Yamaha Factory Racing return to Spain this week for the second Spanish race of the 2012 MotoGP Championship. Round five will be played out at the Montmeló circuit, a stone’s throw from Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo’s home in Barcelona. The local hero will be determined to repeat last week’s decisive victory in Le Mans in front of the Catalan crowd. Lorenzo has a strong record at the Montmeló circuit, taking second in 2009 after an intense battle with Valentino Rossi, a victory in 2010 and second in 2011. He currently leads the 2012 Championship by eight points over Casey Stoner. Texan Yamaha Factory rider Ben Spies arrives in Spain with renewed determination to put his Championship attack firmly back on track. Montmeló is a strong circuit for the American, delivering his first Factory podium last year with third behind his team mate Lorenzo. The result moved him five places up the Championship standings, a result he will be determined to repeat this weekend. The Catalunya circuit can boast one of the longest main straights in the world. Riders Lorenzo and Spies will need bikes with optimum chassis balance and front-end feel to deal with the long radius, medium and high speed sweeping corners along with the two tight left-hand hairpins and numerous camber changes. Jorge Lorenzo “Now we arrive at Montmeló, with no need to fly, I love to have this race so close to my home! I remember my victories and podiums here well, not just in this class but also from my 250cc days. It’s going to be a tough race because our competitors are very strong but our victory in Le Mans has given us extra confidence. We know we can be very fast and competitive so we will be focused from the first session. This is a special race for me as my home race so I want to give all the fans the best show that we can.” Ben Spies “I really enjoy riding this track so I’ve been looking forward to getting here and getting started. It’s been a really challenging season so far, I really believe this weekend will see a turn around and we can get it back on track. As always I’m going to give it 100% to produce the best results possible. We know the bike is competitive so we’ll focus on finding a good base set up quickly and hope we finally have a full dry weekend for everyone!” Wilco Zeelenberg “This is of course the home race for Jorge. His racing has always been very spectacular here and it’s a favourite track for him, we’re looking forward to seeing all the Spanish fans cheer us on. The whole team loves the atmosphere and the Yamaha is good here as it’s a smooth fast track so hopefully it’ll stay dry because I’ve seen enough rain this year!” Massimo Meregalli “Montmeló is traditionally a very good track for Yamaha and we have had excellent results here with both riders last year. It’s a special race for Jorge in front of his home fans and with the race win last weekend we are expecting a strong performance. We know Ben likes this track a lot and his podium finish here last year gives me confidence that with the right set up he can perform strongly and put a difficult start to the year behind him.” More, from a press release issued by Tech 3: Jordi Torres to join Tech 3 Racing in Catalunya The Tech 3 Racing Team will field Spanish rider Jordi Torres as replacement for injured Xavier Simeon in this weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya. Simeon has been ruled out of the fifth round of the 2012 World Championship with hand and left foot injuries he picked up after a heavy qualifying fall for the French Grand Prix at Le Mans earlier this month. The Tech 3 Racing Team has drafted in 24-year-old Torres to partner British rider Bradley Smith on the Mistral 610 machine this weekend. Torres is currently leading the Spanish Moto2 Championship, having won the last two races at Navarro and Motorland Aragon. Torres is no stranger to the competitive Moto2 Grand Prix series, having been a replacement rider for the Aspar squad in 2011. He competed in 10 races last season and scored a best finish of 17th in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. To ensure Torres has some experience of the Mistral 610 machine ahead of this weekend’s Catalunya round, he is currently taking part in a private test session today at the Ales track in France. Simeon continues to make excellent progress in his recovery and the Tech 3 Racing Team is looking forward to welcoming him back for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on June 17. More, from a press release issued by Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2: REA LOOKS FOR REDEMPTION IN CATALUNYA After a thrilling podium challenge that ended in despair for Gino Rea at Le Mans two weeks ago, the British rider heads to the next round of the Moto2 World Championship in Barcelona this weekend looking for redepmtion. His swift adaptation to the Suter chassis at a circuit he had never visited before was an encouraging omen for the rest of the season and Rea is hopeful of making further progress this weekend. Gino Rea “It was a real shame that I got taken out of the Le Mans race because we could have been on the podium but we have to take the positives and move on. To go from 24th on the grid to third position during the race was nice and it was good to show that when we have the bike working well, we can run