Valencia Tests: Jan 29-31 2008: Day 3

DAY 3 (31/01/08)
250cc
--------------------------------------------------
1 Álex Debón Aprilia 1.35.537 28 laps
2 Mika Kallio KTM 1.35.556 32 laps
3 Julián Simón KTM 1.35.861 48 laps
4 Álvaro Bautista Aprilia 1.36.135 35 laps
5 Héctor Faubel Aprilia 1.36.145 36 laps
6 Héctor Barbera Aprilia 1.36.158 25 laps
7 Aleix Espargaró Aprilia 1.36.214 54 laps
8 Mattia Pasini Aprilia 1.36.383 63 laps
9 Roberto Locatelli Gilera 1.36.579 59 laps
10 Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1.36.635 34 laps
11 Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1.37.154 30 laps
12 Lukas Pesek Aprilia 1.37.288 32 laps
13 Fabrizio Lai Aprilia 1.38.026 49 laps
14 Eugene Laverty Aprilia 1.38.318 39 laps
15 Imre Toth Aprilia 1.38.875 29 laps
16 Doni Pradita Yamaha 1.39.066 41 laps
17 Russel Gómez Aprilia 1.39.621 49 laps
18 Hiroshi Aoyama KTM
19 Federico Sandi Aprilia
18 Karel Abraham Aprilia
--------------------------------------------------

Lid & Livery - A Short Rant

It’s not exactly news that Alvaro has switched helmet suppliers for 2008 (from NZI to Suomy) nor that the new graphic design is different from that on his 2007 lid; these have been covered on various websites (notably, first, on www.batifans.com of course) over the past days. Indeed you can already buy the replica from Suomy and its distributors - I’ve even seen a couple on eBay.
Nonetheless I just fancied wittering on about it for a short while anyway, being a designer by trade and being interested in liveries and branding and all that malarkey.

2008 really represents quite a step-change in Alvaro’s ‘kit’ - far more so than his first season in 250cc. This is largely due to the imposition of the Mapfre branding on the 250cc squad’s bikes and leathers this year. Whilst the 125cc squad retain the blue variant livery (with the secondary flouro colours; magenta for Gabor Talmacsi, yellow for Sergio Gadea and orange for Pere Tutusaus) the 250cc has gone totally red and white for the pre-season testing at Jerez and Valencia.
‘Red and white’ actually means predominantly red, and particularly so on the bike.
I have to admit openly that I much prefer the previous blue/white combos (plus the orange flashing that Alvaro has used). The red and white just looks very cold and corporate by comparison.... who knows, maybe it’ll grow on me - but it hasn’t yet...
And on top of that (literally) is Bati’s new helmet.
Here I’m unequivocally of the opinion that last year’s (and those before it, which seemed to have a kind of evolutionary style about them - you could see the design developing from one year to the next) was hugely better. And here’s why...

I think that crucially there are some stylistic touches that make things look more sleek and aerodynamic - that bring things to life beautifully, and some others that make things look like a brick.
Unsubtle as they were (or *are*... they’re probably still popular in Lincolnshire...) “speed stripes” undeniably added a stylised ‘swoosh’ to the sides of a car, and with it an effect on exaggerating length and emphasising speed and sleekness - and their descendants; various arrows, flames, celtic curves and whatever - have continued to develop that theme for better or worse.
These touches tend to work best when they emphasise the horizontal, when they flow a design along a surface or around a shape.
Alvaro’s 2007 helmet (even though you could argue that some of the design detail may have been overly intricate) was a beautiful example of a graphic design that flowed perfectly across and around the contours and curves of the helmet. It made a functional piece of gear look sculpted and elegant.
If a design does not flow horizontally it is in danger of drawing the eye to a complete halt. Sharp inclines, thick blocks and vertical elements tend to do this spectacularly well. And guess what - Alvaro’s 2008 helmet design (by Bargy Design) does exactly this and, although I can admire the slightly simpler approach to the overall stylings, it feels undeniably blocky and less flowing. It looks less aerodynamic. And even though it includes very modern executions of certain swashes and a (less than successful) reinterpretation of Alvaro’s mischievous devil mascot, it looks decidedly old fashioned and clunky.

