Moto gp ; Márquez conclut le Test de Valence avec le meilleur temps / Marquez ends Valencia test ahead of MotoGP™ rivals

Le double Champion du Monde MotoGP™ a été le plus rapide mercredi à Valence, où se terminait le premier rendez-vous de la pré-saison 2015.

Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) a aujourd'hui signé le meilleur temps de l'ensemble des trois journées du Test Officiel de Valence en 1'30.973, soit 0.146s de mieux que son coéquipier Dani Pedrosa, qui a fini quatrième sur le classement combiné des trois journées. Les pilotes du team Repsol Honda ont comparé les versions 2014 et 2015 de la RC213V et Márquez a fait son meilleur tour sur sa moto de 2014.

Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) était troisième mercredi et deuxième sur le classemant combiné après avoir tourné en 1'30.975 lundi dernier. Lorenzo et son coéquipier Valentino Rossi, sixième sur le combiné, ont concentré leurs efforts sur le châssis ainsi que sur des modifications du système d'échappement de la YZR-M1.

Pol Espargaró et Bradley Smith du team Monster Yamaha Tech3 participaient eux aussi à l'évalutation de nouvelles pièces amenées par Yamaha et ont respectivement terminé aux troisième et cinquième positions sur l'ensemble du test.

Chez Pramac Racing, Yonny Hernández et Danilo Petrucci étaient solidement installés dans le Top 10 aujourd'hui. Le Colombien roulait avec la GP14.2 sur piste sèche pour la première fois tandis que Michele Pirro poursuivait de son côté son programme d'essais avec Ducati.

Cal Crutchlow (CWM LCR Honda) a quant à lui terminé son premier test sur la RC213V à 0.8s de Márquez. 

Aleix Espargaró et Maverick Viñales ont pu continuer à accumuler les kilomètres avec la nouvelle Suzuki GSX-R. Espargaró a surtout travaillé sur l'ergonomie et sa position de pilotage après avoir roulé avec un pied droit trop proche du pot d'échappement lundi.

Jack Miller (CWM LCR Honda), Loris Baz (NGM Forward Racing) et Eugene Laverty (Drive M7 Aspar) poursuivaient leur apprentissage du MotoGP™ avec des conditions météo nettement plus favorables que celles de la veille, qui ont également profité à Álvaro Bautista et Marco Melandri du team Aprilia Gresini.

Suite à ce Test Officiel, seuls quelques pilotes rouleront à nouveau cette année lors d'essais privés qui auront lieu à Jerez ainsi qu'à Sepang avant le 1er décembre, date du début de la trêve hivernale.

On Wednesday afternoon at the Valencia circuit Respol Honda’s double-MotoGP™ World Champion Marc Marquez wrapped up three days of testing at the top of the timesheet with a best lap of 1’30.973.

Marquez was 0.146s ahead of his teammate Dani Pedrosa, who was second quickest on Wednesday with a time of 1’31.119 and fourth best over the three days of the test. The Honda pair undertook back-to-back comparisons with their 2014 and 2015 RC213V machines, Marquez’s best time registered on a 2014 prototype.

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo was third on Wednesday and second overall this week, with a best time of 1’31.164 from day three compared to his timesheet topping Monday best lap of 1’30.975. Lorenzo and colleague Valentino Rossi worked on testing chassis and exhaust upgrades, with Rossi completing the test sixth overall.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith showed good pace over the three days with various 2014 factory parts filtering through from Yamaha for both riders. On the combined timesheets, Espargaro was third best and Smith fifth.

Pramac Racing pair Yonny Hernandez and Danilo Petrucci looked good inside the Wednesday top ten, with Hernandez enjoying his first dry session on the GP14.2. Ducati test rider Michele Pirro rode with a special mechanism to test swingarm torsion and ended Wednesday’s session in 12h place, 14th overall over the three days.

Cal Crutchlow’s first test with CWM LCR Honda on a factory spec RC213V concluded with him 0.8s off Marquez’s best time in 10th on Wednesday, with the Briton getting more laps under his belt on the final day.

Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales continued their adaptation to the new Suzuki MotoGP GSX-RR bike, Espargaro working on getting ergonomics right as his foot was touching the exhaust on Monday.