at the front of this fiercely competitive class. I am looking forward to Catalunya now and I hope we can continue development with the bike so that I can be closer to the front in the dry conditions. We have something different to try in terms of suspension, so I hope this helps us take a step in the right direction. I have never been to the Catalunya circuit before so it’s another thing I must learn before we can set the bike up to the track. I will study it as much as I can on the videos from now until the race weekend!” Fausto Gresini “With a little more luck and composure Gino could have left Le Mans with a good result so it was a shame but he has the opportunity to make up for it in Catalunya by working hard on the set-up of the Suter. He is making tangible progress now and I am sure this will allow him to express his full potential. A few less crashes will help the guys do their job and I am confident things can come together in Catalunya.” More, from a press release issued by Team Thai Honda Gresini Moto2: WILAIROT TO CONTINUE POINTS QUEST AT CATALUNYA Ratthapark Wilairot heads to the fifth round of the Moto2 World Championship in Barcelona feeling high on confidence after picking up his first points of the season on his debut with the Suter chassis in France last time out. There is a lot of work still to be done with the new frame but the prospects are good for the Thai rider, who is hoping for a crash-free weekend in order to allow the team maximum opportunity to improve the bike. Ratthapark Wilairot: “Le Mans was like starting from scratch again but in difficult conditions in the race we picked up some good points and a top ten finish. I understand the bike more and I am learning how to ride the Suter, which gave me a lot of confidence in the rainy conditions. We are happy but we need to work more in the dry. I think it should be dry and hot at Catalunya so hopefully we can have a good weekend there. We go with a good feeling and we understand the strong points of this bike. I have to do many laps to find the right setting but I think we will find something good at Montmelo and we will certainly work very hard to be on top.” Fausto Gresini “I was happy with the result for Wilairot at Le Mans and it is a good sign for the future. There is still a lot of work to do with the new bike but I have confidence in the ability of the team along with Feem’s determination to get it right. A few less crashes from him will help us get there more quickly so the message to Feem is to keep working with the same spirit but in a more calm manner so that the effort of the team is not wasted and so that we can reach our objectives more easily.” More, from a press release issued by Team Italia: MotoGP Moto3 – Team Italia resumes action in Barcelona At the Montmeló circuit, Fenati wants to put a couple of unlucky races behind, Tonucci aims at confirming his progress. Moto3 resumes action in Catalunya. After the Le Mans rain and Fenati’s second crash in a row (he was taken out by Rossi in Estoril), Team Italia FMI is hoping for a sunny week-end to resume its chase in the championship. After the French round, “Fenny” went back to his hometown Ascoli Piceno, where he could find the calm he needed and get ready for the Barcelona race. On Sunday, unlike what happens in the majority of the GPs, Romano will race on a track he already knows since the CEV championship: the young talent needs to restart his title chase in Montmeló. Alessandro Tonucci also had a hard-working week. After a bleak start to his championship, he is striving to climb back to more prestigious positions. In France, “Tonu” showed his strong character: despite having to come into the pits twice due to electrical problems caused by the heavy rain, he managed to score points, highlighting his will to turn the season around. Barcelona can become a turning point for his as well. More, from a press release issued by Pramac Racing: THE PRAMAC TEAM GETS READY FOR THE SECOND RACE OF THIS 2012 IN SPAIN The Pramac Ducati Team moves to Spain for the fifth race of the 2012 MotoGP World Championship, the second on Spanish soil this season, after facing the French round at the Bugatti Circuit. The Catalan layout features have one of the longest main straights in the world, watched over by a vast grandstand, which is always full to bursting from Saturday morning. The rest of the track is characterised by long radius, medium and high-speed sweeping corners, with two tight left-hand hairpins thrown into the mix. This variation combined with regular changes in camber makes the circuit particularly demanding on chassis balance and means that front-end feel is a key concern for every rider. The 2012 Grand Premi de Catalunya will see the White and Green rider Hèctor Barberà prepared to ride on a circuit that suits his riding style, providing another opportunity to gather experience aboard on his Ducati Desmosedici and points for the World Championship standing. On this track, the 25-years-old rider, has often gotten brilliant results, as a first place riding an Aprilia 125cc or a couple of podiums during his middle class seasons in 2008 and 2009. From tomorrow Hèctor will look for a good setup on his GP12 and he will work deeply with his crew to redeem the sour French result. Hèctor Barberà – Rider Pramac Racing Team “The Grand Premi