Maxtra

Maxtra conducted first tests on its 125 GP machine this week and revealed a glimpse of the motor's innovative architecture. The single cylinder points downwards at 45 degrees, offering a larger airbox, enhancing the ram-air intake and giving the exhaust a direct exit to the rear of the machine.

Could history be about to repeat itself? In 1959, a small Japanese team entered the famous Isle of Man TT races on a new make of motorcycle: Honda. Now a Chinese motorcycle maker has announced it will follow an identical path starting in 2009.