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Yamaha Racing News
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After Grand Prix outings in the last two years in the MX1 class (and two top four finishes in the fierce Australian Championship) determined Aussie Dean Ferris is a bold acquisition for the team in MX2 where he remains eligible thanks to his 22 years. “Obviously I’m super-excited to be a Monster Energy Yamaha rider and this is the best ride I have had so far with a very good and established team,” he said. “I know the YZ250F is very competitive and I feel like I have a great chance to show what I can do in 2013. I know a bit about the Dixon-led team having been part of the GP paddock and also with people like Andrew McFarlane having raced and won for them. I am fully recovered from the shoulder problem I had earlier this year and I’m raring to go.”
Maxime Desprey was one of Pocock’s rivals on the European season this year and was actually the first rider to beat the eventual champion when he ended Pocock’s six moto winning streak across the hills of Loket for the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. He then defeated Pocock in both motos at the British Grand Prix several weeks later and was heading for a decent finale to the series when a broken collarbone ruled him out with one meeting remaining. Desprey – another of the stylish and rapid motocross racers to emerge from France in the last decade – is a former junior motocross and supercross national champion and after two years turning heads at European level is now ready for the jump to MX2-GP.
“This is a great opportunity for me and the team and the bike are both proven, and it’s that sort of quality that gives you confidence as a racer,” the nineteen year old commented. “I can’t wait to get started as a Monster Energy Yamaha rider and next season cannot come along quick enough.”
“It’s nice to have these exciting riders onboard for next season as MX2 continues to become a category where we are seeing the cream of youngsters around the world rise to the top,” said Steve Dixon. “We had a great season with Mel and the rate of his development has shown what hard work and the right attitude can do. I see no reason why he cannot aim for a top six finish in MX2. Through the European campaign we have come to learn more about Maxime and he is another prospect we are happy to work with and Dean and brings some valuable experience from MX1 and from leading the Australian Championship. Overall I think we can be very optimistic of what we can do and show in 2013 both through the riders and our machinery that will again be very competitive. We want to add to our growing list of Grand Prix winners and on a personal note I’m already looking forward to my twenty-fourth Grand Prix year with a novel calendar and through the enthusiasm we have through the team.”
Source www.yamaha-racing.com
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Jorge Lorenzo
Position 2nd - Time: +4.275
“I was completely at the maximum trying to stay with Dani but today we had such different performance on the straights and he was also riding really well. I tried to stay with him but it was impossible, maybe next time it will be different. For sure the Championship is closer now, but we are still very competitive and have the chance to win.”
Ben Spies
DNF
“I’m incredibly frustrated with today’s result. We’ve known all weekend that the brakes could be an issue due to the tough nature of the track but I did not expect to have trouble on the second lap. The team has worked really hard all weekend and we’ve delivered podium pace with the bike so it’s not the result we deserve. We’ll go to Sepang now and try to put this behind us and hopefully have a trouble-free weekend."
Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“An important second place of course but a little disappointing to lose the win to Dani. You have to keep in mind that we have a lot to lose at the moment. We know how Jorge is, he would like to win each one but also in his mind is the Championship and you can see that during the race.”
Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“Ben had an issue with the brakes on the second lap of the race. This circuit is very demanding for the braking system and most of the riders highlighted the same problems, although Ben suffered more than anybody else. The warm-up lap and lap one of the race went relatively smoothly but then on the second lap he was not able to stop the bike. Data does not show anything different on that corner compared with previous practices. Jorge once again showed his talent and cleverness. He tried at the beginning to stay in front but then used his experience to maintain second position and look forward to bigger results. We are going to Sepang not aiming for another second but for the win.”
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Puerto Rico were unable to enter the A-Final on Sunday after Monster Energy Yamaha's Zach Osborne suffered a crash on Saturday and then another in the opening phases of the 'last chance' heat. The American pulled back to fifth position on his rapid YZ250F but was another rider waving farewell to the European racing scene as the former British Champion and 2009 Turkish GP winner will be returning to his native country after four competitive years on YZ technology. Team-mate Arnaud Tonus (for Switzerland) was desperately unlucky to fall and sustain an impact from another rider on Saturday and underwent an operation on Sunday to repair broken tibia and fibula bones in his right leg.
Josh Coppins:
"It was a tough track but it reminded me there is no chance of another comeback! After that second race I was so tired I was thinking 'no, never again!'. Three motos was hard today because we had to qualify from the B-Final. There were times when I rode really well today and I'm proud about that. We improved our set-up in the sand in the past week. I feel that if I ha been racing more then I would have been able to do more but I'm happy and looking forward to stopping. The next chapter is more work with Yamaha and New Zealand and some different roles."
