Alvaro Bautista Catalunya Helmet Desktop Icons

To celebrate Alvaro's superb victory at Catalunya last weekend, it seems only right that the best way to do it is with a set of desktop icons of his special "Man of La Mancha" helmet.
As per usual I've done a set of Mac OSX and a set for Windows XP/Vista, each of which contains two icons of the helmet - one with a drop-shadow and one without.
All carefully crafted and alpha-channelled to pimpify your computer desktop to the very best effect.

Click here for the downloads...
Enjoy :-)

Alvaro Post-Race Quotes: Catalunya

"During the race it was very hard to ride, because the heat was very intense. I couldn't make any mistakes. On the first lap I lost a few places, but I kept calm because I knew that things were under control. After three laps I saw that I could impose my pace on the others, and maybe escape from Hector, so in the end things worked out fine.
This win is important for my morale, because at the moment we are the only ones to have repeated a victory in 2009. It is a big blow to our rivals. Despite Simoncelli falling, we can't rule anyone out for the championship, and in any case we have to focus on our own work and do what we've been doing. I would like to thank the fans for their tremendous support over the home races, and I'm glad to have been able to give them a win."

Pic Of The GP: Catalunya

Although this may only be pic of the day till someone posts up a shot of Sideshow Bob covered in gravel, of course... ;-)

Catalunya GP - 250cc Race Result

A superb win by Alvaro who took charge in the opening couple of laps, and slowly edged away once Sideshow Bob thankfully went and binned himself on lap 2 and left everybody that teensy bit safer for the remainder...
Sensible, swift, measured and mature - a great ride from Alvaro - and judging by the noise form the crowds drowning out the engines, a very very popular one too.

Estupendo Alvarito! Estupendo!


Pos | Rider | Bike | Time

1. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 41m09.018s
2. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda + 7.185s
3. Hector Barbera Aprilia + 7.282s
4. Mattia Pasini Aprilia + 10.784s
5. Alex Debon Aprilia + 15.740s
6. Thomas Luthi Aprilia + 15.780s
7. R.Wilairot Honda + 28.654s
8. Karel Abraham Aprilia + 31.600s
9. Raffaele De Rosa Honda + 33.760s
10. Hector Faubel Honda + 33.843s
11. Jules Cluzel Aprilia + 34.871s
12. Lukas Pesek Aprilia + 35.117s
13. Alex Baldolini Aprilia + 39.840s
14. Mike Di Meglio Aprilia + 42.821s
15. Steve Bonsey Aprilia +1m16.524s
16. Axel Pons Aprilia +1m16.689s
17. Valentin Debise Honda +1m28.826s
18. Balazs Nemeth Aprilia +1m39.488s
19. Bastien Chesaux Honda +1m47.958s
20. Vladimir Leonov Aprilia +1 Lap
21. Toby Markham Honda +1 Lap

NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:

Rider Bike Laps
Imre Toth Aprilia 21
R.Locatelli Gilera 14
Shoya Tomizawa Honda 13
Marco Simoncelli Gilera 6

FASTEST LAP: Bautista, 1m46.656s on lap 9

Catalunya GP - Saturday Quotes From Alvaro

"Considering the conditions we had to deal with today I don't think second place is a bad result. With less temperature this morning I felt more comfortable and that's a good sign for tomorrow because the race is more or less at the same time. It is a shame that I wasn't able to get maximum potential out of the new tyre at the end because I ran into some traffic and lost some vital tenths.
Anyway, the important thing is that we're on the front row because we need to get a good start and run at the front. The lap times are tight and it will be difficult for anybody to escape so the key will be to stick in the lead group and see what transpires as the laps go by. If I can push on and break things up I will. Still, we don't know what will happen until the race starts. If there is a chance we can win I'll fight tooth and nail and won't give anything up easily."

