Andrew and Glenn Irwin, Tom Neave and Davey Todd have shown the potential of the new Fireblade claiming six wins and five podiums so far this season, across both the Superbike and Superstock classes.
Episode 4 focuses on the development of the radiators with Bora Specialised Fabrications, as well as a round-up of how the team got on last time out at Oulton Park for Rounds 10/11/12.
October 2020
On the Front Cover: Racing Editor Chris Ulrich flew cross-country overnight from a MotoAmerica race to ride the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California, north of Sacramento, on a Monday morning. Ulrich was impressed by the bike built for Honda’s latest World Superbike effort. But is it enough to make Honda win again in WSBK, and when will it show up in the USA? Photo by Drew Ruiz.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
Read the October 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE
In This Issue:
FEATURES
Inside Info: 1078cc Aprilia Tuono V4 X, BMW M1000 RR, and more…
Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1970 Yamsel TR2 250cc Two Stroke
New Model Intro: Riding the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP
MotoGP Analysis: KTM Went From Last To First, Its Own Way
At Home (On The Road) With Josh Hayes & Melissa Paris
PROFESSIONAL RACING
MotoGP In Austria & San Marino: Championship Chaos
MotoGP Notes: Tough Times For Honda
MotoAmerica At The Ridge: Beaubier and Yamaha Rule Again!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Off-Camber Apexes And Pile-Ups
MotoAmerica At New Jersey: Beaubier Is The Unstoppable Man!
MotoAmerica Inside Info: Flooding, And Remembering 9/11
World Superbike At Aragon & Catalunya: Rea On Top, American Gerloff On The Podium
COLUMNS
Letters To The Editor
10 Years Ago, October 2010: Bobby Fong And Martin Cardenas At VIR
Trivia & Numbers: MotoGP Race Wins
Back In The Day Editor’s Scrapbook: 1980 Suzuka 8-Hour
The Crash Page: Carl Soltisz At NJMP
The Kids’ Page: Tiffani Clark
New Products: Digital Tire Gauge; TPX Parking Sensor
Professional Services Directory: Racers Helping Racers
Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar
ASRA/CCS Newsletter
High-Performance Parts & Services
Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Team Ups and Downs At The Ridge and NJMP; Intro At Thunderhill, Riding The 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and Jayson Uribe’s Superbike!
American Flat Track Announces “Road To AFT” Program
Progressive AFT Announces Road to AFT Initiative Aimed to Usher in New Talent in Coming Seasons
Program poised to build bridge between amateur series and professional competition.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 1) – With the second half of its 2020 season on the horizon, Progressive American Flat Track proudly announced today the Road to AFT program, its newest initiative designed in conjunction with the American Motorcyclist Association to create a pathway for rising stars striving to progress to professional competition. This landmark progression for the series will debut at the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track event with a featured amateur exhibition race held during the weekend program.
Effective immediately, the Road to AFT will recognize young, talented riders from AMA-sanctioned amateur flat-track racing series and aid in their progression and transition into professional competition in the AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys class. The program also will provide a resource for obtaining the knowledge necessary for success in Progressive AFT to pave the way for the next generation of champions.
“The need for a springboard from amateur to an AFT Professional Singles license has never been more apparent,” said Joey Mancari, chief competition officer of Progressive American Flat Track. “The Road to AFT will not only accomplish that, but will also give AFT Singles riders with limited pro experience a place to hone their skills. In both cases, the Road to AFT program is where these riders will gain the skill sets needed to succeed as an AFT competitor.”
The Road to AFT will include the AMA Flat Track Grand Championship and AFT Championship events. The program also will be present at select AMA-sanctioned amateur and Pro-Am events.
Next Up:
The 2020 Progressive American Flat Track series heads to Woodstock, Georgia for the Yamaha Atlanta Short Track presented by Law Tigers at Dixie Speedway on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3. Live coverage of the entire weekend’s racing activities will be available on any device for less than $1 per event via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold. Tickets are available now at https://store.americanflattrack.com/ebooking/ticket/view/id/3132.
For more information on Progressive American Flat Track visit www.americanflattrack.com.
MotoAmerica: Zanetti Returning With Factory Bike
Lorenzo Zanetti is coming back to ride with Celtic HSBK Racing in MotoAmerica Superbike October 9-11 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Italian rider is bringing reinforcements.
