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Riding in Europe? Things you need to know about Riding in Europe

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MotoGP Bike Racing History

With the 2009 MotoGP bike racing season a distant memory and the 2010 well under way, the excitement is escalating with every round. The bike and tyre manufacturers are working harder than ever to derive that all important advantage that gets their bike and rider on the podium.

Motogp had its birth almost 60 years ago, back then the motorcycle racing was known as FIM ( Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme). In the early days the engines were 500cc, it wasn`t until 2002 that we saw the engine sizes grow to 990cc, and for a short while the two sizes would compete alongside each other. In 2003 however, we saw the demise of the 500cc as, obviously the 990cc were faster but manufacturers were using the type of technology seen in Formula One Engines so the smaller two strokes didn`t stand a chance. The life of the 990cc engine didn`t last that long either, and in 2007 due to FIM enforced changes to the fuel tank capacity, from 24 litres down to 22 litres and the new engine size, low and behold the 800cc was born.

For most of the fifties and sixties it was the European Manufacturers that dominated events in the motorcycle world of racing. Although sometime during 1959 the Japanese poked their noses in with Honda. It was during these decades that we saw the likes of Britain's Mike Hailwood, John Surtees and Les Graham.

Unfortunately the Japanese didn`t honour us with their presence for very long and in 1968 they decided to withdraw from motorcycle racing altogether. Quite a loss for the racing industry really, although it did give the Italian, Giacomo Agostini on his MV Augusta a chance of winning, so much so that he was greedy and took the title for four years on the go.

It was in the seventies that the Japanese decided to join us again, and we saw the arrival of even bigger riders, the likes of Britain's Barry Sheene and Americas Kenny Roberts.

During the 2006 season, before the end of the 990cc bikes, we saw Italy`s Valentino Rossi, riding firstly for Honda and then for Yamaha, dominate events, although Nicky Hayden from America would actually take the 2006 title even though it was a nail biting finish to a magnificent season. With the dawn of the new 800cc era we see the lap times falling, and with the likes of Casey Stoner riding Ducati, Rossi riding Yamaha, Nicky Hayden on Honda to name but a few, not forgetting the welcome arrival of Britains James Toseland riding Yamaha, the new season looks to be even more exciting, with the title race on.

There's the history lesson over, so which of our tours do you fancy, the 2009 season is booking up fast so get a move on and secure your motogp bike tour before all the places go.

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Carrying a warning triangle is mandatory in much of Europe