Bastianini to Trackhouse, Herlings to History, and the Death of Free Parking
If you thought the off-road season was winding down, Jeffrey Herlings has other plans. The Dutch veteran just dropped a dominant double at his home Arnhem GP HERLINGS AND MCLELLAN ARE SUPREME IN THE SAND AT THE MXGP OF THE NETHERLANDS!, proving that even when it doesn’t come easy Hear what Jeffrey Herlings had to say about Arnhem, he finds a way to win. With the provisional lists now out for Turkey Provisional MXGP Turkey Entry Lists Announced: Herlings Could Secure Sixth World Title, we’re watching history unfold in real-time as Herlings eyes a sixth world title. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos currently plaguing Formula 1, where Franco Colapinto’s sponsor is unleashing fury on the FIA over ‘integrity-killing’ stewarding “Killing the integrity of F1” - Franco Colapinto sponsor blasts FIA stewards after double Dutch GP penalty, and Ferrari is digging its heels in against Lewis Hamilton’s strategy complaints Ferrari defends Dutch GP strategy after Lewis Hamilton criticism. While single-seaters fracture under political pressure, two-wheel racing offers pure, unadulterated meritocracy — at least on track.
Speaking of meritocracy, Michael Dunlop continues to be the king of the Mountain. The Islander didn’t just win the Formula One Classic TT; he broke records and delivered a historic performance Historic Performance as Dunlop Wins Formula One Classic TT, rounding off a weekend where he doubled up with victories in both the Formula 1 and Lightweight races 2026 Classic TT: Day 2 race results. Paul Jordan also stepped up with a dramatic win in the Historic Junior class Paul Jordan Takes Historic Junior Classic TT Victory, reminding us that the Spirit of the TT lives in both the legends and the next generation. It’s a far cry from the corporate maneuvering on the asphalt circuits.
On the MotoGP side, the positional plays are getting aggressive. Trackhouse Racing has officially completed its 2027 lineup by signing seven-time MotoGP winner Enea Bastianini Trackhouse Racing completes 2027 MotoGP line-up with Enea Bastianini. Bastianini’s move from Tech3 KTM signals a serious intent from the new America-based team, betting that experience at the sharp end can bridge the gap to the factory heavyweights. It’s a high-stakes gamble that will define the mid-pack hierarchy for the next two years.
Back on the streets, the romance of riding is being monetized. A London borough is pushing to charge bikers for parking, extending a trend that is spreading across the capital London borough wants to charge bikers to park as motorcycle parking fees spread across capital. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for commuters who chose two wheels to avoid congestion, only to find the financial squeeze moving from fuel pumps to parking meters. If this spreads, the convenience argument for urban riding takes a hit. Meanwhile, Honda is looking to the future with its EV Outlier concept winning a Red Dot Design Award [Honda EV Outlier electric motorcycle wins Red Dot Design Award](/article/honda-ev-outlier-electric-motorcycle-wins-red-dot-design award-082e30/), showcasing in-wheel motors and futuristic styling. It’s a pretty bike, but we’d love to see a street-legal version that actually fits into a garage, not just a design studio.
For those who prefer their machines with more traditional character, the cruiser world is seeing some interesting activity. HEIWA has put out a substantial bolt-on rethink of the BMW R18, the ‘Hiroshima Heavyweight,’ proving there’s still room for customization in a market that often feels saturated Hiroshima Heavyweight: A Bolt-On Rethink of the R18 by HEIWA. And if you’re heading to the salt flats, Berry Wardlaw and the Bikernet crew are packing up for Bonneville THE SALTY BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS—for August 19th, 2026, chasing speed records that remind us why we ride fast in the first place. Whether you’re chasing a title, a record, or just a free parking spot, this week’s news covers the full spectrum of our obsession.