NEWS: DUCATI READY TO CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONSTER

Ducati: Ready to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Monster

• A programme of events and initiatives to celebrate the anniversary of the iconic Ducati Naked bike
• A special celebratory parade on 24 March in France at the “Sunday Ride Classic 2018”
• 25 years on from the start of production, Ducati displays a 1993 Monster 900 at the Bologna museum

Borgo Panigale, (Bologna, Italy), 5 March 2018 – Twenty-five years have passed since the first Monster left the factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. Since its presentation to the public and the press at the “Intermot” international exhibition in Cologne in 1992, and its launch onto the market in 1993, this iconic Ducati model has brought a radical change to the world of motorcycles, creating a brand new sector – the naked sport bikes – and generating one of the most devoted communities of enthusiasts.

It's an important anniversary for Ducati, a moment full of activities and initiatives to celebrate this significant landmark. Among the events is a Monster rally organised in France at the “Sunday Ride Classic 2018”, an international event dedicated to collectors' bikes to be held at the “Paul Ricard” Circuit in Le Castellet during the afternoon of 24 March. Ducati and the European DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) involved in the event have called Monsteristi together to stage a racetrack parade to celebrate the anniversary in spectacular fashion. The invitation to take part in this peaceful invasion of the circuit is open to all Monster owners who need only register for the event and turn up at the track.

March 5 is another date to remember. Exactly 25 years ago, the first Monster came off the Ducati production line in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. This year, to mark the anniversary, an original Monster 900 MY1993 is on display at the Ducati Museum. The bike, obtained via a collector and enthusiast who kept it in excellent condition, is ready to be admired by the museum's thousands of visitors in the room dedicated to this iconic and historic motorcycle.

Lots more events aimed at celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ducati's first Naked bike are planned for the 2018 World Ducati Week, the world's largest Ducati rally, held every two years, which gathers together thousands of enthusiasts. The event will be held on 20, 21 and 22 July 2018 at the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit in Misano Adriatico. Yet another reason not to miss this fantastic occasion.

For full information and to register to take part in the Monster parade at the “Sunday Ride Classic” see Ducati.fr. 
The programme of events at WDW2018 will be communicated shortly on the official Ducati website.

#welovemonster
#parade25ansmonster


Want to learn more about Held in the UK? Click here

Racers in Held for 2013

Racing season is already upon us- we've already had five podiums at the Brands Thundersport and we're hoping to increase this big time!

Held Wearing Racers: looking for podiums this season...

Here are the racers wearing Held this year - please watch out for them and cheer them on! Most are suited, booted and gloved in Held :)

Oh, if we've missed anyone or any series being raced please shout and we'll add to the list :)

Mike Edwards, Ducati 848 Challenge
Kurt Wigley, National Superstock 600
Matt Wigley, National Superstock 600
Seb Bulpin, National Superstock 1000
Joe Burns, National Superstock 1000
Sean Neary, Ducati 848 Challenge
Leon Jeacock, National Superstock 600
Ben Godfrey, National Superstock 600
Mark Cheetham, various events
Scot Adam, Thundersport GB
Justin Yates, Hottrax Endurance
Jonathan Garnett, Hottrax Endurance
Adam Sheriff, Thundersport GB
Andy Dix, Hottrax Endurance
Tom Weeden, Manx GP & Others
Jack Keen, Ducati 848 Challenge
Sam Smith, various events
Mike Booth, National Superstock 1000
Scot Smart, National Supersport 600

Gentlemen, start your engines! ;)

For more information on Held in the UK, a list of stockists and to view our online catalogue please visit www.held-uk.co.uk 

JUBILANT JEACOCK STEALS EIGHTH AT OULTON

SUPERBIKES - Putting the woes of Knockhill firmly behind him, Nuneaton’s own ‘Track Ace’ Leon Jeacock, rode a blinding race to steal eighth place in Race 7 of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship at Oulton Park this afternoon.

Leon Jeacock: an excellent 8th at Oulton

Despite a fantastic result, Leon’s weekend was not all plain-sailing with both mechanical gremlins and the unpredictable British weather both playing their part.  The Cheshire circuit didn’t escape the summer deluge and torrential rain hit the circuit on Friday resulting in racing being suspended to allow the circuit to drain.  The weather inevitably took its toll on the timetable and resulted in Leon’s qualifying sessions being moved to Saturday.

“The rain on Friday was unbelievable” said Leon “the surface water sitting on the track made the racing conditions virtually impossible.  Thankfully the Organisers recognised the danger and track activity was held up for a while which meant that my qualifying sessions were delayed until the next day”.

Thankfully the sun made an unprecedented appearance in Cheshire on Saturday and both of Leon’s qualifying sessions took place in the dry.  However first qualifying did not go to plan; gearbox problems hampered his chances and finishing the session in 21st place left him bitterly disappointed:

“First qualifying was a nightmare” commented Leon “the gearbox went and I had no chance after that.  I came off the track and the Team were absolutely amazing.  A huge thank you to Mike Dorey of BMC Racing who basically changed the whole engine in just over an hour, otherwise my weekend would have been over!”.

Gearbox probs: BMC Racing came to Leon's rescue

With everything depending on the second qualifying session Leon dug deep and produced his best finish of the season, laying claim to fifth fastest in the session.

