Five go recycling in Catalunya

Five World Championship riders combined a day off in Barcelona with the celebration of World Environment day on Thursday, visiting a recycling plant near the Circuit de Catalunya.

Representing the 250cc class, Alvaro Bautista and Yuki Takahashi were joined by 125cc standouts Sergio Gadea, Stefan Bradl and Raffaele de Rosa at Cespa GR, a plant located in Santa Maria de Palautordera. The quintet learnt about the recycling process used for plastic, an eye-opening experience for the riders.

With the FIM set to unveil a new "green" logo for their environment related programs, Federation spokesperson Alex Goldenberg indicated forthcoming attempts set to be made to create a more eco-friendly future.

`Since last year we have had an agreement with UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme) and have really tried to develop a new conscience about the protection of the environment. It´s important that the riders are aware of the importance of this protection, and that we take actions like this to show that we really care about the environment,´ said Goldenberg.

Quarter litre rider Bautista joined the voices praising the initiative, stating: `I know that our bikes have an effect on contamination, but I don´t think that it is the biggest cause, with only 17 races a year. The subject is an important one: we all like to have clean houses, so why should our planet be any different?´