UK Motorcycle News & Stories — On This Day
On This Day – 2011 – Marco Simoncelli Left a Legacy Far Greater Than His Results
Mike Bowden Marco Simoncelli MotoGP motorcycle racing On This Day
On this day in 2011, motorcycle racing lost Marco Simoncelli during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. He was 24 years old, a former 250cc World Champion and one of MotoGP’s most compelling emerging riders.
On This Day – 2016 – The Triumph Bonneville Bobber Turned a Custom Bike into a Factory Success
Mike Bowden British Motorcycles Modern Classics On This Day Triumph Bonneville
On this day in 2016, Triumph unveiled a motorcycle that appeared to have escaped from a talented custom builder’s workshop rather than rolled from a modern production line. The Bonneville Bobber had a floating single seat, a deliberately sparse silhouette and a rear suspension unit hidden so effectively that the motorcycle looked like an old-fashioned hardtail.
On This Day – 2006 – Toni Elías Beat Rossi by 0.002 Seconds at Estoril
Mike Bowden MotoGP motorcycle racing On This Day Toni Elías Valentino Rossi
It remains the narrowest winning margin in MotoGP history, but the width of a tyre at the finishing line tells only half the story.
Elías was not fighting for the championship. He arrived in Portugal 13th in the standings and had never won a premier-class Grand Prix. Rossi, by contrast, was attempting to overhaul Nicky Hayden and secure a sixth consecutive top-class world title.
On This Day – 2001 – Valentino Rossi Became the Last 500cc World Champion
Mike Bowden MotoGP motorcycle racing On This Day Valentino Rossi
On this day in 2001, Valentino Rossi crossed the finish line at Phillip Island to become motorcycle racing’s final 500cc World Champion. He was only 22, yet he had already won titles in the 125cc and 250cc classes. Australia completed the set and placed him at the summit of Grand Prix racing just as the sport was preparing to change beyond recognition.
On This Day – 2010 – Lorenzo and Elías: Two World Champions Crowned at Sepang
Mike Bowden Jorge Lorenzo Moto2 MotoGP motorcycle racing On This Day Toni Elías
Jorge Lorenzo finished third in the Malaysian Grand Prix to secure his first MotoGP World Championship. In the earlier race, Toni Elías finished fourth and became the first champion of the newly created Moto2 category.