Rossi: I’ll have to grit my teeth at Jerez

After suffering his worst MotoGP result since 2009, in the form of seventh place on his Ducati race debut at Qatar earlier this month, Valentino Rossi is determined to 'do better' this Sunday in Spain.

Round two at Jerez marks the start of the European season and has been a happy hunting ground for seven-time MotoGP champion Rossi, who has won at the circuit five times in the premier-class.

Last year Rossi was a close third for Yamaha, in his first race since damaging shoulder tendons in a motocross training crash.

The legacy of that accident continues to haunt the Italian superstar, who finally underwent corrective surgery at the end of 2010, and shoulder strength remains his biggest concern heading into this weekend.

“Qatar, with its many hard corner entries and areas where we brake to the right, was difficult for my shoulder. We'll see if Jerez is a little easier from that point of view, although I think I'll still have to grit my teeth for a while,” he admitted.

Spies: I have unfinished business at Jerez

Ben Spies, sixth on his factory Yamaha MotoGP debut at Qatar earlier this month, has unfinished business at Jerez - venue for this weekend's second round of the 2011 world championship.

After qualifying seventh for last year's Spanish Grand Prix, the Texan went on to suffer his very first MotoGP non-finish when he retired due to a front-tyre problem in the race.

“I have unfinished business here at Jerez,” said Spies. “I really enjoyed riding here last year and was disappointed not to be able to take some points from the race. Now I'm back with a full factory machine so I believe the outcome should be a little different!

“We have track knowledge from last year so we can focus straight away on getting the 2011 M1 set up and we'll see what we can do. It's my team-mate's home race so I'm expecting a great atmosphere.”

New Factory Yamaha team director Massimo Meregalli, who also guided Spies to the 2009 World Superbike title, believes everything is in place for a strong weekend.

“Last year was unfortunate for Ben during the race, but during the practice and qualifying the times weren't so bad,” he said. “For sure he knows the circuit so he can be immediately focused on finding the right set up and concentrating on a decent tyre choice. The fast corners of Jerez are good for us, our bike works well and we have always had good results here with the M1.”

After losing time early in the Losail race, Spies finished ten seconds from race winner Casey Stoner and seven seconds behind team-mate and reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who finished runner-up.

Hopkins ready for Rizla Suzuki return

John Hopkins will be rolling back the years as he makes a return to the Rizla Suzuki team at this weekend’s Gran Premio bwin de España in Jerez.

John Hopkins will make a return to MotoGP racing this weekend at the Gran Premio bwin de España, where he will be reunited with the Rizla Suzuki team for whom he finished fourth in the 2007 MotoGP World Championship.
The American rides as a replacement for the injured Álvaro Bautista on the team, having now fully recovered himself from a wrist injury that threatened his career last season. Hopkins is currently in the middle of pre-season testing for British Superbikes with the Samsung Crescent Racing team, and will start his Jerez experience with the opening practice session on Friday morning.

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The 2011 MotoGP World Championship season is now underway and, with major rider and team changes over the winter, it could prove one of the most exciting and unpredictable Championship battles of recent years.

Certainly, the racing at Qatar showed that anything is possible in 2011.

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The official documentary A-Z of MotoGP is a fascinating programme giving fans the inside line on the riders and factories that contributed to the glorious history of the Championship, as well as the low-down on rules, regulations and racing techniques and technology – including overtaking, G-force, aerodynamics, braking and more.

Next stop Jerez for MotoGP class

The second round of the 2011 World Championship calls on the Spanish circuit, with early pacesetter Casey Stoner closely pursued by reigning Champion Jorge Lorenzo, team-mate Dani Pedrosa and the rest of the premier class field.

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                             Europe welcomes the MotoGP battle

Jerez de la Frontera is the first European stop on the 2011 MotoGP World Championship calendar this weekend, as the famed Spanish circuit hosts the second round of the season. With crowds regularly in excess of 120,000 on GP race day at the Andalucian track, the Gran Premio bwin de España promises a weekend packed full of atmosphere and on-track entertainment.

First After the Flag of 2011 now available!

