Alex

Yamaha Netherlands Verhoeven Team rider Frans Verhoeven experienced a difficult fourth day, losing valuable time with a fuel hose issue. The Dutchman was forced to stop and repair his bike on-stage, eventually bringing it home in 53rd place to drop to 27th in the overall standings. On four wheels Marcos Patronelli continues to dominate the Quad competition, taking top honours in today’s stage to further consolidate his position at the top of the overall standings with a 14 minute advantage over his closest rival. Yamaha’s still make an impressive six out of the top ten quad entrants. Yamaha Racing France Power Bike Team rider David Frétigné was unfortunately forced to retire from the Dakar today, the French rider failing to make the third checkpoint of the special stage after suffering from a technical issue. “I strayed a bit off track and, being behind the rest of the bikes at the top of the valley, I was able to take the shortest route and make up a lot of time,” said Olivier Pain. “I've been riding at my pace from the beginning, with no pressure, just to have fun, and doing my best not to fall because the rally's just begun. I don't want to get overexcited about my place in the overall, the rally's still long and my objective is to finish in the Top 10 every day, and I hope to continue doing this well until the end.” “It really was a difficult stage,” commented Marcos Patronelli, “quite complicated especially when we had the sun in our faces. There was also lots of fesh-fesh. It was difficult. But it was such a beautiful stage; I'd almost like to come back here! The big descent was wonderful, very long. At times the stage was really magnificent. There was a ten-kilometre section alongside the beach, which was nice too. After that, there were lots of little tracks that were very rocky and the quad was bouncing from side to side. In the end, it was a tiring stage and now there is a long way to get to the bivouac”. Source: yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Frans Verhoeven made up valuable ground from yesterday’s frustrating result following a technical issue. The Dutch Yamaha Netherlands Verhoeven Team rider wrapping up the stage in 15th to move four places up the overall standings. Yamaha Racing Team Argentina quad rider Marcos Patronelli continued in winning form today, taking his fourth consecutive stage victory of the Rally. The Yamaha YF700M based quad looking stronger than ever and taking the top four positions in both the day’s stage and the overall standings. “The stage I won in 2010 seems a long time ago,” said David Casteu. “I've always said to myself that winning a special stage is fabulous. What's more, winning at the start of the rally when all the riders are still in it, it's really great. At the end of the Dakar, it can be argued that other riders relax and manage their position. When you win like that with all these riders who've got the bit between their teeth, it's good. Also, it was on a 136-km long special stage, so today it was like a long sprint. I'm really happy about it. I've really got the feel of my bike now and I'm really enjoying it. It's a bike on which I feel good, on which I gobble up the obstacles and behind the handlebars of which I'm relaxed and calm. I arrived on this Dakar having taken stock, with the aim of enjoying each moment, each second. I'm 38 years old and I'm going to take every day as it comes. I'm itching to ride flat out and today I had great fun”. “This morning, I didn't know how it was going to work out,” said Olivier Pain. “I wasn't stressed out, but I wanted to avoid making a mistake so that people wouldn't say, ‘he got caught out because he got too big for his boots'. I set off in a good state of mind. I was especially concentrating on not falling. I made a small navigation error right at the beginning, but I put it right straight away. I didn't see Joan (Barreda) stopped next to the track. I don't know if he had problems or if he made a mistake. I had to open the road for three-quarters of the day. David started to catch up with me a bit in the middle, but I put some distance in between us near the end. It was a good special stage, very dangerous at the beginning with a bit of navigation before a big rocky area. The end was more twisting in a canyon with nice tracks and some fesh-fesh. It was a nice stage to ride and I'm still leader. That makes it two days running now”. Source: yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Make sure you check the crown on the frame where the forks go. Many written off R1 frames out there for sale due to low impact front end accidents. Look for any rippling or fractures along the welds. Measure the distance between lower forks and back end of frame and then compare to another bike. Easiest way to check that I can think of.

Yep sorry can't do. We're trying to promote our own club and don't want to allow competitor forums to spring board off of us. Thank you for asking first.

I miss my old home town, sure can't beat the weather in Sydney though :-) They've done an awesome job of faking the footage

