Dainese has introduced the next generation of MotoGP hand protection – the Full Metal 7 gloves. Offering the most advanced hand protection ever, the Full Metal 7 gloves, maximise comfort and lightness whilst increasing riding sensitivity for that all-important handlebar control.   Certified to EN 13594 Level 2, the Full Metal 7 gloves are made from goatskin leather combined with aramid fibre lining and stitching to offer supreme comfort and feel.  Packed with Dainese’s innovative technology, the Full Metal 7 gloves feature Pro-Tek titanium inserts with a PU base on the knuckles. These are designed to protect the back of the hand and knuckle area, whilst offering exceptional levels of comfort and hand mobility, further by a pre-curved shape which hugs the knuckle area. The PU co-injected base and titanium plates ensure premium impact protection, excellent sliding and grip avoidance in case of a fall. Ultimate MotoGP-level protection can be found in every detail of the gloves with the inclusion of TPU finger sliders and Distortion Control Protection on the little finger – a thermoplastic polyurethane insert positioned at the base of the finger to prevent extra rotation of the finger in the event of a fall. The fingers have an elastic and high-tenacity construction with micro-elastic elasticated inserts. The Full Metal 7 have been pre-curved for race-riding and there are front and rear holes for increased ventilation. The cuff is adjustable to customise for a perfect fit along with a tightening strap to ensure the gloves stay put and keep the rigid inserts in the correct position. Dainese’s Pro-Hand technology can be found on the external side of the palm to aid protection if sliding to prevent further injury.  Riders can choose from Black/Black, Black/Red-Fluo and Black/Yellow-Fluo and in sizes XS-XXXL. The Full Metal 7 gloves have an RRP from £399.95 and will soon be available in Dainese stores and official stockists. To locate your nearest Dainese dealer, visit www.nevis.uk.com

The outcome of this morning’s FP1 at Le Mans had created a very different degree of expectations for Marc and Alex Marquez, who in the end could not finish Practice higher than 13^th and 19^th, respectively. An afternoon characterised by high temperatures that saw a crash (for the #93) and a bit too many yellow flag situations did not help in what was extremely competitive session, with the top-12 lapping under the 1’31s barrier. 
 
For the first time in the season, both standard bearers of Team Gresini Racing MotoGP will be forced to tackle Q1 tomorrow from 10:50 local time (GMT +2). 

13^th - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (1’31.097s)
“I never felt comfortable in the afternoon set-up wise, and we need to react quickly. I’m not really fond of Q1 and it’s going to be a key but also complicated session. Unfortunately I got a yellow flag during my quick lap attempt and then made a mistake at the last second. We went in the wrong direction with the set-up so there’s a lot of work to do to be competitive tomorrow.”
 
19^th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’31.530s)
“I managed to only do one time attack. We tried some adjustments that we working well this morning, but not as much in the afternoon. We need to make a step back, I had an idea set-up wise that I thought could have helped, but it turned out not to be. There’s margin to do well, but we need a bike that is not as nervous. Q1 is a complicated session and it’ll be even more challenging tomorrow with so many fast riders.”

 

Sunday 12th May
9am – 5pm
 
Ace Cafe London’s annual BMW Bike “Treffen Special” Day, Sunday 12th May 2024, celebrates all that is BMW Motorrad 101 years on since first having produced motorcycles since 1923.

With a long history of racing success ( including at WSB and  the IoM TT ), the long heritage includes the two-valve and four-valve shaft drive boxer “twins”, the singles and their chains, the parallel twins, from the R80GS “Air head” and “Para levers”, to “Oil heads”, the F’s,  HP4’s, 1000RR’s, RnineT’s, and the latest R1250GS’s and R18 boxers.

Along with other models from the extensive BMW array, all are to be celebrated and enjoyed at the Ace.

See Michael Dunlop set a “fast way round” lap record of 133.393MPH at IoM TT on 4.6.16 riding the RST BMW Superbike:

From “classics” to “carbon”, “Make Life A Ride” and show and share yours!

