The official result frm the Dakar organisers;

93 bikers, 64 car crews and 33 trucks eventually made it to the finish line of the 28th Euromilhoes-Lisboa-Dakar. Luc Alphand won the car race and Marc Coma took the title in the bikes class. Vladimir Chagin, behind the steering wheel of his Kamaz conquered his fifth title in the trucks category.

In memory of the two children that sadly died during the passage of the Dakar caravan in Guinea and Senegal, the final Lac Rose special was not timed. The official times for the final standings of the 28th Euromilhoes-Lisboa-Dakar were therefore those registered after stage 14 between Tambacounda and Dakar.

The podium ceremony was therefore purely symbolic with the sporting aspect already decided before the last few days in all three categories.

On two wheels, Marc Coma’s final victory could have been predicted in Lisbon at the start of the event. The Spaniard indeed looked to be the main rival of title holder Cyril Despres. Cyril Despres’ goal to take it nice and easily at a decent pace before trying to hit hard in the Mauritanian stages, was troubled by a big crash at km 273 of the stage going from Tan Tan to Zouerat.

The Frenchman suffered a dislocated shoulder but courageously decided to carry on managing a few fine specials like the one heading to Nouakchott when he took his team mate David Casteu to a first ever success, or the one going to Kiffa when he gained a few precious minutes on Coma. Cyril Despres finished the rally with four special wins under the belt but also some very bad navigation choices - which cost him the race.

Isidre Esteve could have been Despres successor and keep the title within the KTM-Gauloises team, but after a fall during the Nouakchott – Kiffa stage, the Spaniard was forced to quit the race and had to go through surgery for a ruptured spleen. The leading trio now only had one big name left: Marc Coma. He was to claim his first ever success “for Andy Caldecott” his KTM-Repsol team mate…

While the 2006 Dakar title remained among the favourites, quite a few bikers proved to be the men of the future. Portugal’s Faria and Rodrigues, that didn’t only show what they could do on home soil, impressed for their first Dakars.

David Casteu, that was starting his first Dakar as an official rider, perfectly managed his role as a support rider but also captured a first ever stage success and finished 8th overall. Alain Duclos, winner of the Marathon class thanks to his 7th spot overall, flew to victory in Bamako, his native town. US bikers Chris Blais, 4th this year and Jonah Street, 17th for his first appearance on the Dakar will be riders to watch in the upcoming years.

The specific standing for the privateers with no assistance was won by Frenchman Patrice Carillon (29th overall). The women’s race was won by Patricia Watson-Miller, after leader and title holder Ludivine Puy broke her pelvis heading to Tambacounda.

Triumph has done a deal with BSM to try and encourage new riders on to their bikes. The deal means that riders can buy their bike and training from Triumph all at once. The course includes everything needed to get on a bike for the first time including CBT and Direct Access, plus accommodation and food for the length of the course.

Riders will be clothed in Triumph kit and ride a Triumph Bonneville. The training will be done at BSM?s training facilities in Birmingham before heading out on a guided ride to the Hinckley factory where they will get a full tour of the plant.
Not only will you get all the training you need but because Triumph as so confident in the course you can then claim a big discount on your insurance if you book on of the firm?s own policies.
Triumph is offering its Bonneville and the training course combined for ?5999, a saving of ?300, or you can buy the course on its own for ?1099.
They will also be introducing other courses for people who have already passed their test.

(this article was taken from motorcyclenews.com)

Last year was a tough year for the UK motorcycle industry, with perhaps the exception of two groups of people; mini moto retailers/importers and BMW bike dealers. Here’s the word from BMW GB;

2005 – a record year for BMW Motorrad UK

BMW Motorrad UK has exceeded its target of ‘5,000 registrations in 2005’ having sold a record number of 5,614 new motorcycles last year, according to the latest industry figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association.

2005 saw BMW Motorrad actively target new market segments with a lighter, faster and more powerful range of new models that have included the 163 hp K1200 R roadster as well as the radical HP2 Enduro – currently the most powerful twin-cylinder enduro machine available.

The MCN Award-winning R1200 GS (Best All-Rounder) was the first model to incorporate BMW Motorrad’s ‘new-generation’ philosophy and has remained at the top of its Adventure Sport Segment since July 2004 – out-selling its closest rival by over 1200 units last year, to achieve 1,980 sales for the year.

Another MCN Award winner in the touring category – the R1200 RT – has firmly positioned itself as the best-selling touring bike almost as soon as it went on sale in March 2005, totalling 976 new registration figures. This sales success is all the more notable when compared to the best annual sales of its predecessor model, the R1150 RT in 1993, when just 665 registrations were recorded.