Zanetti, a veteran racer with experience in the FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championships and a current test rider for Ducati Corse’s Superbike testing program, filled in for Celtic HSBK Racing’s injured PJ Jacobsen at August 28-30 at Ridge Motorsports Park.
Zanetti did well, riding Jacobsen’s Ducati Panigale V4 R (which was much closer to Stock 1000-spec than Superbike-spec) to sixth in Superpole and seventh in Superbike Race One despite running off the tricky and unfamiliar track during the race. He then crashed out of seventh place in Race Two due to an fluid leak on his bike.
At Ridge Motorsports Park, Celtic HSBK Racing co-owner Bobby Shek said he hoped to bring Zanetti back, and in spite of challenges getting travel visas in a timely manner, that is going to happen.
Only this time Zanetti is coming back with a full-on Panigale V4 R Superbike built by Ducati Corse to MotoAmerica specifications with members of Zanetti’s Ducati Corse Superbike test team supporting him.
“Honestly, we’re not looking for [race] results,” Shek told Roadracingworld.com Thursday. “We’re realistic on what it takes to race Superbike. We’re not the kind who thinks just because you get a bike with a fast engine you’re going to go out and win Superbike races. It takes a lot of development [and] we don’t have any.
“We’re just looking at this as trying to gauge what it would take to put a budget together for next year. This will be a realistic test on what level crew and rider and budget we need to race up front.
“We don’t have any realistic experience in Superbike, so this is kind of feeling it out. We’re going to use this round and next round to figure out a budget for next year.”
Having said that, what is the plan for the MotoAmerica season finale October 23-25 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca?
“We’re going to leave that up to Ducati,” said Shek. “It’s a possibility we will get a different rider for Laguna. Zanetti has to miss a [CIV] round to be at Laguna, so they may have someone else riding for him.
“We will be at Laguna for sure and the same Superbike will be at Laguna, as well.”
WERA Racing At Road Atlanta This Weekend
WERA AT MICHELIN RACEWAY ROAD ATLANTA WITH A DOUBLE HEADER SPORTSMAN AND PIRELLI NATIONAL SPRINT 10/3-4/2020!
On Friday, October 2nd N2 will host a Track/Practice Day prior to the WERA Sportsman/ Pirelli National Double Header.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing Sportsman Series and the Pirelli National Challenge Series will be on track Saturday and Sunday with Sprint racing featuring the Michelin WERA Superbike Class and will have grids set in the 600cc and WERA Superbike Expert Class by timed qualifying based on the second round of practice in the morning. The competition at these Sprint Regional/National weekends has been fierce with riders getting personal best times and taking down standing best lap times.
Due to the pandemic social distancing, masks in gatherings are still required. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing will have hand sanitizer and masks if you need one available. We encourage you to bring your own pens and let’s have a safe paddock. Also be aware Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will have Covid protocols with waivers and temp checks at the Credential Building which is the trailer at the top of the property on the road coming in.
WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was founded in 1973 and remains the foremost place to develop talent in the sport of motorcycle road racing. The legacy of Pro riders on a National and World level is legendary. All events are run by WERA Motorcycle Roadracing with a co-sanction by the AMA and they go coast to coast offering entry level racing with the WERA Sportsman Series as well as a Pro-Am Series with the WERA National Challenge Series, WERA Motorcycle Roadracing also offer Vintage Racing and limited Endurance Racing with Track Day Partners N2 and Sportbike Track Time. WERA Motorcycle Roadracing was voted the 2017 AMA Track Organizer of the Year.
For more information on WERA Motorcycle Roadracing please check out our web site at wera.com
Dainese Group Acquires TCX
DAINESE GROUP ACQUIRES TCX
Acquisition Continues Dainese Group Mission of Providing Motorbike Rider Safety from Head to Toe
VICENZA, Italy – October 1, 2020 – Dainese Group, the legendary motorcycle protective gear brand, is proud to announce the acquisition of TCX, a renowned Italian brand specializing in of motorbike footwear.
Based in Montebelluna, Italy, TCX has deep technical and development expertise in motorbike footwear and shares with Dainese its proven, high-quality product line. TCX is known for craftsmanship, innovative technology, and decades of field research, and brings a deep understanding of rider needs to the development of footwear for all purposes including racing, off-road, and urban and leisure use.
“Improving safety in dynamic sports has always been the Dainese mission,” said Cristiano Silei, CEO at Dainese Group, “We are committing to ongoing research into innovative systems that protect athletes from head to toe, and are extremely proud of the operation we’ve built. TCX shares with Dainese the passion for product and adds technical and development skills that are fundamental in motorbike footwear. I welcome the TCX team – we’re extremely excited to be working together”.
