Akrapovič Magazine vol. 34

>> SPRING 2023 ISSUE 34

Akrapovič Rear Wing

SPOILER ALERT Interview with Heinz Kinigadner

FLYING WITH WINGS FOR LIFE FRANCESCO BAGNAIA AND ÁLVARO BAUTISTA

WORLD’S FASTEST PIZZA?

FIRST DRIVE - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R HURRICANE

G R E E N . F E R O C I O U S LY G R E E N !

A column by Mat Oxley

Iconic

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C ont e nt s

A K RAP OV I Č Akrapovič Lifestyle Magazine Issue 34, May 2023 Akrapovič d.d.

Malo Hudo 8a SI-1295 Ivančna Gorica Slovenia www.akrapovic.com Editor in Chief: Miran Ališič Publisher: Korpmedia GmbH Seestrasse 144, CH-8802 Kilchberg, Switzerland Office in Slovenia: Korpmedia d.o.o.

Tomšičeva 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia www.korpmedia.si Registration No.: 2272237000 VAT No.: SI14601737 Client Coordinator: Primož Jurman Photo Editor: Bor Dobrin Art Directors: Slavojka Akrapovič, Neja Engelsberger, Saša Kerkoš Cover design: Zdenko Bračevac Design: Zdenko Bračevac, Andrej Perčič, Bojan Perko, Jan Mohorič, Akrapovič Kreativa d.o.o.

Content Editor: Jasna Milinković Contributors: Alenka Birk, Davorin Dobočnik, Neil Dowling, Matevž Hribar, Primož Jurman, Gaber Keržišnik, Patricija Maličev, Mat Oxley, Imre Paulovits, Miran Ališič, Mitja Reven, Federico Tondelli, Tina Torelli Contributing Photographers: Akrapovič, Alex Štokelj, BMW, Bor Dobrin, Ducati, Euto Mandalari, Federico Tondelli, Gaber Keržišnik, GASGAS, Graeme Brown, Hoch Zwei, Honda, KTM, Marc Robinot, Matevž Hribar, Polarity Photo, Prodrive, Rally Zone, Ray Archer, Yamaha Translation: Matjaž Horvat, Werner Schneider Proofreading: Tim Walpole Ad space marketing: Korpmedia GmbH Seestrasse 144, CH-8802 Kilchberg, Switzerland www.korpmedia.ch On the cover: Akrapovič Rear Wing (Carbon) for the BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82) Photo Akrapovič Printing: LUart, Lepovče 42, 1310 Ribnica, Slovenia

Contents

05 Letter

06 Akrapovič News

10 Evolution

14 Story

18 Ride With Us

22 Story

34 Interview

42 Story

48 Champions

52 Adventure

56 Story

62 Drive With Us

70 Story

74 Original

78 High Gear

// Si NOTE All the longer articles in the Akrapovič magazine include a text that will be marked with the // Si sign and placed in a special frame. The Akrapovič company is based in Slovenia and this is why we decided to keep this part of the text in Slovenian as well.

Copyright notice This magazine and its entire textual and pictorial content are subject to copyright. Any reproduction thereof without prior written consent of the copyright holder is prohibited.

The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Akrapovič d.d., the publishers or the editors.

Not for sale. Printed in Slovenia in May 2023 in 6.000 copies.

General Warning Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of its subsidiaries make any representation that the products comply with the air and/or noise emissions laws, or labeling laws, of any jurisdiction. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of the applicable laws where the products are to be used and to comply with those laws. Warning / USA Various U.S. states and the U.S. federal government have individual laws regulating the use of aftermarket exhaust parts and systems, especially as those parts and systems modify, remove, or replace original equipment catalysts. Please consult the appropriate laws in your area before installing any aftermarket part or system on your vehicle to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries or the sellers of the parts or systems make any representation that any of their parts or systems comply with any such laws. Warning / California California laws prohibit the use of any aftermarket exhaust part or system that modifies, removes or replaces original equipment catalysts unless the California Air Resources Board has issued an Executive Order regarding such part or system or unless the part or system is exempted by being used only on racing vehicles on closed courses. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries make any representation that any of their parts or systems has received such an Executive Order or that any of their parts or systems conform with the racing vehicles exemption. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of applicable California laws and to comply with those laws.

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Letter

photography Bor Dobrin

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Times that call for quick reactions to change…

We live in times when the world and the way we do business are rapidly changing. Just looking at one aspect, supply chain partnerships, we can see them undergoing massive alterations.

Various global developments affect the price of raw materials and energy products, impacting competitiveness as well as requiring immediate response to the current situation. If we take stock of what is happening in the world and the impact on business, or even life in general, we might use the phrase a new reality. It would make no sense to just sit and wait for things to change, settle down or improve; the new reality calls for action, quick adaptation, seeking of alternatives and potentials that we did not address in the past for various reasons.

Looking back at the events of the last 32 years, starting with Igor Akrapovič founding the company with the idea and enthusiasm that originated in racing to improve existing products – engines and exhaust systems – one can see that new realities have been encountered before and also required quick adaptations and decisive decision-making. Agility, intuition and understanding of the needs of our customers, as well as providing the best products through the use of quality materials, technology and constant development, contributed to the fact that we can celebrate our past achievements and look forward to overcoming new challenges as we develop and grow the Akrapovič company, its products, processes, people and environment, and address the experience of our customers. Our passion, transmitted to the buyers of our products through the processes we use in creating them and continuously pursuing the values that were planted 32 years ago, serve as our guide for future endeavours, which, as already mentioned, require speed and determination.

In this sense, I am optimistic about the future and our ability to navigate the twists and turns posed by the business environment as well as positive about further developing partnerships with our suppliers and customers, strengthening relationships and fostering an enabling environment to further develop team spirit with our colleagues and celebrating new victories along the way.

Davorin Dobočnik CEO at Akrapovič d.d.

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A krapov ič Ne w s

Technical partnership in trial Akrapovič has expanded its cooperation with GASGAS Factory Racing for the 2023 FIM X-Trial and FIM TrialGP world championships. The partnership is the culmination of months of work between Akrapovič engineers in Slovenia and GASGAS technicians, team riders Jaime Busto and Sondre Haga and GASGAS Factory Racing team manager Albert Cabestany to develop a thick titanium header for Busto and Haga’s GASGAS TXT GP 300 machines that delivers performance gains, alongside a 40 % weight saving in comparison to the previous version. The team didn’t have to wait long for its first victory with Jaime Busto winning a dramatic finale at round two of the FIM X-Trial World Championship at Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Photo: GASGAS Images

10th double best Motorsport aktuell announced the best brands according to its readers as part of the Racer of the Year 2022 survey. The results of the vote brought a double win to Akrapovič for the 10th time in a row, as the Slovenian brand was again voted best in the Sports Exhaust Systems in Car Racing and Exhaust Systems in Motorcycle Racing. In the first category, Akrapovič won 55.8 %, and in the second 80.6 % of the

Victory #102 Jeffrey Herlings’s victory at the MXGP of Spain in May allowed him to reach the top of the podium for the 102nd time in his motocross GP racing career. The 28-year-old Dutchman set the all-time record for most GP wins in motocross only a week after equalling Stefan Everts’s previous record of 101 GP wins. Every one of Jeffrey’s 102 Grand Prix wins was achieved with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team and its Akrapovič-equipped KTM 250 SX-F (MX2) and 450 SX-F (MXGP) motorcycles. After tasting victory for the first time aged 15 in 2010 at Valkenswaard GP in his native Netherlands, the five-time world champion went on to win three titles in MX2 and two titles in MXGP.

Photo: KTM Images / Ray Archer

votes cast.

06 / 09

Akrapovič News

Sprint to the finish Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia made history as the winner of the first-ever MotoGP Sprint Race, held on Saturday 25 March 2023 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão, Portugal. The Sprint Race was dominated by Akrapovič exhaust systems, with second-placed Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) and third-placed Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda Team) also sporting Slovenian exhausts on their racing motorcycles.

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One step from the top BMW M Team RLL racing drivers Connor De Phillippi, Nick Yelloly and Sheldon van der Linde raced successfully at the 12 Hours of Sebring (USA), steering their Akrapovičequipped BMW M Hybrid V8 race car all the way to runner-up spot in the second race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“After the debut of our BMW M Hybrid V8 cars at Daytona in January, there was no time to rest and we can see the progress that has been made here at Sebring. This podium was only the next step and I am confident that we will continue our way towards the top with our brand-new BMW M prototype,” Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said following the chaotic finale of the race. Akrapovič is an Official Partner of BMW M Motorsport.

43 seconds Was the slim difference separating the firstand second-placed riders after more than 44 hours of racing at this year’s Dakar Rally. Kevin Benavides (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) celebrated the victory after 14 high-speed stages of the toughest rally in the world ahead of teammate Toby Price and Skyler Howes (Husqvarna Factory Racing). The motorcycles of the top three finishers were equipped with Akrapovič exhaust systems. “This year’s rally has been one of the closest ever and there wasn’t a single day where you could afford to ease off,” Kevin confirmed that the 2023 Dakar really was extremely competitive.

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Visit the garage For those of you who haven’t yet had the chance to peek inside a WorldSBK team’s garage, Team HRC has opened the virtual doors to its racing heaven, home to the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP bikes, raced around the world by Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona. Interested in a 360-degree virtual tour? Go to honda.racing/wsbk/page/ virtual-garage on any day of the 2023 WorldSBK season.

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06 / 09

Akrapovič News

Historic six pack Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin finished the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in second place overall, but managed to push their Akrapovič-equipped Prodrive Hunter (Bahrain Raid Xtreme team) to a record six consecutive Dakar stage victories, eclipsing the previous record held by rally legends Ari Vatanen and Bruno Bergland who took five stages in a row during the 1989 Paris-Dakar.

18th in a row Readers of the renowned Motorrad magazine chose Akrapovič as the best exhaust maker for motorcycles for the 18th year running. As part of the Motorcycle of the Year vote in 2023, the Slovenian exhaust specialists received a total of 75.4 % of the votes cast, with a total of 50,096 Motorrad readers taking part.

Lucky 13 LESERWAHL

BEST BRAND

2022

KATEGORIE Auspuffanlagen Heft 12/22

The renowned sport auto magazine published the results of its Best Brand vote in the fall of 2022, bringing joy to everyone working at Akrapovič as the magazine’s readers again chose the Slovenian company as the best brand in the category of exhaust systems. The Ivančna Gorica-based company received 71.1 % of the vote and won its 13th best brand award bestowed by sport auto magazine.

10 / 13 Evolution

Evolut ion

SPOILER ALERT

by Mitja Reven photography Akrapovič, KM archive

Akrapovič Rear Wing (Carbon) for the BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82)

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AKRAPOVIČ ENGINEERS HAVE ACCUMULATED MORE THAN ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN MAKING PRODUCTS FROM LIGHT MATERIALS, SUCH AS TITANIUM AND CARBON FIBRE, TO NOT BE AFRAID OF TRYING SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE BRAND THAT WON WORLD-WIDE FAME WITH ITS EXHAUST SYSTEMS, HAS PRODUCED ITS FIRST REAR WING!

10 / 13 Evolution

IT HAS THREE MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE LEVELS TO PROVIDE VARIOUS AMOUNT OF DOWNFORCE, BASED ON THE DRIVER’S NEEDS AND DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Surprised? Those of you who know that the

not the first, as it was preceded by a similar one

Slovenian company already sold exhausts

at the 1000 km race at Nürburgring in 1956,

made from composite materials in the mid-90s

where Michael May equipped his Porsche 550

and that it has been producing carbon car

Spyder with probably the first manipulated

accessories such as diffusers for several years,

elevated wing fitted to a racing car aimed at

probably won’t be, but I’m sure that many did

producing downforce for enhanced braking

not expect Akrapovič to produce an innovative

and cornering speeds. The movable wing over

product like the Rear Wing (Carbon) for the

the open cockpit allowed the Swiss driver

BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82). The dawn of the

to be faster than the other Spyders, so his

company’s entry into the world of aerodynamic

competitors complained, and the organiser

car accessories has arrived.

banned the wing on safety risk grounds, the supposed risk coming from the opponents’

_History of aero

claims that the wing obstructed the view of

Probably the most famous statement about

those coming from behind. May’s wing was

aerodynamics from the world of motorsports

visually unappealing as well, similar to the large

is a quote from Enzo Ferrari: “Aerodynamics

movable wing operated by the driver pressing a

are for people who can’t build engines.” The

pedal with his left foot on Jim Hall’s Chaparral

charismatic Enzo is said to have uttered this

2C racing car in the ’60s.

immortal line at Le Mans in 1960 when probed

There are many stories about the impact of

by his driver Paul Frère about the low top

aerodynamics on cars. The 1939 Mercedes-

speed of his Ferrari 250 TR, which featured

Benz T 80, designed by Ferdinand Porsche and

a large windscreen. Enzo likely changed his

powered by a formidable 2206 kW (3000 hp)

mind about aerodynamics in 1968 at the latest,

V12 engine, included a number of aerodynamic

when Ferrari’s Formula 1 competitor, Lotus,

elements including fixed airfoils, though its

introduced an improved Model 49 at the race

mission to become the world’s fastest car

in Monaco, fitted with, you guessed it, aerofoil

was cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

wings, and crowned this innovation with a

Even before that, in 1928, Opel developed a

victory. The following years brought a multitude

rocket-propelled RAK 2 with additional wings

of different wing versions, initially mainly bolted

that provided downforce on the road to stabilise

directly to the suspension, rising high above

the car at high speeds. The concept obviously

the chassis for effective use in clean air. After

worked, as the rocket car reached a speed

several breakages which led to crashes, high

of 238 km/h. Fritz von Opel actually became

wings were banned in Formula 1. The ban was

an important part of history, as the Opel RAK

Opel RAK 2

12

Mercedes-Benz T 80

Chaparral 2C

13

is considered the world’s first large-scale

developed to provide an extremely competitive

rocket program, significantly advancing rocket

ratio between downforce and drag. It has three

and aviation technology. Opel’s example also

manually adjustable levels to provide varying

shows that automotive industry engineers have

amount of downforce, based on the driver’s

since early on looked to aeronautics in studying

needs and driving conditions. Finite Element

the impact of aerodynamics. Here we should

Method (FEM) analysis was applied to ascertain

mention Sir George Cayley, who identified the

the optimum ratio between the load-bearing

principle of a lift-generating inclined plane in

capacity and weight of the wing brackets in a

1792. The four-wheeled RAK 2 had its wings

swan neck design, taking into consideration

set at a negative angle to create downforce.

the adjustability in conjunction with high levels

Today’s world of cars and motorcycles is hard

of stiffness and strength. Lightweight CNC

to imagine without aerodynamics and media is

machined aluminium was chosen for the wing

full of stories about how this science is used

brackets to provide the best ratio between

by engineers to make Formula 1, MotoGP and

weight and performance. A guiding principle in

the like, and by their counterparts who create

its design was the use of lightweight materials,

production vehicles to make them even faster

so it should not come as a surprise that the

and more efficient.

bolts used to connect the wing and the brackets

_230 years later

are made from high-grade titanium and that titanium reinforcements are incorporated into

Cayley’s research led him to develop an

the wing for even better structural stability at

efficient cambered airfoil and to confirm the

pivot points. The use of titanium with carbon

four vector forces that influence an aircraft:

improves resistance to galvanic corrosion and

thrust, lift, drag, and weight. Today, more

increases the product’s durability.

than two centuries after the findings by

A small tab at the trailing edge of the wing,

the English engineer, inventor and aviator,

which comes with Germany’s national ABE

the basics remain, but aerodynamics has

type-approval, meanwhile enhances the angle

accumulated numerous other ideas and grown

of attack of the wing, thereby creating more

tremendously as a science. When designing

downforce without the drawback of drag. In

the first adjustable Rear Wing, Akrapovič

motorsport, this tab is known as the Gurney

engineers extensively used Computational

flap, named after American racing legend Dan

Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to ensure its optimum

Gurney, who installed it to increase the speed

functionality, with the goal of increasing vehicle

of Bobby Unser’s USAC racing car. In order

stability at higher speeds by applying additional

to deceive inquisitive competitors, Gurney

downforce to the rear axle. Of course, they

told them that the protrusion was intended to

performed a battery of other tests as well,

prevent injury and damage when pushing the

including during driving. Akrapovič’s first Rear

car by hand.