Zach Osborne:
"It was not the best of weekends but I had some good speed. Just a mistake in the qualifying practice took us out and into the B-Final. I was fifth there, but we did our best and hopefully will be back next year. Obviously the Motocross of Nations is a massive event with an electric atmosphere and everything you'd want a race meeting to be as a pro motocrosser. I started my European adventure at this track in 2008 and I've learnt a lot about myself in this time. It has been a big journey and I want to give thanks to everyone who has made me feel so welcome and helped me out."
66th Motocross of Nations classification
1. Germany
2. Belgium
3. USA
4. Holland
5. ItalySource yamaha-racing.com
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Jorge Lorenzo
Position 2nd - Time +6.472
“I was thinking to try for the win at the beginning of the race and if that was not possible then second place was the best possible result for the Championship. Dani had a better pace in the end, I was stronger at the start then little by little I was a bit slower, the tyres were slipping a lot and I couldn’t follow him. I nearly crashed in one corner and decided then to stay in second place and wait for the end of the race.”
Ben Spies
Position 5th - Time +13.786
“I struggled a bit with the front tyre today at the beginning and then in the middle of the race. I tried to keep Dovi and Cal at bay as long as I could. Once they passed me I tried to hold onto the back of them in case they made a mistake. The bike was working well we just didn’t have it working as exactly as we needed to stay with them. We did our best they were just too quick in the end.”
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“It’s pretty incredible to win my third AMA Pro Superbike Championship”, Hayes said. I want to give a big thank you to Yamaha, not just to my team but all the employees and dealers for the opportunity to race the R1 for you.”
“Congratulations to the entire Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Team”, said Yamaha Road Racing Team Manager Tom Halverson. “It’s been an incredible season and it tales so many pieces of the puzzle to put together three consecutive Superbike Championships. Thanks to Josh, our crew and sponsors and all the people back at Yamaha that made this happen.”
Source www.yamaha-racing.com
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Kiara, were the motos tougher or harder than you expected in the USA?
No, not really, although I didn’t expect to win so easily there…in fact I didn’t expect to win! So it was a surprise in a way. I thought the level would be higher than it is in Europe but it isn’t. If anything it is the other way and I think there are faster girls in Europe.
What comparison can you make between the American and European scenes?
I found many good things but as I was over for just one race then I don’t think I really got the full picture. I thought there might be more emphasis behind women’s motocross, but it is not so different to Europe. Overall some things were better but then the FIM World Championship also wins in other parts.
How did you find Lake Elsinore?
The track was new for everyone and it was really deep and wet in the beginning with a lot of jumps, doubles and a big table-top. I didn’t do one of the doubles which Fiolek was making every lap. The track was not easy but it was cool and I enjoyed riding it.
Are you thinking about an AMA season now?
It is hard to say right now! I feel good in the FIM World Championship and that’s where I’ll be next year with Yamaha and Monster Energy. But I love the USA so…who knows what options we might have for the future.
How was the reception from the press and the American public and people?
Really nice. I felt good with everyone there, especially the Yamaha and Monster Energy people and all the help from the Rock River team; they were really hospitable and made me feel at home. It was cool to meet some other Pro riders like Blake Baggett. I asked him for a photo and he said because I’d gone 1-1 at the meeting then he’d like a photo with me! It was also nice to have congratulations from Ken [Roczen] and Marvin [Musquin] and Gareth Swanepoel and even Mitch Payton. I wasn’t sure how the American fans would feel about a European coming over and beating their girls but the response was good and the reaction to my visit was really positive. I am happy we went and I want to give a big thanks to all who made it possible.
Source www.yamaha-racing.com
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Position 1st - Time: 42'49.836
“It’s been a very tough weekend because Dani and I have been very close in the qualifying and the warm up. Unfortunately today he had really bad luck, first with the lights at the beginning of the race and then Hector took him out. This was really unfortunate for him. In Holland we were unlucky and today he was unlucky, anything can happen in these races. We have to be happy with our result and the point advantage we now have, for sure we are much more calm now than before the race! The race was difficult for everyone, only having qualifying was not enough when you have to set up the chassis and electronics and everything for the race. It was hotter during the race so there was less grip too. I almost crashed in turn one but managed to save it too!”
