Held Sponsored Mike Edwards takes double podium in Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge

Brands Hatch: Ducati 848 Challenge - what a cracking race!

The opening round of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge played out in front of a sun-baked Brands Hatch crowd with Hampshire’s Leon Morris winning both closely contested races.

Held-wearing Edwards on the podium (left)

In race one Morris lead the field into Paddock Hill with Cheetham close on his tail followed by Edwards and a hastily patched up Fry who had suffered a heavy crash in qualifying. Cheetham quickly dropped back as the lead group set a challenging pace with ex-National Superstock-man Gilbertson closing the gap to form a thrilling five-way battle.

Edwards was now putting the pressure on Morris and by lap six had moved into the lead. The race had become a four way battle with Edwards, Morris, Fry and Gilbertson all vying for the lead. A costly missed gear around Clearways allowed Edwards and then Fry to pass Morris, and it was Edwards who led at the half way stage. Morris wasn’t giving up though and moved back into first place on the twelfth lap, and despite concerted pressure from Edwards, Morris took the chequered flag. Feeling the effects of his qualifying crash, Fry faded towards the end and so it was Gilbertson who took third on his Ducati 848 Evo.

Race Two saw the grid line up in the order of the fastest laps from Race 1, so Morris was in pole with Gilbertson, Edwards, and Fry alongside him on the front row.

Morris again led the field from the start, with Fry, Gilbertson, and Edwards settling in right behind him. Still suffering from his earlier crash, Fry was unable to hold off the challenge from the two bikes behind him, as Cheetham, Poll, and Jordan continued to stick with this leading group. Now getting into his stride on the 848, Gilbertson slipped into the lead on lap four and put three tenths on Morris by the end of the lap, while his team mate, Hasler, also moved up the placings on the same lap.

The competitive, close racing was to see Morris and Gilbertson swap places several times, before Gilbertson crashed out on Graham Hill Bend losing the front as both he and Morris went for the same racing line. Edwards was now again Morris’s nearest rival, while Fry settled for third place without the strength now to push the leading two riders.

Although unable to stick with the front group, Cheetham had put some space between him and a second group of Poll, Brown, Skipper, and Ivanov, with another tight group of Jordan, Holden and Hopkins chasing hard. Despite a late Edwards charge on the last lap, Morris held on for his second win of the weekend, with Fry taking third and Cheetham fourth.

Close and exciting racing!

Reflecting on his two race wins, Morris said: “It’s been a fantastic weekend for myself and the team. We made a very late decision to race this year, so this is a great reward for all the hard work the team have put in over the last few weeks.”

The Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge now moves on to Assen, where Round Two will be certain to be just as hard fought and action-packed.

Mike Edwards is in second place in the championship after 5 of 8 rounds.

We're pleased to Sponsort, supply and support Mike 'The Spike' Edwards. For more information on Held Bike Gear please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

For more information on The Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge please visit www.ducati848challenge.co.uk

Thinking of new gear? This may help.....

We know what it's like - you need something new- you're not sure which one to go for- you quite fancy a couple of things - are they any good? 

We also know how important it is to be right when buying biking gear - It's a VIP (Very Important Purchase). So, we could show you all the pretty photos and technical data in the world, but it's the 'real world' that matters - the people who have ridden thousands of miles in our gear, who've skidded on their butts on a racetrack at 100mph, who have remained comfortable wearing it in the Desert at 55 degrees celsius,  people who wear it day in, day out. 

Enough waffle! here's what they say:

•  Got my new Slade race suit yesterday! Wow spot on and fits very well indeed. It will be getting a test this Sunday at Jurby! Tim D

• My Titan gloves saved me whilst sliding down the road on saturday :) Well Held! Scott Smart, racer

• Held Carese jacket, Torno trousers: After 3000 miles and 15 months It’s all good. No, seriously, it’s a stupendous on/off-road suit that has stood up to arid desert, snow-topped mountains and sheet rain with the odd tumble along the way, 5/5 Trevor Franklin MCN

• Kavir desert, Iran. Survived up to 55°C with Held Carese/Torno Igor D

• Gave my Held Slade leathers and Titan gloves the ultimate test at Snetterton BSB. Sliding down the track at 100mph+ you would have thought the leathers were dead and burried!... think again.... scuffs only and not a scratch on me with every seam in perfect condition ready to go again. A******* for Held :) Seb Bulpin, racer, BSB Superstock 1000

• Out of all of the brands that we stock here at Moto Central, i must say that since taking on Held Rider Equipment, no other brand has impressed us as much with the quality and customer appeal.  Fantastic range of gloves, superb 'soft' leather gear and a Gore-Tex range that we feel rivals and succeeds that of 'Rukka' who the market seems to feel is the very best. We stock a lot of fantastic brands, but Held is our personal favourite.  Jamie, Moto Central
  
• Can still type after coming off the Bonneville thanks to Held gloves. Jim W

• My new Held back protector is fantastic! Mike Edwards – racing coach and racer

• Held Slade suit: 10 star review in actuality and fully deserving of every single one! A truly impressive suit! Leigh – ‘Bikechatter’

For more information on Held including stockists please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

The Held Quattrotempi GORE-TEX® collection

Don’t let the weather spoil your ride!

Translating directly from the Italian as ‘four times’, Held has named its excellent GORE-TEX® collection ‘Quattrotempi’ because the company recognised the need for motorcycle clothing to perform faultlessly in four different ways.

Comfortable + safe = happy!

 Professional standard motorcycle apparel should keep the rider comfortable throughout all four seasons, protecting from the elements and offer outstanding protection in four key areas, while being completely suited to pretty much any bike.

Using only the best quality materials available at the customer’s desired price point, along with the highest level of workmanship and a keen eye for detail, Held has created the most competitive GORE-TEX® available today. The Sento and Arese combination offers an affordable entry into the Quattrotempi collection, while models including the Carese and Rezzato offer the last word in premium bike kit technology.




Remember: 4:

1. 4-Seasons – Year-round performance
2. 4-Bikes – Looks right on any bike
3. 4-Elements – Deals with heat, wind, water and dirt
4. 4-Protections – Innovative cloverleaf protectors (see below)

View the collection here! Quattrotempi - The Held Gore-Tex collection