Wing is optimised for the aerodynamics of the

Rear Wing (Carbon) for the BMW M3

BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82).

(G80) and M4 (G82) is Akrapovič’s first

This completely hand-made, lacquered and

Wing and certainly not the last. It is proof

hand polished Akrapovič product looks

that development never stops, just like the

impressive and dazzles with its attention to

company’s desire to offer customers a

detail, beauty and functional design. Designed

lightweight and functional product with a racing

using lightweight carbon fibre and echoing

heritage. Does this story sound similar to a tale

the world of motorsport, the wing’s airfoil was

from the world of exhaust systems?

14 / 17 Story

Story

by Gaber Keržišnik

photography Polarity Photo, Graeme Brown, Honda

HIGHEST LEVEL

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Akrapovič & Honda in MotoGP 2023 News that Honda’s MotoGP team will begin using Akrapovič exhausts hit motorcycle racing fans like a bolt from the blue before the start of this year’s season.

The announcement means that Honda‘s legendary HRC racing division will follow Ducati, Yamaha and KTM by entrusting exhaust systems‘ codevelopment to Ivančna Gorica technicians. Marc Márquez, Joan Mir (both Repsol Honda Team), Álex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) are thus this year chasing down world championship points in the premier class by using Slovenian know-how on their motorcycles. But how did this collaboration between Honda and Akrapovič actually come about? We asked some of the key players.

14 / 17 Story

Our first port of call were the paddocks where HRC racing division motorcycles are being prepared for the races. “We’ve worked with Akrapovič before. They are a very professional company as regards technology. We realised there was an opportunity because we needed to find a good partner to improve our bike for the future. We’ve already collaborated in WSBK, we trust Akrapovič and now the time has come to also start cooperating in MotoGP,” said HRC Director Tetsuhiro Kuwata. Akrapovič founder and owner Igor Akrapovič also feels that the cooperation with Honda in MotoGP that came about this year is due to good connections between the two brands, which have been linked in one way or another for more than two decades. “Honda is a legendary motorcycle manufacturer with an outstanding tradition. It is a great honour for us to work with them. I must stress that this is not our first collaboration with Honda: we first worked with the Japanese brand way back in

Tetsuhiro Kuwata

1999. In 2000, we also won our first world championship title in the WorldSBK class,

Akrapovič headquarters in Slovenia many

courtesy of Colin Edwards, then Honda’s

times, and I could see they have a professional

works rider.”

approach and take care of every detail, the

Always striving for more

have the necessary experience back then. But

Racing R&D, also agrees that past cooperation

this long-lasting relationship is really important

was key in securing the current partnership:

for us. Akrapovič and Honda began working

“In terms of the number of motorcycles sold,

together more than 20 years ago and have

Honda is still far ahead of everyone else and

maintained their connection over this period,

their achievements in motorsport speak for

sometimes stronger, sometimes a bit weaker.

themselves. Any technological partner can

It is this kind of connection that makes a good

but dream of working with such a brand as

technical partner for the future. Technology is

Honda in sports. My personal goal was to

getting increasingly complex nowadays and

begin official cooperation with Honda at the

it’s important to have a thorough knowledge of

highest racing level, i.e. the MotoGP class.

each area.”

exhaust for their RC45 model at the end of

A big step forward

the ‘90s. Cooperation was already intensive

And what does cooperation with Honda in

back then and it remains so today. Honda is

the MotoGP class mean for the Akrapovič

always interested in achieving more, reaching

brand? “For us, it represents one of the most

higher, becoming stronger and better. After

important steps we have ever taken as a

reaching a set goal together, new questions or

company, because the care Honda puts into

challenges often immediately come from their

the development and production of racing

side in the sense of how could the product

exhausts as well as their meticulous attention

be improved even more – either by increasing

to detail is truly at the highest possible level.

engine power or, for example, reducing the

Even product testing, which was already used

weight of the exhaust system. Work is basically

back then to check the durability of individual

never done. The finished product is merely a

components, was a challenge for us and

stepping stone on a steep path upwards. Here

taught us a great deal. Simply cooperating

I would also like to sincerely thank everyone at

with Honda in the past allowed us to greatly

Akrapovič who took part in this project for their

increase the quality of our work. Working

truly selfless work and their immense efforts,

with Honda always keeps you aware you’re

especially Matija Zaletelj and Jure Bambič, who

collaborating with an extremely serious partner

did a stellar job as project managers.”

that leaves nothing to chance. Everything

Professionalism is key

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of those times. I knew it even though I didn’t

Slavko Alojz Trstenjak, Head of Akrapovič

We were already jointly developing the

16

same as HRC does. I still have fond memories

must be 100 % proofed before a product can be used. The fact that we are cooperating

Is the close partnership between Honda

again is a confirmation that we are working

and Akrapovič also due to rekindling the two

well. This time round, it’s at an even higher

companies’ cooperation in the WorldSBK

level, so we are trying with all our might to

class years ago? Tetsuhiro Kuwata believes

satisfy their wishes, expectations and needs,”

so: “It was really good, not only in WSBK,

explains Igor Akrapovič, with Slavko Alojz

but also at the Suzuka 8 hours. We visited

Trstenjak adding that Akrapovič sent many

exhaust systems to Honda before the start of the season – in different configurations, of course. This gave the Japanese manufacturer access to numerous examples and products showcasing continuous development already in pre-season. This was happening long before the start of this year’s season, so it was obvious that Honda is extremely serious about this partnership: “They were honest and straightforward. They weren’t just looking for another technical partner, they needed our experience and our added value, to claw their way back to the top after the recent dominance of European motorcycle manufacturers on the racetracks,” Slavko summed up his thoughts on the renewed cooperation with Honda.

The future looks bright As we once again turned to Akrapovič founder and company owner, there was only one logical question to ask. Will they succeed?

“I firmly believe that Honda riders with Marc Márquez at the helm will return to the top of

Team HRC, WorldSBK

the podium, also with help from us, and that MotoGP will thus be even more interesting and exciting,” Igor replies. Slavko, having successfully initiated the partnership in MotoGP, is, as always, already looking ahead to new challenges. “We are ready for more and would like to expand our collaboration perhaps into off-road motorcycling; but let’s not rush the moment and give it some time first.”

Repsol Honda Team, MotoGP

18 / 21 Ride With Us

Ride With Us

by Primož Jurman photography Graeme Brown, BMW

No success without team work WorldSBK Teams If you are a fan of motorcycle racing and closely follow competitions in its various series, then you know that riders in their interviews usually use the first person plural pronoun “we” – and with good reason. Success on the track is the result of efforts by all team members, from the chefs, truck drivers, mechanics, all the way to team managers. All of them strive to ensure that the rider achieves the best possible result - for himself and the team. The rider’s contribution is in his ability to control the motorcycle, but the final result is entirely due to teamwork. We peeked behind the scenes of three WorldSBK works teams to learn about their set-up and the way they operate.

To get the best possible insight into the

the parts allocation from Yamaha; as well as

structure and workings of individual teams,

Yamaha’s engineers, plus riders’ coach from

we called on people with a comprehensive

Yamaha, Niccolo Canepa. Kawasaki Racing

knowledge of their operations: Paul Denning,

Team (KRT) has a travelling complement of 40

Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team

members, alongside back-office support in the

Principal, Biel Roda, Kawasaki Racing

workshop as well as Japanese engineers in

Team Marketing Manager and Shaun Muir,

Akashi. BMW works team meanwhile employs

Team Principal at ROKiT BMW Motorrad

30 members on average who attend races with

WorldSBK Team.

a further 10 working at the UK, Munich and

At Yamaha´s works team the bulk of the team

Berlin, both Germany.

consists of the engineers and mechanics, followed by riders’ support staff, but adding

International cast

the required press, PR, marketing, hospitality,

Teams employ people from various countries.

catering and organizational people, the

At Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK

number comes to a decently sized group at

team, the most numerous contingent is from

the end - around 20 to 25 people are travelling

Italy and UK, but they also have staff from

to the events, depending on the event. That

Australia, Czech Republic and New Zealand.

number increases a little bit at the European

KRT is staffed by Catalans, Spaniards,

events with hospitality staff. They have three

French, Dutch, Japanese, British and Italians,

dedicated mechanics for each rider, a tire

while BMW’s team contains English, French,

technician, electronics engineer and crew

German, Dutch, Spanish and Polish crew

chief, so the core team for each rider is six

members. Paul Denning as Team Principal

people. They also have a parts manager that

takes care of all aspects of the team, as

works across the entire project to control

any medium size business would be ran.

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Meanwhile at Yamaha, engineering head Riccardo Tisci is responsible for development and Yamaha support of the project at the weekends and at the tests. Important leaders in terms of the on track performance of the riders are the crew chiefs, Andrew Pitt and Phil Marron, who take care of riders and they have responsibility to ensure that the crews are preparing the bikes completely correctly to make sure that everything is ready on time.

That performance setting is also supported by the application engineer who looks after the bike’s electronic settings, suspension support engineer and of course the wider Yamaha group. KRT employs a similar philosophy.

Team members interconnect in many areas; Guim Roda is Team Manager and leads the team in general, Biel Roda is responsible for the commercial/communication side, Alvar Garriga is the Technical Manager on the technical/operational side, Carla Heredero is the Hospitality Manager and Nishiyama San runs the engineering side in Japan.

Ichiro Yoda plays a very important role in terms of bike development and Christophe Lambert has just become the team’s electronic specialist. They are a complex organisation, family run, but supported on a multinational level. At BMW, Marc Bongers (BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director) is also Team Manager with Shaun Muir as the Team Principal of the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Both of its riders have their separate crew chiefs: Ian Lord for Scott Redding and Markus Eschenbacher for

18 / 21 Ride With Us

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Michael van der Mark. As all of these teams

principal, crew chiefs, suspension engineer

are works teams, the links with the factories

and the application engineers from Yamaha

are very important. The Yamaha WorldSBK

discuss the both the sporting and detail

project is ultimately the responsibility of

technical planning for the weekend. They try

Yamaha Motor Europe. They began the

to keep the riders as focused as possible

relationship with Crescent in the middle of

on the job at hand come Friday morning, so

2015, working towards the 2016 season

their day on Thursday is largely consumed by

together. KRT cooperates with its factory in

media requirements, a track walk with the crew

the development of serial production bikes

chiefs and their engineers. It’s teams job Fabien to Foret give riders the best possible bike from the first

and homologations. The Japanese factory always has the final say in what goes on

lap of FP1 on Friday morning and all the work

the bike and what doesn’t, but a big part of

that goes into the weekend from arriving to the

development is coordinated with its suppliers

circuit onwards is aimed towards that. BMW

in Europe, Akrapovič with its exhaust systems

meanwhile prepares for the race at Shaun

being one of them. It also receives financial

Muir Racing’s headquarters in UK, where all

support from the Kawasaki Motors Corp.,

the necessary gear is made ready. This is

since KRT is its flagship project. Pretty much

followed by the trip to the racetrack, where the

the same holds true for the ROKiT BMW

pit-boxes and hospitality areas are generally

Motorrad WorldSBK Team, a works team of

set up on Wednesday. Technical checks follow

BMW Motorrad.

on Thursday, as do the first briefings and media activation and Fridays are dedicated

Typical racing weekend

to free practice and technical adjustments.

We also wanted to know how a typical race

The racing weekend is next on the menu, with

weekend in Europe unfolds. At Yamaha works

free practice and warm-ups in the mornings,

team, a very basic day at the European races

followed by qualifying andMuir the main races; Shaun

these are punctured by technical adjustments,

would involve two race trailers and hospitality trailers, arriving from Monday evening through

briefings with riders and engineers at the track,

to Tuesday lunch time, and in the paddock

hosting guests at hospitality, regular media and

by the end of Tuesday. The team’s pit facility

marketing activities such as media debriefs,

and necessary stuff on display are in place

autograph sessions and paddock show

by half way through Wednesday, and towards

attendance by the riders. After the final race

the end of Wednesday technical preparation

on Sunday, the pit-boxes and hospitality units

begins on the bikes. The Team setup meeting

are dismantled for the trip back home. Until the

for the weekend is on Thursday morning where

next racing weekend.

Yamaha’s technical coordinator, the team

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Story

22 / 27 Story

“WE WANT EVERYONE Giampaolo Dallara and BMW M Hybrid V8

The road winds through a narrow valley between Parma and Varano, a small town on the southern edge of Emilia Romagna where the hills to the south and west separate the Po Valley from the Ligurian Sea. Varano thus lies sandwiched between the Italian automobile valley and the wide-open sea which was the point of departure for many economic emigrants, mostly bound for North and South America.

That was the fate that befell Giampaolo Dallara’s grandfather, who earned his bread by working in American mines. His grandson also left for the promised land, though not literally. He did it through his racing cars. Indy, NASCAR, IMSA are just some of the racing series that cannot be imagined without Dallara. His newest partner is BMW, whose BMW M Hybrid V8 racing car is currently competing in American endurance races, but fostering ambitions of winning the famous Le Mans in the future.

by Miran Ališič photography Bor Dobrin, Hoch Zwei, Dallara

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TO WIN!”

23

24

25

Giampaolo Dallara sees the future of mobility in ownerless, increasingly electric cars, but believes there will always remain a place in the world for lovers of racing, noise and gasoline and the emotions that arise during racing, though more and more limited to individuals.