Meanwhile rookies such as Jack Miller, Loris Baz, Eugene Laverty notched up further track time with their respective new rides. New team Factory Aprilia Gresini were working with new aluminium calipers with their two riders Alvaro Bautista and Marco Melandri gaining experience on the Italian manufacturer’s machinery.

Wednesday’s session wraps up the official MotoGP group tests for 2014, though further private tests at Jerez and Sepang are planned for some riders, before the winter test ban commences in December.

Les enjeux du Wales Rally GB

Si la plupart des titres 2014 ont déjà trouvé preneur, le Wales Rally GB ne sera pas dénué d’intérêt. Une douzième victoire de la saison pour Volkswagen ? Une première victoire britannique au Rally GB depuis 2000 ? Quelle équipe sera vice-championne du monde 2014 ?

Depuis 1973, le Wales Rally GB, ex-Rally GB, ex-RAC Rally, a toujours compté pour le Championnat du monde des Rallyes FIA et il clôture la saison WRC pour la 33^e fois en 41 éditions en Mondial.

De retour près de Chester l’an passé, le Wales Rally GB 2014 sera de nouveau basé au nord-est du Pays de Galles cette année avec un parc d’assistance installé dans les usines Toyota de Deeside. Le parcours est relativement classique avec une première étape vers Newtown, au cœur du Pays de Galles (Hafren, Sweet Lamb…), une deuxième journée vers Deeside et les forêts de Clocaenog, et une dernière étape plus au nord, sur les rivages de la Mer d’Irlande.

Parmi les enjeux de cette 70^e édition, l’équipe Volkswagen Motorsport va-t-elle remporter une 12^e victoire cette saison, ce qui constituerait un nouveau record en WRC (11 succès pour Citroën en 2005 et 2008). Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala et Andreas Mikkelsen, les trois pilotes qui composent le podium du championnat 2014, auront carte blanche sur les spéciales galloises.

Les deux dernières places du top-5 final du championnat Pilotes restent à attribuer et se joueront entre Mikko Hirvonen (Ford), Mads Ostberg (Citroën), Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), Kris Meeke (Citroën) et Elfyn Evans (Ford). On attend beaucoup (trop ?) des deux pilotes britanniques, battus sur leurs terres depuis 2000 et la victoire du regretté Richard Burns.

Côté championnat Constructeurs, le titre de vice-champion se jouera entre Citroën-Total Abu Dhabi (187 points), M-Sport WRT (180) et Hyundai Motorsport (175 points). Le Finlandais Juho Hanninen a été nominé par Hyundai au côté de Thierry Neuville pour marquer des points Constructeurs.

On attend aussi le dénouement en championnat WRC-2 où le titre Pilotes 2014 se jouera entre Nasser Al-Attiyah et Jari Ketomaa. Dans cette catégorie, on suivra bien sûr le retour de Matthew Wilson au volant d’une Ford Fiesta R5, les débuts mondiaux du multiple champion écossais David Bogie (Ford Fiesta R5), ainsi que les prestations de Tom Cave (Ford Fiesta R5), de Quentin Gilbert (Ford Fiesta R5) et du nouveau champion Junior Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën DS3 R5).

A suivre aussi les parcours du nouveau prodige britannique Chris Ingram (Peugeot 208 R2) et du vétéran Tony Jardine (Mitsubishi), copiloté cette année par la ravissante top-modèle Peta Cavendish, épouse du « roi du sprint » Mark Cavendish.

True Adventure - Episode 1 / The Dream

Honda's own philosophy says, that to dream & never stop exploring is what makes us who we are...
The legend lives on. Winners of the gruelling Dakar rally in 1986, ’87, ’88 and ’89. Honda fuels the spirit of True Adventure.
True Adventure refelects our past glory but also encapsulates our future vision. 

A road trip across South America by Land Rover Defender

Who hasn’t dreamed of jumping in their favourite classic car and heading off on a road trip across the stunning landscapes of South America? Munich-based filmmaker Vincent Urban and two friends did just that – and documented their experience in these glorious short films…

Through wild South America

“In early 2012, we started a journey to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil in our old and rusty Land Rover,” explains Urban. With their digital cameras and other equipment stored in the 110’s voluminous rear, Urban and his travel companions Stefan Templer and Clemens Krüger set off across South America. Thanks to them, you can now experience the diversity of South America in less than six minutes – with sprawling deserts, bustling cities, undisturbed nature... and plenty of wind.