Alvaro Takes Second In Qualifying

Pos | Num | Rider | Nation | Team | Bike | Lap time

1 40 Hector BARBERA SPA Pepe World Team Aprilia 1'46.749
2 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team Aprilia 1'46.899
3 58 Marco SIMONCELLI ITA Metis Gilera Gilera 1'46.908
4 12 Thomas LUTHI SWI Emmi - Caffe Latte Aprilia 1'47.081
5 6 Alex DEBON SPA Aeropuerto-Castello-Blusens Aprilia 1'47.125
6 4 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN Scot Racing Team 250cc Honda 1'47.166
7 75 Mattia PASINI ITA Team Toth Aprilia Aprilia 1'47.225
8 55 Hector FAUBEL SPA Valencia CF - Honda SAG Honda 1'47.379
9 63 Mike DI MEGLIO FRA Mapfre Aspar Team 250cc Aprilia 1'47.426
10 14 Ratthapark WILAIROT THA Thai Honda PTT SAG Honda 1'47.559
11 25 Alex BALDOLINI ITA WTR San Marino Team Aprilia 1'47.596
12 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Aprilia 1'47.725
13 35 Raffaele DE ROSA ITA Scot Racing Team 250cc Honda 1'47.747
14 16 Jules CLUZEL FRA Matteoni Racing Aprilia 1'47.795
15 48 Shoya TOMIZAWA JPN CIP Moto - GP250 Honda 1'48.032
16 15 Roberto LOCATELLI ITA Metis Gilera Gilera 1'48.088
17 52 Lukas PESEK CZE Auto Kelly - CP Aprilia 1'48.101
18 7 Axel PONS SPA Pepe World Team Aprilia 1'50.450
19 51 Stevie BONSEY USA Milar - Juegos Lucky Aprilia 1'50.598
20 53 Valentin DEBISE FRA CIP Moto - GP250 Honda 1'50.653
21 11 Balazs NEMETH HUN Balatonring Team Aprilia 1'50.732
22 8 Bastien CHESAUX SWI Racing Team Germany Honda 1'51.229
23 10 Imre TOTH HUN Team Toth Aprilia Aprilia 1'51.296
24 56 Vladimir LEONOV RUS Viessmann Kiefer Racing Aprilia 1'52.133
25 54 Toby MARKHAM GBR C&L Racing Honda 1'52.856

Catalunya GP - Pics Of The Day; Friday

Catalunya GP - Friday Quotes From Alvaro

"The most important thing about today, with this heat, was setting a good pace. It wasn't excessively fast, as in the other two classes, which shows that the track surface isn't 100%. We had a setback with the engine on my first bike and I had to do the last run on my second one. The engine was a bit better on that one but I could tell the difference in the suspension. We could have done with improving a little more but I'm happy because we set a good pace. Let's say if the track is in better shape tomorrow so that we can continue to make progress. After three or four laps in the long corners the bike is sliding round a lot, the tyres are suffering in the heat and it is difficult to control. We'll try and work out what was wrong with the first engine tomorrow and improve the set-up to be ready for the race."

Catalunya GP - Friday Free Practice

1. Debon (Aprilia) 1min 47.291sec
2. Bautista (Aprilia) +0.038sec
3. Aoyama (Honda) +0.131sec
4. Pasini (Aprilia) +0.163sec
5. di Meglio (Aprilia) +0.384sec
6. Luthi (Aprilia) +0.862sec
7. Simoncelli (Gilera) +0.869sec
8. Abraham (Aprilia) +0.900sec
9. Faubel (Honda) +1.127sec
10. Wilairot (Honda) +1.228sec

Catalunya GP Weekend - TV Schedules

Friday June 12th

Live MotoGP - 11.40am
Catalunya Grand Prix: 125cc Practice
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 12.45pm
Catalunya Grand Prix: MotoGP Practice
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 2.00pm
Catalunya Grand Prix: 250cc Practice
(Eurosport 2)

MotoGP - 9.10pm
Catalunya Grand Prix: MotoGP Practice (rpt)
(Eurosport 2)

.............................................


Saturday June 13th

MotoGP - 11.00am
Catalunya Grand Prix: Practice (rpt)
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 12.00pm
125cc Catalunya Grand Prix: Qualifying
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 12.45pm
MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix: Qualifying
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 2.00pm
250cc Catalunya Grand Prix: Qualifying
(Eurosport 2)

MotoGP - 9.30pm
MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix: Qualifying
(Eurosport 2)

.............................................