Dallara used to be just another industrial

the driver, whereas Phil Hill in a front-engined

building outside Varano, but today’s modern

Ferrari only came in as third. He also heard

facility made of stone and wood, located

then that he could attend races if he moved to

right beside the road, points to a tradition of

Maserati, so he left Ferrari, his first and only

manufacturing racing and sports cars. Dallara

begrudging departure. But his time at Maserati

Academy is more than just a gallery; it’s a

was to be short-lived as the company soon had

centre of technical culture, through which we

to abandon its racing program due to financial

are guided by its Director of Communications,

issues. He was completely taken in by racing at

Gianmarco Beltrami. “We wanted to create

the 12 Hours of Sebring, USA, in 1962, where

a meeting place for knowledge, experience,

he, working as a Maserati engineer, met Roger

innovation and tradition, not just a museum,”

Penske and Bruce McLaren, who were racing in

he began as we ascended the circular ramp

Cooper Maseratis. Steve McQueen raced there

exhibiting race cars created by Dallara.

as well and the young engineer from Varano was

Lamborghini Miura, Lancia Stratos, Formula

well and truly bewitched. The next stop in the

3 and Formula 2, Indy series racers, Scuderia

‘valley of sports cars’ was Lamborghini, another

Italia Formula 1, KTM X-Bow, Haas Formula 1,

company with a bold racing plan. Unfortunately,

are interspersed here with endurance racing

nothing came out of the scheme laid out at

prototypes used by the world’s greatest drivers,

Sant’Agata Bolognese either, but in 1966

including Gilles Villeneuve and Fernando

Dallara took part in the development of what

Alonso. The Dallara Stradale sports car is

many consider the most beautiful sports car of

located at the top and is thus last in line.

all time – the Lamborghini Miura. “But I didn’t

Giampaolo Dallara wanted to make this car for

own one for a very long time, I only found a

a long time, but was only able to complete it for

model to exhibit here at the Academy in Sweden

his 80th birthday in 2016. “This is just part of

– dismantled and in a very sad state. Now it

our collection and not all of these cars belong

is restored and one of the main stars of our

to us; we have private vehicles on loan and

exhibition,” he proudly stated, adding that after

we mix them up all the time. School children

a short period of cooperation with Argentina’s

and students come to the academy, Dallara

Alejandro De Tomaso, where he also met Frank

engineers and foreign professors offer training

Williams, he finally realised that he would have

and courses here, the bright and inspiring

to go his own way to fulfill his ambition of being

building is a bustling centre and not solely used

a part of racing. He opened a racing workshop

for reminiscing,” Beltrami proudly declared as

behind his house in Varano in 1972. “I don’t

we concluded the short walk.

have a background in motorsport, my parents were normal country folks, nobody in the family

It was time for morning coffee on the first

was interested in cars, engineering or racing.

floor of the factory’s central building, built in

The period after WWII was a time of exploration

1991, the place where Giampaolo Dallara

and seeking the freedom of movement and

welcomes us in his simple, moderately sized

mobility. I was part of that generation, but I

and modestly furnished office. The gentleman

soon realised that other guys on Vespas were

who is approaching his 87th birthday sprightly

faster than me, so I knew I wasn’t going to

stands up, walks around his large, tidy and

race. I therefore decided to help the racers

rather empty-looking desk, greets us and

get the fastest car.” Dallara was moreover

serves a typical Italian espresso. “I’ve been

connected with Slovenia at the time he began

keeping my desk tidy ever since Enzo Ferrari

his business adventure, as that was when he

back in 1959 wrote ‘please, a little more order’

met Walter Wolf, though he didn’t know he

in purple ink on my work desk, then located at

was Slovenian back then. “Now I think that

the back of the office in Maranello.” Giampaolo

Walter is a very proud resident of Maribor. He

Dallara studied aeronautical engineering at

had a lot of money and good ideas, and above

the Polytechnic University of Milan, when

all, a nose for the right people. I cooperated

Enzo Ferrari came looking for young aspiring

with him as well, the Can-Am series race car

engineers. “So I went. I started at the bottom,

that Gilles Villeneuve raced in is on display

at the back, only ten people looked after all

at the Academy.” Moreover, Didi Mateschitz’s

of Scuderia’s sports programs in Maranello

father also came from Maribor and Janez Puh,

at the time, it was a different world,” Dallara

who created the Puch factory in Graz, came

nostalgically reminisced about the good old

from Ptuj, a smaller town in Maribor’s vicinity.

days as we sipped our coffee. “I was young and

“An incredible place, this Maribor of yours,

I wanted to go to the races, but there was no

almost as important as our automobile triangle

place for me in the Ferrari race team, so I paid

here in Emilia Romagna,” Dallara joked when

with my own money to see the 1960 Formula 1

mentioning the country where Akrapovič also

race in Monte Carlo,” continued the gentleman

comes from.

who has since built hundreds of different racing chassis. That was the race where the young

Giampaolo Dallara sees the future of mobility

Dallara noticed that the horse was no longer in

in ownerless, increasingly electric cars, but

front of the chariot, as Stirling Moss’s winning

believes there will always remain a place in

Cooper Climax had its engine mounted behind

the world for the lovers of racing, noise and

22 / 27 Story

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27

22 / 27 Story

gasoline and the emotions that arise during racing, though more and more limited in numbers. He thought that interest in motorsport would decline following the coronavirus, but the opposite is happening, as spectators are thronging events of all racing series. Dallara operates a small company in America, not far from the Brickyard in Indianapolis, which supports the American racing series, where BMW is competing in the IMSA WTSC this year. “I don’t know how we haven’t managed to get together before,” Dallara recalled the start of the collaboration that began last summer, which includes BMW’s desire to take its

Jacky Ickx (left) and Giampaolo Dallara

Dallara F1 De Tomaso Courage

Enzo Ferrari (left) and Giampaolo Dallara

Colin Chapman (left), Giampaolo Dallara (center) and Jim Clark

BMW M Hybrid V8 racing car to next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. We finished our coffee, and Giampaolo Dallara suggested visiting the simulator and the R&D department. There we found Leonardo Lombatti, who is in charge of race car manufacturing. “There are currently five different projects being run in parallel, but I can only show you one,” the engineer began as we stepped into the room where a Formula Indy model was being tested. “We have to preserve complete confidentiality of data, that is, no one can enter the premises where the racing Cadillac, a BMW competitor, is being created. We are organised in such a way that it is physically impossible for people to meet and exchange even the minutest and most insignificant details. This is the only way to maintain the trust of our partners, each of whom wants us to provide them with the best service and racing cars.” We felt that a slightly less strict regime was present in the simulator, where Damiano Santini confided in us that the track is losing its importance and is being increasingly substituted by computers and simulators. “The modern simulator has almost completely replaced the numerous kilometres needed to be done on the tracks before racing, because every update to our constantly changing state-of-the-art technology ensures our results get a percent or two more reliable.”

The BMW M Hybrid V8 is slowly making its way to the top of the IMSA WTSC series. The German car came sixth at the 24 Hours of

In the race car Cooper Maserati sitting Bruce McLaren, next to him staying (on the left) Roger Penske and Giampaolo Dallara

Daytona, before shooting up to second at the 12 Hours of Sebring, only being bested by a Cadillac, also made by the Dallara factory.

We then returned for a final word with Giampaolo Dallara. How has he managed to retain the trust of all the competitors fighting for the hundredths on the race tracks all over the world for more than half a century? “I am not a man for unrest, quarrelling or unfair competition,” replied Dallara, smiling. After shaking our hands goodbye, we also accepted the invitation to come again – for a bit longer and to test drive the car he is most proud of.

The Dallara Stradale, of course.

// Si Giampaolo Dallara in BMW M Hybrid V8 Nekoč je bila Dallara le industrijsko poslopje nedaleč od Varana, danes pa moderno poslopje iz kamna in lesa že ob cesti opozarja na tradicijo izdelave dirkalnih in športnih avtomobilov. Dallara Academy ni le muzej, pač pa center tehnične kulture. V krogu so razstavljeni modeli, ki jih je ustvaril Dallara. Lamborghini Miura, Lancia Stratos, formule 3 in formule 2, dirkalniki serije Indy, formula 1 Scuderia Italia, KTM X-Bow, formula 1 moštva Haas, med njimi pa še nekateri prototipi za vztrajnostne dirke, s katerimi so dirkali mnogi sloviti dirkači od Gillesa Villeneuva do Fernanda Alonsa. Na vrhu je postavljen športni avto Dallara Stradale. Giampaolo Dallara si ga je že dolgo želel. Naredil ga je šele za svoj 80. rojstni dan leta 2016. Dallara ima v Ameriki, nedaleč od Brickyarda v Indianapolisu, manjše podjetje za podporo ameriškim dirkalnim serijam, kjer letos v seriji IMSA tekmuje tudi BMW. Sodelovanje se je začelo lani poleti, BMW pa želi s svojim dirkalnikom BMW M Hybrid V8 prihodnje leto tudi na 24-urno dirko v Le Mans. Inženirja Dallaro smo vprašali, kako mu uspeva, da mu že več kot pol stoletja v njegovih prostorih v Varanu zaupajo prav vsi konkurenti, ki se na dirkališčih sveta borijo za stotinke in centimetre premoči pred drugimi. »Nisem človek nemira, prepirov in nelojalne tekmovalnosti,« je z nasmeškom na obrazu povedal Dallara.

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They feature exceptional production quality, hi-tech materials, increased engine performance and all come with amazing sound and appearance as standard. The change is also visual, as Akrapovič mufflers perfectly fit the exterior line of modern motorcycles and add a clean racing image.

Bike Stuff

by Mitja Reven

28

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29

Car Stuff

by Mitja Reven

Car Stuff

Check out the latest Akrapovič aftermarket exhaust systems for cars, where only the best materials and exclusive titanium alloys are used. These materials are combined with high technology and exquisite craftsmanship of Akrapovič welders to create a package that separates them from everything else on the market.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS + 26 kW (+ 35.4 hp) at 4,900 rpm, + 50.9 Nm at 4,900 rpm, - 17.5 kg (- 44.4 %), Titanium, Rear Carbon Fibre Diffuser - High Gloss and Matte

Cupra Formentor VZ5 + 7.8 kW (+ 10.6 hp) at 2,800 rpm, + 27.3 Nm at 2,750 rpm, - 12.6 kg (- 49.6 %), Titanium

Audi RS 3 Sedan (8Y) + 7.5 kW (+ 10.2 hp) at 5,450 rpm, + 16.3 Nm at 2,800 rpm, - 10.1 kg (- 44.1 %), Titanium, Rear Carbon Fibre Diffuser - High Gloss

29 BMW M3 (G80) Rear Wing (Carbon)

30 / 33 Ride With Us

Ride With Us

by Imre Paulovits

photography Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

Winter months in MotoGP

AFTER THE SEASON IS BEFORE THE SEASON

30

The FIM Grand Prix World Championship season ends in November and the next one begins

31

in March of the following year.

Sounds like a nice, long winter holiday, but what are the riders and technicians really doing during these months? We took a look behind the scenes with the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team to find out.

MotoGP riders travel from one country to another for eight months, entertaining us with their breathtaking racing skills. But after the chequered flag is waved for the last time, the engines fall silent for the winter break. Time to rest? Far from it! After the season is before the season, and because the battle for the MotoGP crown is fought at the limit of what is possible, every minute of the winter break is used as efficiently as possible to better prepare the teams for the year to come.

Preparing the body Of course, the human body cannot be stressed indefinitely without tiring, so after an intense year, riders first need some quality rest and relaxation.

Unless they require surgery or other medical procedures, the riders go on vacation for a few weeks, though return to training already before Christmas. With races that are 40 minutes long, motorcycles that push the riders to the limits of their physical capabilities, and duels where decisions have to be made in a fraction of a second, no one can afford to be inferior to the opponent in terms of physical fitness. So, the riders hop on their bicycles and toil daily in the gym to get the necessary muscles and circulation in tip-top shape.

To remain on top of their game in terms of riding, they also have to take out their motorcycles constantly so as not to lose their touch. But as they are not allowed to train with their MotoGP machines, they ride motocross and dirt track bikes before sharpening their reflexes again in January with 1000cc production bikes on Grand Prix tracks. In doing so, they always have to ride

In addition to the host of engineers who take care of development in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing in Italy also employs 14 engineers from Italy, Spain and Ireland who exchange their ideas with their Japanese counterparts.

30 / 33 Ride With Us

at the limit, because that’s the only way to

video conferences from Gerno di Lesmo, Italy,

keep their senses sharp. Fabio Quartararo has

with the Japanese engineers in Iwata. But the

experienced in the winter that this is not without

Japanese also travel regularly to Italy and the

danger. He broke his left hand on 11 December,

European engineers to Japan to exchange

but fortunately had enough time before the first

ideas and really be in the know on everything. In

test in Sepang at the beginning of February for

addition to the host of engineers who take care

the fracture to heal.

of development in Japan, Yamaha Motor Racing in Italy also employs 14 engineers from Italy,

Improving the bike

Spain and Ireland who exchange their ideas

While the riders are getting themselves into

with their Japanese counterparts. There is also a

top physical shape, technicians are trying

lively exchange with European suppliers such as

to improve the bikes as best they can. In the

Akrapovič, BMC Filters, Brembo, Gilles, Öhlins,

merciless battle for hundredths of a second,

or 2D, meant to always keep everybody up to

standing still is a step backward. Even those

date with the latest developments and place

who were at the front at the close of the

orders for the custom-made parts in time.

season would fall way to the back unless they made improvements during the winter. That’s

Working at Akrapovič

why the non-race period is the time when

Because Yamaha had fallen a little behind the

the engineers in the factories are working full

competition in terms of peak engine power,

gas. While new ideas were obviously initiated

one of the most important goals for the 2023

long before that, now is the time to have

bike was to generate more top speed. As the

the parts produced by the company’s own

exhaust system plays a crucial role in power

manufacturing departments and its suppliers.

delivery, Yamaha MotoGP technicians came

Engines running in different specifications

to Ivančna Gorica in Slovenia for a few days,

on the test benches and frames of varying

where different solutions were tried out on the

stiffness are built with the best combination

Akrapovič test rig with the experts there. The

then determined during the first tests. The

result was a completely redesigned system,

same applies to swingarms and other chassis

which also proved its worth during testing in

parts. Meanwhile, aerodynamics also plays

Sepang and gave Fabio Quartararo the second-

such a central role in MotoGP that the different

fastest top speed in MotoGP.

options worked out by simulation and wind

A restful winter vacation, then? As you can see,

tunnel testing need to be checked on the track.

far from it! But the stress of the winter really got

Yamaha is a Japanese company, but the race

everyone in the mood for this season, which

team has always been based in Europe, as

will be more strenuous than ever before. Not

most of the world championship races take

only will there be around 20 Grand Prix events

place there. That means that engineers from

in 2023, there is also a new format, with a half-

both locations need to be in constant contact

distance sprint race on Saturday in addition to

with each other. For example, Monster Energy

the main race on Sunday, with both awarding

Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Massimo

championship points. And, as we all know, after

Meregalli makes daily phone calls and holds

the pre-season is before the pre-season.

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34 / 39 Interview

Inte r v iew

by Matevž Hribar photography Bor Dobrin, Heinz Kinigadner archive

H e i n z

K i n i g a d n e r

FLYING WITH W I N G S FOR

LIFE I knew of his brand of quality enduro and motocross

gear. I somehow sensed a connection with KTM’s involvement in the Dakar Rally. He is the founder of Wings for Life and there’s never an event at which he would appear without his wheelchair-bound son.

Heinz Kinigadner, born in 1960, is directly responsible for reviving the KTM brand in the ’90s. We struck a spontaneous conversation even before I opened my notes and turned on the recorder, jumpstarting it by trying the regional delicacy - doughnuts filled with apricot jam that I brought from Slovenia.

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34 / 39 Interview

// As a professional baker, how would you rate them on a scale from one to ten?

the media impact. This was the reason why I pushed for Dakar at KTM. Every single Dakar competitor is a hero in their home country.

Oh, they’re good. But my stint in a bakery was almost 40 years ago. By now all the suppliers

// Only for finishing, not even winning…

have a ready-made doughnut mixture and

Only for being there! At that time, Dakar riders

most are very similar. You can add a bit of

used BMW, Cagiva, all two-cylinder bikes.

personality, but they’re more or less all the

BMW had a 1100cc engine, very powerful,

same.

but with hardly any suspension and weighing 260 kg! My bike, a KTM 620, had a maximum

// You are leaving for Tunisia soon - a race?

speed of 130 km/h, excellent suspension, was

I don’t want to call it a real race event, even

day, a bike I could have fun with. Most riders

if it comes with daily and overall standings.

are not there to win, but to have fun, go on an

It’s a warm-up event for the off-road season.

adventure! in 1996 we were the most used

Interestingly, Matthias Walkner had his first

bike at the competition.

very light and cheap and, at the end of the

rally experience there, I invited him when he

// Walkner is good in rallies, right?