de Catalunya is an event that I always love. It is the second round of the year in Spain and signals the end of the first quarter of the 2012 campaign. The last race didn’t go at too badly considering the good points that we were able to take home. Ninth place was a good result but we have to target to a better result and I hope we can move up the scale this weekend. I like Montmeló a lot, it is one of those circuits that tends to suit me, with fast and technical corners. We have to work hard from the first session of the race, give it our best and the results will come. I have got good memories of this track because I had one of the best races of my entire career here in 2004, so i’m optimistic about this weekend.” Francesco Guidotti – Pramac Racing Team Manager – “We arrive in Barcelona hoping for the sun or for stable weather conditions, compared to the tricky conditions that we have had until now. The work with Hèctor, the crew and on our Desmosedici is keeping up and is improving race after race and I’m confident with our capability. We are happy to have a steadfast presence in the Top Ten standing, but we could be able to achieve more consistent results until the end of this 2012 campaign.” More, from a press release issued by Marc VDS Racing: Gosselies, Belgium: Scott Redding heads to this weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya looking for another podium, to add to his third place finish last time out at Le Mans. Mika Kallio also heads to the Montmeló circuit in confident mood, after securing his best result of the season at the French Grand Prix just over a week ago. This weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya marks the start of an intense period of activity in the Moto2 World Championship. Five races in just seven weekends could see a major change in the championship standings ahead of the annual summer break. Redding currently lies fifth in the standings, just 27 points adrift of championship leader Pol Espargaro, with Kallio a further 11 points off the top spot in sixth. The 2012 Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya will mark the 21st successive year that the Circuit de Catalunya has been used since it was first included in the World Championship in 1992. The circuit is characterised by long, constant-radius corners that place the emphasis on a flowing riding style, as well as excellent chassis and tyre performance. Carrying speed through the final two turns and onto the long start finish straight is important, but a lot of time can also be lost in the stadium section, where good lines through the combination of turns are critical to a fast lap time. A regular testing venue for Formula 1 teams, the Catalunya track is notoriously bumpy in places, despite extensive resurfacing work carried out in 2005. Scott Redding: #45 “Barcelona is the first of a five race run in just seven weekends, so it’s important to start with a good result. With results comes confidence, as we saw in Le Mans, and that always makes things easier, especially when there’s no gap between races. I quite like the Montmeló circuit and, after the Navarra test and the Le Mans result, we know we head to Spain with a competitive package. The Spanish riders are going to be pushing hard in front of their home crowd, but I’m confident I can come away with a top five finish and maybe even challenge for the podium once again.” Mika Kallio: #36 “I like the Barcelona track and it should suit out bike a bit better than Le Mans. It’s a circuit that can be hard on tyres, especially if the weather is hot, and I think that could be to our advantage this weekend. My riding style is quite smooth compared to others, and this allows us to get more from the tyres than riders with a more aggressive style. Everything is in place and we go to Barcelona with no pressure, so it will be a case of getting on and doing our job. If it all comes together then I think this weekend I can be even closer to the leading riders, with a podium finish a realistic possibility.” Michael Bartholemy: Team Principal “It is important that we get this run of five races off to a strong start if Scott and Mika are to improve their position in the championship standings ahead of the summer break. Both riders will head to Catalunya with some confidence, after securing their best results of the season last time out at a very wet Le Mans. We know this weekend will be tough, with Pol Espargaro, Marc Marquez and the other Spanish riders keen to impress in front of their home crowd, but I’m confident that both Scott and Mika have the pace to challenge at the front once again. For Scott in particular, a good result this weekend in Barcelona would set him up perfectly for his own home Grand Prix, which takes place at Silverstone just two weeks later.” More, from a press release issued by Power Electronics Aspar: MotoGP World Championship 2012 – Gran Premi de Catalunya – Preview MotoGP POWER ELECTRONICS PAIR HEAD TO FRIENDLY TERRITORY FOR ROUND FIVE Espargaró scored his first podium at his home circuit in 2011 and De Puniet his first win in 2003 Four races into the season and the two most recent MotoGP World Champions Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner are embroiled in an epic battle for the series lead. With two wins apiece the Spaniard holds an eight-point