Ben Spies
Position 5th - Time: +7.543
“I know we didn’t get on the podium but I’m glad we were able to finally just have a normal race. Some of the times weren’t quick enough for the podium but we put on a good charge in the end. We struggled with a few things, especially some feeling with the front tyre. It’s been a difficult weekend and we didn’t start the race with the perfect set up but luckily could still put together an ok race. After what’s happened in the last eight weeks it almost feels like a podium for me!”
Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager
“A very spectacular race and an important victory. Of course I feel sorry for Dani because he didn’t deserve what happened. At the end of the day you can’t have 18 races without incidents, it would be nice but impossible. We’re leading now with 38 points with five races to go so we need to keep up the pressure to the end.”
Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director
“A great victory for Jorge, especially during a special event for Yamaha with the Race-Blu launch. A shame for Dani, suffering the same as we did in Assen. We’re in a great position now but from here to the end we need to stay consistent. Unfortunately Ben didn’t have a great feeing with the front tyre which compromised his results. A top five finish is good anyway after such a difficult weekend and definitely a step in the right direction.”
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Riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies will also wear special leathers with the ‘Race-Blu’ colour scheme to complement the bike.
The Yamaha YZF-R1, YZF-R6 and YZF-R125 unveiled today in Misano will be the first production models to feature the new livery for the 2013 model year. These exclusive ‘Race-Blu’ Series models will feature as an integral part of the Yamaha line-up in future years.
This will be the first time a Yamaha special livery used in Grand Prix racing will be available at the same time for consumers to buy on production motorcycles.
Jorge Lorenzo
“I am very proud to ride with these special colours. The Yamaha racing colours are always very iconic and have a great history. It’s very cool that racing fans will be able to ride in the same colours that we race in!”
Ben Spies
“It’s another really cool special livery from Yamaha. The red and white one brought me a lot of luck last year with my win in Assen so I’m hoping this Race-Blu will do the same here in Misano and Aragon!”
Source: www.yamaha-racing.com
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The Yamaha Folch Endurance Team and Superstock favourites DG Sport Herock were both forced to retire from the race after suffering technical issues, the first after 264 laps, and the second after 13 laps. The result leaves Yamaha Folch Endurance in eighth place in the final standings and DG Sport Herock fifth in the Superstock class with 66 points.
"Of course we're a little disappointed,” said Christophe Guyot, Team Manager, Yamaha GMT 94 Michelin Yamalube. “Victory was definitely possible today. In the end we can be proud of our performance. We had our run with three machines ahead of us, showed good speed but unfortunately had to settle for fourth after losing time following a suspected holed radiator. That’s how it ends today, but I'm already looking forward to the 2013 Bol d'Or with our YZF-R1. '
“My riders and pit crew have done a great job this weekend,” commented Mandy Kainz, Team Manager, Monster Energy Yamaha Austria. “They should be proud of their performance. We have shown that we have given our best to the end at every race this season.”
Source www.yamaha-racing.com
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Pocock became the UK's first European champion with a brave ride to fourth position on Saturday afternoon. A stone had dislodged the rear brake cable and forced the British Championship leader to exercise caution and no shortage of skill on the steep and treacherous downhills and fast jump sections. The twenty year old's top four result meant enough points to close the contest and start celebrations for the Steve Dixon-led Monster Energy crew that have now accumulated titles (domestic or international) for the last three years. On Sunday morning Pocock – now running his fettled 2012 YZ250F with a gold number plate – slipped off his bike negotiating the heavily watered terrain (that was slick and unpredictable as a result) but still managed to ace his tenth success (from fourteen) and ensure overall victory for a sixth triumph from a possible seven.
At Faenza Arnaud Tonus defied discomfort from a twisted right knee to score sixth and seventh for fifth overall. The Swiss worked hard across the difficult surface and was wary of his leg after suffering the slight twinge while training during the week. Zach Osborne was chasing a podium finish after taking third spot in the qualification heat on Saturday. The American suffered some arm-pump in the first moto that caused his race to vary in its effectiveness but picked up his pace by the final stages to overtake Jordi Tixier and take fourth. Osborne was fourth again in the second moto when a small oil leak forced the former British Champion to slow and finally enter the pits to safeguard the engine and avoid any possible complication. Countryman Michael Leib effectively curtailed his racing season after attempting practice and qualification on Saturday but has simply not recovered sufficiently from his virus to be able to operate at full strength.