Sunday June 14th

MotoGP - 9.00am
MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix: Qualifying (rpt)
(Eurosport 2)

Live MotoGP - 10.00am
125cc Catalunya Grand Prix
(Eurosport)

Live MotoGP - 11.00am
250cc Catalunya Grand Prix
(Eurosport)

Live MotoGP - 12.30pm
Catalunya Grand Prix
(BBC2)

MotoGP - 4.00pm (*Delayed broadcast)
MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix
(Eurosport)

Alvaro Looks Ahead To Catalunya

"Racing in Spain is always special because you can feel the energy and the support of the fans and it gives you an extra boost compared to other circuits. Arriving here as the series leader gives me a lot of confidence and determination to put on a good show. I'd like to win because we haven't done so since Japan and I think the team and myself are all willing ourselves to victory again. We'll do a good job during practice to make sure that we can be fighting for victory come Sunday.
Last year we came here after a disastrous start to the season and we needed a good result so I was really careful in the race. I wanted to win but I was trying so hard to close the doors in the corners I ran wide and conceded victory. Montmeló is a fast circuit, similar to Mugello although with a few more slow sections. It is not one of my favourites but it's a nice place and the fans always contribute to make for a special atmosphere."

Pic Of The Day: Post-Race, Catalunya

Catalunya GP: 250cc - Post Race Quote From Alvaro

"At the start I had a good pace, but wasn't too strong to avoid any possible mistake. Little by little we went faster and faster. In the final lap I tried to close every gap, but made an error in the La Caixa corner; I hit neutral instead of first and Marco was able to pass me. Then there was no time for me to pass him again, with so little space before the line. I am a little disappointed, but they are 20 valuable points and I rode an intelligent race. The most positive point has been our speed."

WE SAY: Alvaro's absolutely right - although it was a regrettable error, it was a great race - and he was keeping the lap times tumbling, and it is a decent points haul. A victory would have been so sweet, but it's not right to be disappointed with such a great second. Let's hope he goes one better at Donington! :)

Catalunya GP - 250cc Race Result

A tiny but critical error towards the end of the final lap allowed Simoncelli to snatch the lead and take the victory.
Otherwise a great ride from Alvaro - and, hey, some much needed points ;)
Here's the results in full...

CLASSIFIED:

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time
1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 41:01.859
2. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia + 0.039
3. Hector Barbera Aprilia + 11.291
4. Alex Debon Aprilia + 21.373
5. Thomas Luthi Aprilia + 26.621
6. Mattia Pasini Aprilia + 26.720
7. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM + 35.818
8. Hector Faubel Aprilia + 36.321
9. Julian Simon KTM + 36.964
10. Lukas Pesek Aprilia + 41.237
11. R.Wilairot Honda + 52.391
12. Yuki Takahashi Honda + 56.656
13. Alex Baldolini Aprilia + 59.282
14. Manuel Poggiali Gilera +1:02.503
15. Fabrizio Lai Gilera +1:02.656
16. Eugene Laverty Aprilia +1:07.418
17. Russell Gomez Aprilia + 1 Lap
18. D.T.Pradita Yamaha + 1 Lap


NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:

Rider | Bike | Laps
Mika Kallio KTM 19
Imre Toth Aprilia 9
Karel Abraham Aprilia 7
Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 2
Daniel Arcas Honda 2
R.Locatelli Gilera 0


FASTEST LAP: Bautista, 1:46.143 on lap 21

Catalunya GP: Final Qualifying, 250cc, Alvaro On Pole

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time

1. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 1:45.636
2. Alex Debon Aprilia 1:45.767 + 0.131
3. Hector Barbera Aprilia 1:46.062 + 0.426
4. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1:46.295 + 0.659
5. Mattia Pasini Aprilia 1:46.363 + 0.727
6. Hector Faubel Aprilia 1:46.594 + 0.958
7. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:46.668 + 1.032
8. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM 1:46.856 + 1.220
9. Mika Kallio KTM 1:46.952 + 1.316
10. Julian Simon KTM 1:47.121 + 1.485
11. R.Locatelli Gilera 1:47.190 + 1.554
12. Thomas Luthi Aprilia 1:47.207 + 1.571
13. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 1:47.422 + 1.786
14. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1:47.510 + 1.874
15. R.Wilairot Honda 1:47.510 + 1.874
16. Lukas Pesek Aprilia 1:47.666 + 2.030
17. Manuel Poggiali Gilera 1:47.728 + 2.092
18. Fabrizio Lai Gilera 1:47.818 + 2.182
19. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1:49.272 + 3.636
20. Eugene Laverty Aprilia 1:49.392 + 3.756
21. Russell Gomez Aprilia 1:49.618 + 3.982
22. Imre Toth Aprilia 1:49.776 + 4.140
23. Daniel Arcas Honda 1:50.186 + 4.550
24. D.T.Pradita Yamaha 1:50.450 + 4.814

