The Spanish Motorbike Grand Prix will be held at the Jerez Circuit on Sunday 25th March 2007. From Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th, the province of Cadiz will once again be the world capital of motorbikes, where tens of thousands of bikers will gather from all over Spain and Portugal, and as far away as other points in Europe.

Since Jerez hosted this competition for the first time in 1987, a series of parallel celebrations have become well established and where the huge influx of visitors, the love of motorbikes combines with the fun-loving spirit of the local residents to create a non-stop street party, similar to a huge carnival to the roar of the engines. During the whole weekend, the streets of Jerez and El Puerto de Santa Maria become a playground for the enjoyment of the bikers, although the authorities keep a watchful eye to ensure that the excess of euphoria does not overly affect the other citizens. Avenues and streets are specially prepared for the motorbike enthusiasts, where there are even stands so the spectators can safely watch the stunts in comfort. The air smells of burnt rubber and the backfiring of the bikes is deafening. It is clearly a different approach to what most people would call a good weekend.

Motorbike enthusiasts from all over Europe agree that the bikers' rally during the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez is the best on the continent. Bikers from different countries and the local colour and party spirit turn this celebration into something unforgettable.

All the accommodation around the Bay and most of the province is fully booked for weeks or even months in advance, which is why everyone always recommends booking as soon as possible. The province's 42,000 hotel rooms prove to be insufficient, and “no free rooms” can even be seen in Chiclana, with its 14,000 rooms and nearly an hour away from Jerez. Another possibility is to rent an apartment or a flat for the weekend. The easiest way to find one is through the biking websites and forums, although this option will always be more expensive and will not have the facilities to be found in a hotel. 

In 2005, 200,000 visitors came to Jerez and the surrounding areas during the event. According to the Mayoress of Jerez, Pilar Sánchez, the Spanish Grand Prix brought 120 million euros in revenue to the province.

From a tourist point of view, this event is even more important as it takes place during the low season and is therefore a welcome injection of cash.

The bikers make the most of the weekend and often visit nearby towns, which helps their local economies. Even though the average amount spent by the bikers over the weekend is high, many of them stay on campsites to save some euros.

http://www.circuitodejerez.com