Yamaha Factory Racing today posted on its YouTube page a video interview with Ben “Elbowz” Spies, in which Spies discusses the soon to start 2012 season of MotoGP.

In his usual calm, cool and under control manner Spies speaks frankly on how he prefers the 1000cc GP machine, saying it suits his style (elbows out!) better than the previous seasons’ 800cc bikes because the extra torque and horsepower of the liter-class bikes are, essentially, better matched to his physical stature. Spies also answers honestly the question of who he thinks he needs to keep an eye in 2012, including his teammate, Jorge Lorenzo.

Spies also dishes that he’s hopeful for success at the American rounds, as well as Assen where he took his first GP win. Hear all Ben has to say after the jump.

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The International Motorcycling Federation announced 11 teams have passed the latest round of applications for the 2012 MotoGP season.

MotoGP promoter Dorna and the International Road Racing Teams Association selected 11 new teams representing 16 riders to continue with the application process for the 2012 season. Applicants submitted detailed plans for participation to the IRTA by May 14. The FIM announced in April that 14 teams and 21 riders had passed the previous step but the list was whittled down to 13 teams after the May 13-15 Le Mans round.

The 11 remaining teams will have until June 3 to provide a security deposit with the IRTA. Dorna and the IRTA will then decide during the June 3-5 Catalunya Grand Prix which teams will be offered a contract to race in the 2012 season. Teams wishing to participate as Claiming Rule Teams will also have to receive approval from the Grand Prix Commission. While there’s no guarantee all 11 remaining teams will pass this final step, the MotoGP grid will be a lot larger than its current 17-rider lineup.

The FIM did not announce which teams had made it past the recent round of cuts, though it is believed that Norton had applied for a team with two riders. Following the Catalunya grand Prix, the FIM will release the names of the teams invited to join the existing teams for the 2012 MotoGP season.

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14 Teams Accepted for 2012 MotoGP Season
MotoGP Accepting Applications for 2012

BMW’s new S1000RR is one of the mostly highly anticipated sportbikes to come along in years. Its four-cylinder motor has a larger bore than anything else in its 1000cc class, plus all the latest racetrack goodies like a slipper clutch, variable-height intake manifolds and traction control.

We’re still a few months away from testing it for ourselves, but we can across this great video that will give you a little insight into how this Beemer howls at top speed. This was shot at the infamous Nordschleife course at Germany’s Nürburgring, a 14-mile road circuit built in the 1920s that is perhaps the grandest and most challenging racetrack ever built.

Check out the S1000RR on the track along with four other videos after the jump.

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