R.I.P. Nicky Haydn - After the incident that happened recently he succumed to his injuries.

It is with great sadness that Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team has to announce that Nicky Hayden has succumbed to injuries suffered during an incident while riding his bicycle last Wednesday.

Nicky passed away at 19:09 CEST this evening at Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, Italy. His fiancée Jackie, mother Rose and brother Tommy were at his side.

Throughout his career Nicky’s professionalism and fighting spirit was greatly valued and carried him to numerous successes, including his childhood dream of being crowned MotoGP World Champion with Honda in 2006. As well as being a true champion on the track, Nicky was a fan favourite off it due to his kind nature, relaxed demeanour, and the huge smile he invariably carried everywhere.

Nothing says more about Nicky’s character than the overwhelming response expressed by fellow racers and his legions of fans over the past few days. Jackie and his family are truly grateful for the countless prayers and well wishes for Nicky.

The ‘Kentucky Kid’ will be sorely missed by all that ever had the pleasure of meeting him or the privilege to see him race a motorcycle around a track, be it dirt or asphalt.

The racing world says goodbye to one of its dearest sons. Rest in peace Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Patrick Hayden.

Tommy Hayden

“On behalf of the whole Hayden family and Nicky’s fiancée Jackie I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support – it has been a great comfort to us all knowing that Nicky has touched so many people’s lives in such a positive way.

“Although this is obviously a sad time, we would like everyone to remember Nicky at his happiest – riding a motorcycle. He dreamed as a kid of being a pro rider and not only achieved that but also managed to reach the pinnacle of his chosen sport in becoming World Champion. We are all so proud of that.

“Apart from these ‘public’ memories, we will also have many great and happy memories of Nicky at home in Kentucky, in the heart of the family. We will all miss him terribly.

“It is also important for us to thank all the hospital staff for their incredible support – they have been very kind. With the further support of the authorities in the coming days we hope to have Nicky home soon.”

Maserati and Cipollini team up to make a One-of-a-kind road bike to be auctioned for charity.

MASERATI CIPOLLINI BOND SILENT AUCTION WILL RAISE MONEY FOR ACTION MEDICAL RESEARCH

To celebrate its partnership with the inaugural Rouleur Classic event, Maserati has teamed up with Italian bike brand, Cipollini to create a one-of-a-kind Maserati Cipollini BOND road bike.

The stunning bike, which will be signed at the show by Mario Cipollini, will be the centrepiece of the Maserati Lounge, where visitors will be invited to join a silent auction to win the bike and raise money for Action Medical Research. 

Action Medical Research has been funding medical innovations since they began back in 1952. 

Breakthroughs such as the first polio vaccines in the UK, ultrasound in pregnancy and the rubella vaccine have helped to save thousands of children’s lives and change many more.

Guests will be able to enter the silent auction at the Maserati Lounge throughout the Rouleur Classic as well as via www.championsofcyclesport.com. 

The auction will then continue on stage at the Champions of CycleSport Dinner on Thursday, 26 November, when the overall highest bidder will be announced at the end of the evening.

The Cipollini BOND frame is painted in Maserati blue and white and features Rouleur Classic and Maserati branding, including the Maserati trident in red on either side of the seat tube.

The partnership pairs two iconic Italian brands with speed and style at their heart.

Peter Denton, Region Manager for Maserati Northern Europe comments, ‘When we started our Maserati Cycling initiative it was with the aim of enhancing the experience of the cycling community through our brand’s involvement in a series of unique and exciting cycling events.

‘The vision behind the Rouleur Classic is absolutely complementary to what we are looking to achieve, and the show promises to become a must-attend destination for the discerning road cyclist.

‘We hope our partnership with Cipollini will add another interesting element to the event. To be able to produce a truly one-of-a-kind Maserati Cipollini road bike which will allow us to raise money for a great charity like Action Medical Research is fantastic. The bike is a beautiful piece of design and represents perfectly the style, tradition and quality that Maserati stands for.” 

Mario Cipollini, owner of Cipollini bikes shares this excitement, ‘To pair two such like-minded Italian brands was an opportunity not to miss, and the Rouleur Classic is the perfect place to show the bike and hopefully raise a lot of money for charity. The lucky winner will be the owner of a truly unique bike.’

The technical specification of the bike, with a RRP of £4500, comprises an Ultegra mechanical groupset, Selle San Marco Aspide racing saddle and a Fast Forward F2A alloy clincher wheelset.

Frameset: Groupset:	Cipollini Bond – Medium (54cm) Ultegra 6800 Mechanical 11 Speed Rear mech – short cage 11SPD Cassette – 11-23 11SPD Cranks – 172.5 Chainrings: Standard 53/39
Handlebars: Stem: Saddle: Handlebar tape: Wheelset: Tyres:	Ritchey WCS Logic II Alloy Handlebar (42cm) Ritchey WCS 4-Axis 44 Alloy Stem (100mm) Selle San Marco Aspide Racing Saddle - Black Selle San Marco Presa Corsa Racing Handlebar Tape - Black Fast Forward F2A Alloy Clincher DT240 Wheelset Challenge Forte Race Clincher Road Tyre (120TPI) 25c

The Rouleur Classic Cycling Emporium - a three day exhibition celebrating the very best in road cycling – runs until Saturday 20^th November. For further information please visit: www.rouleurclassic.cc

For your chance to own this one-off piece of classic Italian design and to raise money for Action Medical Research, place a bid in the silent auction before 16.00 Thursday 26^th November at:

www.championsofcyclesport.com

Biggest ever selection of International Stars taking part in the Goodwood Action Sports Arena events.

