Four of this summer's best races

Plan your summer now to see the best racing events

 

Mantua, MXGP

June 26

For something slightly different, try the high-octane MXGP – where the world’s sharpest motocross riders battle it out in a series every bit as exciting and prestigious as MotoGP.
We’d head to Mantua (or Mantova) in northern Italy – it’s the ideal excuse for riding in the nearby Dolomites.

Tickets and information: www.mxgp.com

How long? 6-7 days

Where next? Mantua is handy for Riva del Garda and Italy’s most beautiful mountains.

 

Cadwell Park, British Superbikes

August 27-29

Traditionally the biggest meeting of the domestic championship, everything seems right about the Cadwell Park round of British Superbikes. It’s held over a long Bank Holiday weekend, with the racing on the Monday. It’s at the end of August, when the weather is most likely to at its best. The beautiful tree-lined circuit always delivers great racing, with the added bonus of spectacular action as racers leap over The Mountain. But best of all, the circuit is surrounded by amazing roads through the Lincolnshire Wolds.

But there are a few decisions to make. Do you go just for race day or the full weekend? If you go for the weekend, do you camp at the circuit or stay in a pleasant country pub or a B&B in nearby Louth or Horncastle? And if you’re there for Saturday and Sunday, how much time will you spend watching qualifying and how much time will you spend outside the circuit, exploring the great roads between Cadwell and the coast?

We’d be tempted to have a good ride on Saturday morning and then spend a bit of the afternoon getting to know the track’s best viewing options, then have another ride on Sunday morning before Superpole on Sunday afternoon, settling in for a full day’s spectating on Bank Holiday Monday. Perfect.

Tickets and information: www.cadwellpark.co.uk

How long? 1-3 days

Where next? For a high-quality half-day ride in the area, we’d head to Louth and take the A157 to the coast (maybe for fish and chips). Then we’d head back inland, looking to enjoy some of the spectacular B-roads – the B1183, the B1190, the B1202 and the B1225 – before heading back to the circuit. For a spot of sightseeing, try the historic centre of Lincoln, the Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby or Tattershall Castle.

 

Paul Ricard, World Endurance Bol d’Or

September 16-18

There’s no event quite like the Bol d’Or – especially now it’s returned to its spiritual home in Bandol. Part race meeting, part bike festival, part party, it’s a real must-visit event. The racing is compelling, but for us the biggest attractions are the atmosphere and
the roads there (and home again). 

Tickets and information: www.boldor.com

How long? 4-5 days

Where next? The amazing Gorges du Verdon should be visited and Route Napoleon needs to be ridden. And if you don’t see the Millau Bridge on the way down, should you see it on the way back? For ideas see www.ride.co.uk/france.

Valencia, MotoGP

November 11-13

We can’t guarantee that any of the three MotoGP championships will be decided in the final round, nor that Danny Kent (or any other Brit) will clinch one of the titles in Spain this November. It’s hard to imagine this year’s race being as controversial as 2015’s. But what we are confident about is what you’ll see: the world’s best racers, giving it everything, in sunny weather when the UK is grey and damp, on a circuit that’s purpose-built for spectating. And best of all, the ride there can be stunning, especially if you take a Brittany Ferries crossing to Bilbao or Santander to get even more time enjoying Spain’s roads.

Tickets and information: www.circuitvalencia.com

How long? 8-9 days

Where next? There are dozens of routes to and around Valencia. Check The RiDE Guide to Europe for inspiration or browse the routes on www.ride.co.uk/spain. On the way back to the ferry, we’d explore the Serranía da Cuenca.