catalunya

Sports

Marc Márquez: "Off the track I'm still the same Marc I've always been"

July 10, 2013 04:26 PM | Cèlia Muns

He’s one of the youngest riders to race at the highest level in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, the youngest to win a race at the MotoGP category and unquestionably a youngster with promise. Marc Márquez, who is racing professionally since 2008, is now only twenty years old and is already competing against the greatest motorcycle riders in the world. The youngest pilot to win a race in MotoGP answers some questions for CNA.

Society

Norway’s former PM Gro H. Brundtland and Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai awarded the ‘Premi Internacional Catalunya’

May 25, 2013 12:01 AM | CNA / Maria Fernández Noguera

Both women have been awarded Catalonia’s most prestigious prize for “their determination and courage in the defence of human rights”. Malala Yousafzai is the young activist in Pakistan who was shot by the Taliban for defending the right to education, particularly for female students. Gro Harlem Brundtland coined the term “sustainable development”, advocated for fighting climate change, was the Director of the World Health Organisation and had the luck to escape from Utoya’s deadly attack. Each year, the ‘Premi Internacional Catalunya’ is given to individuals who have greatly contributed to humankind’s development. Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva, received the prize last year. Other awardees include: Haruki Murakami, Jimmy Carter, Aung San Suu Kyi, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Doris Lessing, Jacques Delors, Amartya Sen and Karl Popper.

Business

The Barcelona International Motor Show 2013: positive sales results and more than 700,000 visitors

May 23, 2013 12:17 AM | Marc Ferragut

Car dealers are satisfied with this year’s Motor Show as several brands posted solid sales balances. However, some visitors were disappointed as major car manufacturers were absent, attendants were not very enthusiastic about the worldwide premiers and there was a lack of glamour. Driving simulators and luxury-car payment tours were the main alternative for those who wanted something other than the regular exhibition. The organisers are optimistic and aim to restore the splendour of past shows as the economic situation improves and Barcelona becomes a more important city for motor events.

Sports

Three Catalan champions at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix

May 9, 2013 07:29 PM | Margalida Vidal Barceló

Catalan rider Dani Pedrosa won the MotoGP race at Jerez Circuit last Sunday, leaving behind him outstanding rookie Marc Márquez and the current World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. The two Spanish riders were responsible for the confrontation of the day, as their motorbikes collided on the final corner, recently named after Lorenzo, where Márquez stole his second position. The Moto2 category also finished with a Catalan victory led by Esteve Rabat, as well as Moto3, with Maverick Viñales at the top of the podium.

Business

The Barcelona International Motor Show 2013 will present two worldwide and four European premiers

May 8, 2013 07:54 PM | Marc Ferragut

The Saló de l’Automòbil exhibition is the main meeting point for the automobile industry in Spain and will take place at the Montjuïc trade fair from May 9th to the 19th. 22 car brands and 32 premieres are announced: two worldwide, four European and 26 at Spanish level. The showing coincides with the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya and the extreme sports event X Games of Barcelona, completing a motor week in the Catalan capital. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will kick off the Motor Show on Friday the 10th of May.