For the 16th straight year, the Circuito de Jerez is ready to play host to the first European motorcycle Grand Prix of the 2013 season. The first of four rounds to be held in Spain this year, the event comes just over a month after the final pre-season test, which took place at the same circuit. Opened in 1987, the track is 4.423 kilometers in length and has several fast corners, and its Grand Prix is typically quite exciting. The second straightaway was added in 1992, when a parabolic corner replaced a chicane in order to improve rider safety. It was also with safety in mind that the circuit became the first to replace hay bales with air fence. Over the past ten years, the track has seen a number of different winners, demonstrating its adaptability to varying interpretations and its suitability for bike development. There will be no substitute rider for Ignite Pramac Racing Team racer Ben Spies, who stayed back home in Texas in order to undergo intensive treatment as he works to regain his physical fitness following the operation to his shoulder and the problem with his pectoral muscle, suffered during the last round, in Austin. Best of luck to the team and to Spies, who will be back at Le Mans in just fifteen days. Ben Spies – Ignite Pramac Racing Team “I want to give good luck wishes to the team for the race and also thank everyone who has sent me their best wishes for my recovery. I am doing my absolute best to get back to 100%, where I need to be, for the team and Ducati.” More, from another press release issued by Pramac Racing: For the 16th straight year, the Circuito de Jerez is ready to play host to the first European motorcycle Grand Prix of the 2013 season. The first of four rounds to be held in Spain this year, the event comes just over a month after the final pre-season test, which took place at the same circuit. Opened in 1987, the track is 4.423 kilometers in length and has several fast corners, and its Grand Prix is typically quite exciting. The second straightaway was added in 1992, when a parabolic corner replaced a chicane in order to improve rider safety. It was also with safety in mind that the circuit became the first to replace hay bales with air fence. Over the past ten years, the track has seen a number of different winners, demonstrating its adaptability to varying interpretations and its suitability for bike development. Following a few rest days, Andrea Iannone is excited to be in Jerez, where he climbed the top step of the podium in 2011 after winning the Moto2 class. The T.I. Pramac Racing Team rider is hopeful that the problem with his forearm is behind him, as it affected him at the first two rounds, though he nonetheless managed to finish in the top ten both times. At this more familiar circuit, his goal is to lower his times during the practice sessions and to achieve a good start position for the race in order to reduce his gap to the top riders as much as possible.