GP series returns to European soil, it is as if a contemporary Hieronymus Bosch had cast up in Southern Spain and unleashed his fevered imagination creating an orgy of surreal motorized mayhem. In the evenings, over 100,000 motorcycle racing fans take over

his fall in Mugello, that turnaround is unlikely to come in Spain.At least the Kawasakis can be sure of beating the Team KR bikes. A repeat of Kenny Roberts Jr's podium of last year is almost unthinkable, unless the rest of the field crash out. Team

, in Spain and Italy, MotoGP is a central part of sporting culture. Spanish and Italian TV don't just show the races live, they also have extensive pre-race and post-race shows, as well as weekly talk shows dedicated to the sport, not to mention the yards

to greatness. To take a title from Rossi, you must at the very least beat him at your home Grand Prix. Whether reasonable or not, every man, woman and child in Spain expects this of Pedrosa, but today he could not fulfill these expectations. Fortunately

situated near Spain's temperate Mediterranean coast, has a climate which is mild and dry enough to allow testing to take place in early spring. While the climate makes it perfect for testing, the location makes the Circuito Ricardo Tormo perfect for racing

motorcycle racing is all about: off-track mayhem and on-track action, all under a hot southern sun. The Phoney War is over, and battle is about to be joined in full force. Roll on Sunday.Read more of David Emmett's articles over on MotoGPMatters.com

for the three days of the race weekend are sold out, and the authorities are imploring people not to turn up if they don't have a ticket. Fat chance. This is Spain, and the Spanish passion for motorcycle racing is only matched by the casual attitude they have

Strait is over 700 miles from Stoner's home town of Kurri Kurri. And metaphorically, because Stoner left Australia shortly after his 14th birthday, to go race in Europe, first in Britain, then also in Spain, before graduating to the world stage. So

. Pedrosa has been a paragon of consistency, never spectacular but always fast, romping way to two wins in Spain. The Spaniard trails Rossi by just 11 points, and as a podium regular at Assen, will be in the hunt for the win.Pick A Card, Any CardThe trouble

at the Malaysian track. After the tropical Malay heat, it was time to return to the more temperate climes of southern Spain, for the final test session before the official winter testing ban set in on December 1st. At Jerez the patchwork changed again