With the acquisition of TCX, Dainese Group, with the Dainese and AGV brands, further strengthens the company’s position in the footwear category and expands its head-to-toe range of market-leading protective gear. Dainese’s mission continues.
DAINESE GROUP
Founded in 1972 by Lino Dainese, the Dainese group develops cutting-edge protective clothing for dynamic sports like motorcycle riding, skiing, mountain biking, horse riding and sailing. True to its mission of protecting athletes from head to toe, in 2007 Dainese acquired the iconic AGV brand, founded in 1947 and famous across the world for its innovative racing helmets. Dainese and AGV products represent the technological frontier in terms of protection in dynamic sports, and are used by the world’s best athletes, Valentino Rossi and Sofia Goggia among all.
MV Agusta Presents: “Pursuit Of Happiness – Mr. Nogues II”
MV AGUSTA EXTREME RIDING IS BACK WITH “MR NOGUES II”
“Pursuit of Happiness” is ready to take the web by storm. Again.
Varese, October 1, 2020 – After the first heart-stopping video, “Back in Black, Mr Nogues”, went viral with over 5 million views, French stunt champion Thibaut Nogues is back with a vengeance in a new episode inspired by spy movies. “Pursuit of Happiness – Mr Nogues II”, directed by Mathieu Echeverri, was shot on the scenic, devilish hairpin bends of the French Riviera. In addition to MV Agusta’s iconic bikes, the 3-minute video has all the ingredients of a classic Bond movie: speed, danger, adrenaline, dream landscapes, luxury cars and femmes fatales, with a zest of humour. And yes, Thibaut is wearing a black tie!
Riding his specially prepared F3 800 at unimaginable speeds on the roads (closed for the occasion) that climb high up in the Alpes Maritimes, Thibaut Nogues puts on an impressive show that will thrill web audiences around the world. This time the mysterious Mr Nogues is being tailgated by a wicked Superveloce which puts his extraordinary skills to the test in a spectacular chase scene.
Nogues, when not shooting hair raising films in glam locations, is the front man and star rider of MV Agusta’s Freestyle Division, led by former racing ace Virginio Ferrari. Since 2019, the team took part in dozens of motorcycling events around Europe, ranging from MotoGP and SuperBike rounds to fairs and exhibitions. The social media reach of Thibaut Nogues and MV Agusta’s Freestyle Division is impressive, with millions of contacts every month and hundreds of thousands of views within a few days of the publication of every new video, with peaks of several millions. A formidable tool to engage new generation audiences around the world, and possibly the best way to “pursue happiness”!
AIMExpo 2021 Postponed
Following the third-quarter meeting of the MIC Board of Directors, AIMExpo issued the following statement from Cinnamon Kernes, vice president and general manager, MIC Events:
“We have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2021 AIMExpo, the industry’s annual trade show, and while this wasn’t an easy choice it is certainly the right one.
“With local directives limiting gathering size, travel restrictions, and a myriad of other obstacles created by the pandemic, there are too many unknown factors limiting our ability to create a safe environment that will also deliver the experience and ROI our exhibitors and attendees expect. We do not want to deliver a show that doesn’t live up to their high standards. Also impacting our decision to postpone are the dealers working to rebuild their businesses after suffering devastating damage from fires, hurricanes, and floods that have hit both the East and West Coasts.
“There is tremendous value in face-to-face meetings and in-person events and we believe in their ability to create irreplaceable opportunities to connect with people and businesses to drive commerce. The AIMExpo team will continue to work with key industry partners, including Tucker Powersports, to explore options that deliver relevant and important educational content for dealer attendees in 2021. Likewise, the team will be looking for opportunities to connect the powersports brands through quality networking events later this year. We look forward to bringing AIMExpo back in 2022 and will celebrate the industry of powersports and everyone that makes it great.”
Earlier this year AIMExpo and Tucker Powersports announced co-locating shows. Tucker supports the decision to postpone and has made a separate announcement regarding their plans for 2021. In it, Marc McAllister, CEO of Tucker Powersports stated: “While we at Tucker were very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the AIME show this year, the health and safety of our dealers and supplier partners has to be our first priority. We want to respect public health restrictions and we don’t want to put anyone at risk. We are now looking forward to reconnecting with the MIC and AIMExpo in 2022.”