Last Saturday the Fan’s Club Alvaro Bautista had it’s first annual member meeting in Talavera de la Reina to evaluate the first year of its existence. Overall it’s been a positive balance.
Club president César Mendoza said “As everyone knows we started with nothing and we ended the year with a number of 1800 members and a bit of capital at our hands. It’s not much, but it’s enough to start the year with a bit of joy and giving our best for the members. The less we have to spend and the more we can give back to the fans, the better.” The new budget is about 8000 Euros. “We had some plus, so we start this year better than the last one, because we want to invest it for our members, the ones who really deserve it are true fans of Alvaro.”

The event calender for this year again has a lot of travel for the fanclub members in store. Additionally to the three Spanish GP rounds (Jerez, Catalunya, Valencia), they’ll also be present at Estoril and Misano this season to support Alvaro during the race weekends.
On location in Talavera the fanclub will continue with its big annual celebration and also be present again at the Talavera fair. But there will also be two new events. One will be a bike meeting, hosted together with their sponsor La Sixtina, and the other will be a kids fest, “so that the children of Talavera are getting to know Alvaro and the world of motorcycles and that everybody knows about us and what we do, because Alvaro and Talavera is known worldwide; that everybody speaks about us and speaks well, of course.”

Alvaro’s father Javier and his manager Armando were both present at the fanclub meeting while Alvaro himself was already flying to Japan on Saturday to visit the Suzuki factory. From there he travels to the next MotoGP test in Sepang which will start with test riders tomorrow and see the official riders on track from Thursday.
Mendoza affirmed that Alvaro feels very good ahead of this new stage in his career and that right now he just wants to get used to the bike and see what the real potential is of him and the bike with the new engine.

You can now register again as a fanclub member for the 2010 season. To find out how, click here.

The traditional end-of-season dinner was hosted by the new fanclub for the first time this year and it can safely be described as a roaring success.
Of course BatiFans had to be present as well. Here’s the story and pics from the weekend.

We landed on the Madrid airport Friday evening and arrived in Talavera around 9 PM. Coming in from cold Germany and England, the temperatures in Spain still felt pleasantly warm to us. After checking in our hotel we went out to have dinner and a quick stroll through the city. We took a look at the new Fanclub venue “La Sixtina”, but the place was absolutely packed. As was apparently every other bar or restaurant in the city! So we tried the old Peña bar “Las Tinajones” instead and found an empty table waiting just for us. After having some delicious tortilla and ham, the bar owners saw and recognized us and came over to greet us overjoyed. Soon our table was full with more Mahou beers, more drinks and those delicious wrapped Spanish cookies and it went on to be an unintended long night.

Sleeping in on Saturday we went to the shop of Alvaro’s dad Javier only around midday to give Bati the present we created with the help of our forum members. It is a poster with pictures of Batifans from all around the word spelling out a Birthday and Christmas message for Bati. When Alvaro arrived he was surprised and delighted that we brought him yet another gift (“Every time you come here, you bring me presents!”) and he absolutely loved the poster, as did his dad. They were surprised by the length of it (5 meters) and Bati joked that he could put it around his room three times. Everyone loved the idea and the display of all the fans Bati has around the world. Thanks again to everyone who participated, it really looks amazing and it’s such a great way to show him our support.

We had a quick lunch in the new Fanclub bar “La Sixtina” and then went back to the hotel to rest a bit before what would become another long night.
The dinner was set to commence at around 9.30PM. Bati and his family made a quiet entrance and the delicious food quickly found its way on our tables. It was an enjoyable meal and after the main dish there was a surprise waiting for Alvaro. Several men and women, us included, went outside to prepare for a very special ceremony. To the music of “Conquest of Paradise” from Vangelis, the guys then entered the room with torches and stood in a row, lighting up the dark, before the women walked down the line one by one with a rose for Alvaro. His girlfriend gave him the last rose before his mom handed him a roll of paper with some touching words from the Fanclub. It was a very emotional ceremony and caused a few tears to fall here and there. Cesar, the fanclub’s president, read the words for everyone to hear and afterwards Alvaro took the microphone to thank everyone for all the support in the good and the bad times and how much he appreciates it.

After the dessert and drawing the winners of some prizes (flags, boots, gloves, helmet) the evening continued in the disco, located in the basement of the same building. With all the fanclub members it was a great atmosphere and a lot of fun.
Around 3AM the place was about to close, so we went to another club in Talavera city to dance the night away. The place was PACKED and it was impossible to move without constantly bumping into someone, but we were with friends and we had fun.

We made our way back to the hotel some time around 6AM and tried to sleep for a few hours before having to check out from the hotel at noon. Another trip to Las Tinajones for lunch and then it was already time to head back to the Madrid airport and say Goodbye to Spain once again.

It’s hard to put in words everything you see, feel and experience in basically only one day in Talavera. All we can say is that it is an amazing and unique experience every time and that we are very grateful to be able to do this. We have to thank everyone who’s taken us into their midst just like friends, like family, and made us feel so welcome once again.
And of course many thanks to Alvaro, for everything.