Catalunya GP - Qualifying Practice 1 - 250cc

Alvaro on top :)

Pos | Rider | Bike | Time | Gap

1. Alvaro Bautista Aprilia 1:46.547
2. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1:46.755 +0.208
3. Hector Barbera Aprilia 1:46.764 +0.217
4. Mattia Pasini Aprilia 1:46.784 +0.237
5. Hiroshi Aoyama KTM 1:46.856 +0.309
6. Alex Debon Aprilia 1:46.922 +0.375
7. Mika Kallio KTM 1:47.220 +0.673
8. Yuki Takahashi Honda 1:47.292 +0.745
9. Hector Faubel Aprilia 1:47.346 +0.799
10. Aleix Espargaro Aprilia 1:47.422 +0.875
11. Ratthapark Wilairot Honda 1:47.510 +0.963
12. Roberto Locatelli Gilera 1:47.584 +1.037
13. Julian Simon KTM 1:47.631 +1.084
14. Lukas Pesek Aprilia 1:47.666 +1.119
15. Thomas Luthi Aprilia 1:47.700 +1.153
16. Manuel Poggiali Gilera 1:47.874 +1.327
17. Fabrizio Lai Gilera 1:48.100 +1.553
18. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1:48.568 +2.021
19. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1:49.272 +2.725
20. Eugene Laverty Aprilia 1:49.392 +2.845
21. Russell Gomez Aprilia 1:49.618 +3.071
22. Imre Toth Aprilia 1:49.981 +3.434
23. Doni Tata Pradita Yamaha 1:50.450 +3.903
24. Daniel Arcas Honda 1:50.845 +4.298

Alvaro Looks Ahead To Catalunya

"Moving on from Mugello, I have a great desire to arrive at Catalunya. I intend to continue with the same energy and hard work I’ve used throughout the championship. We are basically working well throughout the whole weekends, but we lack finish. Montmeló is a circuit with lots of fun and fast ups and downs, like Mugello, where with the appropriate setting, Aprilia can go very well."

Catalunya GP - Eurosport TV Schedule

Don't forget to follow the weekend with the gods themselves; Toby and Julian over at Eurosport...
Here's the schedule for both Eurosport and Eurosport 2, including repeats:

Friday June 6

Eurosport 2
12:00  Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 125cc practice session
12:45 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP practice session
14:00 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 250cc practice session
22:30  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP practice session

Eurosport
20:00  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP practice session

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

Saturday June 7

Eurosport
11:30  Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP qualifying sessions
12:00 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 125cc qualifying session
12:45 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP qualifying session
20:15  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP qualifying session

Eurosport 2
14:00 MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 250cc qualifying session
17:00  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 125cc qualifying session
17:30 MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP qualifying session
21:15  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP qualifying session

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

Sunday June 8

Eurosport
08:45  Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix warm-up session
09:15 Live MotoGP
An introduction to the Catalunya Grand Prix
09:45 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 125cc race
11:00 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 250cc race
12:15 Live MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP race
19:30  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP race

Eurosport 2
15:00  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix 250cc race
15:30 MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP race
21:00  MotoGP
The Catalunya Grand Prix MotoGP race


(*Listings courtesy of the excellent mindthezap)

Catalunya GP - Event Schedule

Friday Jun 6
125cc :: Free Practice 1 :: 09:00-09:45 
MotoGP :: Free Practice 1 :: 10:00-11:00 
250cc :: Free Practice 1 :: 11:15-12:15 
125cc :: Qualifying 1 :: 13:10-13:40
MotoGP :: Free Practice 2 :: 13:55-14:55 
250cc :: Qualifying 1 :: 15:10-15:55


Saturday June 7
125cc :: Free Practice 2 :: 09:00-09:45 
MotoGP :: Free Practice 3 :: 10:00-11:00 
250cc :: Free Practice 2 :: 11:15-12:15 
125cc :: Qualifying 2 :: 13:10-13:40 
MotoGP :: Qualifying 1 :: 13:55-14:55 
250cc :: Qualifying 2 :: 15:10-15:55


Sunday June 8
125cc :: Warm-Up :: 08:40-09:00 
250cc :: Warm-Up :: 09:10-09:30 
MotoGP :: Warm-Up :: 09:40-10:05 
125cc :: Race :: 11:00-11:45 
250cc :: Race :: 12:30-13:00 
MotoGP :: Race :: 14:00-15:00

(*All times local)