Such success has ensured BMW’s motorcycle registrations are up 20.9 per cent on 2004 with an overall market share growth from 4.36 to 5.19 per cent. Commenting on the results, BMW Motorrad UK’s General Manager, Adrian Roderick, said:

“To exceed our 5,000 new registration target is a fantastic end to what has been an extremely successful year for BMW Motorrad UK. 2005 has been championed for a long time as a crucial year for us. In re-evaluating all traditional areas of activity and communicating a brand new market positioning statement through the introduction of five fantastic new motorcycles, we have been successful in bringing a new focus to the industry.”

And with the launch of five more models in the spring, BMW Motorrad UK is currently making plans for an even more successful year in 2006.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Last year was a tough year for the UK motorcycle industry, with perhaps the exception of two groups of people; mini moto retailers/importers and BMW bike dealers. Here’s the word from BMW GB;

2005 – a record year for BMW Motorrad UK

BMW Motorrad UK has exceeded its target of ‘5,000 registrations in 2005’ having sold a record number of 5,614 new motorcycles last year, according to the latest industry figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association.

2005 saw BMW Motorrad actively target new market segments with a lighter, faster and more powerful range of new models that have included the 163 hp K1200 R roadster as well as the radical HP2 Enduro – currently the most powerful twin-cylinder enduro machine available.

The MCN Award-winning R1200 GS (Best All-Rounder) was the first model to incorporate BMW Motorrad’s ‘new-generation’ philosophy and has remained at the top of its Adventure Sport Segment since July 2004 – out-selling its closest rival by over 1200 units last year, to achieve 1,980 sales for the year.

Another MCN Award winner in the touring category – the R1200 RT – has firmly positioned itself as the best-selling touring bike almost as soon as it went on sale in March 2005, totalling 976 new registration figures. This sales success is all the more notable when compared to the best annual sales of its predecessor model, the R1150 RT in 1993, when just 665 registrations were recorded.

Such success has ensured BMW’s motorcycle registrations are up 20.9 per cent on 2004 with an overall market share growth from 4.36 to 5.19 per cent. Commenting on the results, BMW Motorrad UK’s General Manager, Adrian Roderick, said:

“To exceed our 5,000 new registration target is a fantastic end to what has been an extremely successful year for BMW Motorrad UK. 2005 has been championed for a long time as a crucial year for us. In re-evaluating all traditional areas of activity and communicating a brand new market positioning statement through the introduction of five fantastic new motorcycles, we have been successful in bringing a new focus to the industry.”

And with the launch of five more models in the spring, BMW Motorrad UK is currently making plans for an even more successful year in 2006.

(this article was taken from insidebikes.com)

Take a look at some of the big motorcycle shows ahead in 2006, which started with the Manchester Motorcycle Show over the last few days.

Later in January the MCN London Motorcycle Show opens at Ally Pally, which offers another mix of stunt action, kit bargains and plenty of biking accessories to bling up your machine.

You can find a comprehensive list here: http://www.insidebikes.com/Showtime/listing/list_main.htm

Tragic news from KTM - another great off-road rider has lost their life on the Dakar Rally.

Here’s the press statement;

Australian Repsol KTM rider Andy Caldecott has fatally crashed on the 9th stage of the Dakar (Nouakchott – Kiffa, according to latest reports).

The accident happened directly after the rest day off. This information has totally shocked us, KTM are at a loss for words.

The terrible accidents in the past 2 years caused us to start with mixed feelings and question our rally engagement. The presenters of the Dakar have tried to make the rally safer together with several manufacturers.

A speed limit has been adopted, a GPS system which enables each rider to be located and to allow him to communicate with the presenter. Riders can have more rests now due to shorter tank stops. It has been a sporting rally until we were brutally pulled out of our dream, to make this rally safe.

Our thoughts are with Andy and his family.

KTM Motorsport

(this bulletin was taken from insidebikes.com)

Tragic news from KTM - another great off-road rider has lost their life on the Dakar Rally.

Here’s the press statement;

Australian Repsol KTM rider Andy Caldecott has fatally crashed on the 9th stage of the Dakar (Nouakchott – Kiffa, according to latest reports).

The accident happened directly after the rest day off. This information has totally shocked us, KTM are at a loss for words.

The terrible accidents in the past 2 years caused us to start with mixed feelings and question our rally engagement. The presenters of the Dakar have tried to make the rally safer together with several manufacturers.

A speed limit has been adopted, a GPS system which enables each rider to be located and to allow him to communicate with the presenter. Riders can have more rests now due to shorter tank stops. It has been a sporting rally until we were brutally pulled out of our dream, to make this rally safe.

Our thoughts are with Andy and his family.

KTM Motorsport

(this bulletin was taken from insidebikes.com)