Untamed winds

If you were ‘blown away’ by Vincent’s videos, his Vimeo channel has several more high-quality ‘road movies’, including Oman, Turkey, Morocco, Thailand, and New England.

Videos: Vincent Urban

Why not buy yourself a classic Land Rover from the Classic Driver Market, hand in your notice and set off on a road trip of your own? Don’t forget the video camera…

Twinline Moto Shoot

Twinline Moto Shoot from Todd Blubaugh on Vimeo.

GARB: FREQUENT FLYER

J.Crew 484 Jean ($98). J.Crew Sun-Faded Sweatshirt ($70). J.Crew Ribbed Wool Watchman Cap ($40). Barbour Northolt Jacket ($549). Montague Leather Weekender ($475). Nike Vintage Collection Waffle Racer Sneakers ($88). J.Crew Vintage Oxford Shirt ($75). Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunglasses ($145). J.Crew Cashmere Scarf ($98). Caputo & Co. Triple Wrap Bracelet ($85). Mougin & Piquard Grande Seconde Watch ($425). J.Crew Quilted Cotton Workshirt ($138). #59 Magazine ($45). The Kings County Distillery Guide to Urban Moonshining ($25).The Hillside Japanese Selvedge Chambray Pocket Square ($44).

MAGNI FILO ROSSO: A RACE REPLICA FOR THE ROAD

Vintage race bikes sound good in theory. But unless you’re handy with a spanner and have access to an underground parts network, they’re likely to drain your bank account faster than a weekend in Vegas.

So wouldn’t it be good if you could have a race replica that starts at the push of a button? And doesn’t require a fleet of mechanics to keep it running?

That’s the thinking behind the latest release from Giovanni Magni—son of the legendary MV Agusta engineer Arturo, and current custodian of the Magni factory.

The Filo Rosso is powered by the 3-cylinder MV Agusta Brutale 800 engine, encased in a classic double-cradle frame. It’s got 125 eager Italian horses on tap, and weighs only 145 kg (320 pounds). Which means it’ll be fast enough to embarrass all but the most exotic of modern machinery.

The rest of the spec sheet is equally mouth-watering. The forks are classic Cerianis, and the 18” wheels are magnesium alloy. There’s a twin-disc Brembo brake setup at the front, thankfully, and modern Dunlop rubber at both ends.

The star of the show is the bodywork, though. You’ll be able to specify the bike in “café racer” trim—minus the fairing—but we’ll take the extra metallurgy, thank you.

Being hand-beaten aluminum it won’t weigh much, and it looks simply stunning in the classic MV Agusta red and silver livery. Just like the original 500 Three racebikes did some forty years ago, fettled by Magni Snr and ridden by Giacomo Agostini to seven consecutive championships.

There’s no word on price yet, and some of the components may change before limited production starts. But the Magni factory has been producing delectable short runs of sporting machinery since the 1980s, so the project is in good hands.

Interested? Please form an orderly queue at www.magni.it.

via BIKEexif

STEVE’S K100

Friend of the Shed, Steve Heath from Dorset, has had a couple of a bikes featured so far this year, an R80 and anR100. The lairy Outspan orange R80 recently sold through the Bike Shed classifieds so Steve was positively swimming in two pence pieces. Anyone who’s built a bike and then advertised it will be aware that those who lambast them for a seemingly inflated price need to sod off to a cold outbuilding and try it for themselves. Unless you have a stopclock running like Gary Kasparov at the world championships, earning an easy crust from customising bikes is an unachievable utopia. Besides, Steve builds bikes for the love of it under his Soul’d Out banner.

Wanting to ride a fresh build to London’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, Steve discounted the smaller capacity offerings in his donor range and opted for the visually challenging K100 that was languishing in the garage. Like the slightly out of favour, plump ginger girl at the school disco, a K100 just needs a bit of love and a dark corner. And lets face it, at least a K100 will put out on first date, unlike the slightly frigid and underwhelming K75.