I’m sure some people will love it - very probably lots of people; but so far it’s really not growing on me at all, and I do feel it’s a disappointment given how cool Bati’s 2007 lid was.
I’m not convinced of the rightness of making the mischievous devil a lot more sinister either; the take on the devil mascot always having been that it’s not serious in any sense but reflects a kind of naughty side rather than a dark side of Alvaro’s character. While he may have the face of an angel he certainly rides like a little devil.
And don’t we love that :)
But the new graphic treatment seems to take this too seriously and loses any kind of cartoony, fun aspect (and if you think you can’t be both brilliant AND have a cartoon mascot then you’ve clearly never heard of Ayrton Senna).

Anyway - rant over; I’m a grumpy old git and much as I believe Bati should employ me as his brand advisor (and all kinds of other jobs too), this is when all’s said and done, no more than a very subjective little take on the whole lid & livery 2008 subject.
If nothing else I hope it’s been an interesting diversion for a few minutes... ;)

gb

Valencia Tests: Jan 29-31 2008: Day 2

Only 7th today - on the face of it, a bit disappointing, but then this isn't merely an all-out speed test; there could be all kinds of work going on that doesn't require Alvaro to be heading up the timesheets...

Valencia Tests: DAY 2
250cc

------------------------------------------
1. Marco Simoncelli, Gilera - 1'35.447 (64)
2. Mika Kallio, KTM - 1‘35.485 (46)
3. Héctor Barbera, Aprilia - 1'35.741 (60)
4. JuIin Simön, KTM - 1'35.753 (52)
5. Alex Debön, Aprilia - 1'35.841 (35)
6. Hiroshi Aoyama, KTM - 1'35.979 (33)
7. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia - 1'36.100
8. Héctor Faubel, Aprilia - 1'36.171 (34)
9. Thomas Lüthi, Aprilia - 1'36.195 (22)
10. Roberto Locatelli, Gilera - 1'36.545 (59)
11. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia - 1‘36.565 (52)
12. Mattia Pasini, Aprilia - 1'36.747 (53)
13. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia - 1'36.854 (36)
14. Lukas Pesek, Aprilia - 1'37.240 (48 )
15. Federico Sandi, Aprilia - 1'37.659 (29)
16. Fabrizio Lal, Aprilia - 1'37.928 (55)
17. Eugene Laverty, Aprilia - 1‘37.992 (46)
18. Imre Toth, Aprilia - 1'38.535 (32)
19. Doni Tata Pradita, Yamaha - 1‘38.995 (58 )
20. Russel Gómez, Aprilia - 1'39.597 (49)
21. Karel Abraham, Aprilia
21. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia
------------------------------------------

Valencia Tests: Jan 29-31 2008: Day 1

Valencia Testing: Cheste
DAY ONE
29/01/08
250cc
---------------------------------
1. Mika Kallio, KTM - 1'35.2
2. Julian Simón, KTM – 1’35.9
3. Marco Simoncelli, Gilera – 1’35.9
4. Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia – 1’36.1
5. Alvaro Bautista, Aprilia – 1’36.3
6. Alex Debón, Aprilia – 1’36.3
7. Héctor Barbera, Aprilia – 1’36.3
8. Héctor Faubel, Aprilia – 1’36.5
9. Thomas Lüthi, Aprilia – 1’36.5
10. Hiroshi Aoyama, KTM – 1’36.5
11. Mattia Pasini, Aprilia – 1’36.6
12. Karel Abraham, Aprilia - 1‘36.6
13. Roberto Locatelli, Gilera – 1’37.4
14. Federico Sandi, Aprilia – 1’37.4
15. Lukas Pesek, Aprilia – 1’37.6
16. Alex Baldolini, Aprilia – 1’37.6
17. Fabrizio Lai, Aprilia – 1’37.7
18. Manuel Poggiali, Aprilia – 1’38.4
19. Imre Toth, Aprilia – 1’38.9
20. Eugene Laverty, Aprilia – 1’39.4
21. Russell Gómez, Aprilia – 1’41.1
---------------------------------

Jerez Test - 26/01/08

Info: Circuito de Jerez

DAY THREE (26/01/08)
250cc:
--------------------------------------------
1.-Mika Kallio (KTM) 1.43.303
2.-H. Aoyama (KTM) 1.43.517
3.-H.Barberá (Aprilia) 1.43.575
4.-A. Debon (Aprilia) 1.43.644
5.-A. Bautista (Aprilia) 1.43.735
6.-T. Luthi (Aprilia) 1.43.819
7.-Marco Simoncelli (Gilera) 1.43.874
8.-H.Faubel (Aprilia) 1.43.938
9.-K.Abraham (Aprilia) 1.44.091
10.-A. Espargaro (Aprilia) 1.44.459
11.-Julian Simon (KTM) 1.44.500
12.-Matia Pasini (Aprilia) 1.44.504
13.-Manuel Poggiali (Aprilia) 1.44.758
14.-F. Sandi (Aprilia) 1.44.816
15.-R. Locatelli (Gilera) 1.44.839
16..-A. Baldolini (Aprilia) 1.44.936
17.-F. Lai (Aprilia) 1.46.284
18.-Imre Toth 1.45.354
19.-L. Pesek (Aprilia) 1.45.961
20.-E. Laverty 1.46.553
--------------------------------------------

Seeing Red...