// I had two LC4 and two EXC bikes and I think KTM didn’t use Dakar just for marketing…

Yes, he’s good, he takes them seriously,

At the 1994 Dakar, after the first real race day

although he’s using his brain a little bit

in the desert, four out of five bikes came in with

too much. This doesn’t help win Dakar

a broken fifth gear. One mechanic to fix them

nowadays. When we started in the middle

all. Next morning at 4 am, we all started again.

of the nineties, we said we will only allow

After this, we strengthened the fifth gear.

enduro or motocross riders over the age

Because of bad petrol, we had to reinforce

of 30, because they switched on their

the pistons. A lot of details were improved. In

brains more. But rally racing at the moment

the end we made the LC4 engine into one of

is, uh, the most dangerous sport you can

the strongest single-cylinder powerplants. Do

do. Crazy. I’m fighting hard, I was at FIM

you know why I pushed for KTM to be there?

meetings discussing safety regulations. Some

It’s the images you get from the Dakar. Every

improvements have been made, but I’d like to

motorcycle rider who loves to be off-road,

see more. For example, no rear mousse tyres.

dreams to race there. I’ll buy an adventure bike

was already a motocross champion.

and in a few years I might have the time and

// Why?

money to go. But first I’ll buy the bike.

If the riders are fast, they can have two or three doesn’t matter. They can cut the rim, the tyre is

// You couldn’t imagine that adventure biking would get so big …

still ok, and they can still ride. I’d also go back

BMW competed in its last race 20, 25 years

to, not that it’s possible, malle moto class only.

ago, but its marketing is still about adventure,

No help from start to finish. This year they had

going offroad. People still have that perception

one day when they were allowed to work on

of successful old, classic GS bikes.

punctures a day. If they have a mousse tyre, it

the bike for a certain time and then parc ferme.

again! As a manufacturer, as KTM, I’d love to

// How did Honda’s involvement in rally racing affect KTM? It’s the only brand that’s beaten you in more than 20 years.

show everybody that our bike is good enough

I’d say the impact was very, very, very positive.

to do the entire 8,000 km in rough conditions

We were there alone for almost 10 years and

without service.

our board began to question our involvement

Otherwise, mechanics can work throughout the night, and make the car or bike almost new

in rallies. Thank God for Honda to create some

// Was it different in your times then?

heat. Sport without competition is boring. Even

At the beginning of the ’90s, KTM competed at

if all our riders compete as individuals, it still

one-week rallies like the Optic Rally in Tunisia

wouldn’t be the same. And boy did we have

and won! I said why not two weeks? Everybody

some complicated relations between Marc

at KTM said it was impossible, that motocross

Coma and Cyril Despres. They lodged protests

bikes and enduro bikes were not intended for

against each other. Teammates!

long distances. But I argued that if we can two. I told KTM board member Stefan Pierer

// How do you cope with strife within the team?

that I already had a sponsor, Diesel Jeans,

The guys are actually okay, they talk to each other,

and only needed bikes and spare parts from

but during the race, they fight. Everyone wants to

the company. I raced on a Yamaha from Paris

win at the Dakar. They won’t accept team orders

to Cape Town in 1992. I had to do this, I told

unless being completely out of contention. Dakar

myself. I had many personal issues, no money,

only happens once a year and if you don’t win, you

but I did it - only for a few days, but I saw

have to wait for the next edition.

do one week, we are not that far from doing

// Do you see any possibility for Dakar returning to Africa?

When we started, Northern Africa was open to everything. We raced in Libya, Egypt, Mali...

Now it’s not safe to go to many places, though Africa Eco Race happens every year without problems. But there’s one issue - Saudis pay quite a lot of money to host the Dakar and I think they signed a 10-year contract. It’ll be difficult for Amaury Sport Organisation to get a similar amount anywhere else.

// You’ve raced yourself and you’re in contact with the young generation of racers. How does the current generation with their smartphones approach racing?

36

I think that motocross is the easiest, best and

37

cheapest class for the young ones. The bike costs €10,000 and you can sell it next year for €7,000, the material costs are not stupidly expensive. I became good friends with Niki Lauda in Ibiza, and Niki always said “I won’t allow my boys to race cars, but if they want to do motocross, why not, because there they have to work.” In the Middle East, where I spend quite a lot of time now, all young boys want to race 500 hp cars, but working hard to get to the top is another story.

// At what age did you start?

I think I was five or six years old. One of my brothers is four years older and the other four years younger. We’ve always said Hanzi should win the 500cc class in World Championship, me the 250cc and Klaus 125cc (laughs). My father was also riding, he bought his first BMW in 1952 and did some ice racing and mountain climbing. We had a bakery, and to go to races, we were allowed to take one car from the bakery.

// Who manages the bakery?

My sister is running it. I have three sisters and two brothers. In 1982 my father had a serious accident in which my mother and grandmother died and he was badly injured. In the years after when I became world champion, 1984 and 85, I moved to 500cc while my sister was running the bakery. It wasn’t easy. In 1987 we were almost bankrupt, all the money I made in motocross was gone because of the bakery. I was completely broke, I owed a lot of money to the banks, it was a bad time. This was when I saw the news about a company in Wels specialising in helping companies that are in trouble. I phoned them and this is how I met Stefan Pierer.

// Wow! I explained my situation and he said, sorry, you’re a little bit too far away to travel to every day, but if you have a question, you can call me anytime. That same day he met his friends in a bar and told them Heinz Kinigadner

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“As a manufacturer, as KTM, I’d love to show everybody that our bike is good enough to do the entire 8,000 km in rough conditions without service.”

34 / 39 Interview

anniversary of my son’s accident is this year.

At our meetings the scientists, doctors, and researchers keep telling me how well we’re doing and I keep replying that no, we’re not.

Until the first patient can move their little finger, something they couldn’t do before, we’re not.

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It’s a complicated field and research takes a minimum of five to eight years.

// Do you still ride motorcycles?

No. I haven’t ridden since my son’s accident.

I promised him that one day we’ll have fun together on a bike. I still love bikes, but if I continued riding, I might end up with more than 50 broken bones (laughs).

// But do you do other adrenaline stuff?

I’ve been doing a bit of paragliding lately.

// Oof, that could hurt if it went wrong ...

Yes, I was the first one in hospital after Covid.

When quarantine ended, I crashed badly, hips, vertebrae, broken nose…

// Did you ever think why you need so much adrenaline in your life?

I don’t feel I need it. Actually, it’s in our family.

But because I’ve had so many accidents and survived, I’ve done at least some things

Heinz and his son Hannes Kinigadner

right. For example, Arnaldo Farioli told me about the 1989 Incas Rally in South America, organised by my friend Franco Acerbis. I’d

called him, whereupon one of his friends

// Si Heinz Kinigadner – gonilna sila pri KTM in Wings for Life Heinz Kinigadner je bil pri podjetju KTM neposredno odgovoren za oživitev znamke v devetdesetih letih prejšnjega stoletja. Zdaj je gonilna sila fundacije za zdravljenje poškodb hrbtenjače Wings for Life, ki jo je ustanovil pred devetnajstimi leti, ko je njegov sin Hannes po nesreči z motorjem za motokros pristal v invalidskem vozičku. Z nekdanjim dvakratnim svetovnim prvakom v motokrosu v kategoriji 250 kubičnih centimetrov in udeležencem številnih relijev na dveh kolesih sva pogovor začela s krofi z marelično marmelado, ki sva jih s fotografom pripeljala iz Slovenije. Pogovor je potekal o veliko stvareh, med drugim je sledilo tudi vprašanje, ali še kdaj sede na motor. »Motorja nisem vozil vse od sinove nesreče.

Obljubil sem mu, da se bova nekega dne skupaj zabavala na motorju. Še vedno obožujem motorje, a če bi še naprej dirkal, bi lahko imel še več kot 50 zlomljenih kosti,« je med drugim dejal 63-letni Avstrijec.

never taken part in a rally before, but South

said: “What?! And you said no?! We’ll go and see him tomorrow! We have to help him!”

He came the next day and helped us keep

America sounded good. After the first 100 km, I suffered four bad crashes and lost my rear brake. I was catching another rider on a

the bakery. I had no money to pay him, the

rocky mountain, it was dusty and at the last

only leftover from my motocross days was

moment I saw I missed a corner. I went full

my house in Ibiza, so I invited him and his

throttle and tried to jump to the other side, but

family to stay there for holidays. We became

that was mission impossible. I landed metres

good friends, my kids became good friends

off the road, hit a rocky wall, but luckily fell

with his kids, and when we were there in the

on the road. While I was getting up, I heard

summer of ‘91, Arnaldo Farioli, Italian KTM

the bike tumble down the valley. We had to

importer, phoned me: “Hey, Heinz, we’re at a

take the bike, smashed like a can, out with a

point, when we can’t pay our bills anymore.

Do you have any ideas?” I said yes, the idea is right next to me. I explained to Stefan that the market is still waiting for KTM and could he

helicopter. Rallies are not for me, I realised.

But I managed to somehow do the right thing in difficult situations. Otherwise I’d have been dead by now.

please have a look? That was in September.

On 24 of December we got the green light th

// You couldn’t use Akrapovič when racing?

from the government. The rest is history.

// How is the Wings for Life foundation doing? Your son’s motocross injury put him in a wheelchair, but you believe medicine might be able to cure the condition in the future?

Wings for Life is the reason why we’re in a

get. Quality and power. I think our first contact came because of road racing…

// An exhaust for your brother’s supermoto bike?

Correct. We’d heard about their products for

good mood. There will be a cure someday,

superbike, everyone said you needed one if

I’m sure of that, the top scientists and

you wanted to be on top. I’ve been in contact

researchers believe that. It won’t be in the

with many race managers who have used

shape of a magic pill, it’ll take many steps,

other products, and they told me an Akrapovič

but we have already learnt so much about

just fits, no bending or pushing required. The

this condition. It could come in two or twenty

quality and the precision, it’s unbelievable.

years, the sooner the better. We’ve been managing the foundation for 19 years. The 20

I truly believe that it’s by far best gear one can

th

F A N T A S T I C

by Alenka Birk

MODERN RETRO Meet the Top Time watches and Speed Twin motorcycle inspired by the 60s café-racer culture. In the mid-60s, bike racing was in its heyday, and a whole subculture had sprung up around ‘café racers,’ stylish motorcycles used to transport their riders from one hip café to another.

And that freewheeling café-racer spirit is back in a spectacular new Top Time collaboration between Breitling and British motorcycle brand Triumph. This debut partnership will see Breitling produce a Top Time Triumph watch, while Triumph will launch co-branded motorcycles.

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TEAM LOTUS Feast your senses on a quality and stylish Classic Team Lotus Type 25 Holdall, the first addition to the ‘Heritage Motorsport Collection’. Designed by Jordan in close connection with Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus, and son of Colin Chapman, this latest Jordan Bespoke bag takes inspiration from Colin Chapman’s Lotus Type 25 racing car, designed by him for the 1962 Formula 1 season and famously raced by motorsports legend Jim Clark. The latest creation from a 13-year official partnership between the two brands is a holdall which celebrates this famous racing car, captures the spirit of the 60s, honours the memory of Jim Clark and applauds the engineering prowess of Colin Chapman.

jordanbespoke.com

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FOR A PERFECT GRIP These unisex driving gloves by Ferrari blend retro charm with modern details and exude artisanal Italian craftsmanship. Their timeless design features comfortable details, such as the ergonomic opening stitched by hand and the hook-and-loop closure, which is enhanced by the metal Prancing Horse with an elegant ruthenium finish. Made from soft leather, these fingerless driving gloves provide a comfortable fit and perfect grip on the wheel. They are a must for comfortable driving.

store.ferrari.com

40 / 41

Fantastic

DETAILS COUNT The Mercedes collection is as diverse as the people attracted to its unique features. In cooperation with Master & Dynamic, it now offers Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, built with the highest standards of craftsmanship. The sleek, monochrome designs are marked with the iconic Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star. Designed for demanding customers, these headphones are perfect for all who appreciate quality, elegance and passion in every smallest detail.

masterdynamic.eu

AT H L E T I C Hackett London recently launched a new Aston Martin clothing collection which emphasises light, breathable layers that are sophisticated but functional - perfect for men on the move. It includes a range of protective technical pieces with an athletic feel. These jackets emphasise power and motion and come with an iconic British twist. You will never want to take it off again.

shop.astonmartin.com

L E T ’ S P L AY Here’s a winning combination for fans of superfast cars – the LEGO® Speed Champions Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro and Aston Martin Vantage GT3 toy building set. Now available to collect, construct and explore, these accurately detailed LEGO models deliver a rewarding building experience, are great for display and awesome to race!

lego.com

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Story

GREEN. F E RO C I O U S LY GREEN!

THE COLOUR GREEN CAN EVOKE NOTIONS LIKE NATURE, TRANQUILLITY, SUSTAINABILITY - THOUGH OTHERS MAY ALSO COME TO MIND. IN CASE OF THE CAR YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU, GREEN CAN AROUSE SOME COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EMOTIONS. PASSION! SPEED! MISCHIEF! YOUTHFUL MADNESS! AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF THIS PROJECT, USED BY FUTURE MECHANICS AND DEVELOPMENT

42 / 45 Story

by Matevž Hribar photography Bor Dobrin

FIRST DRIVE - VOLKSWAGEN GOLF R HURRICANE

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ENGINEERS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS, ANOTHER MEANING BECOMES APPARENT: THE GREEN HELL THAT THEY WANT TO CONQUER WITH THE HURRICANE. AND THAT WOULD BE JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED FOR THE CAR, AS THE COUNTRY ROADS AROUND HANOVER, WHERE WE DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME, QUICKLY PROVED TO BE, WELL, TOO SHORT. NÜRBURGRING BECKONS!

Allow me to start the story of the Golf R

unorthodox and unique cars such as the Golf

IT IS HARD TO ASSESS

HURRICANE with a personal experience.

GTE HyRacer, created in 2020, which help

HOW WELL IT DRIVES

Had I, as part of studying mechatronics, a

promote the brand, and at the same time – or

field that Enes and Lasse (more on them later)

even more importantly – allow the students to

also studied, worked on a racing car instead

gain extremely valuable experience. Last, but

of cold and unattractive CNC machines, I

not least, such projects allow VW to attract a

would have likely continued pursuing the

motivated and eager workforce. In the case of

STOPWATCHES AT

technological side of things after completing

Project HURRICANE, all 11 youngsters who

THE GREEN HELL

the mandatory internship. But being young

worked on it stayed at Volkswagen.

and foolish, I, instead of learning how to

The basis for the final project to-date,

service numerically controlled machines,

developed for a year under the watchful eye

preferred to drive, race, and, as you can see,

of project manager Dr Denis Anić, workshop

write about cars and motorcycles. No regrets,

manager Hubertus Diehl and Jörg Drexler,

of course. But we should understand why

tune-up specialist and a regular visitor to

it is beneficial for students to participate in

the Wörthersee meetings of owners of

projects like the HURRICANE.

converted Volkswagens, was a donor car

AT THE LIMIT, BUT THAT IS WHAT THE

WILL TELL US. THE HURRIC ANE’S COLOUR DEFINITELY HINTS THAT IT WAS MADE FOR NÜRBURGRING.

