Spyder Club: FIM Announce Changes to MotoGP 2012 Calendar

Add comment December 15th, 2011 12:28pm spyderclub

The FIM have announced changes to the 2012 MotoGP calendar.  The amendments include a change to the Losail date in Qatar to 8th April, confirmation of Jerez and (subject to contract) the addition of Sachsenring as the host of the German round.

The full 2012 MotoGP calendar is now below.  Spyder Club are looking forward to it – why not join Spyder Club and ride down on the new Ducati Panigale!

Date, Grand Prix – Circuit

8 April, Qatar* – Doha/Losail

29 April, Spain – Jerez de la Frontera

6 May, Portugal (STC) – Estoril

20 May, France – Le Mans

3 June, Catalunya – Catalunya

17 June, Great Britain – Silverstone

30 June, Netherlands** – Assen

8 July, Germany (STC) – Sachsenring

15 July, Italy – Mugello

29 July, United States*** – Laguna Seca

19 August, Indianapolis – Indianapolis

26 August, Czech Rep. – Brno

16 September, San Marino & Riviera di Rimini – Misano

30 September, Aragon – Motorland

14 October, Japan – Motegi

21 October, Malaysia – Sepang

28 October, Australia – Phillip Island

11 November, Valencia – Ricardo Tormo – Valencia

* Evening Race

** Saturday Race

*** Only MotoGP class

STC (Subject to the contract)

MotoGP Returns to South America

Add comment December 14th, 2011 05:06pm spyderclub

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!

Spyder Club Members Visit Motorcycle Live and Ducati VIP Party

Add comment November 22nd, 2011 01:06pm spyderclub

Some of Spyder Club’s members visited Motorcycle Live this year and were then lucky enough to be invited to the Ducati VIP evening.  In attendance also was Maria Costello who gave the BBC’s Matt Roberts a lift on the new Ducati Panigale!

Set Up at the NEC Motorcycle Live Show 2011

Add comment November 18th, 2011 09:38pm spyderclub

Spyder Club are back at the NEC, Motorcycle Live Show, for the fourth time, set up on stand E15, Hall 2 for the next nine days.  Starting tomorrow, Saturday the 19th November and finishing on Sunday the 27th, the event looks great.

All the major manufacturers are there, the Ducati 1199 looks stunning and our friends at Ducati let us sit on it.  It’s not as small as it looks with plenty of room for my 6ft 2 frame and not too big to put a 55kg, 5ft 8 wife off!

We are also lucky enough to have the Ducati Streetfighter 848 gracing our stand as we’ll have our own in the New Year.  Having sat on it, it’s the same as the 1098 engined machine however I think the 848 motor will make this bike far better, very much looking forward to taking it to Spain in March!

Also took a long look at the Aprilia, Moto Guzzi stand which is big, loads of bikes we’ve ridden or want to!  The MV F3 and 675 Brutale also look good.  It was only a quick fly round but also caught up with Chris Walker, his new Road Race School is already booking quickly.

Come and say hello if you’re there, Hall 2, Stand E15!

Triumph Daytona 675R Arrives at Spyder Club

Add comment November 16th, 2011 11:25am spyderclub

The stunning new Triumph Daytona 675R has now arrived at Spyder Club.

With a great review by MCN, Spyder Club’s members and guests are looking forward to riding the bike on the roads of Spain and the Alps as well as in the UK as part of the Spyder Club fleet.

Ducati Panigale 1199, Coming to Spyder Club in May!

Add comment November 8th, 2011 07:11pm spyderclub

Incident Filled Valencia!

Add comment November 7th, 2011 10:42am spyderclub

An emotional tribute to Marco Simoncelli started off race day at the Valencia round of MotoGP as riders from all classes completed a lap of the track lead by Kevin Schwantz on Marco’s Honda Gresini bike.  The remainder of the teams, paddock and officials then gathered for a minutes noise in celebration of Marco’s life.  Many of the riders and teams wore tributes to Super Sic and Loris Capirossi, riding his last race in MotoGP, took number 58 round the track for the final time.

Nicolas Terol was crowned 125cc world champion after Johann Zarco, his closest challenger disappointingly crashed out early in the race.  Danny Webb riding the Mahindra bike had set the fastest time in qualifying and after a great start lead the race for the first few laps.  The race was won by the star of the future Maverick Vinales who with support from Paris Hilton (!) has had a phenomenal start to his international career and was awarded the Rookie of the Year.

Stefan Bradl already knew he was the Moto 2 world champion after Marc Marquez still had sight problems after crashing in Sepang.  Bradl started the race well but in extremely difficult conditions crashed and seemed relieved to be safely back in his garage.  The race fittingly was lead by Gresini Racing team mates Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro who both had tributes to Marco on their bikes.  There was a heart stopping moment when Takahashi high sided in the lead, he was confirmed okay but being kept in hospital for observations.  After an eventful race Michele Pirro went on to win – his first in Moto 2 – which he dedicated to his late team mate.

MotoGP immediately got off to an exciting and disappointing start!  Everyone was keen see the Ducatis perform after improvements in qualifying and showing better pace in conditions where Rossi seems to ride well.  The possibility of a podium seemed not unachievable, however a crash in the first corner involving Bautista on the Suzuki took out both Rossi, Hayden and Randy de Puniet leaving a large gap in the field.

The race was eventually won by the narrowest of margins by Casey Stoner on the line, with Ben Spies looking initially like he had taken his second race win of the season.  Cal Crutchlow scored his highest finish of the year securing fourth place and in doing so also taking the Rookie of the Year title in MotoGP.

For the first time MotoGP had lined up without Marco Simoncelli and it was time for the 2011 racing season came to a welcome close.

Ciao Marco, Super Sic, #58

Valentino Rossi Reveals Helmet Tribute to Marco Simoncelli

Add comment November 5th, 2011 11:31am spyderclub

Valentino Rossi has revealed his tribute to his friend Marco Simoncelli this morning at Valencia.

This weekend will be a very difficult for everyone involved in MotoGP.  Marco’s father Paolo has asked for a minutes noise tomorrow before the race instead of a minutes silence which seems a fitting way to remember his son.

Ciao Super Sic!

Spyder Club Motorcycle Live Show Offer

Add comment November 4th, 2011 04:30pm spyderclub

Spyder Club will be at the NEC for the Motorcycle Live Show from the 19th to the 27th of November.  Amongst others, we will be proudly exhibiting the brand new Ducati Streetfighter 848, due on the fleet in early 2012.

As membership fees will increase by 11% on the 15th December 2011, we’ll be offering new members the opportunity to join before the increase at the current rate, paying half by the 15th December and the second half by the 30th March 2012 when membership would begin.  Come and see us at stand E15, hall 2.

Marco Simoncelli

Add comment October 23rd, 2011 10:27am spyderclub

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