advantage over the Australian as they head to the Circuit de Catalunya for the second race of the season to take place on Spanish soil. Dani Pedrosa, third in the championship, will be extra keen to pick up his first win of the season whilst plenty of attention will again focus on the battle between the new generation CRT bikes led by POWER ELECTRONICS pair Aleix Espargaró and Randy De Puniet. Both riders have great memories of the circuit and plenty of reasons to look forward to this weekend. For Espargaró, of course, this is his home circuit and the scene of a memorable podium in the Moto2 race last season – his first ever at Grand Prix level. De Puniet, meanwhile, took his first ever victory in the now defunct 250cc class back in 2003 at Montmeló and the Frenchman is hoping it can now be the scene of a change in fortune after some bad luck so far this season. Aleix Espargaró: “I live virtually next door to the circuit so I have a lot of great memories here. It is quite a fast track and I love the majority of the corners. I am looking forward to racing in Spain for the second time this season and I usually go well at fast tracks so in general I am hopeful that this can be a positive weekend for us. Montmeló is one of the most complete circuits on the calendar in terms of its layout and also the facilities. I like that it is fast and wide, which makes it one of my favourite circuits in the world alongside Sepang. We have to continue working in the same way as we have done up to now and try to be amongst the fastest CRT bikes on Saturday and finish the race as best we can on Sunday. Hopefully it will be a fight between my team-mate Randy and myself to be the top CRT.” Randy De Puniet: “I am feeling highly motivated ahead of the Catalunya Grand Prix, firstly because I am almost completely recovered from the pain in my ribs following the crash at Estoril. I adore Montmeló as a circuit and I have two wins there in the 250cc class, including my first ever in 2003, as well as some good races in MotoGP to look back on. Just thinking about the circuit brings back good memories. Luck certainly hasn’t been on our side so far this season so I hope that changes at a talismanic venue for me. Hopefully the weather is on our side too so that we get good conditions all weekend. Montmeló is quite a fast and technical track where you have to keep a good line all the way round, otherwise you lose a lot of time. I guess we will concede a lot to the factory bikes down the long straight but hopefully we can make some of that back up around some of the other corners that I love.” More, from a press release issued by Mapfre Aspar Team: MotoGP World Championship 2012 – Gran Premio de Cataluña – Preview Moto2 MAPFRE ASPAR RIDERS READY FOR SEASON’S SECOND HOME RACE Toni Elías and Nico Terol hope to confirm recent progress at Montmeló The Circuit de Catalunya is about as close to the ‘complete challenge’ as it gets for a motorcycle racer, combining fast and flowing sections with some tight turning and elevation changes around its 4.727m layout. With a main straight of over a kilometre Montmeló has all the ingredients to make for another exciting weekend’s racing on Spanish soil, with the home riders desperate to impress in the battle for Moto2 honours. Local pair Pol Espargaró and Marc Márquez are separated by a single point at the top of the championship followed closely by Thomas Luthi, giving this fifth round of the season extra spice. MAPFRE Aspar pair Toni Elías and Nico Terol are also eager for home glory, the two World Champions having already written their names into the history of this famous track. Elías rode a race bike for the very first time here and he is desperate to make more progress with some new technical updates for his bike at his home circuit. Terol picked up one of many victories from pole position at this circuit on his way to the 125cc title last year to bury the memories of a bad back injury sustained in the La Caixa corner in 2010. The Spaniard picked up his first Moto2 points in his fourth race at Le Mans last time out and he is looking for more this Sunday. Toni Elías: “I love Montmeló and I have great memories of the track. I rode a Grand Prix bike there for the first time when I was just fourteen years old and I have cut my teeth there as a racer over the years. I love the first sector around La Moreneta and I always enjoy feeling the heat from the fans in the stadium section, which always gives me an extra boost. I am very motivated for this race, which we approach with a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the belief that it can be a turning point for our season. We have had some discreet results so far but we are making progress and I don’t see why we shouldn’t go out there to win on Sunday. We will have to work very hard to get our set-up right before the race but I plan to make the most of every available minute.” Nico Terol: “It’s another home race, the fifth round of the season and we go there in good form. I struggled to get on the pace over the opening two races but I learnt a lot about Moto2 and over the last two rounds I have been able to experience it in all kinds of conditions. At Le Mans in free practice we showed that we are heading in the right direction and we have the opportunity to take another step forward this weekend. I like