JPIMedia has sold Morecambe-based Dirt Bike Rider magazine to Bike Sport News.
“Dirt Bike Rider is a long-established publication and the leading motocross title in the UK, and will complement Bikesportnews.com to give a comprehensive portfolio to enthusiasts and industry figures alike,” said Bike Sport News Managing Partner David Miller.
Sean Lawless returns to edit motocross specialist Dirt Bike Rider, having done so for 11-and-a-half years before leaving in May 2012.
He said: “Following an eight-year ‘sabbatical’, I’m delighted to be back behind the ‘bars of Dirt Bike Rider and really excited by what lies ahead.
“Covid-19 has forced a major shake-up of off-road motorcycle sport on a global basis but I’m confident that as a brand – both online and in print – we can build on our hard-won reputation as the UK’s number one and take DBR from strength to strength.
“Dirt Bike Rider has led the way since the 1980s and we don’t intend to stop now. It feels great to be back onboard as editor and, over eight years after I left, I’m looking forward to developing the DBR brand and increasing our audience share with an unbeatable mix of breaking news, the latest reports from major events around the world and in-depth features and analysis.”
Miller added: “With pageviews of 913,000, recorded just prior to the coronavirus closedown, dirtbikerider.com is streets ahead of any other UK off-road media.
“And the combination of Sean Lawless, returning to the role of editor, teaming up with long-serving sales manager Sophie Elder makes a formidable team.”
Sophie Elder will continue as sales manager, with Chris Day and his team at Digitally Charged looking after programmatic operations.
