W E L C O M E THE TEAM :
�o , it ’ s official� I can finally �oin in conversations about the �oys of riding a motorcycle in ET . It ’ s only taken me �4 years but better late than never as they say .
�e have an awesome feature in this issue where myself , Zenon and The �ingh get down and dirty on � impressive naked bikes on some of the most famous biking roads in �A .
I really did en�oy the experience , but can easily understand how some get it horribly wrong , especially on the 22 . For those of you who don ’ t know what the 22 is - it ’ s literally a 22km stretch of left and right bends that will have any motorcycle enthusiast weeping for more . �A ’ s own smaller version of the Isle of Man TT . It ’ s a road that you have to respect , otherwise it will catch you out . It is an experience any and all bikers should try , and now when people ask if I have done the 22 I can finally say �E��
Big news this past month was that of MotoGP �orld �hamp Jorge �oren�o signing for �ucati , and parting ways with �amaha who he has been with for over 6 years now and won all three of his MotoGP titles with thus far .
I have to compliment the master of mind games - Mr �alentino Rossi , as I think he , in a way , forced �oren�o to make the move to �ucati , even if he didn ’ t want to . At the first round of the year in �atar , Rossi made two very big statements - firstly , signing a new 2-year deal with �amaha . Rossi knows that as long as he is in the team , he will always be number 1 , even if �oren�o is the actual champion . This meant that if �oren�o did want to be the so called number 1 rider in a team he would have to go elsewhere . The second big statement was this “ To sign with �ucati you need to be brave , you need big balls . �o because of this , I think �oren�o stays with �amaha .” Now , if that ’ s not a shove out the door I don ’ t know what is . Anyway , it worked , and �oren�o has signed up to ride for the Italians on a 2-year deal .
Now , I don ’ t think it ’ s such a bad move for �oren�o . First off , he will be the number 1 rider in the team , no matter who his team mate will be . And second , the �ucati is a much improved package from a few years ago when Rossi rode it , and with the new electronics rules and new Michelin tyres , the field is a lot closer . If �oren�o can go to �ucati and win , he will always have that over Rossi , no matter what The �octor says .
That move has stirred lots of interest in who will go where in 2�1� . Maverick �inales looks certain to �oin his child-hood hero at �amaha , and what a signing that will be for �amaha , as he really is a huge talent . �peaking of Maverick , we have a really cool article on him in this issue .
Other �uestion marks surround who will replace �inales at �u�uki , and will �onda keep Pedrosa in the Repsol team . I personally would like to see either Johnny Rea or even Michael �d Mark step up onto the Repsol �onda for 2�1� . Think Pedrosa needs a change , especially now after seriously being
overshadowed by Mar�ue� in the Repsol team . I wouldn ’ t put it past him signing for �u�uki , where he will no doubt once again have all the focus on him .
�aving said that , there are big name riders set to come up from Moto2 - Alex Rins , Johan Zarco and �am �owes all look to make the move to the premier class for 2�1� . I know that �owes has a deal signed with Aprilia MotoGP , and I think Zarco will �oin Bradley �mith at the new �TM MotoGP team , so where does that leave Rins� The popular �panish rider has said that he has many offers , and I think he will �oin the �amaha Tech� s�uad , ready to step into the factory �amaha team when Rossi finally does hang his suit up .
�ou will notice that there is a brand new �ym �cooter up for grabs in this issue . Mads Macs , the motorcycle store in Boksburg , has teamed up with us and are giving you the chance to win the scooter valued at over R15 , ��� . Full details on page 12 . �hile the month of April had some serious highs for us , there was a massive low . The �outh African motorcycle industry was sent into shock and sadness , with the news of the passing of young racing star Anthony �helley . The 1�-year old was sadly taken away from us . A memorial service took place later that week at Redstar Raceway , where hundreds of friends , family and supporters turned up to pay their respects , �ust proving what an ama�ing young man he was and how many lives he touched . It really was a great sight seeing hundreds of bikes line up on the grid and head out on a parade lap in honour of this star .
At only 1� , Anthony was already a legend in �A racing . �is passion , determination and positive attitude was always there for everyone to see . I had the honour and privilege of racing with , sponsoring and knowing this great young man . Anthony �helley was the type of person the world could use more of - kind , passionate , humble , �oyful , honest , determined and so much more . Our deepest condolences to the �helley family . Never Forget ��4 Anthony �helley�
EDITOR
Rob Portman
EDITOR & DESIGN : Rob Portman rob @ ridefast . co . za 082 782 8240
ADVERTISING : Zenon Birkby zenon @ ridefast . co . za 074 104 1074
ACCOUNTS & SUBSCRIPTIONS : Anette anette . acc @ mweb . co . za 011 979 1363
CONTRIBUTORS : Sheridan Morais Brad Binder Darryn Binder Cam Petersen Richard Knowles Gerrit Erasmus Clive Strugnell
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2 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE MAY 2016