44

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A motivated and eager workforce

in the guise of a Golf R, donated by the Volkswagen R department. Though the base

Volkswagen, more precisely the Volkswagen

model itself could already be labelled as one

Group Retail Deutschland (VGRD), came

of the ‘hottest’ hot hatches on the market,

up with an interesting and fruitful way to

the team felt that 235 kW (320 hp) simply

work with young automotive enthusiasts in

was not enough. With the help of a larger

2007. In cooperation with students, who do

turbocharger and intercooler, a competition-

part of their mandatory internship in VGRD’s

grade air filter, an Akrapovič exhaust system

mechanical workshop, it creates some quite

with carbon fibre tailpipes, and alterations

interesting projects. Well, these projects are

to its electronic brains, the two-litre petrol

mainly created by future ‘technical virtuosos’,

TSI engine was upgraded to an astonishing

mechanics, engineers, developers while

386 kW (526 hp) – the students were helped

Volkswagen provides them with the canvas

here by specialists from the HGP company.

(car) and experienced mentors. The payoff has

At the same time, the Golf went on a radical

been extraordinary and came in the guise of

slimming diet: by removing the rear seats,

42 / 45 Story

all but two of its speakers, insulation, some

make the HURRICANE but a distant relative

equipment, such as the reversing camera,

of the Golf I know. It is supposed to get from

and by installing many carbon fibre elements

0 to 100 km/h in just over three seconds,

(roof, rear spoiler, bonnet, door sills, tailgate),

and the final speed should exceed 300 km/h.

a smaller battery (lithium-ion, in the rear of

‘Should’ as racetrack testing is yet to come.

the car), as well as the Akrapovič exhaust, the

Perhaps an unimportant piece of information,

HURRICANE has lost 200 kilograms. The 19-

but still: the onboard computer, intended

inch rims, for example, were specially created

for a completely different Golf, showed an

by MB Design.

average consumption of 18 litres per hundred

A distant relative of the Golf Alongside photographer Bor Dobrin, I had the honour to witness the car’s first major road trial. Does it run well? Of course it does! The turbine hisses, all four wheels grip the asphalt tightly and I keep holding my breath, while the original model’s digital screen begins to show three-digit numbers. The car is also surprisingly stable, mainly due to its four-wheel drive, as well as the firm suspension provided by Eibach.

When braking (the front ceramic brakes come from the ‘in-house’ Audi R8, and the rear from the S8) or even just lifting the foot off the gas a bit, you can hear the racing crackle – the genuine one coming from the exhaust, not the speakers inside the car. It is hard to assess how well it drives at the limit, but that is what the stopwatches at ‘The Green Hell’ will tell us. The HURRICANE’S colour definitely hints that it was made for Nürburgring. It will be driven there by Benny Leuchter, Volkswagen R race and test driver. But, do you know what the biggest shock was? That I expected the car to be ‘mean’. Both inside and out, hard carbon racing seats (Recaro), four-point seat belts (Schroth), and an Alcantara-clad interior

kilometres. 102-octane fuel.

After a short but sweet ride, I began chatting with two of the students who cocreated the racing machine: “What did you learn from creating the HURRICANE?” Enes Boguslu: “Problem solving. We hit the wall countless times, it often felt that something simply couldn’t be done. We’ve had 120,000 problems,” he laughs. “And then it always worked out in the end, because the situation forced us to find a solution.” “And what about you, Lasse?” “Communication, above all. With the problems mentioned by Enes, it is necessary to communicate calmly and effectively. Not only within the team, we also had to talk with project partners and component suppliers for the rims, suspension, exhaust... You don’t learn that at school.”

See what I’m getting at? You don’t learn that at school. I am sure that all the students involved will proudly add creating the HURRICANE to their CVs. And that the car exhibited at open house days and job fairs in Germany will do its job – attract more eager young brains.

Ride With Us KTM & GASGAS in MotoGP

O R A N G E The 2022 season marked the 74th year of Grand Prix motorcycle racing and the sixth season in the MotoGP class for KTM. For four years in a row, there were four KTM RC16s on the MotoGP grid, but in 2023 the Austrian team has added another works team – GASGAS. The inspiration for the team’s name goes back to their Spanish roots in the mid-80s when the popular Bultaco and SWM trial, enduro and entry-level street models were accompanied by ‘Vamos! Gas a fondo… gas gaaaas!!!’*, later shortened to GASGAS.

KTM takes part in the FIM Grand Prix World

a two-year contract alongside Brad Binder.

capable of. GASGAS has won world titles in

Championship’s three classes as well as in

The Australian came back into the Red Bull

TrialGP and EnduroGP, races in MXGP, AMA

support series with more than 150 motorcycles

KTM fold after finishing second for the Red

Supercross and Pro Motocross, podium spots

and four different models. In 2022, the

Bull KTM Ajo team in Moto3 in 2014. 2023

in Moto2 as well as world title in Moto3. Not

Austrians won two MotoGP races (Indonesia

is Binder’s ninth consecutive season as part

to mention winning the 2022 Dakar Rally on

and Thailand) and stood on the podium five

of the Red Bull KTM family and fourth on the

just its third attempt! From 2023 onwards,

times, with Brad Binder finishing sixth and

KTM RC16, as KTM once again became a

Spain’s iconic motorcycle brand joins MotoGP

Miguel Oliveira tenth overall. Red Bull KTM

two-rider program.

for the first time in a deal that sees the Tech3 team turn a full crimson red. The crew is

Factory Racing also came in as second of the twelve MotoGP teams. The orange team has

Gas for GASGAS

equipped with GASGAS MotoGP technology

won at least one MotoGP race per year for the

GASGAS fully joined the Pierer Mobility

and spearheaded by riders Pol Espargaró

last three seasons and, as of the time of writing,

Group in 2019 and from then onwards it

and Augusto Fernandez. Its executive board

has a total of six wins. In 2023, the team added

added more bikes, riders, and teams to

member Hubert Trunkenpolz said: “If you want

Grand Prix winner Jack Miller to the setup with

its roster as it showcases just what it’s

to create awareness for a motorcycle brand

46 / 47 Ride With Us

by Primož Jurman photography Philip Platzer / KTM Images, Sebas Romero / GASGAS Images

AND

RED

"When we first put the Moto3 GASGAS bike on the grid nobody

46

was even dreaming of a MotoGP team two years later."

47

GASGAS Motorsports Director Pit Beirer

then MotoGP is the right platform. It’s where

then at Sepang in Malaysia. The presentation

few races, with Augusto Fernandez adding:

you reach the most people globally and where

at the new GASGAS complex outside

“I’m jumping into MotoGP with the confidence

we can make GASGAS known and make the

Barcelona saw the 31-year-old Pol Espargaró

of being a world champion and it’s good, but

brand more popular.” GASGAS is the sixth

(2013 Moto2 World Champion) and the

honestly, I don’t know what to expect. I’m

brand in MotoGP for 2023 but has already

25-year-old reigning Moto2 World Champion

looking forward to being competitive soon. I

bolstered its presence with GP victories and

Augusto Fernandez take centre stage with

think I am facing the most important year of

podium appearances in Moto3 and Moto2, a

the crimson GASGAS RC16. “I feel like I am

my career but I know I need to be patient. I am

rate of success hardly believed, even by its

coming back to my roots. I think the potential is

discovering everything that it means to be a

Motorsports Director Pit Beirer: “When we

high on this bike. For sure we have a lot of work

MotoGP rider, a factory rider.

first put the Moto3 GASGAS bike on the grid

to do because the level in MotoGP right now

I honestly can’t wait.”

nobody was even dreaming of a MotoGP team

is super-high but I think we can reach it,” said

two years later.”

Pol, who did not get off to the best start to the

The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team

2023 season, as he was injured in practice

made its appearance at the Valencia test and

before the first race and will have to miss a

* ‘C’mon, give it full gas!!!, Go... faster, faster!’

Cham pions

48 / 51 Champions

by Gaber Keržišnik photography Ducati, Graeme Brown, Jamie Morris

WORLD’S

48

Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista. Ducati. MotoGP and WorldSBK reigning world champions. Anything else? Well, nothing really comes to mind. We’ve covered everything. At least the basics. But we were hungry for more so we asked them to come in for a chat – at the same time. A fairly challenging task, but we succeeded. They talked for half an hour. Álvaro had already finished two races, Francesco was just about to start the new season. They face many challenges, and have even higher goals and expectations – and not only on the track. I tried to keep their conversation to my plan. Did I succeed? Read on to find out.

FASTEST PIZZA? CHAT BETWEEN FRANCESCO BAGNAIA AND ÁLVARO BAUTISTA

49

Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and

are prototypes, unique racing motorcycles,

in the ride between the two motorcycles is

Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo

while WorldSBK bikes are still, at least at

colossal. The brakes alone are worlds apart.

Team) are racing enthusiasts – from head

their core, production motorcycles. They are

MotoGP motorcycles stop much faster with

to toe. Their lives have been dominated by

much less stable when riding. You always

their carbon brakes than WorldSBK bikes

motorcycle racing since a very young age so

feel you are at the limit,” Álvaro described his

with steel ones. And, obviously, the biggest

it made sense they mainly talked about racing

riding experiences with Pecco replying: “You

difference is in engine power. Pecco, let

on two wheels. “I regularly watch MotoGP.

definitely have more experience because you

me tell you a true story. After getting on

It’s a series I used to race in and part of my

tried out both classes. I really want to try out

a WorldSBK motorcycle for the first time

heart remained there. I know the riders and

Ducati’s WorldSBK bike, but I can’t. We’re

following years of racing in MotoGP, I took

team members, which makes me see the

not allowed to train with these bikes, so I train

the bike back after two laps and told the crew

races in a completely different light. It’s very

on the track with an almost completely stock

that something was wrong with it. What do

difficult to compare either the motorcycles

Ducati. Here the difference is even greater.”

you mean, wrong, the mechanics replied?

or lap times. WorldSBK bikes are a bit less

Álvaro immediately jumped in: “True. The time

The engine has no power, I said! Surprised,

powerful and less stable. MotoGP bikes

difference is not that large but the difference

they connected telemetry machines to the

motorcycle, checked the engine data and told

gained a lot compared to the opposition there,”

me. Everything is OK. That’s the power you

and Álvaro immediately replied by offering a

get when riding a WorldSBK motorcycle.”

salvo of praise to the MotoGP rider: “And I admire your precision, Pecco. The quality of

Predictions for the new season

good riders is that their riding might not be

The tale unleashed a burst of laughter, and,

spectacular for the viewers, but it is still very

after calming down, I asked the pair to assess

fast. You need precision for that. And you have

each other’s season so far. “You did everything

it. I love watching MotoGP and see that you

perfectly at the first two rounds, you were

have a well-tuned bike, everything suits you.

unbeatable. I think Toprak Razgatlıoğlu will

That’s when I get the feeling that you can go

be your toughest opponent this year,” Pecco

a bit beyond the bike’s actual capabilities, the

began, prompting Álvaro to offer his own

track or the tyres. On different tracks and in

assessment of the upcoming MotoGP season:

different weather conditions. That’s fantastic.”

“You’ll face a big unknown in the royal class, the new sprint race on Saturdays. You’ll have

Álvaro vs Pecco?

to be quick there as well to get the points. In

Moving on. Describe your best riding

any case, you’ll face two types of races and

characteristics! “Oof, this one is going to be

getting used to the change from Saturday

hard. We’re quite similar. I know Pecco is

to Sunday will be key. It is a completely new

exquisitely sensitive in controlling the front

race weekend format and it will be paramount

end. It’s similar with me, right,” Álvaro inquires

to adapt to it as quickly as possible. Your

of the MotoGP rider. “I’d love to check it out

advantage this year is that you are the

on the track. I wonder where I could attack

reigning champion. I’m speaking from my own

him. It would be tight, we have similar racing

experience. Yes, the title puts you under more

styles.” Pecco immediately shot back: “I agree.

pressure to perform, but it also gives you the

I would also like a duel. I agree with Álvaro,

necessary self-confidence to do so. I think

we are similar as riders. Both of us want to

forward the most to the first one, which is

there’ll be quite a few MotoGP title contenders

be in the lead and control the advantage over

Portimão in Portugal. I’m sceptical about the

this season, but it’s undeniable that Ducati has

the pursuers. Álvaro, you are better than me

two new events on the calendar - India and

a great package. There’s Quartararo, there’s

at exiting the turns. You are really good at

Kazakhstan. I don’t know what awaits us, what

Márquez, and some others, although I think

acceleration and I admire how quickly you

the track is like and how well we’ll do. But in

Pecco’s biggest rival is on your team.” Álvaro

can ‘pick up’ the bike from a corner when

principle, I like all tracks and I’m not afraid

looked at Pecco and added: “I’m talking about

accelerating. I don’t think I could match you

of any,” Pecco succinctly stated. “Well, I’m

your compatriot Enea Bastianini.” Francesco

there. I might be a bit stronger than you at

worried about Imola. Not so much because

Bagnaia listened attentively to Álvaro Bautista,

braking. Really, it would be fun to change

of the race weekend or the competition; I still

before responding: “I like your confidence, I

motorcycles.”

have concerns about track safety. I’d say that the Imola racetrack is right at the safety limit at

like the fact you know you’re extremely strong

Portimão and Barcelona as the favourites

the speeds of modern motorcycles. The wall is

like to have that confidence. It’s an excellent trait and I really admire that about you, Álvaro.

Both riders have their favourite and less

I’m worried about that. I hope everything will

That and your exceptional sense of speed. I

favourite races. Track, environment, weather,

be fine. I’m really looking forward to the race

still remember the race in Indonesia. I couldn’t

experiences, memories and the like all play a

in Barcelona. That’s my home race, I know the

believe how fast you were when entering the

part. But which races are they most looking

track well and it’s always nice to race there,”

turns. I think you won there because of the

forward to and which ones fill them with less

the WorldSBK champion meanwhile summed

high speed you entered the turns with. You

enthusiasm? “I like all the races, but I’m looking

up his thoughts about this year’s race calendar.

on a motorcycle. I want to be more like you, I’d

2022 FIM MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia

still a bit too close to the run-off areas there.

2022 FIM Superbike World Champion Álvaro Bautista

48 / 51 Champions

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)

Big fans of Akrapovič exhausts Both champions have several things in common. Both ride Ducati racing motorcycles in distinct red colours, and both bikes come with Akrapovič exhausts. It was Álvaro’s turn to begin now: “I was in Slovenia years ago with Loris Capirossi to see how the exhausts are

Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati)

“WorldSBK bikes are a bit less powerful and less stable. MotoGP bikes are prototypes, unique racing motorcycles, while WorldSBK bikes are still, at least at their core, production motorcycles.

They are much less stable when riding. You always feel you’re at the limit.” Álvaro Bautista

made. It was fascinating. I was impressed, it’s undoubtedly a top brand and product. I’m happy they are nice enough to support numerous riders.” Pecco went even further: “It’s an honour to be able to be racing with an Akrapovič exhaust. It’s a well-recognised brand. We know that a good exhaust is extremely important for the speed of a motorcycle, but its weight also

“I like all the races, but I’m looking forward the most to the first one, which is Portimão in Portugal. I’m sceptical about the two new events on the calendar - India and Kazakhstan. I don’t know what awaits us, what the track is like and how well we’ll do. But in principle, I like all tracks and I’m not afraid of any.”

plays a major role. All this matters a lot. I’m

Francesco Bagnaia

impressed with Akrapovič.”

Time passed quickly, but I was still able to ask where the two world champions see themselves in the future. Not in a year or

50

two, later than that. Where does Álvaro see Pecco after the end of his racing career and vice versa? The playful question was met in a similar vein, with much laughter. Álvaro began: “Pecco will always remain loyal to motorcycles.

After he quits racing, he will open his own pizzeria like a true Italian and I am sure that he will occasionally ride a scooter to quickly deliver his delicious pizzas.” Pecco got even without delay: “An excellent idea. Why not go into business together? We could create a chain of pizzerias and offer it as a franchise to other, then already former, riders.”