See you at The Ace 

Listen, revel and be immersed in a mix of the best rock and roll and rockabilly, blended with the London sub-culture sounds, broadcasting 24/7 on online radio and social media.

 

The British Motor Museum is to host an exhibition entitled “The Gallery 2024” opening on 29 April. The exhibition, a continuing collaboration with Historic Car Art, will run until 30 June 2024. Visitors will be able to enjoy a collection of motoring-related pieces from a variety of Britain’s most creative automotive artists and sculptors.

Alongside the exhibition, the Museum will also be running a competition for young artists to enter. The competition will be judged by a panel consisting of Head of Collections & Engagement, Stephen Laing, Historic Car Art Gallery owner Rupert Whyte and featured artists John Ketchell and Kate Alger. As part of the prize, winning young artists will have their work displayed at the Museum over the summer holidays. More information on the competition and how to submit artwork can be found on the Museum website.

The Gallery showcases a number of leading motoring artists including Simon Britnell, Kate Alger,  John Ketchell, Emma Carpenter and Neil Collins. The artists work with a variety of media, including acrylics, oil, watercolour, pen, and pastels. Alongside the evocative paintings, Jonny Ambrose and Chris Twitchell will bring their eye-catching sculptures to the exhibition.

Historic Car Art has been operating from its rural Derbyshire base since 2004. It has been built over time from a passion for art, cars, automotive history and the racing exploits of drivers and manufacturers, combined with a great interest in how this has all been depicted over the years in both artwork and promotional advertising. Historic Car Art is now a leader in acquiring and supplying original automotive art and vintage posters, building collections for discerning private and corporate clients worldwide.

Rupert Whyte, Historic Car Art Gallery owner, commented “It’s been fantastic to have the opportunity to work with the British Motor Museum again for this exhibition. There are so many talented artists working in the automotive art scene today, and it’s a privilege for Historic Car Art to be able to bring our work to a wider audience through this partnership. We hope visitors enjoy perusing this collection - no matter what kind of car fan they are, they’re bound to find a piece that will capture their imagination.”

Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, added: "We're delighted to collaborate for a second year with Historic Car Art to showcase the work of some of Britain's most talented artists. The community of artists in Britain taking inspiration from the automobile and motorsport has arguably never been stronger. There is such a wide array of styles and media, capturing the motor car in almost every era and situation”.

Access to the exhibition is included with standard Museum admission tickets. Museum entry is just £43 for a family in advance or £49 on the day, £16 for adults in advance or £19 on the day, £14 for concessions in advance or £17 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and get an Annual Pass in return, at no extra cost.  To find out more information about the exhibition, please visit the website at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/explore/the-gallery

 

 

The anticipation is building as we approach the fifth round of the 2024 MotoGP season, set to ignite the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix racing track in France this weekend. This thrilling event is a key highlight of the 21-race calendar, promising high-speed action and intense competition.  

The MotoGP French Grand Prix, a pivotal event in the championship, is set to take place at the Bugatti track in Le Mans. Last year, Marco Bezzecchi emerged as the victor, marking the 1000th weekend of the world championship with his win.

Last year, the Italian achieved his second Grand Prix triumph after his first success in the Argentine Grand Prix, temporarily propelling him to the championship standings.

The previous year's MotoGP French Grand Prix was a record-breaking event, with 278,805 spectators flocking to Le Mans over the weekend. This high attendance is a testament to the event's popularity and significance in the MotoGP calendar.

The MotoGP French Grand Prix has seen intense competition over the years. Jorge Lorenzo, a dominant force in the sport, holds the record for the most wins in this event, with six victories between 2009 and 2016.

When is the 2024 French Grand Prix?

The MotoGP French Grand Prix is scheduled for 10-12 May 2024. The race on Sunday will commence at 1 pm BST, equivalent to 2 pm local time.

Moto GP In France: A Historic Venue

Certain events on the MotoGP calendar are notably iconic due to the historical significance of the tracks where they take place and the high level of competition they foster. The Grand Prix of France is unquestionably at the forefront in this regard.