Montmeló a lot and if we work in the same way that we have over the last two rounds we can make big progress. Only a small improvement in this category can equate to a lot of positions so that is something that serves to motivate you even more. I like the fast turns at Montmeló as well as the braking into turn one and the last two corners, which are the secret to a good lap time. I am in form and expecting a lot from this weekend.” More, from a press release issued by Bankia Aspar Team: MotoGP World Championship 2012 – Gran Premi de Catalunya – Preview Moto3 BANKIA ASPAR AIM TO FOLLOW UPWARD CURVE AT CATALUNYA Moncayo targets second straight podium as Faubel hopes to make up for Le Mans near miss Four races into the new season and the Moto3 World Championship is proving all the predictions right by being… unpredictable. With four different winners so far, albeit in some drastically differing conditions, the goal of making the minor category more open to different riders has seemingly already been achieved. The fifth round of the season takes place this weekend in Barcelona with Sandro Cortese on top of the standings, the German holding a thirteen-point advantage over the Spanish Armada as they prepare for battle at their home circuit. Amongst them will be BANKIA Aspar rider Alberto Moncayo, who intrepidly navigated his way to the podium in torrential conditions on French shores two weeks ago. Third place at Le Mans lifted the Spaniard to sixth in the championship and with technical updates planned for this weekend his confidence could not be higher going into his second home race of the season. His team-mate Héctor Faubel is also in good form despite having scuffed his leathers at Le Mans, where he led the race for several laps before crashing. Faubel, from relatively nearby Valencia, is hoping the bike updates serve him well in the predicted dry conditions and afford him the opportunity to challenge for the podium after his near miss two weeks ago. Alberto Moncayo: “The confidence boost of a podium finish in the last race will be an important factor this weekend. It proves that we are doing a good job and the bike is developing as it should, so the team and I are all happy. I struggled to adapt to this track last year on the 125 but everything is different this time around so I am sure we can take another big step forward with the Moto3. The last round was a turning point for us and now we just need to keep working hard and looking to the future. Montmeló is a fast and very complete circuit, which usually has good grip. I never seem to have had great results there but we’ll be fighting to change that this weekend.” Héctor Faubel: “Montmeló is a special circuit, it’s a home race for us – close to Valencia – and the fans always give us a lot of support so it’s a special race. The team is hoping to have some new stuff for us this weekend and I have blind faith that they will be productive. We are working hard to make sure that the Kalex is competitive and at Le Mans we showed our progress by leading the race for a few laps. It was a shame about the crash but there is always the risk of that happening in the wet. Anyway, I am taking the positives which is that I was able to run at the front again and be competitive. Hopefully at Montmeló that good feeling and high performance level can continue in the dry conditions.” More, from a press release issued by Blusens Avintia Moto3: Maverick Viñales aims to get back on the podium at home circuit At Montmeló which is the nearest track to his home Maverick would like to achieve a good result and gets back on the way to the podium that he abandoned at Le Mans after he crashed when he was leading the session with only a few laps to go. Viñales finished second in 125 cc class last year and wishes to be very competitive in Moto3 so he can remain among the leaders in the class. Maverick Viñales: “As expected riding in Spain is always a special moment as this is where we feel most comfortable but riding in Montmeló is even better for me because this is the nearest track to my home and so even more people in my private circle turn up. In spite of the fact that we were not particularly lucky in Le Mans I am very motivated before this G.P. of Catalunya and I hope I will do a good race and wash the bitter taste of France off my mouth. I like this track and we have been able to ride fast on it. I am feeling at my best my bike is very competitive and my fans will closely support me so I can only think positive and hope for a good result.” More, from a press release issued by Blusens Avintia Moto2: Julián Simón comes back to Montmeló a year after his accident Blusens Avintia Moto2 rider Julián Simón is getting back to Montmeló where he severely crashed a year ago which kept him off the track over a few rounds. In spite of it Julián is very motivated before this G.P. of Catalunya and willing to round off the breakthrough that he has achieved over the last few races. Simón wants to become the high-level rider that he used to be back in the days before his accident and achieve results that suit him best. Julián Simón: “I can hardly wait to come back to Montmeló. Even though I had my two worst accidents on this track I also have very fond memories of it as I became world champion in the 125 cc class in spite of a lapse of concentration