51

52 / 55 Adventure

Advent ure

COLD AND HOT? NEVER GIVE UP!

1.

San Pedro de Atacama

2.

Machuca

3.

Caspana

4.

San Francisco de Chiu Chiu

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Ollague

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San Pedro de Atacama

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Passo de Jama

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Susques

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Cusi Cusi

10. Quebrada de Paicone 11. Santa Catalina 12. La Quiaca 13. Huamahuaca 14. Purmamarca 15. Salinas Grandes de Jujuy 16. San Antonio de los Cobres 17. Cachi 18. Cafayate 19. Mendoza 20. Uspallata 21. Santiago de Chile

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10. 11.

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2.

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Three Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pros. Almost 5,000 km straddling the Andes between the Atacama Desert and the legendary Ruta 40. Experiencing bitter cold and scorching heat, difficult but spectacular terrain and, of course, unforeseen surprises.

Chile, mi amor!

STOP!

The Atacama Desert and its humble capital

My idea of leaving Chile to enter Bolivia directly

San Pedro de Atacama have always intrigued

via the Hito Cajón pass and then continue

me with their contrasting nature. The tiny town

to Eduardo Avaroa reserve collides with the

is filled with energy and positivity, the desert’s

altitude, cold, rain, and a rutted terrain with

dryness evident in the sun-dried mud bricks

deep and copious amounts of sand. We

that make up the houses and the bumpy roads

therefore, still longing for some off-road riding,

with year-old furrows. In the evenings, its streets

take the road to Machuca and Caspana,

come to life with people hopping between

which runs in an endless hollow that makes

restaurants and bars. And then there are the

us dodge Calama. Riding along the rise of

sights! The Baltinache Lagoon with salty water

Ruta 21 as though on the back of a dinosaur,

that burns your lips and jagged red earth all

we turn north at San Francisco de Chiu Chiu

around, the Valle della Luna, a perfect place

towards Ollague, a border town where petrol

for lovers to propose (or go sand surfing), the

can only be found in cans at the convenience

Tebinquinche and Cejas lagoons, home to 300

store. Bolivia is visible on the horizon, but the

(no more, no less, according to the law) wild

customs officers live up to their bad reputation

donkeys… Heading north towards our planned

and refuse us entry. After nearly three hours

crossing into Bolivia is an excellent way to

of negotiation, my means of persuasion are

acclimatize while the Diablo Valley, Piedras

finally rendered ineffective by the threat of

Rojas lagoons, and Tatio geysers offer even

arrest “for exhaustion”. Returning to San Pedro

more breathtaking views to make the stay in

de Atacama, I feel trapped like a fly banging

Atacama unforgettable.

against a glass bottle trying to escape.

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21.

by Federico Tondelli

Cruising the Andes 52

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photography Federico Tondelli, Euto Mandalari

52 / 55 Adventure

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Extreme cold and a timid choice With no other options available, we have to turn back and take the Jama pass. The extreme cold makes it feel like a polar bear is gnawing on my limbs, the thermometer never rises above 4°C, and when we cross into Argentina rain turns into sleet. Despite the numbness, we finally reach Susques and get onto Ruta 40.

Cusi Cusi is only half the way to the northern terminus of Ruta 40, but it takes all day to get there, partly because I see photo opportunities everywhere, and partly because the riding here is more demanding. We prudently stop there, and it’s worth it: the rainbow colors of Valle de la Luna, staying in a mostly self-managed hostel, eating at home with the landlord’s family and the village doctor, and refueling “from the can” - all contribute to making it a memorable experience.

The next day, we’re blown away by the 11 kilometers leading to Quebrada de Paicone,

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with enormous cacti anchored on almost vertical rock ledges dominating the deep gorge of the riverbed like sentinels. Santa Catalina, a white pueblo perched on the mountains, is

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the northernmost point of Ruta 40, while the squalid border town of La Quiaca marks its northern terminus. We head south, passing through Humahuaca and arrive at the sparkling Purmamarca, our gateway to Salinas Grandes de Jujuy.

Salt and pepper I enjoy riding on the salt flats’ surface, guided by Antonia, a bored middle-aged lady who travels like a bolt of lightning on a battered moped, regardless of the vehicle’s precariousness and the salt’s abrasiveness in the event of a fall.

I’ve always loved the discreet way locals mock

through infernal heat that never drops below

us Europeans with our uselessly heavy loaded

40°C, with peaks of 46°C! It takes us two days

bikes. Our fearless guide then further belittles

to cover the stretch, and the 3-litre capacity

me for my reluctance to continue towards San

of my USWE hydration backpack proves to

Antonio de los Cobres as the 100 km stretch

be providential on more than one occasion.

can be done in “nada mas que una horita” (no

Mendoza and Uspallata are two stops that

more than an hour). In reality, it takes us two and

we end up enjoying intensely: the first for the

a half hours, and the biting cold of the twilight

sparkling atmosphere and excellent food, the

alongside holes in the sand by the road mean

second for the romantic experience of sleeping

we don’t enjoy the journey much. Under normal

in a rustic mountain cottage.

conditions, it would be an extraordinary road for both riding and views. Leaving San Antonio, we

The last (nasty) surprises

have to forego Abra del Acay, the highest point

Along with Piedras Rojas, Cristo Redentor de

of Ruta 40, due to impassable road conditions.

Los Andes on top of Paso Libertadores was

Instead, we arrive in Cachi via the asphalt

one of our primary stopping points, but again

detour along Ruta 33, a real racing track of

the road was closed and so it wasn’t to be. To

switchbacks and sweeping successive curves.

lessen the disappointment, the boring road from

The one spot

Uspallata to Santiago de Chile does provide some exquisite highlights: the fascinating Inca

If I had to choose one spot that I would

Bridge, a structure dating back to the Mayan

immediately want to return to, it would be the

era set on limestone sediments; the stunning

road to Cafayate! 160 km of real off-roading,

view of the Aconcagua, the highest peak in the

where our Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Pro proved

world outside of Asia; and the hairpin bends of

to be up to the decidedly demanding segments,

Caracoles, descending into Chile.

giving us infinite enjoyment. The diamond that outshone them all was Quebrada de las

In my opinion, the most captivating aspect

Fechas, a narrow and sinuous canyon that runs

of a trip like this is the element of surprise.

nestled between reddish stratified rocks, with

Whether spending a full day traveling between

a fairly compact earth roadway in the centre

San Pedro de Atacama and Calama to fix a

that often breaks up in long tongues of sand.

tire, navigating through Bolivian customs, or

The magnificence of the place is equal only to

enduring the unforgettable journey through

the satisfaction of having overcome the riding

Cusi Cusi, these unforeseen challenges make

difficulties unscathed.

such trips vastly different from a leisurely excursion in the Alps. Inconveniences can

Who broke the A/C?

often be opportunities to have extraordinary

Reaching the end to all our Dakarian ambitions,

experiences if one approaches them with an

Cafayate puts us back on asphalt roads, though

open mind and adaptability.

the following 1,000 km are an endurance test

56 / 59 Story

Story

by Neil Dowling photography Motology Films

BY THE FEEL Adam Riemann is a most reluctant centrepiece of videos that take their viewers around the world and he alongside his crew of likeminded enduro riders is followed by hundreds of thousands of global enthusiasts. Becoming popular for his adventure films is the culmination of Adam’s happy obsession with off-road riding and incredible trails that take his audience to places few will ever visit.

ADAM RIEMANN - MOTOLOGY FILMS

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56 / 59 Story

Through his passion for creating unique content under the name of ‘Motology Films’, Adam has made over 200 motorcycle videos and amassed in excess of 171 million views. Since starting as a fledgling presenter of his own series featuring off-road motorcycle adventures, tech reports, ride reviews, races and product presentations, he has attracted 700,000 subscribers, a sufficient number to propel him into a different league of video makers and garner interest from companies such as KTM, Yamaha, Motul, Pirelli, Alpinestars, Pod and Akrapovič.

However, while Motology followers see a man on a bike in distant countries living their dreams, they don’t see a long gestation of self-taught skills in video production, online marketing and the grind of administering the passion while trying to make a buck. “You never know who’s watching – I never thought I’d be supported by Akrapovič,” Adam said. He partnered with the Slovenian exhaust specialists after travelling to Bosnia in 2019, courtesy of KTM, where he filmed the ‘Bosnia KTM Adventure Rally’. While there, he met some guys who invited him to Slovenia for a ride. “Three years later, I went over and shot ‘The Mountain Men’ with them.”

Following his heart Adam Riemann, born in 1975 in semi-rural Western Australia, was introduced to BMX racing by his older brother. The newlyfound freedom on two wheels led him to discard convention, a trait he still uses as the springboard for new ideas in film production. He left home aged 15, seeking his own path inspired by a love of travel, adventure and motorcycles. In his early twenties, he was racing in motocross and enduro in Western Australia. In 1997 he decided to ride around Australia and write about the adventure, but no one was interested in buying the story. He did it anyway.

His racing success combined with solo travels caught the attention of the Australasian Dirt Bike (ADB) magazine which hired him as a monthly columnist. And he kept riding. Multiple successes followed, such as becoming Western Australia’s state champion in 2004, before moving to Sydney in 2005. ADB gave him a full-time job, allowing him to continue racing and testing bikes, which led to him winning a class at the tough Finke desert race in 2006, followed by an overseas trip to Austria’s Erzbergrodeo in 2007, where Australia’s only entrant finished as 31st. “I met some key players in Austria during that trip, who are still at KTM and still my friends.” Back home, he guest-joined the KTM team for the 2007 Australasian Safari – the Dakar of the South – a gruelling nine-day 5,500-km test of navigation skills and riding expertise, where he won the 450cc production class and came in as fourth overall.

Passion and persistence pay off In 2008, he was made redundant by ADB, which became the catalyst to start a moto website ‘Motology’ and begin posting

In 1997 he decided to ride around Australia and write about the adventure, but no publication was interested in buying the story. He did it anyway.

videos on YouTube as ARiemann1. “In the first videos I was awkward and uncomfortable until I put my helmet on. I wasn’t that savvy with websites so I just fumbled my way into making a couple of videos and uploaded them to YouTube.” Despite the glamour of video production, there was “zero financial gain” in the first few years. Although YouTube put him in front of the rest of the world, “the turning point wasn’t until, I think, the first video hit one-million views and I no longer needed to be aligned with a magazine.”

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He told us that he is now sponsored by some of the biggest brands in motorsports. “Of course, I knew Akrapovič – the product. They were the duck’s nuts of exhaust systems. But I didn’t know who they were or where they were made. And I was never in a position to afford their pipes back in the day.”

Story matters most Asked how he differs from the hundreds of other guys with GoPros and a bike, Adam revealed his distinction is telling a story. “We can all do action videos, we can all do test reviews, we can all do an adventure ride from A to B, but I think what’s gotten me to this level, is I’ve stayed true to being myself and kept telling stories. A lot of vloggers historically have just walked around with a camera, talking to the lens, being kind of oblivious to the background scene, the ambience or the vibe. That’s not interesting to me and I don’t think it’s interesting to those who want to see bikes being properly used in an adventure setting. I was always about the bikes in action, but I’m slowly evolving to give more of myself to the audience.”

Motonomad is born Adam’s first big adventure film came in 2012 when he took to the Himalayas with his father to film the ‘Himalayan Hero’ – a 4,500 km ride through some of the world’s most spectacular and dangerous scenery. His first video to hit a million views, ‘Riding the High’, followed in 2013. Being driven by adventure, he wanted to follow the Himalayan Hero with something even bigger and better so “I asked a friend to attempt an almost impossible ride with me – from Austria to Egypt.”

KTM came onboard “big time” for the ride from their Austrian factory to the pyramids. “It was the canvas for me to see if I could make a film from the seat of a motorcycle that was worthy of playing in a cinema.” The result was ‘Motonomad’ a 2013 film postcarded by Adam on a KTM 500 EXC chucking a wheelie in front of the pyramids.

No end in sight Adam believes this experience turned him into a more of a hardcore, extreme and adventurous storyteller. “Which I guess is the signature of Motonomad and Motology Films – no support crew, no camera crew, just go by feel.” The Egyptian adventure quickly spurred ‘Motonomad II’, a 9,000 km ride across Kazakhstan, through Russia and into Mongolia in 2015.

Subscriber numbers hit 100,000 and Adam returned to Western Australia, buying a property in the state’s south west. Then came ‘Motonomad III’ a 7,000 km 20-day ride through Chile, Bolivia and Argentina following the old 2014 Dakar Rally route from the coastal Atacama to the Altiplano plateau.

What’s next, then? “Keep on making films.”

“I think what has gotten me to this level, is that I’ve stayed true to being myself and kept telling stories.”

by Alenka Birk

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Compete against friends or family in an immersive 80-minute challenge. Tickets are available from €55 per person. Monopoly Lifesized can be found in the heart of London. monopolylifesized.com

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Crazy Stuff

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62 / 65 Drive With Us

D rive With Us

Is Transfăgărășan the most scenic road in Europe?

SCENIC? PARTLY. FUN TO DRIVE? HARDLY!

If you plan on traveling to Romania from

of three hours of driving, mostly on a new and

Pitești, itself not far from Bucharest, though

Central Europe, prepare for the trip to last a

modern motorway. The T-Roc R has 221 kW

we still need to cover over 120 km to get

day. You can take several routes, either via

(300 hp), but even it gets bored, impatiently

there. 120 km of bends, hairpins and traffic,

Hungary or the Balkans, with the latter having

anticipating the hills, turns and hairpins. It’s

traffic, traffic, punctuated by an occasional

extra border controls, more stopping and

summertime and, by chance, we make it to

bear. Just a few kilometres in, and we can

inferior roads, but cheaper petrol, delicious

our destination on a Sunday. Another half an

already tell that we’re not on an ordinary road.

food and charming people. Transylvania

hour later on the flat trunk road No. 1 leading

Nor is it a normal Sunday. We have to stop

was our goal and to get from the Serbian-

to Brașov, a junction on the right-hand side

repeatedly on the first hairpins of the partially

Romanian border near Timișoara to the city of

right after the village of Scoreiu finally lets us

repaved and narrow road which is crying out

Sibiu, the starting point for our discovery of

turn towards the Carpathians. We are now on

for resurfacing and every turn comes with a

the Carpathians, one is looking at a minimum

the 7C, crossing the mountain range towards

line of cars, slowly edging forward and almost

by Miran Ališič

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photography Bor Dobrin

“Someplace far away in Transylvania there is a road that is the most beautiful of them all,” is what I heard a long ago from several of my journalist colleagues from the world of cars and motorsports. No one knew exactly where it was or were able to pronounce or write the name correctly. Between then and now, however, we saw the rise of the Internet, the road has become much better known, and many can even correctly say its name. Car factories have promoted it by unveiling several new models by offering test drives there and so we went to find it too; we drove the length of the famous Transfăgărășan mountain road with a Volkswagen T-Roc R and accidentally discovered an even more interesting road.

all of them have Romanian licence plates.

after September 1974, when the Transfăgărășan

envisaging it as enabling rapid and safe

There aren’t many houses or towns along the

opened following laborious construction,

movement of troops through the Carpathians

way, a roadside hut here and there, which has

punctuated by numerous work-related accidents

and serving to open up the area to tourism,

been converted to a restaurant or lodgings,

and, sadly, deaths. It was built in a record four

though he rejected the original plan of having

but there are quite a few stands selling

years after being conceived by Romanian

it named after him. The 7C has definitely

souvenirs and local produce. The nature

dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1969, when

become a strong tourist magnet and after

remains wild as this part of the Carpathians

relations between Romania and the Soviet

the first 20 kilometres, we begin getting

used to be uninhabited.