The Bugatti GP Circuit near Le Mans is not just a track, it's a testament to the rich history of World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing. As an integral section of the extensive Circuit de la Sarthe, it has witnessed countless iconic moments and fierce battles. Its 4,200 meters of French asphalt have been graced by the best in the sport, making it a revered venue for MotoGP enthusiasts.

Francesco Bagnaia & Jorge Martin Battle at the Top of the Standings

Despite Francesco Bagnaia's best efforts, Jorge Martin still leads the championship by 17 points going into this weekend's French GP. However, there is still plenty of opportunity for riders to gain distance in the title race since there are 17 rounds left in the season.

Martin has been impressive on his path to a 92-point performance in early 2024. His consistent top-two finishes in weighted predator and prey throughout the season reflect the aggressive riding style that the Spaniard employs. When comparing 2024 to previous seasons, Martin also performs better in terms of consistency and quickness. On the other hand, his 50% average accident rate at Le Mans and 25% in-season crash rate are causes for concern.

On his Ducati Lenovo Team bike, defending champion Bagnaia is closing the gap quickly on Martin. Although Bagnaia has had success thus far, his rankings in consistency are concerning, as he sits at number sixteen, and in degradation, he is ranked eleventh. This shows that, in comparison to his competitors, Bagnaia has had trouble getting into a rhythm and managing his tires during the race. But he can make clean overtakes stick, as seen by his high-efficiency position. Bagnaia might seize control of the title if he can find a way to be more consistent over the remainder of the season.

MotoGP Grand Prix of France Betting Odds

The MotoGP championship odds at top-rated bookies for Irish punters present interesting future prices as they cannot split Martin and Bagnaia from the leading position.

As previously mentioned, Martin and Bagnaia are currently battling in the championship standings, which is reflected in the sportsbook betting odds.

Moto GP World Championship Winner Odds 2024

Francesco Bagnaia [7/4]

Jorge Martin [7/4]

Marc Marquez [5/2]

Pedro Acosta [8/1]

A Brief History of the Bugatti Circuit

The first race took place in 1951 and has been contested in Le Mans without interruption since 2000, despite hosting several events starting from 1969.

Giacomo Agostini became victorious in the 500cc category during the first-ever race on the track by surpassing all other riders in terms of laps completed. The Italian racer won in three further races held in France in 1970, 1972, and 1975. Furthermore, he won a total of eight championships in both the 500cc and 350cc classes.

Honda has the record for the most wins among manufacturers in the premier class at Le Mans, with a total of 20 triumphs. Their most recent win was in 2019.

A Closer Look at The Bugatti Circuit The MotoGP

French Grand Prix takes place at the Bugatti Circuit, situated inside the Circuit de la Sarthe, renowned for hosting the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race. The Bugatti Circuit spans 2.6 miles (4.185km) and is named in honor of Ettore Bugatti, the renowned Italian-French automotive designer and manufacturer. The track was inaugurated in 1965, 18 years after Bugatti's passing in Paris.

Certain sections of the Bugatti circuit coincide with the primary 24-hour track, including the pit straight, La Chapelle, Raccordement, and the Dunlop Chicane. After La Chappelle, the track diverges, with the right path leading to the Bugatti circuit and the left path leading to the 24-hour vehicle layout.

The Bugatti track is also the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle race, in which Gregg Black, Etienne Masson, and Dan Linfoot triumphed for Yoshimura Sert Motul in April.

French GP 2024 Qualifying and Race Schedule

● Saturday 11th of May – Qualifier 1 – [9:50 am – 10:05 am]

● Saturday 11th of May – Qualifier 2 – [10:15 am – 10:30 am]

● Saturday 11th May – 13-lap Sprint Race – [2 pm]

● Sunday 12th May – Warm Up – [8:40 am – 8:50 am]

● Sunday 12th May – French GP Race – [1 pm]

 

 

 

 

 

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