Yamaha announces Intur Sports as new MX1 sponsor

Yamaha signed a new partnership agreement with Spanish tourism company Intur Sports which will see the Japanese manufacturer's factory motocross team known as Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team. INTUR SPORTS is a newly formed branch of the world renowned Intur Group, a family owned enterprise dedicated to the tourist industry in Spain. Today, the group owns six hotels in Spain, three of which are in the Benicasim area approximately 280 km south of Barcelona. The Intur Group network also includes restaurants, water parks, discos, etc. Belgian motocross legend Stefan Everts, who has won five consecutive world titles since joining Yamaha for the 2001 season, has used Intur Sports' facilities for his winter training programme for the past eight years and hosts his father Harry Everts' annual training schools in the area. The new look squad, which was unveiled to the media ahead of this weekend's opening Grand Prix in Zolder, Belgium, will feature both the Intur Sports and Benicasim logos on the team's YZ450FM machines. Copyright-free images for editorial use of the riders and bikes in their new livery can be found in the photo gallery section of www.yamaha-racing.com/mx1 Laurens Klein Koerkamp - Yamaha Motor Europe, Racing Division "It is always a pleasure to announce a new partner, especially one which is as passionate about motorsport as Intur Sports. We can offer them the exposure to grow their new business that mixes their existing strengths in facilities and accommodations with people involved in motorsports requiring such structures. I hope that we can enjoy a successful season together. The 2006 championship may mark Stefan's last campaign as a rider but it is also the start of a relationship with a new partner for the future." Juan Jose Gimeno - Intur Sports "Our close relationship with Stefan Everts and our passion for motorsports facilitated our decision to sponsor both Stefan personally and the team. Stefan has spent the last eight years training at our facilities and makes the place his home during the winter months. We strongly believe that this new partnership will benefit our company as well as Stefan and the Yamaha team. It is our intention to continue our association to motocross, and subsequently the Yamaha team, for many years to come. Intur Sports' mission is to create a different reason for tourists to come to Benicasim, by adding more value to our hotels, especially during wintertime. For sport groups we will offer the necessary facilities and accommodation. Intur Sports is located in an area of many opportunities, where the main temperature is around 20 degrees throughout the year, it's a great place to visit and state of the art when it comes to sport facilities. We therefore hope to welcome all involved in motocross in one of our hotels".