on the final lap and I went on the podium in Moto2 in 2010. I like this track our fans will be around and this is really motivating. We have been taking steps ahead over the last couple of races and I am sure that we will carry on this way. Getting a good result at home would be fantastic.” More, from a press release issued by JiR Moto2: Johann Zarco targets continued improvement at Catalunya Despite the disappointment of crashing out of his home race two weeks ago at Le Mans after a most impressive showing, Frenchman Johann Zarco is hungry and determined to continue improving on his MotoBI at this weekend’s Catalunya Moto2 race. The 21-year-old is looking forward to racing in Spain and is seeking to gain more experience and knowledge of his four-stroke MotoBI machine. Johann Zarco I’m looking forward to Catalunya, even though I’m still a little upset about my crash at home in Le Mans. This has made me hungry to be at the front once more and fight hard again with the best Moto2 riders in the world. This is why I’m looking forward to Spain so much. The track itself has been good to me and I have happy memories of fighting hard with the leading group of riders there last year in the 125cc class. After the rain and changeable weather of my home race, I’m also looking forward to some nice weather, as we are heading towards the summer, so that should be good. What is improving with every race is the way my JiR Team and I are working with each other; we are finding a good way of working together which is helping me get the best from my MotoBI. What also helps is my manager and coach, Laurent Fellon out around the track, watching me ride. Extra information like this becomes invaluable when it comes to setting up the bike. Slowly, we are beginning to perform like the leaders in this class and this is important as at the moment the team has only one rider me. Thankfully, in the MotoBI we have a very good bike, so we are lucky, but the most important part of the package in Moto2 is the rider, so I will always give of my best and fight hard, and this will continue at Catalunya. More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway: MotoGP RACE PREVIEW: GRAND PRIX OF CATALUNYA INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, May 31, 2012 – A preview of the Grand Prix of Catalunya MotoGP World Championship event June 3: Race: Grand Prix of Catalunya Date: Sunday, June 3 Round: Fifth of 18 races in 2012 Circuit: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain Distance: 25 laps on 13-turn, 2.937-mile circuit 2011 Winner: Casey Stoner, Honda 2012 Points Leader: Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha U.S. Riders: Nicky Hayden, ninth, 33 points; Ben Spies, 11th, 18; Colin Edwards, 16th, 4. TV: MotoGP: 8 a.m. (ET) Sunday, June 3, SPEED. Moto2: 3:30 p.m. (ET), Sunday, June 3, SPEED. Moto3: Noon (ET) Tuesday, June 5, SPEED. Web: www.motogp.com Twitter: @MotoGP LAST RACE Jorge Lorenzo regained the points lead with a dominant victory Sunday, May 20 in the Grand Prix of France. Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi scored his first podium finish in 12 months, placing second in wet conditions on his Ducati Team machine. It was his best finish for Ducati since his high-profile move to the Italian team before the 2011 season. Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner finished third. WHO’S HOT Jorge Lorenzo: 2010 World Champion Lorenzo is using consistency and a finely balanced Yamaha M1 to stay ahead of the potent package of the Honda RC213V and reigning World Champion Casey Stoner this season. Lorenzo has two victories and two runner-up finishes to lead the World Championship, 90-82, over Stoner after four races. Valentino Rossi: Seven-time World Champion Rossi earned his first podium finish in a year May 20 at Le Mans, placing second. Rossi prevailed in a duel with reigning World Champion Casey Stoner for the runner-up spot in wet conditions in France. But the glory could be short-lived because the Ducati GP12 still is inferior to the Honda and Yamaha factory bikes in dry conditions, and sunshine usually bakes the Circuit de Catalunya in late spring. Ducati’s problem isn’t horsepower – it is believed to have more power than any bike in the sport. But that grunt isn’t delivered to the ground smoothly, causing traction problems upon acceleration for Rossi and teammate Nicky Hayden, especially in dry conditions. WHO’S NOT Ben Spies: The nightmarish start to the 2012 season continues for 2010 Rookie of the Year Spies on his factory Yamaha. Spies is 11th in the standings after four races, with just one top-10 finish. But Barcelona is a good spot for Spies to get back on track, as he scored his first podium finish for the Yamaha factory team last year at this event. Honda’s chatter: The Honda RC212V was the dominant bike of the 2011 MotoGP season, carrying Casey Stoner on a magisterial ride to the World Championship. But the switch from 800cc to 1000cc engines – and a late switch in tire compounds by Bridgestone – has hurt Honda more than closest rival Yamaha. Repsol Honda riders Stoner and Dani Pedrosa have suffered from visible, vicious chatter – vibration of the front and rear wheels – under braking and acceleration this season on the RC213V machines. Honda must fix that problem quickly, or Stoner and Pedrosa’s challenge to Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo could be neutered. NEWS and NUMBERS American Colin Edwards returns to his NGM Forward Mobile Suter-BMW machine this weekend after missing the Grand Prix of France on May 20 due to a broken left collarbone suffered May 5 during qualifying for the Grand Prix of Portugal. Edwards said he’s at about “90 percent” fitness … Seven-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi has 10 career premier-class podium finishes at Barcelona, including six victories … At least one Spanish rider has finished in the top three of the MotoGP race at this event for the last five years … Jorge Lorenzo has scored 90 points overall in the first four races of this season, the same total he scored from the first four events during his championship season in 2010 … Lorenzo has finished in the top three in 67.6 percent of his premier-class starts, the fourth-best percentage in World Championship history. American Wayne Rainey finished on the podium in 64 of his 83 premier-class starts, an all-time best success rate of 77.1 percent. 2012 tickets: Tickets for the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event, scheduled for Aug. 17-19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are on sale now at www.imstix.com , by calling (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700 or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information. Information on camping at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP is available at www.imstix.com. Hotel package information can be found at visitindy.com/redbull. More, from a press release issued by Bel-Ray: Bel-Ray Racing-Weekend Racing Preview May 31, 2012 Racing competition for Bel-Ray’s professional teams will take place this weekend in the United States, Spain and France with motocross and road racing events. MotoGP With Bel-Ray lubricants providing the performance and protection required, the Power Electronics team of Aleix Espargaro and Randy DePuniet head to the Circuit de Catalunya for this weekend’s Moto GP event. Both riders have fond memories of this track as Espargaró scored his first podium at this circuit in 2011 and De Puniet his first win in 2003. Espargaro spoke highly of the track and what was necessary to improve on his previous round’s 13th place finish. “I live virtually next door to the circuit, so I have a lot of great memories here. It is quite a fast track and I love the majority of the corners. I am looking forward to racing in Spain for the second time this season and I usually go well at fast tracks, so in general, I am hopeful that this can be a positive weekend for us.” He added, “we have to continue working in the same way as we have up to now and try to be amongst the fastest CRT bikes on Saturday and finish the race as best we can on Sunday. Hopefully it will be a fight between my teammate Randy and myself to be the top CRT.” DePuniet suffered a DNF in front of his home crowd at the last round in France, but comes into this weekend fully healed from his Estoril crash and is confident of a top performance this weekend. “I am feeling highly motivated ahead of the Catalunya Grand Prix, firstly because I am almost completely recovered from the pain in my ribs following the crash at Estoril. I adore Montmeló as a circuit and I have two wins there in the 250cc class, including my first ever in 2003, as well as some good races in MotoGP to look back on. Just thinking about the circuit brings back good memories.” Moto2 The Mapfre Aspar team is prepared for the second race of the series on their home soil this weekend as the Moto 2 continues in Spain. The Bel-Ray backed team of Toni Elias and Nico Terol are ready for the home track advantage as both riders have history at this famous track. Elias is eager to perform in front of the home crowd this weekend and he spoke about his chances. “I love Montmeló and I have great memories of the track. I rode a Grand Prix bike there for the first time when I was just fourteen years old and I have cut my teeth there as a racer over the years. I am very motivated for this race, which we approach with a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the belief that it can be a turning point for our season.” Teammate Terol also spoke highly of his chances this weekend. “It’s another home race, the fifth round of the season and we go there in good form. I like the fast turns at Montmeló as well as the braking into turn one and the last two corners, which are the secret to a good lap time. I am in form and expecting a lot from this weekend.” Moto3 The Bel-Ray backed Bankia Aspar team of Hector Faubel and Alberto Moncayo come to the Spanish circuit in Montmeló with high hopes. In terrible weather conditions, Faubel led the race before going down and Moncayo held on for a strong podium finish. Considered a home race for the team, both racers are looking for a podium finish this weekend. Moncayo spoke about his finish and looked ahead to this weekend. “The confidence boost of a podium finish in the last race will be an important factor this weekend. It proves that we are doing a good job and the bike is developing as it should, so the team and I are all happy. The last round was a turning point for us and now we just need to keep working hard and looking to the future.” Faubel spoke about the