Just before jetting off to the annual five-day Wrooom Press Ski Meeting at the Madonna di Campiglio resort, Valentino Rossi found time to stop at Belfast to open his new shoe shop.

Not really, this picture was tweeted by @Mick_GFX and we’d though we’d share it, as it is a world away from the exclusive 5 star ski-resort that Rossi and the rest of the Ducati team are currently in.

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Moto2 champion, Stefan Bradl, has confirmed that he will make the move to MotoGP in 2012 with the LCR Honda team.

Bradl has signed a 2 year contract with LCR Honda, which will see him replace Toni Elias.

Stefan Bradl said:
“This is simply fantastic like a dream that comes true!” said Brad. “When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that the LCR team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me: making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I can not wait to get back on track.”

Lucio Cecchinello, Team Manager said:
“Next year will be very important for the MotoGP; starting from next April the championship will be rich of new technical rules and participants. Together with Honda we have considered several riders and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination: Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together with the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!”

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Well, we knew it was coming, but Suzuki have now confirmed that they will not be fielding a MotoGP team for 2012. Suzuki are planning to return to MotoGP by 2014.

In a brief statement, they said:

“Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012. This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters. Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class. Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.

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No sooner had Rizla Suzuki anounced that Alvaro Bautista had left the team, there was an announcement that Bautista had joined Gresini Honda as a replacement for Hiroshi Aoyama.

Bautista will hit the track today for the first time on the bike.

Fausto Gresini:
“I am particularly satisfied that Alvaro Bautista will ride a Honda RC213V in the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini next year. He is a very fast rider and I also hold him in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature. I am sure that he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some pleasant experiences together in the future.”

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Alvaro Bautista and Suzuki have announced that they will part company for 2012.

Suzuki, although not yet confirmed, look likely to run a team in the 2012 MotoGP season and will start the season using their existing 800cc bike.

Randy De Puniet could potentially be in the frame as a replacement for Bautista. De Puniet has yet to confirm his plans for next season, but he had a storming test on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R yesterday by posting the 4th fastest time (ahead of some of the new 1000cc machines).

Álvaro Bautista:
“I am very sad to be leaving Suzuki after the two great years that I have had here. It has been a great team to work in and I have learnt a lot of things from everyone in the team. It was a fantastic experience working with an English/Japanese team and we have become like a big family, except we have never had any arguments and no-one falls out with each other! I want to thank everybody personally for the last two years, sometimes it has been difficult, but nobody ever gave up and I felt like I always had their full support and commitment. I don’t feel like I am leaving a team, but a group of friends that I hope I will know for a long time. I want to say a special thank-you to Tom, Paul, Ken san and Sahara san, and wish them and the rest of the team all the best for the future.”

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