MotoGP, Silverstone, 16-17 June

Posted: 18 Jun 2012

It almost seems like every race weekend this year has been pivotal for one reason or another – whether its BMW Motorrad gaining their first ever win in World Superbikes, Casey Stoner announcing his retirement from MotoGP or like this weekend, the Rookie rule in factory teams being abolished so that Repsol Honda can sign Marquez…

However, one guarantee is that we are here ensuring that you know all the knowledge as soon as we do!

We provided an update on Stuart Easton:

“Stuart Easton faces surgery and missing Knockhill home race due to hip infection from life threatening injuries picked up in NI #GetWellSoon”

@tayz_gpizzil wished him all the best:

“No way !! @bennetts_bike that's Real bad #GetWellSoon”

We kept him updated:

“@tayz_gpizzil Our thoughts are with him. He's scheduled for surgery on Weds to remove metalwork in hip suspected of causing infection”

The curse of Silverstone hit Cal Crutchlow again during the final practice session before qualifying on Saturday:

“Medical centre staff fear the worst for @calcrutchlow and believe it’s a fractured ankle but awaiting final confirmation #GetHimToTheGrid”

However it wasn’t as bad as first expected:

“Great news...confirmed NO fracture for @calcrutchlow #HappyDays”

“So relieved the outcome for @calcrutchlow isn't as bad as the pained expression suggested #GetHimToTheGrid http://pic.twitter.com/nLXy7ieB”

He showed true honey badger spirit and everyone showed support:

“Let's show our support for @calcrutchlow and wish him on to the grid tomorrow by getting #HoneyBadgerDon'tCare trending...”

He was very well looked after and we were kept up to date by reliable sources:

“Just heard from @calcrutchlow's dad that the medics were in the Tech3 garage throughout warm up monitoring Cal and are happy with progress”

Cal went on to grit his teeth and race on Sunday:

“#HoneyBadgerDontCare about a fracture! Congrats @calcrutchlow for 6th from back of grid. Spies 5th from row 1 #FactoryRideForCal2013”

He must have been urged on by all the positive comments from fans including this one from Marty Kendrick on our Facebook page:

“I was devastated to hear he'd hurt himself. We all know how much this venue means to Cal. You'll be a champ in GP of that we have no doubt but if you aint fit don’t ride and hurt yourself further mate. Heal quickly then give 'em all hell from us. Your fans”

It was a great weekend for our very own Scott Redding too who got a podium finish, however we’re not sure what he would choose as his favourite part of the day – do you?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=447451358606869&set=a.447451051940233.106345.132001006818574&type=1&theater

One of our Bennetts Biking Dreamers had even more cause for celebration after he got VIP tickets for him and his father:

“Steve Taylor is celebrating Fathers Day with his Dad in Bennetts Biking Dreams style with VIP Silverstone experience http://pic.twitter.com/9Pv0IspH”

After reading his comment on our Facebook page we get them impression that he had a nice time…

“Thanks for an absolutely superb weekend Bennetts, Dad and I had an excellent time and you were the perfect hosts! Cal did exceptionally well to finish 6th given the pain he was in all weekend! A Father's day to remember!”

@DaveNeal, winner of our 2,000^th follower celebration also had a great day:

“Good morning from the 1st Floor of Brooklands Exec Restaurant, breakfast under way and sunshine! Thanks @Bennetts_bike :-)”

@hannahsquirrell commented:

“@bennetts_bike with our 2 Biking Dreams winners at MotoGP in the Red Bull suite. They are loving it!! Just what Biking Dreams is about :-)”

Speculation was rife when we tweeted:

“Paul Bird confirms to BBC he will expand to 2 riders in 2013, both British with one young and one experienced #BestOfBritish”

@TRUCKERTREV gave us his thoughts as to who he though it would be:

“@bennetts_bike shakey shakey”

However, possibly the biggest news from the weekend:

“News just in...Marc Marquez has signed with Repsol Honda for next season, rookie rule will be abolished!”

We were the first to break the news which meant our followers were some of the first people in the know!

@Beren_Camlost posed his questions:

“@bennetts_bike what about Pedrosa? Repsol can't do 2 Spaniards, can't see Jorge ok'ing him moving to Factory Yamaha... Tech3 Yamaha maybe.??”

And @essijohanna was just shocked:

“@bennetts_bike what?!”

‏@MissBethAndrews told her followers the news:

“If @bennetts_bike's insider is right. Which they tend to be... Rookie rule abolished and Marquez has signed to Repsol”

@andyUKmills thought about the wider implications of this decision for the riders already in the factory teams:

“@MotoRaceFeed @bennetts_bike could see that coming a mile off. Pedrosa must be a little on the worried side.”

So that’s the Silverstone MotoGP over and what an exciting one it has been! It’s British Superbikes at Knockhill next – we’ll make sure we take our brollies and Wellingtons if last year was anything to go by!