One thing that you’d notice immediately in testing photos from Jerez is the ‘striking’ new paint job on Alvaro Bautista’s bike. (Along with matching leathers - well, mostly matching; his gloves still seem to have the orange flashing from last year and have nothing to do with the livery, and he’s also appeared to retain his trademark bright yellow knee sliders).

And when I say ‘striking’ I’m being nice.
I really can’t say I like it at all - and I’m desperately hoping it’s nothing more than some kind of ‘interim’ livery and that come the Team Aspar presentation (mid Feb? it was mid Feb last year...) that we’ll see the good old blue and orange livery.
It’s not that I’m being lazy and can foresee having to repaint my websites at some point - though that IS a possibility - no, my main thing is that I just genuinely don’t rate it as a colour scheme.
It’s interesting to note that although Alvaro’s bike (and Hector Fabuel’s) run the red and white livery, the 125cc pictures I’ve seen show Talma on a bike that’s still running the blue Aspar livery, although with a dash of red here and there.

I like the Aspar blue. Well, the Aspar blues... they actually run two different variants of blue across 125cc (slightly teal) and 250cc (purer darker blue). It looks classy and it stands out. It has a richness that a stark red and white is never going to match.
Also, red bikes remind me of Fortuna - particularly if they’re Aprilias - and they remind me of Marlboro when they’re NOT Aprilias.
As you can see I’m not going to be a happy bunny if they run with the red.
And I’ll certainly be at home to Mr Grumpy if I have to repaint this site, alvarobautista.co.uk and BatiFans.com...

And don’t get me started on that dog-ugly new helmet design!!!

Jerez Test - 25/01/08

Info from Circuito de Jerez

Day 2
250cc
--------------------------------------------------
1.BAUTISTA, MASTER MAPFRE ASPAR - 41 - 1'43.589
2. LUTHI, EMMI CAFFE LATTE - 47 - 1'44.002
3. DEBON, LOTUS APRILIA - 42 - 1'44.045
4. KALLIO, RED BULL KTM - 56 - 1‘44.049
5. AOYAMA, RED BULL KTM - 56 - 1'44.104
6. ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM MOTORACING - 32 - 1'44.267
7. BARBERA, TEAM TOTH - 36 - 1'44.340
8. SIMON, REPSOL KTM - 50 - 1'44.479
9. SIMONCELLI, METIS GILERA - 60 - 1'44.535
10. ESPARGARO, LOTUS APRILIA - 49 - 1'44.566
11. PASINI, TEAM POLARIS - 45 - 1'44.615
12. FAUBEL, MASTER MAPFRE ASPAR - 41 - 1‘44.626
13. PESEK, AUTO KELLY-CP - 29 - 1'44.827
14. BALDOLINI, TEAM MATTEONI RACING - 34 - 1'45.030
15. LOCATELLI, METIS GILERA - 39 - 1'45.500
16. TOTH, TEAM TOTH - 40 - 1‘45.962
17. LAI, CAMPETELLA RACING - 53 - 1'46.284
18. POGGIALI, CAMPETELLA RACING - 35 - 1'46.314
19. LAVERTY, BLUSENS APRILIA - 32 - 1'47.363
--------------------------------------------------

Jerez Test - 24/01/08

Day one of three.
Info from Circuito de Jerez...

