Team Aspar at FITUR

As reported earlier, several members of Team Aspar visited the FITUR tourism fair in Madrid yesterday. Jorge Martinez, Sergio Gadea, Bradley Smith and Alvaro Bautista started their visit at the stand of sponsor Comunidad Valenciana where they met a few other sport stars. Alvaro Bautistaand tennis star David Ferrer fought a match of Wii tennis while Sergio Gadea and Bradley Smith enjoyed a round of virtual golf.
Afterwards the team spent some time at the stand of rental car sponsor Sol-Mar and signed autographs for all attending fans.


Jorge Martinez: "It is always an honor for and for the equipment to be able to thank our sponsors in some way for all the support. Due to schedules and travels it is often difficult for us to go to many events, so to be here today was a great idea."

Alvaro Bautista: “What better way to thank our sponsors for all the support than passing some of our free time with them. I believe that it is worth the trouble from time to time to make place for this type of events. And additionally I had a lot of playing with the Wii.”

Sergio Gadea: “It has been a very peculiar visit, I didn't expect to see so many people at such an event. This week is a little busy, because we come from the test in Jerez and this weekend we will be riding in Cheste, but it is always a pleasure to be able to share this type of event with our sponsors. I had fun playing the computer games and hope I'll be able to repeat the experience soon.”

Bradley Smith: “It has been very interesting to go to an event of this magnitude. It is totally new for me to attend something that big. Due to our work we travel much and we see a lot of things, but to see so many events at a fair like this one is really amazing. It is interesting to see how the world of tourism attracts a great market.”

Team Aspar at IFEMA Fair in Madrid

Several riders of Team Aspar and Jorge Martinez will be present at the IFEMA Tourism Fair in Madrid today where they visit the stands of their sponsors Diputacion Valencia, Comunidad Valencia and Sol-Mar. Aspar, Sergio Gadea, Bradley Smith and Alvaro Bautista will start at the Diputacion Valencia stand on 10am and conclude their visit about 12pm on the Sol-Mar stand. On all stands they'll be signing autographs for everyone attending.

Alvaro Bautista about fundraiser "Iker vs. Nadal"

“It is a blessing to be able to go to such an interesting and fun initiative. Whenever I can I like to attend all kinds of benefit events, but when they are related to sports it's even better.
It is the second year that I participate in this challenge and I loved to come here again and do something entertaining and beneficial that can help a lot of people.”

Above: Alvaro Bautista and Rafa Nadal during the friendly football match.

Team Iker defeats Team Nadal

Last night's fundraising sport event "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Nadal" saw Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista and his Team Iker victorious over Team Nadal which included MotoGP stars Jorge Lorenzo and Sete Gibernau.
The event was once again a huge success and raised even more money than last year. Over 200.000 Euros have been raised to support the Red Cross in the fight against Malaria.

Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista played his part in the success of his team by scoring a goal during the friendly football match.

Highlight videos and pictures of the game are available from all known agencies and on YouTube.

Alvaro Bautista at Iker vs. Nadal

Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista will take part in the benefit show match Iker vs. Nadal tomorrow night in Madrid.
The match will include football, tennis and a kart race and proceeds will benefit the Red Cross to help fight Malaria in Africa.

The event is completely sold out, but for those who have to stay at home and fans outside Spain there will be a LIVE broadcast online on www.terra.tv.
There is not a direct link on the website yet, but that should be available come 8pm on Tuesday.

Here are the team members for tomorrow's match:

EQUIPO IKER CASILLAS
1.- Iker Casillas
2.- David Ferrer
3.- Feliciano López
4.- Juan C. Ferrero
5.- Santi Cazorla
6.- Fabio Cannavaro
7.- Sergio Ramos
8.- Alberto Contador
9.- Dani Sordo
10.- Alvaro Bautista
11.- Kanoute
12.- Fernando Alonso


EQUIPO RAFA NADAL
1.- Rafa Nadal
2.- Carlos Moyá
3.- Jorge Lorenzo
4.- Raúl González
5.- Carlos Sastre
6.- Carlos Sainz
7.- Pedro Martínez de la Rosa
8.- Marcos Senna
9.- Novak Djokovic
10.- Sergio García
11.- Sete Gibernau
12.- Samuel Eto'o

Aspar Team Day unites riders, mechanics, sponsors & helpers

Last week the annual Aspar Team Day took place for the second time at the Valencia Circuit in Cheste.

Jorge Martinez preparing for the kart race

The unique event is a big get-together for riders, mechanics, sponsors, organisators and people involved with Team Aspar and is a perfect opportunity to re-unite once more before the long off-season and have a bit of fun.

Alvaro Bautista taking a curve in the kart

A kart race for the 40 guests was the highlight of the day, followed by the three attending riders - Alvaro Bautista, Julian Simon and Sergio Gadea - as well as Jorge Martinez and Gino Borsoi taking a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO III fast around the track.


Jorge Martinez Aspar:
“It has been a very funny initiative. Throughout the year we have contact with our sponsors, mainly during the GPs, but always with only very limited time. This day has allowed us to enjoy some motorports activities and mainly it has allowed us to do it with some more time on our hands and in a more relaxed environment, now the season has ended.
It is interesting to be able to enjoy a rest day like this from time to time and seeing the success, I only hope that this idea is the first of many others”.

Alvaro Bautista receives RFME silver medal

Mapfre Aspar rider Alvaro Bautista accepted the silver medal at the annual RFME Gala de Campeones in Barcelona today. The medal was awarded to the 250cc rider for excellence in his sport and the runner-up finish in this season's championship. Other medalled riders included this year's third-placed MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa.

Presentation of Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana

Jorge Martinez and three riders of Team Aspar took time for the official presentation of the 10th Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana at Cheste this year.
Hector Faubel, Sergio Gadea and replacement rider Adrian Martin along with circuit officials, regional politicians and DORNA boss Carmelo Ezpeleta officially presented this year's GP and unveiled the poster for the 2008 event.

Just like last year the official poster will again feature Mapfre Aspar rider Hector Faubel.

Alvaro Bautista at F1 in Valencia

Even though it could be a weekend off of motorsports for him, Mapfre Aspar rider Álvaro Bautista will instead be present at the F1 GP this weekend in Valencia.
And according to this article he will have splendid accomodation to spend the time away from the track. Together with several other Spanish stars and the commissioners of the FIA he will stay onboard the Vision Athena, an ultra-modern cruise ship which will anchor in the Valencian port for the time of the GP and serve as the official boat of the circuit management company, Valmor Sport.One third of Valmor Sport's founders is none other Aspar team manager Jorge Martinez who will also be present at the Valencia street circuit.

For a good cause: Day of Champions

Mapfre Aspar riders Alvaro Bautista and Hector Faubel took part in the traditional Day of Champions ahead of the British Grand Prix and gave some personal items away for auction.
A pair of gloves from Alvaro Bautista was sold for 400 Euros alone.
All in all the Donington Day of Champions made an incredible amount of 235,965 Euros on Thursday which will benefit Riders for Health to support health workers in Africa with reliable transportation and ensure medical care in remote areas of the countries.

Mapfre Aspar Aprilia Exhibition

Fans of the Mapfre Aspar Aprilia Team who live in or near Madrid can have a close up look at the bike Alvaro Bautista and Hector Faubel compete with in the 250cc world championship.
From June 17th to July 2nd the Aprilia RSA of the Mapfre Aspar Team will be displayed in the Shopping Center Moda Shopping in Madrid.
Don't miss this chance to check out the bike that hopefully will win many more races this season. :)