Join presenter Gavin Emmett for the first episode of 2011…

The return of the MotoGP season means the return of After the Flag, and the first episode of 2011 is now available to watch!

Join presenter Gavin Emmett as he catches up with rookie Cal Crutchlow, who talks about the budding football career he gave up for motorcycling as well as his recent injury. There are highlights from all three classes at the opening round of the 2011 season, a look ahead to the new season with Azi Farni, and you can also find out what Colin Edwards’ worst habit is!

Click here to see the latest episode of After the Flag, or visit the iTunes store to download it for free.

Wilco Zeelenberg on his role within Yamaha

Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager Wilco Zeelenberg settles in to the 2011 racing season for his second year with the team. The ex-GP rider from The Netherlands reflects on his role as a troubleshooter for Lorenzo’s side of the Yamaha pit garage and shares the advantages an ex-rider brings to his role….

How does it feel to be settling into your second season with the team?
“It’s a big change compared to last year. When you start your first season everything has to be worked out a little bit, you have to get to know each other a little bit better. Finally after a season like 2010 you build up a very good relationship with the rider and with the team. You share lot of good moments together that builds up your bond. The start of 2011 wasn’t easy I have to admit, we knew each other very well as a team but we were a bit worried about the level of the competition so it wasn’t an easy start.”

Massimo Meregalli one on one interview

Yamaha Factory Racing’s new Team Director Massimo Meregalli is no stranger to Yamaha with more than 20 years history as rider and Team Manager for the Japanese manufacturer. He joins the MotoGP Championship this season for the first time…

What are your first impressions having arrived in MotoGP from the World Superbike Championship?
“It’s very different for sure. There are more people involved in the project here, MotoGP Factory racing is more important so everything is bigger than it was in my past. Having said that, practically working in the garage it’s very much the same but as soon as you leave the garage and walk out into the paddock it’s a different atmosphere. I was used to sharing information and talking a lot with the other competitors in World Superbike but here it is quite different. I don’t know many people yet and I need to change that.”

Japanese MotoGP rider Uniting help

DOHA - The MotoGP riders do not want to miss to extend his help to the victims of Japan. They simultaneously to sell jerseys that will be auctioned off for later the result was donated to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the country Sakura.

Of course, the 17 drivers are not only selling jerseys. They make it so special by signing the shirt that read a moral message "We are for Japan." T-Shirt will be sold along the circuit into the MotoGP calendar this season. In addition to this, buyers can also get it via the official website of the MotoGP (http://weforjapan.motogp.com). This special T-shirts priced £ 20 or equivalent Rp285 thousand.

Proceeds from sales of these jerseys will be handed directly to humanitarian organizations, while mat MotoGP Japan, October 2, as quoted by the official MotoGP website on Wednesday (03/24/2011).

Here are some comments addressing the drivers of this idea:

Jorge Lorenzo: "We must give full support to Japan in difficult moments like this. Japan is a strong country and always demonstrate abilitasnya to rise from the problem. We want to give full support to all Japanese citizens as well as motor racing enthusiasts who live there. "

Jerez Good Until 2016, Brno Critical

Jerez - Jerez de la Frontera Circuit Spanish MotoGP certainly have a fixed agenda to five years in the future. This certainty following the agreement reached local governments to mendatangani new contract with Dorna Sports.

Jerez almost 'closed' following the freezing of assets of the circuit, which opened December 8, 1985 was due to debt problems in 2005 that has not been settled. However Motocuatro.com launch sports and Trade Minister of Tourism to the area of Andalusia Luciano Alonso Jerez positioned as an important means to attract investment and publicity so that the Jerez MotoGP effort continues to hold.

And a new agreement with Dorna ensure permanent Jerez will host MotoGP until 2016.Dengan previous announcement that Motorland Aragon also has mempermanenkan agenda, means that every year Spain certain to be held four rounds of MotoGP.

In contrast to Jerez, Brno circuit fate Masryk kritis.Setelah enough losing 3.5 million euros in 2010, it is feared this year is the circuit last season, it held in the Republic Ceska GP.