Steve put the K on an Atkins diet with a strict burpees routine, stripping pounds wherever possible. The design boys from Bavaria clearly never had to push any of their efforts around the factory as the over engineering results in some spectacular obesity. The clocks for example weighed 3 kilos, which sounds like lots of pounds to me. A new subframe with seat base replaces the hefty factory fitted option, with a proper, comfortable saddle on top ready for 500 mile days.

Heavy mild steal exhausts fitted by manufacturers are not only an easy place to save some weight but the perhaps the single simplest way to create presence with anything powered by an internal combustion engine. Steve fabricated a 4-into-1 system, leading to a Moto GP style silencer, which rumbles nicely without attracting an ASBO. A race-spec fuel pressure regulator was fitted along with a new fuel pump to give the engine an uninterrupted source of the good stuff. Said motor was in fine fettle so didn’t need any drastic stripping down.

Yup, here’s another weighty machine fitted with Continental’s TKC80s. Yes, this choice of rubber is not going to be the thing that finally gives Guy Martin an Isle of Man TT win but they are good news for custom porkies like the K100. Steve has them fitted to his KTM Adventure and peg-scraping antics are no stranger to his Sunday activities. Forks are dropped in the yokes a few mm, fork oil is thicker and springs are stiffer to sharpen the handling; the rear shock is wound to max on the preload to ensure a purposeful stance and extra firmness.

Organic carrots taste better than the homogenous straight ones from Tescos and bare metal looks better without paint. Well, that’s completely my opinion but I like rawness. So does Steve so he stripped the aluminium fuel tank, buffed it a bit and coated with a few layers of lacquer to keep oxidisation at bay. Matching side panels suggest a smidgen of racing intentions, whilst covering up the wide-wasted battery.

Continuing with the lightweight theme, plastic mudguards keep the crud out of the radiator fins, and Steve’s teeth. A Koso digital gauge is slim and barely tips the scales, so one was fitted to the handmade aluminium dash.

With midnight oil burnt and time running out Steve put the finishing touches to the K100 on a dark Saturday evening. The following morning was damp and foggy but as the sun won the battle for the horizon, the slightly misfiring Beemer was already parked up under the Shard’s shadow in London’s Borough Market, awaiting the start of the 2014 DGR. Luckily BSMC’s Ali Latimer was on hand with his neatly arranged tool kit to ensure a smooth firing order resumed. After a glorious day spent with likeminded folk under tanzanite skies Steve completed his five hundred mile round trip back home and stood, for a moment, pleased with himself and his endeavours.

No doubt Steve will be back with another build before Christmas, if he can get his priorities in order and stop having inconvenient heart attacks! No pressure Steve 

via The Bike Shed

Chevignon, The Real Choice

Back in the French Days pour Chevignon dont la collection automne-hiver se twiste dans l'époque avec esprit. Tout droit sortis d'un 90's revisité et de leur street culture, teddys collège, bombers, doudounes et cuir, comme avant, se font signe de ralliement du clan. Riders ou bikers, toujours en bande, jamais loups solitaires, réinvestissant la ville et, de casses en parkings, de cafés en soirées, en font leur terrain de jeu. Crazy Ducks ou Canards Sauvages, reste à choisir son crew, sa loi. Et, avec eux tracer sa voie.



CREDITS : 
Réalistaion : Yan Morvan 
Directeur de la photographie : Martial Schmeltz
Stylisme : Marine Braunschvig
Set Design : Vincent Olivieri 
Chef Groomer : Sebastien Le Corroller 
Casting, Crazy Ducks : Yannick Mabille, Antonin David, David Prat, Gary Allemann, Romain Leclerc, Simon Andraca
Casting, Canards Sauvages : Ulysse Leverve, Melvin Israel, Eliot Leblane-Hartmann, Tom Hygreek, Rory O’Hara, Samuel Lhermillier 
Ingénieur Son : Rémi daru, Antoine Corbin
Musique : Tech N9ne « The Beast », Universal Studios
Conseil Purchase Musique : Olivier Kreis 
Making Of vidéo : Pedro Podestà
Direction Artistique, Production et Casting : Al Dente
Remerciements : La casse d’athis Auto Mons, le parking Saint-Georges, le bar Hotel de la poste 75019, Medialab, Vantage, Panalux, Bicycle Store, Animaux Aupetit, Françoise Bornstein

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