Those who have met him on or off the track before know that he is no star, he’s a very down-to-earth and genuinely nice person. And this shows again when you visit Talavera. He told us that he really appreciates all the support a lot and how much it means to him when we make our long way down there. And he wanted us to know how important it is for him that we see that he is just a normal guy like us, he is only a member of the fanclub like we are. We all are on the same level and we are not there “for him”, but instead “with him”. And this is very true when you visit Talavera.
We think this is an important message for all his fans and it makes us support him even more, because he doesn’t put himself above us, but instead takes us along for the ride with him. Thank you so much for everything, Alvaro. Siempre contigo.

Another great weekend in Alvaro’s hometown of Talavera de la Reina, where even a downpour didn’t dampen an excellent inaugural Summer “Fan’s Club” Fiesta.
BatiFans was represented by Gareth and Michaela, and here’s the story and pictures…

Madrid, where we flew into on Friday, was baking. Bright sunshine, barely a breeze and full-on heat.
By the time we arrived at Talavera in the early evening, it was a bit more obvious that there might be rain: you could see storms over the mountains to the north and it was really thick and warm in the air.
Still, it was great to be back – Once you’ve been and you’ve experienced the amazing hospitality of the people and the beauty and tranquility of the town, you always love seeing it approaching.

We checked in to the hotel, and headed off to find the new Fanclub bar – the Sixtina, on the Calle de Alvarado, up near Bati’s dad’s shop, Amotos.
Walking there it became immediately apparent that the hotel was just a couple of minutes from the venue for the fiesta; the large, open car park of the Nuevo Centro shopping complex.
We found the Sixtina pretty easily, and can tell you that it’s great. Very impressive – with a large interior with TV screens for communal race-watching and a huuuuuge Alvaro cut-out, plus some of his old leathers and other memorabilia.
The outside is also really well done, and they’ve clearly gone to town on making sure it’s absolutely branded as the Fanclub venue with flags and banners straddling the sides of the building.

We got beers and were soon joined by members of the Fanclub directiva and other friends from previous trips. Sure enough there was rain (“there’s been no rain for eight months…” we were told, “and then you arrive and bring it with you!”) but it wasn’t too bad at all, and we spent most of a nice long evening sat outside with plenty of Mahou and tapas, renewing old friendships and meeting new people.

We took the morning of the Saturday as free-time and wandered around Talavera, checking out the Basilica and hitting a couple of the ceramics shops. Then we headed off to Nuevo Centro for the fiesta itself, which started at one.
A good crowd was already gathered in the heat and the sun, and we got drinks and started mingling, greeting everyone in the Fanclub booth, and checking out the various stalls and attractions; top of which had to be Alvaro’s bike, looking absolutely gorgeous and gleaming.
As well as the ongoing cooked-up tapas at the bar, Michelin had provided an enormous paella, which was every bit as delicious as it looked.
Late in the afternoon, we took a break and went back to the hotel, loaded down with various bits of merchandise, ready to have a quick rest and then come back early evening for the remainder of the party.

When we came back though, it was pelting down – a total downpour with full-on thunder and lightning. Everyone was taking it incredibly philosophically and stoically though, and wouldn’t let it ruin the atmosphere of the fiesta.
Thankfully, it didn’t last and by the time Alvaro arrived, it was pretty pleasant, if a bit cooler, and with everybody milling around across the venue.
As usual, he was mobbed. Thoroughly mobbed. Lots of photos, lots of autographs, lots of chats. And as usual, he made sure he kept everybody happy.
He came over and said Hello, and we had a good talk about how things were with him, and also about how good it was to be back in Talavera – and after a while, he moved on to do more schmoozing and signing. And whilst he did that, fans continued to do huge, smokey burnouts in front of the bar tent, to great cheers and applause.

Following a careful mopping of the stage, there was also a superb performance of traditional flamenco by Miriam Jiminez and her dancers; highly recommended to us the night before by various people. They put on a great show, and it was a real bonus that the wet hadn’t prevented them from performing.

And following speeches and a raffle, and a nice goodbye chat with Alvaro, we made our way back to the hotel – as always, hugely in love with Talavera and its people. It’s rare that you find somewhere that’s not only a beautiful, charming place in itself, but which also seems to be reflected in everyone you meet – but Talavera is just such a place.
The kindness, hospitality and friendship is extraordinary. And you’re not just made to feel welcome; you’re made to feel special.
If you’ve not been… Go… Simple as that.

BatiFans will aim to have a group trip to the Fanclub winter Cena Navidad, currently almost a certainty, and slated for the first weekend in December – confirmation of the event and of the dates will be posted here and on BatiFans. Think about joining us, and visiting Talavera too; hopefully you’ll see exactly what we mean whenever we rave about going back there.

For now though, we again come away with another set of great memories. A really enjoyable fiesta, which even a bit of British-style weather wouldn’t have a chance of spoiling, and another couple of days of renewing old acquaintances and meeting new friends.
Big big thanks to David, Marcos, Cesar and all the members of the Fanclub directiva, and also to all our friends – old and new – for looking after us so well.

