Military coup for MZ

German firm MZ has announced it will supply the French Army with 502 of its MZ 125 SX machines.

Delivery to the French military has already started with the four-stroke, single-cylinder 125cc bikes getting a matt-black paintjob, reinforced handlebars, engine protectors, top cases and fuel tank bags.

The firm also aimed to prove reliability by taking part in the Moto Tour, a Tour de France-style event for motorcycles. A distance of 2300km included 17 special stages, three race track test and one night stage. A total of 240 riders took part, with Thierry Rogier on an MZ1000 S, and Phillipe Magny on a 660 Baghira.

Magny ran fifth in the unlimited class before a missed checkpoint gave him a 15-and-a-half minute penalty. He eventually finished 75th overall. Meanwhile Rogier on the Baghira won some of the special stages to finished second in class, and sixth overall.

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