Across the Atlantic at Lake Elsinore for the final round of the AMA Pro National Motocross series 2012 world champion Kiara Fontanesi confirmed her status as a global-leader in women's off-road racing by running to a 1-1 victory. The Monster Energy and Yamaha backed athlete had confirmed her (and Italy's) first world title in Great Britain last month with five victories in seven rounds but defeated America's finest – including Ashley Fiolek – to sign-off a triumphant term. The eighteen year old from Parma now has one more significant race meeting ahead with the last appointment on the FIM schedule coming in two weeks at Teutschenthal in Germany. The venue will also stage the closing chapter for the MX1 and MX2-GP trails before the 66th Motocross of Nations at Lommel on September 30th.
Mel Pocock:
"The whole experience this weekend is a bit indescribable really. Winning a championship is something I dreamed of since I was a young kid. The key race was a bit nerve-wracking for me because I was pulling away at the front and lost my rear brake with six laps to go. I had to play the game differently and focus on bringing the bike home. As soon as I got to the line and turned right to see everyone there I think it was the best feeling I've ever had in motocross. I also wanted to take the overall win and had my work cut-out when I saw how wet the track was Sunday morning. I took another holeshot and was leading when I went down briefly. I had the gold number plate on my bike and I thought 'I cannot be in second place with this'. I worked hard to take the win."
Kiara Fontanesi:
"I'm so happy for this victory and I want to thank everyone. Michele Rinaldi and his staff for a great coordination for getting me here, Yamaha, Monster and Yamaha USA that have helped me with everything. I came here to win…and I did it! It has been such a fantastic year."
Zach Osborne:
"In the first race I had good speed in the beginning but then had a bit of arm-pump. I got the rhythm back by the end and pushed back up to fourth. I almost passed Van Horebeek for third. In the second I had a really bad start but came through to fourth again and was inching towards Van Horebeek when we had a little mishap with the bike. The track was mega yesterday but today it was overwatered way too much. The whole thing was flattened and it was wide-open everywhere and it was hard to make any difference. Despite that I have to say it was pretty enjoyable."
Arnaud Tonus:
"It was a tough grand prix because I was a bit worried about my leg over the jumps and all those bumps. To finish fifth overall in the circumstances is not too bad. I struggled to find a rhythm so I was nowhere near my best but the results could have been worse. My knee was already feeling better after I twisted it on Wednesday so I'm sure next week there will be more improvement and we'll be in good shape for Teutschenthal."
Michael Leib:
"I'm still not right and it's very disappointing. Basically the year finishes for me here. My plan was to come back to Europe and fight my way through two events and then be back to a good way for the final two but it has not worked out like that. I just have to close the season now and work towards a good winter."
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Jorge Lorenzo
“Today was a very long day, we made a race simulation at the end of the session so I feel very tired but it was necessary to see the performance of the rear tyre. In general we leave here with happiness and confidence as we’ve been one second faster than last time. We need to try and improve consistency over race distance here.”
Ben Spies
“We basically tested the bike over race distance here and completed a race simulation to set the bike up with a focus on the end of the race. We worked on some different fork and shock settings and a little bit of electronics but nothing major. We were mainly fine-tuning the bike and the results seem good. I’m positive for the rest of the year. The package we have now was good over the race simulation so I’m optimistic for the race.”
Source: www.yamaha-racing.com
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The Monster Energy Yamaha YART Team prepare for the final race of the year determined to end on a high after a difficult season. Despite two DNFs at Qatar and Suzuka the team are still seventh in the Championship with 42 points and looking to move up the standings with a strong result this weekend. The team displayed strong potential in the last two rounds, taking pole in Suzuka and the overall fastest qualifying time in Oschersleben. A trouble-free race could see riders Steve Martin, Igor Jerman and Gwen Giabbani convert their typically fastest pace into success. The team has a strong record at Le Mans, consistently finishing on the podium with a victory in 2009 and second in 2010.
The Yamalube Folch Endurance Team riders Daniel Ribalta Bosch and Arturo Tizon Ilbanez line up in France currently sitting sixth in the Championship despite not having participated in the Suzuka round. Consistently putting their YZF-R1 across the finish line has seen them amass 55 Championship points and puts them in contention for a possible top four position in the final standings.
The Superstock class could also see a title victory for the Yamaha YZF-R1 with the DG Sport Herock Team in contention for the top spot. Riders Didier Van Keymeulen, Alex Cudlin, Gianluca Vizziello and Raymond Schouten have put in strong performances so far, finishing just off the podium in fourth at the last round in Oschersleben and coming into the final race just seven points adrift of the Championship leaders with everything to play for.
