Jennifer Garner hit the beach in LA with her daughters Violet and Seraphina yesterday. The little ones played in the sand while Jennifer caught up with a girlfriend. Jennifer’s been on the go all week, taking care of her kids and readying her home for the arrival of her and Ben Affleck‘s third child. She also took to blogging in order to draw attention to her and Julianne Moore’s Save the Children Valentine’s Day card campaign. Throughout it all, Jennifer Garner’s pregnancy style has been on display. There are still a few weeks to go, though, until Jen welcomes her next bundle of joy in the Spring.

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Jennifer Garner hit the beach in LA with her daughters Violet and Seraphina yesterday. The little ones played in the sand while Jennifer caught up with a girlfriend. Jennifer’s been on the go all week, taking care of her kids and readying her home for the arrival of her and Ben Affleck‘s third child. She also took to blogging in order to draw attention to her and Julianne Moore’s Save the Children Valentine’s Day card campaign. Throughout it all, Jennifer Garner’s pregnancy style has been on display. There are still a few weeks to go, though, until Jen welcomes her next bundle of joy in the Spring.

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It seems like no time at all since Marco Melandri put pen to paper to agree to ride for the factory BMW team, but soon he will be lining up to race against the best in the world again in what is arguably the biggest team in the paddock. BMW recently sent out a release featuring an interview with Melandri, a condensed version of which follows here.

What were your first impressions of the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team?
“That it was very big! That was a bit unusual for me in the beginning. But now we are all working together, and trying to use the full potential of all the resources and people available to us.”

What are your thoughts on the BMW S 1000 RR?
“I am happy with it. Before I tested it for the first time, some people made me very scared because I had some bad experiences with the Ducati in 2008. When I jumped on the bike for the first time I discovered some difficult areas, but I was also pleasantly surprised by many of its positives. During the test with the 2011 bike I saw that it is a ‘normal’ bike without any pitfalls. We just need to take the pieces and put them together in the best way to provide the optimal package. Of course it was a lot of work over the winter, and we will see how long it takes us to have this optimal package. However, I am happy about the bike and about how it feels, so I am very confident. I think good confidence is the only thing a rider needs to be fast.”

How well do you get on with Leon Haslam?
“We get on very well. I have known him since the time I lived fairly close to him in England. I think it is good for the team for us to be team-mates because it means we can push each other, which is good for results. We do have different riding styles, but we have agreed on what changes to make to the bike so that we can work in the same direction in order to move the team forward.”

What are your personal strengths – and weaknesses?
“I always try to improve myself in those areas where I have weaknesses. That is not always easy. One of my strengths is that in races I am always stronger compared to testing and practice. I don’t know why. I’m a racer. I love racing, and as soon as a race starts I always try to give it a bit more than in practice.”

What is your target for the 2012 season?
“To have fun. When I am fast I score good results – and I always enjoy doing that. That is why that is my target. I would like to have some good fights, score good results and feel good on the bike. Then it is a lot of good fun – and the good results will also be there.”

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For John ‘Hopper’ Hopkins 2012 should be the year he embarks on his real SBK career even though he cannot be thought of as a rookie, having been a Stiggy Honda rider back in 2009.

Injury has played a part in his career at key times in the past and this season will start in a similar way, with John having had the top two knuckles of the fourth finger on his right (throttle) hand amputated, after several operations to try and save the finger. For some riders this would be a blow to their confidence with the season only a month or so away, but Hopper’s comments about this situation say a lot about the way he has rebuilt a positive outlook on racing and life in general in recent times.

“I have been keeping the injury clean and so on, so there is no infection,” affirmed Hopkins from his home in the USA. “It is going to be a little different feeling, probably a bit awkward, when I get on the bike for the first time. But the fact that it is the fourth finger means it is probably the least used, as far as gripping the bars, braking and throttle is concerned. It is something I will have to get used to but I do not think it will affect me tremendously. When I get used to it, I think it will be good.”

Part of the reason why Hopkins is so motivated for 2012 is the fact that he proved he was back to being a truly potent force after coming so close to winning in BSB in 2011 for Suzuki. That and the facts that he will now take on the might of the SBK entry with his existing team, an updated version of a bike he knows well and with the support of legendary tuning house Yoshimura, who will supply engines for himself and his team-mate Leon Camier.

“I am very much looking forward to this year and we are going to have as good a chance as anyone,” said Hopkins, unequivocally. “I get along really well with the team, the bike seems really good, and I feel a whole lot better within myself – personally, mentally, with my fitness, everything. I feel a lot better on the Suzuki than I ever did on ’09 on the Stiggy bike. I was injured still then, and it was just not a good time for me, but I feel a lot better. More motivated and hungry to go out and fight for the win.”

Hopkins does not, of course, underestimate the level and depth of competition he is about to face in 2012, stating, “I am back in a World Championship and it is no means going to be easy. There is a lot of stiff competition out there with all the guys that are riding.”

Hopkins had his stitches removed on 26th January, and said via his twitter page, “YES!!! Stitches have finally been removed, wounds have almost healed and its time to do some riding…”

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ATLANTA – Start your engines! After the thrilling success of last year’s inaugural event, Grady Health Foundation is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Rock-N-Ride, scheduled for June 23, 2012. More than just an unforgettable ride through Atlanta and an electrifying music festival, the event benefits the Grady Health Foundation and the Gold Shield Foundation of Metro-Atlanta.

Photo Gallery: 2nd Annual Rock-N-Ride Returns To Atlanta June 23, 2012 – Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine

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MILWAUKEE (Feb., 2012) -Harley-Davidson will celebrate 110 years of great motorcycles and epic riding experiences with an array of global events and activities in 2013. Among the events during the year-long celebration will be a rally in Rome, Italy, June 13-16, and a massive party over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 – Sept. 1, in Milwaukee. Harley-Davidson will also celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) globally, including during the Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee in 2013. H.O.G., the official riding club of the Motor Company, boasts about one million members worldwide. “Harley-Davidson is synonymous with adventure, passion and the experience of the open road,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “For this 110th celebration, our customers all around the world – with our support – are going to be taking everything to the next level and making their own history.”

Photo Gallery: Harley-Davidson to Celebrate 110 Years of Great Motorcycles and Epic Riding Experiences – Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine

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