Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128223
.... 1 •. .. ... ...... - _:-1- .~~ ~ ..I.~- _ 1 • -. ~~ Happenings In Motorcycling D [J@[JiJ [){j@f?0@~ &J[JiJ@ [ljJGD~(1&J[JiJ@-"--~ _ Motorcyclists who rode in this year's AMA-sanctioned 2003 Ride Reno 200 Dual Sport event on June 7-8 experienced old railroad grades, desert jeep roads and single-track trails. They were also treated to views of wild mustangs, desert flowers in full bloom, a snow-covered Sierra Nevada, and numerous varieties of wildlife. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Blue Ribbon Coalition and a local foundation. On Saturday night Larie Trippet, club guru and all-around good guy, led the evening off with a call to the audience to support the Blue Ribbon Coalition's effort to promote and protect our recreational access to public lands. AMA congressional representative Roy Clouse also challenged the riders to support the AMA. BRC and local clubs who are working on such issues as OHV and street noise reduction, access and other legislative initiatives. On Sunday, the tour headed north from Boomtown onto lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. This 100-mile loop gave the riders some spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, pine trees, forest meadows, and the high desert in full bloom. Judging by the miles of smiles on the riders' faces, we bet they will all be back next year. By ALAN CATHCART • • Vor-Bultaco Rumblings Roberto ZIIetti's recently acquired dirtbike marque Vor could form the basis for the relaunch of one of the most famous names in off-l"OIId motorcycling - Bultaco. The historic Spanish marque is now controlled by the giant Piaggio Group, which obtained the rights to the name back in March, 2001, when it merged with Spain's Derbi concem. Derbi In tum had been assigned the naming rights to manufacture BuJtaco motorcycles by Don Paco Bulto just five months before his death in August, 1998, but though a prototype trials bike was made, nothing further came of this. Now, however, eager to grab a slice of the booming dirtbike market but frustrated in its efforts to do so by acquiring Husqvama in the abortive merger with MV Agusta (the aftermath of which is still being aired in the Italian TD cast YDur vDte, IDg Dn tD http://www.cytlenews.com. fij[JJrlDD D&J f:{@@[JJ~ WD[JiJ[JiJD[JiJ@FJ 7J@7J&J[JiJ@©@GD[JiJ(1D[JiJ@~_ With German Steve Jenkner's (pictured right) victory in the 125cc Grand Prix aboard his Exalt Cycle Red Devil Aprilia, and Team Zioppini Abruzzo's Anthony West in the 250cc Grand Prix, Aprilia put wins number 150 and 151 in the history books. Not only were the victories milestones for Aprilia, but they were also the first wins in World Championship Grand Prix competition for Jenkner and West. Aprilia now has 63 victories in the 125cc class, the first coming at the hands of 1992 125cc World Champion Alessandro Gramigni in 1991 at Brno, Czech Republic. In the 250cc class the tally is 87 victories, with Loris Reggiani (pictured left) taking its first-ever victory at Misano, Italy, in 1987. Besides the 151 successes in the GP races and 19 World titles Aprilia achieved, it also has eight victories in World Superbike competition, and seven Superpoles. courts), and with work on a range of Gilera off·readers not likely to put product in the showrooms for at least another two years, Plaggio has used a 520cc Vor motor to construct its own prototype Bultaco off-roader and is understood to have an outline agreement with Z1letti for the supply of engines. Ziletti's core business, Lastra, Is Europe's largest printing plate manufacturer, whiie Rosselli del Turco, the Plaggio CEO, formerly occupied the same position with 3M ltalla, In which guise he was in constant contact with ZilettL The two cemented their relationship when Ziletti moved into motorcycles three years ago. The Vor deal would allow Plaggio to fast-forward the launch of a dirtbike range bearing the Bultaco name in order to provide an immediate solution to its problems while still continuing to work on a future Qilera range powered by its own dedicated engine family. Bultaco further· more has much greater brand recognition than Gilera in most key dirtbike markets. especially in the USA (though Piaggio's use of the Bultaco name there may be problematic, since It's believed to have been registered by the country's leading marque specialist, Hugh's Bultaco). Hence the decision to develop the Vor-englned Bultaco enduro. which has been undergoing testing for some months, with a view to its being launched at the Milan Show in September. However, the uncertainty surrounding the entire future of the Plaggio Group in the wake of the outline agreement with Roberto Colaninno to take over the company, may put this idea on the back burner. Stay tuned.... Eric BDstram I S2 Pierfrllncf:scQ Chili Ii! Tray Carser 22 --------- 11.92%1 13.51%1 Noil Hodgson 2'1S 139.62%1 Regis La toni i! Gregoria Lavilla .q • What leve of interest would you have if a World MDtocrDss Grand Prix returned to the United states in the future-il 10.6'1%1 Steve Martin I • 10.32%1 10.16%1 Mot MI.din 93 1I'I.S6%1 6 JULY 16, 2003' cue C. eould care less • e n e _ s James Toseland 7 11.12%1 Chris Walker iii! 10.32%1 Ruben Xaus 3 I A. WDuid attend race 1'1.95%1