“Our team is very confident after two consecutive podiums, including the magical Suzuka one,” said Yamaha France GMT94 Team Manager Christophe Guyot. “We are motivated and have all the elements for a good race. We will be celebrating our 10-year anniversary with Yamaha at Le Mans, so we’ve chosen to debut our new 2012 R1 with a new colour scheme there."
“We will try to leave the bad luck at home this time!” commented Monster Energy Yamaha YART Team Manager Mandy Kainz. “The last years we have always finished on the podium at Le Mans, the highlight being our win in 2009. The same rider line up we have now has always finished on the podium. As it’s the end of the season hopefully we have finished with all the difficulties we’ve experienced and can finish on a high. The last couple of race weekends we’ve always been the fastest but then run out of luck. We will take our normal endurance tactics for the race and hope for the best!”
Source: www.yamaha-racing.com
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"Securing Steven was a priority for us because we all saw his pace and potential in a first excellent season with Monster Energy Yamaha," said Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. "I'm happy we have been able to announce the first part of our plan for the MX1 and MX2-GP classes for 2013 and we will have more news very soon on what we believe is a young, exciting and very competitive line-up for the new season."
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What’s the next step?
I’m due a check-up soon and then together with the doctor we hope to fix a date to get back on the bike and then I’ll be taking it easy and slowly to get back to normal speed. I haven’t been cycling or working too much because the season is over for me, and it doesn’t make much sense to start training at this time. 2013 has to be my focus now. I am doing some light work to stay in shape but I think when I start riding again in September then I will step it up a little bit and do more work on the bike. I am doing physio every day.
So what have you been doing over the last month or so?
Some work on the house because I’ve never had such a long period at home! I’m sorting out some small things and hanging out with some friends. I walk to the bar everyday to see people and have a talk. It is a different life.
You haven’t had any worries or doubts because the injury was a repetition of the one last summer?
I was happy with the job last year and the guys in Germany took good care of me but the whole process there was not like being at home. I knew the doctor in Italy I needed this time and called him directly from Sweden after the crash. He told me the operation was difficult because he had to take away the old metal work and place new material. There were two options: an easy operation with a long recovery period of six months or a longer and hard operation with a shorter recovery. The doctor advised me to take the harder operation in the end because he thought it would be better for me. It was a long process but it meant I would be able to look at riding a bike two months afterwards. The doctor was pleased with his work and how it all turned out. Last year after twenty days I could move my hands and this time it was two. This year I was fast. I did the same training and was pushing the same way in the motos as I showed in Mexico and Brazil. So why not the same next year? The operation wasn’t done on a knee joint or a shoulder or any ligaments; it is just the bone and I saw the best specialist for that. I had two different types of plate last time and now they have been switched for the same material in each wrist and it is stronger. My life is motocross and I want to race.
You look in good form. If you can ride in September will the Nations on the 30th be possible?
No. I hope to be on the bike two weeks before and while I think it would be possible to race I won’t be at the level I want to be to do a job for Italy. For that motivation I cannot do it this time. I will miss Lommel but I should know if I can make another race this year quite soon.
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“This ranks highly for me,” said the New Zealander, who spent three seasons as a factory Yamaha racer in the FIM MX1-GP World Championship. “No domestic championship is easy, even more so when it's not in your home country. The level of the teams impressed me and overall I've had a great time and I am really happy I got to ride here before I retired.”
“It felt good to repay Yamaha and all the sponsors,” he added. “I feel at home with Yamaha and have now won races for them all over the world. The latest YZ450F has been one of my favourite bikes of my pro career.”
Coppins will represent his country at Lommel in Belgium for the 66th Motocross of Nations on September 30th. The Kiwi has always been in contention to fly his flag since his first appearance back in 1993. ‘The Lizard’ will then contemplate his next steps: “I will stay involved with Yamaha and in mx, mostly back home in New Zealand but also abroad. We are still talking; I think they wanted me to get this championship in the bag before we made to many plans but I'm happy that we have a future laid out.”
“I’m excited for Josh that he was able to win this championship,” said CDR Yamaha Team Principal Craig Dack to Yamaha Australia. “I have said it before, but the working relationship I have with Josh is still the best I have had with a rider in doing this role in 20 years. For Josh to secure our 36th championship, in our 20th anniversary of CDR Yamaha is a fitting reward and another historic moment for CDR and Yamaha.”
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