Goodwood Action Sports has become as much a part of the Festival of Speed as the iconic 1.16-mile Hillclimb and Cartier ‘Style-et-Luxe’ lawn since its debut in 2011.

The list of athletes signed up to take part in the GAS Arena on June 25-28 reads like an international who’s who of action sports that includes legends from the world of Freestyle Motocross, BMX dirt, Trials and Mountain Bike.

The calibre of athletes at last year’s event was staggering and 2015 is no different. From the Czech Republic, performing for the second time, Petr Pilat is undoubtedly one of the best FMX riders in the world with an arsenal of jaw-dropping tricks that stuns audiences. “Last year at GAS we had such an awesome time, great weather, great people and such an unbelievable event… I am stoked to be invited back,” he said.

Pilat will perform this year alongside some of the world’s most talented riders: Britain’s Jamie Squibb , Australian Steve Sommerfeld , German Lukas Weiss and the youngest ever FMX back-flipper, Lucas Ackerman from Germany. Australian hero Ryan Brown will also make his debut at GAS alongside Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, the UK’s Dan Whitby. Freestyle Motocross is set to stun the huge audiences once again!

GAS will this year be powered by TomTom and many of the competitors will be equipped with TomTom’s new Bandit Action Camera during the 14 shows. Visitors to the Festival of Speed can try out the Bandit for themselves on the TomTom display area next to the GAS Arena and in the GAS trial areas.

The TomTom Bandit Action Camera makes editing and sharing videos quick and easy. Instead of spending hours downloading and sorting through footage, users can now create an exciting edit and share it within moments of the action.

From the world of pedal power, Mountain Bike & BMX legends from all over the globe will battle for the coveted prize to be crowned the all-conquering King of GAS set in a jump-filled, double-lane course.  Ex-World Champion and all-round BMX legend, Britain’s Kye Forte  will head the strongest list of riders ever to grace Goodwood, which include X Games hero Chris Doyle, his US countryman Anthony Napolitan, and British aces Ben Wallace, Harry Main, Tom Justice  Leo Forte, Matt Roe, and Mountain Biker Matt Jones.

And of course GAS wouldn’t be GAS without Goodwood’s long standing legend, multiple Trials World Champion, Dougie Lampkin MBE. As well as performing in the main GAS Arena, Lampkin  – along with Alexz Wigg – these kings of balance will showcase their incredible skills in ‘Pop-Up’ GAS shows around the venue all weekend along with two of the UK’s top MTB trials stars: Chris Doney and Andy P.

GOODWOOD - Skoda expands displays with addition of CitiJet Concept.

• CitiJet concept to make UK debut at the ŠKODA Pavilion
• Yeti Xtreme and VisionC concept cars already confirmed
• ŠKODA introduces new online sales facility for its cycle range
• Forest Rally Stage supported by ŠKODA set to wow Festival-goers

ŠKODA has confirmed that its innovative CitiJet concept car will make its first UK appearance at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (26-29 June). The cheeky convertible is based on the brand’s award-winning Citigo, and will appear alongside the Yeti Xtreme and VisionC concept cars during Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June.

Designed and built by 16 ŠKODA apprentices based at the firm’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, the CitiJet was created under the guidance of Jozef Kaban, Head of ŠKODA Design, who challenged the team to build their dream car. The end result is a striking cabriolet that combines a host of innovations and unique design features.

The exterior features distinctive two-tone metallic paintwork, 16-inch wheels and a hand-crafted rear spoiler to emphasise the car’s sporting image. Inside, the CitiJet is fitted out with a red-stitched, leather-trimmed steering wheel, bespoke seat trim and a dashboard panel finished in white and red. Completing the interior package is a 300 watt sound system and music-reactive LED lighting.

The CitiJet concept will form part of ŠKODA’s pavilion display, which for 2014 takes on a two-wheeled theme. The all-new stand explores and celebrates the brand’s cycling heritage, with a host of interactive displays and activities designed to engage visitors of all ages. These include a remarkable ‘Ride the ŠKODA Summit’ attraction that allows brave visitors to ride a ŠKODA bike up a special course constructed at the back of the pavilion. Other interactive features include a virtual Tour de France-style stage, and regular displays from a cycle stunt team.

The Pavilion will also showcase ŠKODA’s growing range of cycles, which from 26 June can be ordered via the main ŠKODA consumer website. The current range of cycles includes kids bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes with prices starting from £270*. Naturally, every bike in the range can be stored and carried safely in ŠKODA’s car range thanks to an extensive range of cycling-related accessories.

As in previous years, ŠKODA will be the main attraction at the Forest Rally Stage. The brand’s legendary Fabia S2000 – the most successful rally car of the Super 2000 era – will be demonstrating its remarkable talents on the ŠKODA-supported 1.7-mile Forest Rally Stage.

This year, British star and ŠKODA retailer Neil Simpson will be serving up the sideways action, with multiple daily runs through the stage. With vast experience in the world of rallying, Neil is currently campaigning his Simpsons Fabia S2000 on selected European Rally Championship rounds, and has already recorded a number of impressive results in 2014.