Disappointment of 2016

Guy Martin accomplishes most things -- as wacky and zany as they are -- but he couldn't quite get the job done in 2016

Rod Chapman: Bikesales staffer
Guy Martin failing to set a new world land motorcycle speed record (over 600km/h) aboard the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner (lead-up story here). Conditions on the ground and a resulting crash ruled out a successful record-breaking run last September but Guy and the team have vowed to head back to the Bonneville Salt Flats for another attempt in due course.

Kellie Buckley: Bikesales freelancer
The day both Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo gifted Marc Marquez the 2016 world title by both crashing out of the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi just seven days before lobbing at Phillip Island. There was a collective shoulder slump of the thousands of Aussies who either had tickets to what should have been the title-deciding race of one of the single most intriguing seasons of grand prix racing.

Sam Maclachlan: Bikesales freelancer

That riders around the country continue to be knocked off bikes on the road, or make their own mistakes that result in dire consequences. You can still have fun on a bike without risking everything - it’s just not worth it - and there are ways and means to give yourself every chance to walk through your door at home after each and every ride. It’s disappointing car drivers on mobile phones are getting away with it as much as they are. It’s disappointing car drivers appear to give no more of a shit about us than they used to and it’s disappointing that we as motorcyclists are still very ordinary at getting together and doing something about it. I’m as guilty as anyone, but it’s still disappointing

Mark Fattore: Bikesales editor

1. The popular Le Minz Scootherthon not going ahead due to an insurmountable number of permit issues - no fault of the promoter. Undeterred, we have already given our mighty Aprilia SR50R a long-overdue refresh on the basis that it will be held in the first quarter of 2017. And we're aiming for top-five finish this time!

2. Jason Doyle not making it to Melbourne for the 2016 Speedway Grand Prix finale. He was on a roll and it could have been him being crowned world champion instead of American Greg Hancock. No disrespect to Hancock, though - anyone who is still winning world titles in their mid-40s is doing very well.

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