INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE AND SCOOTER SHOW PLAYS HOST TO PRESTIGIOUS BRITISH SUPERBIKE AWARDS
04 November 2005 - International Motorcycle and Scooter Show

The prestigious British Superbike Awards came to the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in association with The Sun, at the Birmingham NEC.

Bennetts British Superbike Champion Gregorio Lavilla took centre stage at the show when he received his trophy.

For the first time this star-studded event was open to the public and a massive crowd inside the NEC was not disappointed as a host of top motorcycle riders were on show in front of their adoring fans. On stage, second placed Japanese rider Ryuichi Kiyonari accepted his runners-up trophy while top placed British rider Michael Rutter claimed his prize for third place, before Lavilla stepped up to claim his crown. Lavilla then rounded off his victorious day by claiming the highly sought after - Riders’ Rider of the Year accolade.

BBC television commentator Steve Parrish was joined on stage by series commentators Fred Clarke and Larry Carter to present the awards to the winners. An impressive line-up of riders was topped off by the appearance of star Honda MotoGP rider Marco Melandri, currently in second place in the Championship, who presented the ACU 125 Academy Cup to James Westland.

Looking forward to next season, Gregorio Lavilla commented “I’ll be back to defend the title and I think It’ll be an exciting season because everyone will be trying to beat us, but I am ready for it”. Lavilla was also honoured with the all new ‘Rider’s Rider of the year award’ voted for by the team members. Asked how it felt to be voted for by his fellow riders, Lavilla said ‘I feel like this is my home now. I have so much respect for them and enjoy riding alongside them’.

Other winners on the day were:

· Peter Ward - The Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Cup
· Lee Jackson - The Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship
· Christian Elkin - British 125GP Championship
· Gary Johnson - Metabo Powertools British Supersport Series
· Leon Haslam - Most improved rider, as voted for by the fans
· James Buckingham - Steve Hislop Trophy for Best Young Rider of 2005 and the Bennetts British Superbike Cup for independent riders
· Leon Camier – Metabo British Supersport Championship

The motor sport theme continues next weekend at the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in association with The Sun, as broadcaster and show media partner British Eurosport takes over the main Blackhorse Stage to screen the final MotoGP race of the season live from Valencia. The ‘Eurosport MotoGP Weekend’ will include live coverage of the qualifying and race stages of the MotoGP as Valentino Rossi aims to finish the season with another victory. Those lucky enough to be there will also be able to enjoy a live link up between the Eurosport commentary team and the NEC.

www.motorcycleshow.co.uk

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