Testing is now under way in Sepang for the 2012 MotoGP teams.  In what has been a difficult place for the paddock to return to, with the absence of Marco Simoncelli felt even more, the first indications of how the 1000cc bikes will perform in 2012 are now starting to come through:

Pos Rider Team Fastest lap

1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory 2:01.657

2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda T  2:02.003

3 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha 2:02.221

4 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory  2:02.234

5 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:02.392

6 Andrea Doviz Monster Yamaha 2:02.751

7 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing T 2:02.773

8 Katsuyuki Nak Yamaha Factory 2:02.829

9 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda 2:02.869

10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:03.151

11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:03.668

12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB 2:03.781

13 Franco Bataini Ducati Team 2:04.986

14 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda 2:07.163

15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile 2:08.240

16 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2:10.671

17 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2:11.267

For more news and results go to MotoGP.com

Having spent two days testing his BMW around the Spanish circuit of Valencia, Leon Haslam is happy with the performance of the bike.

“It was a long winter back home and I am definitely happy to be back on the bike. We were lucky with the conditions. It was a bit cold in the morning, but we were able to get most out of the two days. We got through everything that we needed to go through, so I am very positive,” said Haslam.

“These two days were important. We have a lot of new things for this year and it was good to test before we go to Phillip Island. In addition, it was good to get a few laps under our belts and get up to speed again. We definitely made big steps and are much further ahead compared to last year. It really is a stronger package and we still have five more days to test in Australia to dial it all in.”

Great to hear Leon is already happy with his 2012 bike, will this year be his!  Also that the weather is good in Spain for our fast approaching fly-ride trips.

For the full article please follow the link to Bike Sport News.

Silverstone are currently offering 20% off MotoGP tickets which is a saving of £30 on weekend tickets.  The offer is available until the 31st January so get buying!

Buy Silverstone MotoGP tickets…

MotoGP will be returning to South America for the first time since Brazil in 2004.  Tech 3 Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso attended the ceremony for the announcement of a round in Argentina in 2013.  Dorna have implied that a round in Spain will make way for the new entry but it appears that most of the Spanish circuits have contracts until 2016 so Spyder Club are hoping that it will be simply an extra round!

MotoGP has lost a massive character and gifted racer, we the fans have lost such an exciting and talented rider.

Thanks to Maria Costello for coming and spending time with Spyder Club and our members yesterday at Silverstone, it’s always a pleasure to catch up with the Queen of Motorcycle Racing!!

Valentino Rossi from Ducati and Jenson Button from Mclaren Mercedes were interviewed by Jake Humphreys at the amazing opening of the Silverstone Wing – they discuss the Pedrosa/Simoncelli incident too!

Valentino Rossi was caught on camera by Spyder Club’s very own Lizzi at the opening of the Wing at Silverstone.

Having spent the day in the company of racing hero’s and legends such as Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Valentino Rossi, Johnny Rea, Jenson Button, Danny Webb, Mark Webber, John Surtees, Ron Haslam, Randy Mamola, James Toseland, Cal Crutchlow, Scott Redding, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell and team bosses, Frank Williams, Christian Horner and Ross Brawn at the opening of Silverstone’s amazingly impressive Wing pit and paddock complex, her day was nearly complete…

BUT, hanging round for a while meant she got to see Rossi testing an 1198 with no one else to talk to but Vittoriano Guareschi, Ducati Moto GP Team Manager who was kind enough to take a Spyder Club brochure!  Watch Rossi!!

Johnny Rea (Castrol Honda) overcame challenges to win his first race of 2011 in the World Superbike round at Assen.  Max Biaggi riding for Aprilia Alitalia finished in second place which left championship leader Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) in third.  Leon Haslam on his BMW  overcame a high speed crash to end the race in twelfth position with his team mate Troy Corser taking a creditable sixth.

Marco Melandri (Yamaha World Superbike) finished in fourth and Michel Fabrizio (Suzuki Alstare) had a great ride in fifth.  Roll on race 2!

Read the full story about Johnny Rea take his first of 2011 win at Assen here.

Johnny Rea from the Castol Honda team is leading the the second round of World Superbike qualifying at Assen having just pipped Jakub Smrz to the post in the last few minutes of the session.

Leon Haslam finished sixth and championship leader Carlos Checa ended in ninth so both riders will be looking to improve their times in superpole this afternoon.

For the latest timings and information from the Assen World Superbike round click here!