Union became strained following the Prague

comfortable on it and the more the canyon

Spring and the Soviet military intervention in

opens up, the more of the blue sky we see

Czechoslovakia the year before. The road had

above and the clearer it becomes why it is

a mainly military significance, with Ceaușescu

considered one of the most beautiful scenic

Road built only in 1974 People only began moving about in the area

Angela Popa

routes. The final part of the road before the

automatic DSG transmission shifts between

drowning in chaos, the road can only support

tunnel, peaks at just above 2000 metres

first and second gear and our speed fluctuates

one-way traffic with its sides clogged by

above sea level and leads along a ridge that is

between 20 and 40 km/h. Suddenly, we spot a

parked vehicles. Fortunately, our T-Roc R

bordered by the peaks of the Carpathians on

bear beside the road. The animal proceeds to

also finds one such spot. The inn at the top is

the one side and a scenic view of the distant

amble to one of the slow-moving cars in front

crowded and even more people are thronging

Transylvanian plain on the other. Straddling

of us, whose passengers toss it a sandwich

the stalls, where we find a saleswoman who

the ridge, the Transfăgărășan snakes its way

through the open window. The animal picks it

speaks a bit of German. Angela Popa from the

towards the top through bends and hairpins.

up, looks at the people as if saying thank you

village of Cârțișoara at the northern slopes

The idyll of urban wilderness is completed by

and goodbye, and retreats a few meters to

of the range has been selling pickled fruit,

a panoramic cable car that climbs towards

the edge of the forest, to calmly chew on his

jams, syrups, biscuits and pies at the pass for

the peak on pylons placed among the turns.

prize. The co-existence between man and bear

the past 12 years. “There are fewer people

Nevertheless, our idyll soon comes to an end

seems completely natural. We find out that the

this year than there used to be before the

as we spot a long line of cars slowly lumbering

congested traffic in the final five kilometres

corona,” the lively lady in her 50s begins the

towards the top. Since the road is narrow and

before the pass, which take an hour to cover,

conversation. “They are also buying less; it has

traversed by smaller lorries and numerous

was not caused by anything extraordinary.

become increasingly common to bring food

buses, we aren’t sure at first what caused this

Parking is available at the pass on a macadam

and drinks along, whereas previously people

traffic jam. Whatever the cause, we are now

parking lot with a gate and security guards,

used to buy more from the stalls.” We inquire

crawling along rather than driving. T-Roc’s

but because it is bursting at the seams and

whether she can make ends meet manning

62 / 65 Drive With Us

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Sibiu

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7C

P ite sti

the stall. “Not a chance, I do it for a bit of

sheep, grazing in large numbers on the slopes,

an empty road,” he adds as we sip Romanian

extra income, you can’t make a living from

seem not to be phased at all by the piercing

beer. We take his advice and check out the

it. During the weekend, we can turn a small

sound coming from the four-cylinder engine...

more western-lying Transalpina, the cousin of

profit, but sales are slow during the week,” smiles Mrs Popa, who estimates that the number of foreigners, who are more inclined to

Transalpina Since we traversed the road from the north

make a purchase, stands at only five percent.

to south on Sunday, we decided to do it in

“Germans lead the pack, followed by Austrians

reverse on Monday. There was much less

and Hungarians...” On the southern side of the

traffic, but we still didn’t have the road all to

pass after driving through the tunnel below the

ourselves to fully enjoy the driving pleasures

peak, the landscape closes in, there are fewer

it could offer. “You’ll have to come during the

vistas, the canyon is deeper and narrower, and

week in September or October to experience

traffic is somewhat sparser. From time to time,

solitude before the road is closed for winter

the T-Roc R can even put its power and agility

due to the vast amount of snow,” the innkeeper

on display, causing random travellers admiring

at one of the wooden outposts along the road

the scenery along the hairpins or at rest stops

- of which quite a few have sprung up recently

to turn around when hearing the roar from the

- informs us. “Better take the newly built

four pipes of the Akrapovič exhaust - only the

Transalpina to experience mountain driving on

the much-vaunted Transfăgărășan, which was renovated and completely upgraded in 2012.

While we didn’t have the necessary time, I can safely say that we plan to get to fully know it at some other time. It is much more tailored to fast driving, has a lot less traffic, the asphalt is new and the road very wide, thus being eminently suitable for a lower, stiffer suspension and a much more powerful super sports car.

Story

66 / 69 Story

by Gaber Keržišnik photography Pino Goodman

HOW AND WHERE THE BEST ESPRESSO IN THE WORLD IS MADE

LISCIO O LUNGO* ROVIGO IS A SMALL ITALIAN TOWN, LESS THAN AN HOUR’S DRIVE FROM VENICE. A PLEASANT BAR IS LOCATED IN ITS OLD TOWN CENTRE, THOUGH THAT ALONE DOES NOT MAKE ROVIGO STAND OUT FROM OTHER TOWNS IN THE COUNTRY. WHAT DOES IS THAT THIS BAR SERVES THE BEST COFFEE IN ITALY. AND IF ITALY IS THE WORLD CAPITAL OF ESPRESSO, THEN WE CAN USE A BIT OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM AND SAY THAT THE AROMA WAFTING FROM BARIBAL COMES FROM THE BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD. TO SEE FOR OURSELVES, WE DROVE TO ROVIGO AND DRANK A FEW CUPS OF PURE PLEASURE WITH BARIBAL OWNER NICO BREGOLIN, THE CURRENT ESPRESSO ITALIANO CHAMPION.

*ESPRESSO OR LUNGO

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NICO BREGOLIN MAKES COFFEE EVERY DAY, USUALLY GETTING UP AT 5 AM TO PREPARE EVERYTHING NEEDED TO START THE DAY. HE USUALLY WORKS ALONE AND MAKES EVERY CUP BY HIMSELF.

66 / 69 Story

ON HIS FIRST TRY, NICO BREGOLIN FAILED TO REACH THE FINAL STAGES, WHILE ON HIS SECOND ATTEMPT HE WAS ELIMINATED IN THE SEMI-FINALS. HE FINALLY WON THE COVETED TITLE LAST YEAR, THOUGH THE RULES STATE THAT WINNERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE PART AGAIN.

“Mornings are busy at Baribal. Then it calms

coffee, paying close attention to cleanliness

or bean quality. This is usually not the case

down a bit before the second wave hits

during the brewing is paramount. “Before

and the problems lie in the making. If you have

between 10 and 11 am. That’s when I’m at

making a cup, I thoroughly clean the coffee

decent quality beans, then I believe you have

the bar, making coffee. I won’t have time for

machine. The filter holders, the filter and

a good chance of brewing an excellent cup.

you. You can, of course, come and drink good

everything nearby. I wipe each part with a clean

The only condition is that you follow the correct

coffee, but I won’t be able to talk until around

cloth to remove any traces of the previous cup.

procedure,” the espresso champion reveals.

3 pm when the bar empties somewhat,” the

If you leave wet, burnt or old coffee remains

Nico makes coffee every day, usually getting up

43-year-old Nico, who has been running

on the machine, you can forget about making

at 5 am to prepare everything needed to start

Baribal for more than 19 years, told us as we

a good-tasting cup. Apart from that, it is also

the day. He typically works alone and makes

were arranging our visit. Perhaps worth noting

necessary to remove coffee residue from the

every cup by himself. “Customers normally

is that Nico, despite his passion for catering

grinder. I clean it before making every cup and

drink cappuccino in the morning and switch

and brewing coffee, does not come from a

freshly grind the coffee for each brew. I also pay

to espresso during the day. About 60 % of my

long line of restaurateurs - he is in fact the

attention to the granulation of ground coffee. If

cups are espresso, 30 % are cappuccino and

first member of his family to choose catering,

necessary, I change it by adjusting the grinder

maybe 10 % decaffeinated coffee,” our ‘barista’

he has been trying to make the perfect cup of

and I do it several times a day. Sometimes I

champion reveals. Nico will also not charge

coffee from the moment he started working in

check the granularity 15 or 20 times daily! It is

you an arm and a leg for the best coffee in

the café he rents.

also necessary to regularly remove limescale

the world: €1.30 for an espresso, €1.60 for a

from the machine – unless it can do that itself.

cappuccino and a superbly crafted macchiato

THE PERFECT CUP

The filter holder handles can be cleaned best

will set you back €1.90. It’s not expensive and

So, what makes a perfect brew? It will come

and most naturally with fruit or wine vinegar.

the coffee really is fantastic. Espresso fanatics

as no surprise to learn that a cup of coffee,

One must also pay strict attention to the steam

sometimes come to Rovigo from far away just to

whether an espresso or a cappuccino, is judged

nozzle, which must be cleaned after every use.

have a cup in Baribal.

by various factors. In addition to taste, colour

And, obviously, a good cappuccino requires

matters. Jury members as well as coffee lovers

milk to be at the correct temperature. It must

VICTORY ON ATTEMPT NO. 3

also evaluate the texture, how creamy the coffee

be cooled to exactly 4ºC, which gives it the

Brewing top-quality coffee is a demanding

is. Its smell and acidity also come into play,

right flavour and crema,” the committed and

job, and winning the Espresso Italiano

while the criteria for milk used in cappuccinos

enthusiastic Nico rapidly dishes out information

Champion competition proves that the winner

include temperature, creaminess of the foam

as we sip our espressos.

is undoubtedly the No. 1 ‘barista’. The last

and, obviously, smell and taste. It sounds

He believes that foregoing cleanliness is the

competition to date took place in Milan in

simple, but looks can be deceiving, so we asked

biggest mistake people make. “They don’t

2022 and saw 400 competitors take part.

Nico to share some of his brewing secrets. How

clean the machine and don’t flush it with water

They all used the same machine and were

does he make the perfect cup?

frequently enough. If the coffee doesn’t taste

given 11 minutes to calibrate the equipment

It turns out that, in addition to quality roasted

well, they then all too often blame the brand

and brew four espressos and cappuccinos.

The watchful eyes of the technical judges and the taste buds of the sensory jury meanwhile observed, smelled and tasted the coffee as well as noted the characteristics of the ‘baristas’ and the coffee they made. This was Nico’s third time taking part. On his first try, he failed to reach the final stages, while on his second attempt he was eliminated at the very end, in the semi-finals. According to the rules, only the top 10 make it to the finals. He finally won the coveted title last year, though the rules state that winners are not allowed to take part again. Never mind, the goal has been achieved, and the plaque with the title adorns the bar’s wall. “I’ve always loved coffee. I like different products that taste like coffee, and prefer coffee that isn’t too sour. It should be creamy and maybe even contain a hint of chocolate. I like making coffee, but working in a coffee bar is still tiring, because I mainly do everything myself. I get up early and work all day.

In the future, I wish I could work a bit less. Winning the title serves as a good promotion for me and also the brand of coffee I use.” But could he be interested in creating his own brand?

“Maybe. I’m not ruling it out. But right now, I’d rather train young ‘baristas’ and teach people how to make really good coffee,” Nico concludes before asking us: “Would you like one more espresso each?”

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Nico Bregolin

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Story

The only previous shoemaker in his family was

would be solely for the sake of getting a degree.

at the assembly line. Mario realised he needed

Mario’s grandfather. While Mario’s father did

“I then saw a pair of special shoes. Very

to find people with whom he could create in this

train with grandpa Herzog, he soon went abroad,

expensive, verging on boring for my taste,

way. He succeeded, and for almost 30 years

where - at a very young age - he became

but radiating something special, bigger...

they have been making bespoke high-quality

interested in manufacturing ski boots. He is

Handcrafted and one of a kind. And extremely

shoes, ordered by customers from all over the

considered one of the pioneers of plastic ski

expensive! It was then that I clearly felt what I

world. A few months must pass before each

boots production and the first person to give

wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

customer can take home and start using their thoroughly customised footwear. Not that he

them a splash of colour, breathing into them a vibrancy not exuded by their traditional dark blue

He went to a few shoe factories and observed

or dark grey pigmentation.

their manufacture up close, but was permanently

mentions any names though.

only impressed with that part of the process

It became clear early on that most pairs would

It had never occurred to young Mario that he

where human ingenuity alone was present: the

be sold abroad, as the Slovenian market was

would have anything to do with footwear, but he

department for designing and making samples.

too small for what Mario was offering. After a

realised soon after graduating from secondary

Everything there was done completely by hand

while, he opened his first branch office in Berlin,

school that any studies he would undertake

and the atmosphere was miles away from the feel

followed by Hamburg and Moscow. From there,

by Patricija Maličev

photography Bor Dobrin, Mario Hercog archive

Mario Herzog, Slovenian designer icon

Sustainability of a shoe The sun was there to welcome us. Both, inside the spacious shoe atelier and salon, and outside, by Lake Blaguš. The birds were singing harmoniously in the early March light, everything was beginning to take shape, and our thoughts, imaginative as they were, stayed with their feet firmly on the ground. All the while shoes were everywhere we looked. Shoes that we have never seen before, shoes in all their elegance and softness, shoes for which we were able to witness all the complex stages of creation and evolution into something that hugs the human foot the way a friendly handshake joins two hands. It was perfect. We experienced all this with Mario Herzog, a Slovenian design icon.

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his shoes found their way to practically all

way louder than words. Hand-tailored and

But there’s more than just one way of making

corners of the world.

stitched, it’s hard to take your eyes off them. He

shoes by hand. “Sometimes people tell me that

When starting out, Mario couldn’t afford an

starts wearing them in November, he has a few

they know where George Clooney’s shoes are

exclusively individual style: “We weren’t in the

pairs, and keeps them on his feet until spring.

being made in Italy, and that they cost less than

centre of Paris or Milan, it would have been

When talking about the art of craftsmanship,

ours. I also happen to know where that is and

easier to be completely original there. We are

he highlights sustainability – the durability

that they are not completely hand made from

not a factory that can churn out numerous

of the shoe. Apart from the high standard

start to finish. We use Goodyear welting, as

pairs, we produce slowly. First and foremost,

when it comes to aesthetics, Mario’s studio

the professionals in the field call it. In European

we are craftsmen, we have our own original

often addresses numerous ergonomic and

capitals, including the nearby Vienna, they

designs, which we have managed to establish

orthopaedic issues.

know this method very well and know how to appreciate it; we still weave the thread and twine

over time, but we are not obsessed with the latest fashion trends.”

Original design is at the foreground in this artisan workshop. His brown hiking boots speak

“One of our characteristics is that people don’t

as it was done 100 years ago, using between

have to walk through shoe stores, which can be

15 to 18 threads. We are artisans who trust in

quite stressful in terms of energy and well-being.”

tradition.” This too is a key to their excellence.

70 / 73 Story

“Shoes, unlike say a bag, a house or a painting,

We don’t grow. We simply are.

are not stationary, they must adjust, move, and

Even though he has been travelling the world’s

not cause discomfort. Bags are simple. Whether

metropolises throughout his life, he remains

you like it or not, you buy it. It can be practical or

a nature lover. “I need my peace, and while I

not, but it won’t cause blisters. The complexity

really like going to cities, I like leaving them even

of creating shoes at our and other similar

more. I can enjoy city life, but I prefer to live in an

workshops is extraordinary, which is why fewer

environment which feels like it was made for my

and fewer people are willing to take it on, though

body and soul – we are all made for something.