home race pressure and his new found confidence following LeMans. “Montmeló is a special circuit, it’s a home race for us – close to Valencia – and the fans always give us a lot of support, so it’s a special race. It was a shame about the crash but there is always the risk of that happening in the wet. Anyway, I am taking the positives, which are that I was able to run at the front again and be competitive. Hopefully, at Montmeló that good feeling and high performance level can continue in the dry conditions.” AMA Motocross The 2012 AMA National Motocross Championship continues on Saturday in Lakewood, Colorado for the Thunder Valley National. Located just outside the mile high city of Denver, Colorado the thin mountain air saps the motorcycles horsepower and riders energy like no other track on the national circuit. WMX Bel-Ray backed Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki’s Jessica Patterson is the current point’s leader in the WMX class. She has one win and three 2nd place finishes so far this season. Widely regarded as one of the top female racers in the world Patterson is looking for excellent moto finishes this weekend to extend her points lead. 250 Class Bel-Ray backed Team Rockstar Energy Racing Suzuki left the previous round in Texas with 4 top 20 results including an excellent 2nd moto podium finish for Blake Wharton. The challenging Thunder Valley altitude is most noticeable on the 250 machines as they struggle to find horsepower in the thin mountain air. A good start is imperative for a good finish this weekend and all 4 team riders will be aiming for that all important holeshot. Elite Following an excellent 2nd moto 9th place finish in Texas, Bel-Ray privateer Derek Anderson comes to his home track in Colorado, looking to back it up with another top 10 finish this weekend. Anderson has been traveling the nationals with another Bel-Ray backed privateer, Tucker Saye, and together they have been part of an internet television show. The Driven to Ride Series has shown the trial and tribulations of a privateer’s life on the road. Another Bel-Ray privateer traveling the series is New Jersey’s Dakota Kessler. Kessler has been the star of the LCQ’s the last 2 weekends to put his Honda into the main event. World Motocross Returning from the South American rounds of the series, the world motocross competitors travel to the European continent this weekend. The picturesque St. Jean D’Angely circuit in western France will host Round 6 of the 16 round series. MX1 Following his remarkable ride to first overall in the previous round in Brazil, Bel-Ray backed Team CP377 racer Christophe Pourcel returns to his home country with momentum on his side. The talented racer is currently third place overall in the standings by virtue of his 7 top 5 finishes in the last 8 motos. Pourcel is sure to be a favorite when the gate drops this weekend. Fresh off his French Championship win just a week ago, Sebastein Pourcel is also looking to shine in front of his home country fans. Although he has been struggled to a 23rd place overall finish in Brazil, his championship should give him the necessary confidence to perform this weekend. MX2 The Bel-Ray backed Floride Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit team of Tommy Searle and Joel Roelants return from their South America trip with fine results. Roelants’ finished 4th overall in Mexico and 5th overall in Brazil, while Searle was 2nd overall in Mexico and 1st overall in Brazil with victories in both motos. Searle is exceptionally fast on the French circuit and is considered to be the favorite this weekend. If not for a devastating 31st place finish in the first moto in Italy, Searle might be the championship leader. Teammate Roelants is currently 4th place in the championship standings despite not scoring points in either moto in Italy. ATV Motocross The 2012 AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series continues this weekend in Oakland, Kentucky. After the first 4 rounds of the series, Bel-Ray backed Baldwin Motorsports racer Josh Upperman is ranked 4th place in the standings after 4 top 5 finishes thus far this season. For the first time in the sport’s history, the racing will take place under the lights and the Ballance MotoX Facility will be prepared for this historic event. Upperman is hoping that his holeshot ability will propel him to the front of the field and a podium spot this weekend. Follow Bel-Ray racers in action all season long on www.belray.com and www.belrayracing.com. Bel Ray Company Inc was founded in 1946 and is a privately held, woman owned business serving the lubrication needs of powersports, industrial and mining customers worldwide. Bel-Ray is recognized as the leader in the specialty lubricants industry for setting high standards of quality and performance with products formulated for the motorcycle, automotive, aviation, energy, food, marine, military, mining, OEM, Industrial steel, and textile industries. “Flex Your Engine” with Bel-Ray’s superior Powersports line that delivers top quality Made-in-the-USA products to motorcycle and recreational vehicle enthusiasts around the world. Bel-Ray products are available at powersports dealers worldwide. Visit Bel-Ray.com for a complete dealer listing. Like us on Facebook.com/BelRay or follow us on Twitter/Bel_Ray