250cc
--------------------------------
1.-Alex Debon (Aprilia) 1.44.069
2.-T. Luthi (Aprilia) 1.44.193
3.-M. Kallio (KTM) 1.44.210
4.-H. Aoyama (KTM) 1.44.294
5.-M. Simoncelli (Gilera) 1.44.453
6.-A. Bautista (Aprilia) 1.44.530
7.-H. Barbera (Aprilia) 1.44.710
8.-K. Abraham (Aprilia) 1.44.822
9.-J. Simon (KTM) 1.44.964
10.-M. Poggiali (Aprilia) 1.45.438
11.-H. Faubel (Aprilia) 1.45.533
12.-I. Toth (Aprilia) 1.45.790
13.-L. Pesek (Aprilia) 1.45.864
14.-A. Baldolini (Aprilia) 1.45.944
15.-A.Espargaro (Aprilia) 1.45.951
16.-R.Locatelli (Gilera) 1.45.967
17.-F. Lai (Aprilia) 1.46.536
18.-D. Pradita (Yamaha) 1.51.068
19.-E.Laverty (Aprilia) 1.51.376
20.-R.Gómez 1.56.747
--------------------------------

MotoGP 2008 Riders & Teams (January update)

Okay, so with the announcement that there's apparently no Team Roberts in the MotoGP class this season (great shame, I *hate* small grids...) this is how the classes should stack up for March...


125cc

No-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
5-EFREN VAZQUEZ-SPA-BLUSENS APRILIA JUNIOR-APRILIA
6-JOAN OLIVE-SPA-BELSON DERBI-DERBI
7-ALEXIS MASBOU-FRA-LONCIN RACING-LONCIN
8-LORENZO ZANETTI-ITA-SEEDORF KTM 125-KTM
11-SANDRO CORTESE-GER-EMMI - CAFFE LATTE-APRILIA
12-ESTEVE RABAT-SPA-REPSOL KTM 125cc-KTM
14-GABOR TALMACSI-HUN-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM-APRILIA
16-JULES CLUZEL-FRA-LONCIN RACING-LONCIN
17-STEFAN BRADL-GER-GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING-APRILIA
18-NICOLAS TEROL-SPA-WRB FONTANA RACING-APRILIA
21-ROBIN LASSER-GER-GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING-APRILIA
22-PABLO NIETO-SPA-SCOT RACING TEAM 125cc-KTM
24-SIMONE CORSI-ITA-WRB FONTANA RACING-APRILIA
27-STEFANO BIANCO-ITA-WTR NO ALCOL TEAM-APRILIA
29-ANDREA IANNONE-ITA-I.C. TEAM-APRILIA
30-PERE TUTUSAUS-SPA-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM-APRILIA
33-SERGIO GADEA-SPA-BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM-APRILIA
34-RANDY KRUMMENACHER-SUI-RED BULL KTM 125-KTM
35-RAFFAELE DE ROSA-ITA-SCOT RACING TEAM 125cc-KTM
38-BRADLEY SMITH-GBR-POLARIS WORLD-APRILIA
44-POL ESPARGARO-SPA-BELSON DERBI-DERBI
45-SCOTT REDDING-GBR-BLUSENS APRILIA JUNIOR-APRILIA
51-STEVIE BONSEY-USA-ARIE MOLENAAR RACING-APRILIA
55-HUGO VAN DEN BERG-NED-ARIE MOLENAAR RACING-APRILIA
60-MICHAEL RANSEDER-AUT-I.C. TEAM-APRILIA
63-MIKE DI MEGLIO-FRA-AJO MOTOSPORT-DERBI
69-LOUIS ROSSI-FRA-FFM HONDA GP 125-HONDA
71-TOMOYOSHI KOYAMA-JPN-SEEDORF KTM 125-KTM
73-TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI-JPN-I.C. TEAM-APRILIA
77-DOMINIQUE AEGERTER-SUI-AJO MOTOSPORT-DERBI
87-ROBERTO LACALENDOLA-ITA-MATTEONI RACING-APRILIA
93-MARC MARQUEZ-SPA-REPSOL KTM 125cc-KTM
95-ROBERT MURESAN-ROM-GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING-APRILIA
99-DANNY WEBB-GBR-ARIE MOLENAAR RACING-APRILIA