I believe that future generations will be able to

That’s probably why I ended up next to this forest

appreciate the efforts of their forebearers and

by the lake, where we are completely alone in

take some heirlooms with them.”

our studio between November and February, though now, in March, we have been joined by

His customers include people who know almost

birdsong. Perhaps I generated this desire to

everything about shoes. “These are people who

create in the middle of the forest. Everything else

don’t watch TV during their free time, they want

would probably feel very wrong. I feel the same

to know about the world around them, they want

about eating in restaurants; if I can’t get the table

to know what they eat and drink, they want to

I want, I won’t eat there. It’s not a whim, it’s about

feel how something is made.” For example, how

the fact that the feeling wouldn’t be complete,

footwear is made under the masterful hands

there wouldn’t be the right sensory stimuli

of Mario and his colleagues. “Such desire for

and dynamics – in such cases I’d rather buy a

insight is present in both wealthy and not so

sandwich and eat an apple. The sooner a person

wealthy individuals. Less affluent customers buy

develops such feelings, the sooner they find

a pair every decade. But they know everything

peace and learn how to avoid things that bother

about shoes and know how to take care of them.

them. One can also offer a lot to some while not

These are people whose bicycles are more

being able to give anything to others.

expensive than their cars, who have high-quality sound equipment at home, who see anything

“I’ve been incredibly lucky that my customers

else than the original recording as unsuitable.

include people of a venerable age, from whom I can learn a lot, get to know a lot. I am

“Our clients can use the time to visit us for a holiday. The Forest Glamping Resort Blaguš, with which we share the space by the lake, allows its guests to spend their holidays in a slightly different way – sleep under the treetops and, by agreement, observe how their shoes are being made.”

increasingly convinced that shoes served as

“Theirs is an intimate relationship with the things

This collaboration has brought additional trust

they indulge in. And they indulge in them for themselves, not to show off. We’re a niche brand. If you tell people you are wearing Mario Herzog shoes, they won’t know what you’re talking about; we are known in narrow circles so we of course encounter comments to the tune of ‘you aren’t a recognised brand in Slovenia, you are somebody from a forest and yet your product costs more than a Vuitton.’”

the means of expression and a medium for me to come in contact with others. I’ve discovered that some clients have eventually become a part of me. But the best part is when you realise that you too have become a part of them. There is no need to celebrate birthdays together. You simply realise the relationship is about much more than just shoes.”

Mario Herzog was asked to create his take on classic men’s Oxford shoes for Audi and Bentley. from customers. “In addition to shoes, which we have been producing continuously for almost 30 years, we also develop, design and manufacture belts, wallets, bags and purses, and luxury leather aprons. What all these products have in common is precise craftsmanship and the use of high-quality materials.”

“Look at the details.

There’s not an open stitch in sight, everything is neat and tidy. Every detail.

Everything folded back. Every piece a masterpiece. But in the end, a person either sees and feels this or doesn’t. That’s the main difference, not wealth.”

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74 / 77 Original

Original

Museum of the Future

Headquarters of coming times It’s called Museum of the Future, which in itself is contradictory. In fact, Dubai’s latest wonder doesn’t conserve the heritage of humanity, yet exhibits hopes, solutions, visions and - yes, those as well - concerns.

The content of the red velvet- and columnfree museum is a dynamic collection of human potential, a call to higher awareness, an invitation to create the future.

by Tina Torelli

photography MOTF

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But how do you exhibit the future? What shape

new wind, in fact more of a desert storm.

do you give it so it can breathe, move and

Situated among the skyscrapers obviously

transform freely? Where do you seed it to help

embodying the masculine principle, raw power

it exponentially grow? Sheikh Mohammed Bin

and hierarchy, the Museum has a whole different

Rashid Al Maktoum had a dream…

vibe. Its curvy shape recalls the magnetic field around the Earth, and - as above, so below - the

So here it is, materialised on the Sheikh

magnetic field around our bodies. Its shape

Zayed Road in the Financial District of Dubai,

alone speaks of a more hospitable future that

dramatically different and magically mystical.

can contain differences, diversity and change.

A torus-shaped home of the future with an

When observed from afar, the off-centered void

elliptical void, is as modern and as ancient as

gives it speed, a quality so innately ingrained in

it gets - and it speaks Arabic. The building’s

the UAE culture.

stainless steel facade is a canvas for the poetry of the Sheikh, engraved in a variation of the slanting thuluth script by the artist Mattar Bin

Architecture at its best

According to its architect Shaun Killa, the

Lahej. Despite the use of the most advanced

Museum is a physical embodiment of his

technologies, Museum of the Future was really

philosophy, so the material representation

built from the heart - as the late Sheikh Zayed

had to be up to the absolute limits of design,

would have wanted. After 50 years of founding

technology and construction expertise. The

the nation (the Museum was supposed to open

building’s asymmetry created by the elliptical

two years ago, in 2021), Zayed’s vision got

void gives the sense of movement, the void

upgraded by the innovative mind of the current

representing the unknown future. The eye-

Ruler of Dubai.

shaped blank space becomes therefore the

Sign of a new wind

most important part of the building - a point of creation, charged with optimism.

Sitting on a green mound representing Earth, the exterior resembles a giant seed of a new

The dynamic nature of the living museum is

way of thinking and feeling. It’s the seed that

furthermore reflected in the flexible nature of

will - if watered with optimism, innovation and

its interior architecture, a fluid, pillarless space

imagination - grow into the tree of a more

that is adaptable and open to change. Settings

sustainable future. The architectural and

and scenes are immersive and also expansive,

engineering marvel is in itself the proof of a

designed to foster the limits and beliefs of the

Despite the use of the most advanced technologies,

Museum of the Future was

really built from the heart - as the late Sheikh Zayed would have wanted.

74 / 77 Original

visitors. Using virtual reality, big data analysis, artificial intelligence and human machine interaction installations, the Museum takes a visitor on a voyage to the symbolic year of 2071.

Encompassing a showroom, an incubator, laboratory, workshop, immersive theatre, chill-out lounge, library, time-travel agency, playground and a soul spa - this place is all-inone, incredibly complex, but nothing less was needed to facilitate a deep dive into the next chapter of civilisation.

Trip itinerary

The time travel starts here and now in the already futuristic city of Dubai, from where the visitors get launched to OSS Hope, a spacestation in the outer galaxy, to step in their role as humans 50 years from now. The Heal Institute in

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the heart of the endangered Amazon is the seat of the Vault of Life, an illuminated installation consisting of a DNA library of 2,400 species.

Al Waha (The Oasis) is a meditative place to

The key to survive and thrive

was once a world founded on the eternal cycle

I dare to think it’s a hopeful sign that the

of nature, based on unity, preservation and

eye-shaped building is not the only toroidal

community. All these qualities, as the base of

construction rising in the world right now. Like

survival, were so important to the Father of the

the pyramids were built all over the planet on

Nation, Sheikh Zayed. At the moment, the world

strategic sites, so these elliptical seeds are

is not a happy place for too many earthlings, so

starting to sprout all over the world - from the

maybe the only way to survive is to go back to

with the consciousness of current challenges

water, from the soil and from the desert sand.

the roots before taking off to the sky.

- climate crisis, digitalisation, globalisation and

Not as sophisticated as the most beautiful

more, the list is long, and the following decades

building in the world according to the then

The Museum of the future is asking you:

will be a wild ride.

Sheikh Zayed, but equally significant. There

“What will you fill the void with?”

reconnect with yourself. The Tomorrow Today section exhibits forward-thinking products and prototypes focused on waste management, environment, food security, agriculture, irrigation, transport and city planning. And finally, the last chapter of this multi-layered museum is dedicated to the Future Heroes the youngest generation that was already born

Hig h G e ar

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High Gear

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Form always follows function

MotoGP’s aerodynamics race Downforce aero is the most visible new technology in MotoGP, so now feels like a good time to tell the story of making race bikes faster via aerodynamics.

Interest in aerodynamics comes and goes in MotoGP. Way back in the 1950s, Grand Prix bodywork evolved into so-called dustbin fairings, which fully enveloped the front of the motorcycles, making them look like torpedoes. These go-faster dustbins were usually fabricated from sheet aluminium, with poorer privateer riders constructing some truly hideous examples, which looked like they’d been created by the world’s worst panel-beater. Several nasty accidents, usually in windy conditions, had the dustbins banned after the 1957 season, with new regulations written to restrict the size and spread of bodywork.

A decade and a half later, MV Agusta, inspired by developments in Formula 1, turned up at Spa-Francorchamps with its machines wearing F1-style wings. They were never seen again. A few years after that Suzuki added some aerospace technology to its RG500 GP bikes by fitting small winglets either side of the fairing. These strakes increased the front load but disappeared after a season or two.

For the next quarter of a century, Grand Prix motorcycle racing largely ignored aerodynamic development. Machines were wind-tunnel tested, of course, but only to reduce drag. That all changed in 2004,

when Aprilia engineer Luigi Dall’Igna added winglets to the factory’s RS Cube MotoGP bike. A few years later Ducati did the same with its Desmosedici. And when Dall’Igna moved to Ducati in November 2013 he began a serious campaign of downforce aerodynamics development (and switched to Akrapovič exhaust systems in 2014).

This came as no surprise to many. By then MotoGP bikes were already doing 350 km/h (220 mph), so they were reaching take-off velocity! Thus something needed to be done to keep the front wheels on the ground, for safety - and to increase performance.

“I’ve been convinced that aerodynamics was something that hadn’t been developed enough,” says Dall’Igna, the man responsible for bringing Ducati back to the forefront of MotoGP. He first went big on aero in 2016, when MotoGP moved to spec software, which included a fairly weak anti-wheelie program, so he needed to find another way to reduce wheelies. “If you look at the data you can easily understand that wheelies are one of the main problems in MotoGP, so if you want to improve your lap times you have to do something in order to reduce them,” he adds. Adding downforce at the front also helps while cornering, by increasing front grip on entry and on exit. No wonder that rival manufacturers quickly copied Ducati’s concept, adding wings to their own machines.

During the last few years, the aerodynamics race has accelerated, with Ducati pioneering

The article here does not necessarily correspond with the opinions of Akrapovič d.d., the publishers or the editors.

by Mat Oxley illustration Natan Esku

ground-effect in 2021, with its diffuser fairing. The diffuser ducts feature large inlets which funnel air to a much smaller exit at the bottom of the fairing, accelerating airflow to create an area of low pressure. Physics then does its thing: atmospheric pressure weighs on the bike, pushing the tyres into the asphalt and increasing grip. This year, for the first time, every manufacturer is using some kind of ground-effect technology, some of them using Formula 1 aerodynamicists, who have more aero knowledge, although they have much to learn when they switch to MotoGP bikes, which are more like fighter planes than cars.

Aprilia’s chief engineer Romano Albesiano likens the process to a voyage of discovery.

“It’s a new world for us, like when Columbus went to America!” he says. “Nobody has been there before, so you can make something new, not just optimising things, but really discovering something. It’s really exciting!”

Mat Oxley, new columnist Mat Oxley has been a motorcycle journalist for more than four decades, covering MotoGP full-time since 1988. During his own racing career, he won an Isle of Man TT and took third place in the Endurance World Championship, scoring secondplace finishes in the Le Mans and SpaFrancorchamps 24 hours. He is based in London, UK.

Follow @matoxley / Twitter and Instagram

Winner Winner of the of the prestigious prestigious Red Red DotDot Award: Award: Product Product Design Design 2023 2023 TheThe Akrapovič Akrapovič Slip-On Slip-On Line Line (SS)(SS) Exhaust Exhaust System System forfor thethe Ducati Ducati Scrambler Scrambler

Akrapovič Akrapovič d.d.,d.d., Malo Malo Hudo Hudo 8a, 8a, 1295 1295 Ivančna Ivančna Gorica, Gorica, Slovenia Slovenia / www.akrapovic.com / www.akrapovic.com GENERAL GENERAL WARNING WARNING Because Because of theofworld-wide the world-wide distribution distribution of Akrapovič of Akrapovič d.d. products, d.d. products, neither neither Akrapovič Akrapovič d.d. nor d.d.any norofany its of subsidiaries its subsidiaries makemake any representation any representation that the thatproducts the products comply comply with the withairthe and/or air and/or noisenoise emissions emissions laws, laws, or labeling or labeling laws, laws, of anyofjurisdiction. any jurisdiction.

The purchasers The purchasers are entirely are entirely responsible responsible for informing for informing themselves themselves of theofapplicable the applicable laws where laws where the products the products are toare be to used be used and toand comply to comply with those with those law. law.

CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA WARNING WARNING California California laws prohibit laws prohibit the use theofuse anyofaftermarket any aftermarket exhaust exhaust part orpart system or system that modifi that modifi es, removes es, removes or replaces or replaces original original equipment equipment catalysts catalysts unlessunless the California the California Air Resources Air Resources BoardBoard has has issuedissued an Executive an Executive OrderOrder regarding regarding such part suchorpart system or system or unless or unless the part theorpart system or system is exempted is exempted by being by being used used only on only racing on racing vehicles vehicles on closed on closed courses. courses.

Neither Neither Akrapovič Akrapovič d.d. nor d.d.any norofany their of subsidiaries their subsidiaries makemake any representation any representation that any thatofany their of parts their parts or systems or systems has received has received such an such Executive an Executive OrderOrder or thatorany thatofany their of parts their parts or systems or systems conform conform with the withracing the racing vehicles vehicles exemption. exemption.

The purchasers The purchasers are entirely are entirely responsible responsible for informing for informing themselves themselves of applicable of applicable California California laws and lawstoand comply to comply with those with those laws. laws.

USA USA WARNING WARNING Various Various U.S. states U.S. states and the andU.S. thefederal U.S. federal government government have individual have individual laws regulating laws regulating the use theofuse aftermarket of aftermarket exhaust exhaust parts parts and systems, and systems, especially especially as those as those parts parts and systems and systems modify, modify, remove, remove, or replace or replace original original equipment equipment catalysts. catalysts.

Please Please consult consult the appropriate the appropriate laws in laws yourin area your before area before installing installing any aftermarket any aftermarket part part or system or system on your on vehicle your vehicle to ensure to ensure compliance compliance with all with applicable all applicable laws. laws.

Neither Neither Akrapovič Akrapovič d.d. nor d.d.any norofany their of subsidiaries their subsidiaries or theorsellers the sellers of theofparts the parts or systems or systems makemake any representation any representation that any thatofany their of parts their parts or or systems systems comply comply with any withsuch any laws. such laws.

Winner of the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2023 The Akrapovič Complete Exhaust (Titanium) with Carbon Fiber Diff user – Matte for the Porsche 911 GT3

Akrapovič d.d., Malo Hudo 8a, 1295 Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia / www.akrapovic.com GENERAL WARNING Because of the world-wide distribution of Akrapovič d.d. products, neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of its subsidiaries make any representation that the products comply with the air and/or noise emissions laws, or labeling laws, of any jurisdiction. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of the applicable laws where the products are to be used and to comply with those law.

CALIFORNIA WARNING California laws prohibit the use of any aftermarket exhaust part or system that modifies, removes or replaces original equipment catalysts unless the California Air Resources Board has issued an Executive Order regarding such part or system or unless the part or system is exempted by being used only on racing vehicles on closed courses. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries make any representation that any of their parts or systems has received such an Executive Order or that any of their parts or systems conform with the racing vehicles exemption. The purchasers are entirely responsible for informing themselves of applicable California laws and to comply with those laws. USA WARNING Various U.S. states and the U.S. federal government have individual laws regulating the use of aftermarket exhaust parts and systems, especially as those parts and systems modify, remove, or replace original equipment catalysts. Please consult the appropriate laws in your area before installing any aftermarket part or system on your vehicle to ensure compliance with all applicable laws. Neither Akrapovič d.d. nor any of their subsidiaries or the sellers of the parts or systems make any representation that any of their parts or systems comply with any such laws.

Product code: 802243

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