“The second qualifying session was great!” said a delighted Leon sporting a grin from ear-to-ear “the bike felt fantastic and it all fell into place when it counted and we produced the best result of the season so far, absolutely delighted with that!”.
Starting this afternoon’s 12 lap race from P5 Leon slipped just two places from the starting grid and at the halfway stage was holding seventh position and keeping up with the leading pack.  An eventful second-half saw fellow competitors falling but battling hard Leon held his nerve and managed to cross the line in eighth place, bagging himself another 8 vital Championship points.

“I’m absolutely delighted with today’s result” said Leon “After the problems we had at Knockhill and again in yesterday’s qualifying the whole Team have been amazing and we’ve managed to turn it round and finish the weekend on a high!”.

Today’s points haul takes Leon to a total of 28 and into fifteenth position on the Championship Leaderboard.  The next round of the 2012 Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship takes place at the Brands Hatch Race Circuit in Kent from the 20 – 22 July 2012.  You can follow Leon’s progress throughout the weekend at www.tsl-timing.com or at www.leonjeacock.co.uk, or leave him a good luck message on his Facebook fan page; Leon Jeacock- Road Racing (BSB Support Series).

Leon is actively seeking sponsorship to enable him to finish the 2012 race season and would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help in any way. If anyone would like to get involved or receive a sponsorship portfolio, please do not hesitate to contact Leon directly at leon@leonjeacock.co.uk or Richard Johnson at richard@leonjeacock.co.uk

Leon Jeacock wears Held. For more information on Held Rider Equipment please visit www.held-uk.co.uk

Oulton Park- Racers wearing Held

We were privileged to be at Oulton Park over the weekend, cheering on the racers wearing Held across four different race series.

Ducati 848 racer Sam Neary sporting the new top of the range Race Evo suit

Here's a brief summary of how the riders faired:

British Superbikes:

Scott Smart- 13th,  15th, 15th

Gary Mason- 18th

National Superstock 1000:

Seb Bulpin- 27th

National Superstock 600

Leon Jeacock- 8th

Ducati 848 Challenge:

Mike Edwards- 2nd, 5th

Mark Cheetham- 4th, 4th

Sean Neary- 9th, 7th

Scot Adam- 10th

Ryan Myler- 21st, 23rd

Great racing as always, well done everyone!

www.held-uk.co.uk

JEACOCK BATTLES THE ODDS IN SCOTLAND

SUPERBIKES – Stockingford’s Held wearing racer Leon Jeacock battled against the odds and the elements to finish just outside the points at Round 6 of the Metzeler National 600 Championship held at the Knockhill Racing Circuit over the weekend.

Making the 12 hour, 700 mile round trip the Team arrived to relentless rainfall at the Dunfermline Circuit, which lasted until Sunday morning making racing conditions extremely testing. 

Held Racer Leon Jeacock in action at Knockhill

 Finishing fifteenth fastest in Friday morning’s Free Practice session, Qualifying 1 didn’t all go to plan. Clocking a 53.696 seconds lap Jeacock crashed after having completed just 4 laps and was unable to rejoin the session, however his fastest lap was good enough to secure thirteenth position. ‘Monsoon-like’ conditions on Saturday forced Jeacock to preserve both himself and his bike, and deciding not to start in Qualifying 2 proved the right decision as the dreadful weather conditions meant Friday’s times couldn’t be bettered and Jeacock retained his thirteenth position on row 5 of the starting grid for Sunday’s race.
  
The rain finally stopped for raceday on Sunday, and a bizarre set of events ensued resulting in a double red-flagged race being declared, the field having completed just 6 of the scheduled 22 circuit laps. Jeacock finished just outside the Championship points in 17th place.
 
 
“Frustrated to come away with no points from this round” said a despondent Jeacock “but feeling pretty lucky to stay on it for the 6 laps though, as the steering damper bolt had

become detached following my crash in Q1 on Friday and was flaying around still attached to the fork leg. Thinking myself very lucky it didn’t jam my steering up completely”.

“Disappointing result but now it’s time to regroup and look towards the next round at Oulton Park in a couple of weeks. There are still 6 more rounds to go and plenty of points on offer”.
 
Round 7 of the 2012 Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship takes place at the Oulton Park Circuit in Cheshire over the weekend of 6th – 8th July. You can follow Leon’s progress throughout the weekend at www.tsl-timing.com or at www.leonjeacock.co.uk, or leave him a good luck message on his Facebook fan page; Leon Jeacock- Road Racing
 
(BSB Support Series).
 
Leon is actively seeking sponsorship to enable him to finish the 2012 race season and would love to hear from anyone who may be able to help in any way. If anyone would like to get involved or receive a sponsorship portfolio, please do not hesitate to contact Leon directly at Leon@leonjeacock.co.uk or Richard Johnson at richard@leonjeacock.co.uk.
 
Leon Jeacock is kindly supported by Nuffield Health & Wellbeing Centre Nuneaton, BMC Racing, Held Rider Equipment, LJR Race Products, Manbat Ltd, Arbury Gates & Railings,  
DP Brakes, Nexx Helmets, Moto-Central, Advance Bike Shipping and The “#55” Club.