250cc

No-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
4-HIROSHI AOYAMA-JPN-RED BULL KTM 250-KTM
5-HECTOR FAUBEL-SPA-MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM-APRILIA
6-ALEX DEBON-SPA-LOTUS APRILIA-APRLIA
7-RUSSEL GOMEZ-SPA-BLUSENS APRILIA-APRILIA
10-IMRE TOTH-HUN-TEAM TOTH APRILIA-APRILIA
12-THOMAS LUTHI-SUI-EMMI - CAFFE LATTE-APRILIA
14-RATTHAPARK WILAIROT-THA-THAI HONDA PTT SAG-HONDA
15-ROBERTO LOCATELLI-ITA-SQUADRA CORSE METIS GILERA-GILERA
17-KAREL ABRAHAM-CZE-CARDION AB MOTORACING-APRILIA
19-ALVARO BAUTISTA-SPA-MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM-APRILIA
21-HECTOR BARBERA-SPA-TEAM TOTH APRILIA-APRILIA
25-ALEX BALDOLINI-ITA-MATTEONI RACING-APRILIA
32-FABRIZIO LAI-ITA-CAMPETELLA RACING-APRILIA
36-MIKA KALLIO-FIN-RED BULL KTM 250-KTM
41-ALEIX ESPARGARO-SPA-LOTUS APRILIA-APRLIA
45-DONI TATA PRADITA-INA-YAMAHA PERTAMINA INDONESIA-YAMAHA
50-EUGENE LAVERTY-IRL-BLUSENS APRILIA-APRILIA
52-LUKAS PESEK-CZE-AUTO KELLY - CP-APRILIA
54-MANUEL POGGIALI-RSM-CAMPETELLA RACING-APRILIA
55-YUKI TAKAHASHI-JPN-SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc-HONDA
58-MARCO SIMONCELLI-ITA-SQUADRA CORSE METIS GILERA-GILERA
60-JULIAN SIMON-SPA-REPSOL KTM 250cc-KTM
75-MATTIA PASINI-ITA-POLARIS WORLD-APRILIA


MotoGP

No-Rider-Nation-Team-Machine
1-CASEY STONER-AUS-DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM-DUCATI
3-ALEX DE ANGELIS-RSM-HONDA GRESINI-HONDA
4-ANDREA DOVIZIOSO-ITA-JIR SCOT TEAM-HONDA
5-COLIN EDWARDS-USA-YAMAHA TECH 3-YAMAHA
7-CHRIS VERMEULEN-AUS-RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP-SUZUKI
13-ANTHONY WEST-AUS-KAWASAKI RACING TEAM-KAWASAKI
14-RANDY DE PUNIET-FRA-HONDA LCR-HONDA
21-JOHN HOPKINS-USA-KAWASAKI RACING TEAM-KAWASAKI
24-TONI ELIAS-SPA-TEAM ALICE-DUCATI
26-DANI PEDROSA-SPA-REPSOL HONDA TEAM-HONDA
33-MARCO MELANDRI-ITA-DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM-DUCATI
46-VALENTINO ROSSI-ITA-FIAT YAMAHA TEAM-YAMAHA
48-JORGE LORENZO-SPA-FIAT YAMAHA TEAM-YAMAHA
50-SYLVAIN GUINTOLI-FRA-TEAM ALICE-DUCATI
52-JAMES TOSELAND-GBR-YAMAHA TECH 3-YAMAHA
56-SHINYA NAKANO-JPN-HONDA GRESINI-HONDA
65-LORIS CAPIROSSI-ITA-RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP-SUZUKI
69-NICKY HAYDEN-USA-REPSOL HONDA TEAM-HONDA

Excellent News On Alvaro Bautista 2008 PDF Calendar / Calendario

Great news on our PDF BatiCal - the superb BatiFans.com 2008 Alvaro Bautista calendar download - it's now been taken by over 700 fans; great news in such a short time since its launch late last year.
Make sure you download a copy too, for keeping on your Mac or PC desktop and for printing out onto some nice glossy paper and putting up on the wall.

Click here for full info and download...

All Your Favourite Riders Are Now In Our New MotoGP E-Cards Section

In a major new initiative, we have added a big second section to our E-Cards pages over at alvarobautista.co.uk.
Now, not only can you send our fab Alvaro Bautista E-Cards, but you can also send E-Cards of all your other favourite riders too.
We have added a big selection of 96 E-Cards of riders from across all classes; MotoGP, 250cc and 125cc.

We've tried to include as many favourites as we can, covering both action shots and really cool portraits of the guys on and off their bikes. We couldn't really include *everybody* - but we hope we've made a good selection and that you will send plenty of cards to your friends, and that they in turn will send cards to their other friends too!
The URL to go to (and to pimp to everybody!) is:
www.alvarobautista.co.uk/postcards

Here's a list of the riders we've included:
Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Loris Capirossi, John Hopkins, Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa, Colin Edwards, Chris Vermeulen, Anthony West, Randy de Puniet, Marco Melandri, Tony Elias, Jorge Lorenzo, James Toseland, Sylvian Guintoli, Alex de Angelis, Andrea Dovizioso, Hiroshi Aoyama, Hector Faubel, Thomas Luthi, Ratthapark Wilairot, Roberto Locatelli, Hector Barbera, Mika Kallio, Aleix Espargaro, Lukas Pesek, Marco Simoncelli, Julian Simon, Mattia Pasini, Joan Olive, Sandro Cortese, Esteve Rabat, Gabor Talmacsi, Nicolas Terol, Simone Corsi, Pere Tutusaus, Sergio Gadea, Bradley Smith, Pol Espargaro, Shuhei Aoyama,...

