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Day: 29 July 2020

MV Agusta launches customisation store in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/07/2020

MV Agusta and champion Italian motorcycle racer Virginio Ferrari have launched their new project, the Monaco Design Studio, specialising in the design of unique, one-off models for the brand’s most demanding clientele.
The Studio was founded by three-time Italian champion and World champion motorcycle road racer Virginio Ferrari, who has a long history with MV Agusta.
In 1994, he established Virginio Ferrari Racing which in 1998 became the official MV Agusta importer in the Principality, catering to an affluent and international clientele. It was here where Virginio Ferrari and his team were able to personalise the brand’s most prestigious models, creating unique pieces of ‘motorcycle art’ for the exclusive enjoyment of their passionate owners.

Photo by MV Augusta

Engineering wizard Kazuhito Shimizu, who has been with Virginio Ferrari from the beginning, joins the Monaco Design Studio together with Designer Alexandre Dauly, who joined the group in 2013.
“If there had to be one place where to take MV Agusta’s prestige and exclusivity one step further, it had to be Monaco, and Virginio Ferrari had to be the man at the helm,” said Timur Sardarov, CEO of MV Agusta Motor. “The launch of the Monaco Design Studio is only the due official recognition of Virginio’s extraordinary work in all these years. He and his team deserve every success in this exclusive venture.”
Virginio Ferrari, founder and owner of the Monaco Design Studio, added: “In the mind of every biker, we find a desire for the personalisation of their motorcycle, so that it gets even closer to their absolute ideal. Over 100 MV Agusta one-offs prepared by us for customers from all walks of life under the guidance of our designer Alexandre Dauly, have proven us right.”
 

Hospital Tunnel closure

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/07/2020

The Hospital Tunnel will be closed in both directions due to a possible rockslide situation falling from the Jardin Exotique.

The Hospital Tunnel will be closed from 7:30am on 31st July to 7pm on 2nd August to make the necessary repairs and shore up an estimated four tonnes of rock that is threatening to tumble from the walls at the site of the consolidation works at the Jardin Exotique.

A special team of mountaineers will work to fortify the area, requiring complete closure of Boulevard de Belgique at the tunnel in both directions to both car and foot traffic. Anyone wishing to go to the Princess Grace Hospital will only be able to do so by using Avenue Pasteur. Pedestrians will additionally be able to access the hospital by using the Revoires lift on Boulevard de Belgique to Boulevard du Jardin Exoitque, and then taking the hospital lift from there.

A few parking spaces will be inaccessible during this time period.

Once the initial work is completed, a second phase will be required to further strengthen the site, which will occur from 7:30am on the 3rd of August until 7pm on the 8th of August. An alternating traffic pattern will be in effect, with emergency vehicles having priority. 

 
 

Indoor karting returns

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/07/2020

The karting season has resumed in the Principality, only this summer the track has been set up in its winter location under the Oceanographic Museum.

With all the cancellations this summer, it’s nice to hear about something that is actually going ahead. A karting circuit has now been set up by Karting Indoor Monaco in the Parking des Pêchers located under the Oceanographic Museum on the Rock.

Normally, summer karting happens on the Quai Albert 1er, but due to the many event cancellations this summer, the parking lot is available for use. As it is a covered area, the location is ideal for getting out of the sweltering summer sun while still having fun.  

The circuit has been redesigned this year and now features a reception area and outdoor stands so the route could be made longer. Even better, the organisers have said they are going to prolong the summer karting season to meet up with the winter one, if all goes well. This will mean karting fans can enjoy the track until the end of February.

The track will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays starting at 3pm and running until midnight, and is a great activity to do with the whole family.

The organisers have taken all the necessary sanitary measures to ensure safety. To that end, they will disinfect the karts and helmets after each use. They will also offer balaclavas for sale to be worn under the helmets for added protection.

During the school holidays in August, October, December and February, an academy will be set up for aspiring drivers. These training sessions will be on offer for a day or a week during the usual business hours.

 

PHOTO: ©kartingindoormonaco

 

Mediapro launching Téléfoot network in August

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/07/2020

Sino-Spanish company Mediapro will be launching a new pay channel called Téléfoot on 17th August, a full four days ahead of the resumption of French Ligue 1 play.

It’s official! Téléfoot will be the premiere network for French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 football matches and will launch on 17th August. The new network has also been approved to co-broadcast, along with RMC Sport, the Champions League and the Europa League games for one season. Additionally, there will be a streaming service where interested internet users can register early. 

For a start, only SFR boxes will be able to carry the channel, as Altice, the parent company of RMC, owns SFR’s linear and digital broadcast platforms. To secure the contract, Mediapro has purportedly waived a €100 million standard carriage fee for SFR and has agreed to a simple revenue share for Téléfoot.

“We are where we need to be,” said Jaumes Roures, President of Mediapro at a press conference earlier this week.

Service costs €25.90 per month as a subscriber with a one year contract and €29.90 without the contract and with a guarantee of immediate stoppage of payment if league play is cancelled again due to the health crisis. 

The deal between Mediapro and Altice lessens the financial burden on Altice which is reportedly paying €350 million in right’s fees. Mediapro may be paying for half the matches.

The first Ligue 1 match to be televised will be between St-Etienne and OM on Friday, 21st August at 7pm at the Vélodrome.

 
 

Local designer takes home Princess' Tesla

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/07/2020

Monaco Life’s very own web developer Jean-Paul Goodwin, from the Design Centre in Monaco, has been handed the keys to Princess Charlene’s Tesla, after a successful bid during her foundation’s charity drive.
Princess Charlene donated the Tesla Model S P85 to her foundation in South Africa to auction off as part of its #Strongtogether fundraising event, launched in mid-June.
Other items up for grabs included a pair of signed bobsledding shoes worn by Prince Albert when he competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics and a portrait of Princess Charlene painted by Conor McCreedy.
Money raised from the auction will be used to support individuals in South Africa who are impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The lucky bidders were announced this week by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa, with Jean-Paul Goodwin, Managing Director of Monaco-based Design Centre, taking the top item.

The car was reportedly a gift from Prince Albert II of Monaco in 2015 and was held “very close to her heart”. It features a gold plaque officiating the vehicle as the former property of Princess Charlene.
“We saw an article about the auction on Monaco Life and we’ve dreamed about having a Tesla ever since they were launched, but we have never been in a position to acquire one for ourselves up until now,” Jean-Paul Goodwin told Monaco Life. “Not only did we want to bid on the Tesla but primarily we wanted to show our support for the Foundation and its life saving work.”
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation was established in 2012 to help save lives by raising awareness about the prevention of drowning and teaching children how to swim.
The Princess’ next major project is ‘The Crossing: Calvi-Monaco Water Bike Challenge’, an ambitious 180-kilometre adventure across the Mediterranean. It will entail two teams of four internationally renowned athletes taking turns biking from Calvi in northwest Corsica to the Yacht Club of Monaco.

This week, the Princess shared a video of her training for the September challenge. Earlier this month, she was joined by UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor, who will also be competing in the upcoming challenge.
 
Related stories:
Boxer and Princess team up for charity
Princess hands over car for charity auction