MARQUEZ MAGIC

Seven rounds ago, Marc Marquez was coming back from the seventh surgery on his right shoulder. He was so far away from the points leader, many thought he was merely hoping to grab a podium here and there, maybe a win as a consolation prize before the season closed. After all, there was no hope of clawing back that deficit chasm … or was there? Marc Marquez, while first equal on points now, due to winning more races than Jorge Martin this season, is officially leading the series. As for his recovery, his right shoulder will never really fully recover and he is learning to adapt to the lack of strength he now has. And adapt he has. And he did it in Misano, Italy. The racing was epic, the passing was breathtaking and the riders are all jostling to get the psychological edge before the new era gets underway. That new era kicks off with official testing at the end of January with the teams getting on the new bikes with the new tyres and enough laps to come to grips with the new machines. No ride height devices, smaller aero, smaller capacity engines … does that mean slower lap times? Will less aero make for more passing?

PINK RIBBON RIDE OCTOBER 18

A effort and a fantastic way to show your support, the Pink Ribbon Ride in Auckland ticks a lot of boxes. Grab your friends( or family if you don’ t have any friends) and get involved. It’ s always a great day out, an even better cause and an opportunity to show that motorcyclists are simply nicer people. All are welcome, even if you aren’ t in theme colour but feel free to go the whole hog and pink out the day.