JPIMedia has confirmed the latest sale of one of its assets after offloading Dirt Bike Rider magazine.

Bikesportnews.com has completed the purchase of the brand, a “long-established publication and the leading motocross title in the UK”, from the regional publisher.

Managing partner David Miller will oversee the integration but the day-to-day running of the site and magazine will be the responsibility of off-road journalist Sean Lawless, who returns to the role of editor at the title.

The announcement comes after JPIMedia confirmed the sale of its print plants to Daily Mail owner dmg media earlier this month.

JPIMedia is continuing to seek a buyer for its portfolio, and it has been reported both Archant and former Local World boss David Montgomery have tabled offers for the regional publisher.

Discussing the Dirt Bike Rider deal, Sean 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.”

Sophie Elder will continue as sales manager while Chris Day and his team at Digitally Charged will look after programmatic operations.

David Miller said: “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.”

JPIMedia confirmed the sale when approached by HTFP, but declined to comment or reveal how much the deal was worth.