Enjoy, send, share... and spread the word about the coolest bunch of MotoGP E-Cards on the web!
Enjoy :)

MotoGP 2008 'Calendar' Desktop Wallpaper

I've done a very general 2008 MotoGP "Calendar" wallpaper - hopefully a nice download for a fan of any rider...
It's a blue-ish design with grids and dots making up a world map and a semi-opaque treatment of a big bunch of MotoGP bikes sweeping into a corner overlaid on it.
It's completed by a text listing of all the dates and locations of the 2008 MotoGP season.
Click here to find it in our MotoGP / 250cc / 125cc section over at BatiFans.com

Enjoy :)

Alvaro Bautista iPhone Wallpapers

The latest cool download for all our freindly Bati fans around the world, is aimed at those of them who have iPhones...

We've done a small bundle of wallpapers designed specifically for the iPhone - to the exact screen size and resolution, and also holding a relatively blank are towards the top for when the image is partially covered by service information when waking from sleep.

Click here for full info, previews and the download link...

Enjoy :)
gb

Noticias importantes o fans Españoles del Alvaro Bautista

So what's that all about then?
Simple really - we want to ensure that Spanish Alvaro Bautista fans - who may not be comfortable with their English skills - are welcomed and looked after over at BatiFans.com

We've introduced some changes, and here they are outlined in Spanish - with an English translation afterwards...


************************************************


Aunque nuestro Alvaro fan foro es “internacional” y está principalmente en inglés, hemos hecho algunos cambios para usted - nuestros miembros españoles; y esperamos que usted tenga gusto de éstos y eso pueden ayudarle a gozar de nuestro foro más, y también ése usted puede fijar mensajes debido a éstos.

1 – Ahora usted puede cambiar los ajustes de la lengua del foro al español - usted puede hacer esto en su “Profile”, aunque éste no traduce los mensajes y los posts de la gente a español.
2 - Hemos agregado un “Google Spanish translation” link a todas las páginas en el foro. Esto está cerca de la header de la página, y tiene banderas inglesas y españolas al lado de las palabras "Translate into Spanish / Traducir al Espanol”. Clicando en esto traducirá todos los mensajes en el español para usted, y esperamos que esto le dé mucho más el disfrute de nuestro foro.
3 - Hemos agregado un thread especial de "Hola" para todos nuestros miembros españoles que no son cómodos escribir en inglés. Lo amaríamos si usted escriba un mensaje aquí (en español si usted deseo), para decir hola a otros fans y para introducirse, y para decirnos un poco sobre usted.

El link está aquí...
http://www.batifans.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=4135

Nosotros espera que estos cambios le ayudarán a disfrutar de nuestro foro más, y esperanzadamente nos trae todos juntos más como los fans y amigos.

Saludos,
gb y stv21 (dueños del sitio)



************************************************

(In English...)

Although our Alvaro fan forum is ‘international’ and is mainly in the English language, we have made some changes for you - our Spanish members; and we hope you will like these and that they may help you enjoy our forum more, and also that you may post messages because of these...

1 - You can now change the language settings of the forum to Spanish - you can do this in your ‘Profile’, although this does not translate people’s messages and posts into Spanish.
2 - We have added a Google Spanish translation link to all pages on the forum. This is near the top of the page, and shows English & Spanish flags next to the words “Translate into Spanish / Traducir al Espanol”. Clicking on this will translate all the messages and chat into Spanish for you, and we hope this will give you a lot more enjoyment of our forum.
3 - We have added a special “Hola” topic for all our Spanish members who are not comfortable posting in English. We would love it if you posted a message here (in Spanish if you wish), just to say Hello to other fans and to introduce yourself, and tell us a little about you.
The link is here...
http://www.batifans.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=4135

We hope that these changes will help you to enjoy our forum more, and hopefully bring us all together more as fans and friends.

Cheers, 
gb & stv21 (site owners)