Nos vemos en la Cena!

Just a reminder that the first annual Fiesta of the (new) fanclub of Alvaro Bautista is held this weekend in his hometown of Talavera de la Reina.
It’s being staged in a place more central to town than March’s launch party – Los Aparcamientos Del Centro Comercial Nuevo Centro. Avenida. de la Constitucion, 23 de Talavera de la Reina.
There will be lots going on – starting at midday and going on late into the night.
Full details here…

BatiFans is once again represented by me (Gareth) and Michaela, and we also aim to be in the Bar Sixtina on the Friday night – so if you’re also going to be there, please come and say Hello; we’d love to meet you!

Hopefully we can bring you pictures and reports in due course. For now though it’s just great to be going back

(*Picture – from the launch party: Alvaro and his diablo mascot meet the press).

Talavera de la Reina’s local newspaper La Tribuna has reported a very healthy uptake in the membership of Alvaro’s official fanclub. It says that the total number of members of the Fan’s Club Alvaro Bautista now stands at over 1230, following its launch early this year. Whilst the figure will be primarily composed of Spaniards there is still support from elsewhere in the world of course, and the article mentions England, Wales, the USA, Russia, France and Portugal.
At the time of its dissolution, the Peña (predecessor to the new fanclub) had over 4,300 members – a figure above that of Valentino Rossi’s official fanclub, and hopefully one which the new Fan’s Club Alvaro Bautista will also come exceed in time.

The fanclub president Julio Cesar Mendoza spoke proudly of the firgures to the press and said that they were hard at work on projects such as the September “Fiesta de Verano”, which they had put back from an original July date to make a proper job of it. Deferring it to September to ensure that it is “a spectacular event”.
He also speaks about the fanclub’s new location, the Bar Sixtina – and praises it as a great place for local fans to get together and watch the races, saying that it is “full to bursting” on the GP weekends.

The full article (in Spanish) can be found here on the website of La Tribuna – and you can always keep up with fanclub news at BatiFans.com as well, including any plans by forum members to attend events in Talavera.

Here’s a quick round-up of the trip to the Fan’s Club launch party on March 21st 2009. Representing BatiFans.com were Gareth & Michaela…

Michaela and myself decided – at a couple of days’ notice – to do a “day trip” to Alvaro’s new fanclub launch party in Talavera de la Reina, which is in Castille la Mancha, off to the southwest of Madrid.
Michaela came down to London on Friday night; and we set off at 3am Saturday for Heathrow. We got into Madrid sometime towards 10 and headed off to Talavera de la Reina, getting there at midday.
We got changed and freshened up and grabbed a taxi off to the venue at the east of town where there was a marquee all set up, and the fiesta was getting underway.

People came and went all day (estimates are at around 600) and there was a great atmosphere, with hot sun and cold beers and lovely tapas – and a superb mix of meeting friends old and new.
We chatted with a couple of the new Directiva guys (though they were of course very busy) and caught up with other people we had met on previous visits.
Everyone thought we were complete nutters and it took a hell of a lot of explaining and convincing to say we’d flown over that very morning just to be there.

Soon after 7pm Bati arrived. He was mobbed by fans and press, and had an extensive photoshoot with his new diablo mascot (the mascot also did a lot of photos with many of the fans too).
We had a chat with him about how his collarbone was, and how happy he was with Estoril – he said that he had a few problems getting comfortable and confident with it on the first day, but that on day two he felt really happy with things. All in all, he said, he was feeling good about things and the collarbone was 100% fine now.

At the end of the evening there was a short presentation of Alvaro with the new guys, basically an introduction of the new Directiva to all present, a couple of speeches form the Directiva and from Alvaro thanking everyone and looking to the new season and to the future, and a big cheer from all present…

Before he went, Alvaro came over to have a further chat – and we talked about the new Fan’s Club, and he said that it was sad that the Peña ended, but that this new start was good and that it was all very positive, and he hoped that we liked it all and that we were all “together” (which of course we are!) and looking to the future. he thanked us again for coming – and checked once again that it was true that we came simply for the day! Then we said our goodbyes and had our hugs. We wished him the very best from everyone on the BatiFans.com forum, told him to look after his collarbone and to look out for the BatiFans flag – and that we were all totally with him.
He passed on thanks to all of the BatiFans forum members – he really appreciates the support.

After that, we said all our goodbyes to everybody else and decided that as we were in Talavera it would be criminal not to go to the Bar Los Tinajones (the old fanclub bar) for a dinner of their tapas and nice cold Mahou at 11pm…

Then it was bedtime – we’d had a 19 hour day that was extremely tiring and exciting – and we were exhausted. In the morning we then headed back to the airport very very happy, and spent the flight chilling out totally and drinking to a very brilliantly stupid but wonderful trip.

Many thanks to Cesar, David and the rest of the new guys, along with Alvaro and his family and friends who as always made us very very welcome and very special.
Till the next time…