James Ellison “I am really happy to be part of this team and the championship again as I feel that I still have unfinished business. I have seen how the championship has unfolded this year and I am really looking forward to coming back. The level of competition is definitely very high and you could see that from last season, but I know this is a strong team who are hugely capable and share the same goals. I am now looking forward to testing the Milwaukee Yamaha as the technical rules have changed since I last raced in BSB, which should suit me better as I prefer riding without traction control! I know I achieved a lot this year and now I am returning focused and confident about 2013. In 2009 I was second in the championship and I then joined SMR and we would have been fighting for the title if it hadn’t been for injury so I know that together we have the ability to put the Milwaukee Yamaha at the front; I am certainly not coming back to just make up the numbers!” Josh Waters “I am really happy and I still can’t believe I have been given this opportunity. I visited the Silverstone round this year and the championship was a big surprise to me as it is much bigger than I was expecting. I won my second Superbike title in Australia this year and I feel like that I have accomplished that goal and now I am ready for a new challenge. I am a realist and know that I am going to have to work hard at it this season but this is a huge step in the right direction for me, especially to work with a championship-winning team. I am hoping that the Showdown format will work in my favour as it gives me a chance to learn some of the tracks and I want to be in the top six. I can’t wait to get started and hopefully we can do enough to be there when it counts. I want to be successful in the championship and I am dedicated to succeeding with the Milwaukee Yamaha team.” Shaun Muir - Team Owner “Everyone at SMR have been working tirelessly since the end of last season to ensure that we return in the strongest possible position in 2013. We want to win back the BSB title and with the combination of James and Josh, plus an exciting new title partner with Milwaukee, I believe we have the foundations to return refreshed and ready to come out fighting. It is fantastic to have James back in the team as we know that he is a proven title contender with lots of experience. I am also pleased to welcome Josh for his debut season in the championship; he is a young, fast and upcoming Australian rider who will bring a new dynamic to the team. I want to thank everyone involved with the Milwaukee Yamaha team and now we begin to look ahead to our testing programme to ensure we are ready for the opening round of the season at Brands Hatch.” Source: yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Joel, obvious question, how are you feeling and how is the build-up to be back on the bike? JR: Quite good! I had a fitness text last Thursday and my level was really good, which I was glad to hear about. At the moment I have around 65% strength in my leg and I’m working on improving that in the next couple of weeks. I have been doing a lot of upper body training because this is an important stage of the year to be ready for next season. I’ll be on the 450 now so strength work has been key. All the hours you put in now will pay off when the racing starts and I’m really keen to get back into it. I feel like I have been away a long time! So just a month to wait then? JR: Yes, a few more weeks. December 25th is the day I have arranged. That is when I expect to be fully ready to start riding again. On Christmas day I will be in a camper at the track and as soon as it is first light then I will be up raring to go! What kind of things will you be doing up until that day? JR: I have a small gym at my house with all the equipment I need and I’m in there five times a week. Every day I am out cycling, whether on a mountain bike or Cyclocross – which is a popular sport we have here in Belgium – so I’m pretty busy. The weather here is actually quite good at the moment so if it stays dry then I’ll also be spending a bit of time working on my pit-bike track. You must be keen to try the Yamaha… JR: Absolutely. I’m anxious to be honest. It was good to do these photos and put the team clothes on and take delivery of the bike but it tests your patience! Have you talked with the Monster Energy Yamaha team about testing and how you’d like the race bike to be? JR: We’ve made plans but we haven’t talked in-depth about the bike yet. I think I will need to ride it and get used to it a little bit before I can start to work seriously on set-up. I can make comments to the guys about how I like the Yamaha to be for me but there is only so much information you can give until you start making the laps and going for the fast times. As for testing, like I said, at the end of the month I will start and will get some good sand riding done at maybe some places like Dunkirk and then in January we have programmed a month of work in Sardinia; so I’m looking forward to that. Lastly what are your thoughts on the idea to run MX1 and MX2 together for overseas events and possibly for a final moto in 2014? JR: If you are on an MX1 bike then it won’t be so bad and I think if you make a good start then it will be hard for the MX2 guys to overtake. If they do pass you then it is because they are faster on that particular day but I don’t think it will happen so much. It is something that could work for the overseas races simply because the gates tend to be smaller but for the majority of races there is no need. If we have to do it then of course it is something we need to adjust to. Source: yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Cool that's what I like to hear, hopefully with the CDN at peak traffic it'll stay that way :-)

Hi guys, just to let you know that we have just implemented a CDN (Content distribution network) for the server. What this essentially does is mirror the static files on the server across other servers all around the world. This means that your computer will connect to the nearest server hopefully giving you a far quicker connection. Let me know how it goes :-)

Recent years have seen multiple champions benefit from the successful combination of Yamaha’s R-Series machines and YEC Racing Parts. 2011 saw Chaz Davies dominate the World Supersport Championship whilst Tommy Hill swept the board on his R1 in the British Superbike Championship. Hill was back again in 2012 as one of the main protagonists in the fight for the title, taking the challenge down to the last round. The R1 also marked its strength by recording multiple race wins again in the German Superbike Series with Matej Smrz, finishing on podia at several rounds of the incredibly grueling World Endurance Championship and with American Josh Hayes winning his 3rd consecutive AMA-Superbike title on the Yamaha in dominant fashion. There where numerous victories and championships for the R6 as well such as Jordi Torres taking the European Supersport Championship and Tatu Lauslehto claiming the German Supersport title. In the European Superstock 600 class, where the YEC ECU and wireharness are allowed, the strength of the R6 is shown by more than half of the field choosing the Yamaha as their weapon of choice during the 2012 season. The 2013 YEC range consists of a wide choice of racing upgrades for engine and chassis for the latest YZF-R1 and YZF-R6 generation, whilst owners of previous R-Series models are also supported. Despite inflation and exchange rate changes the recommended retail prices for all YEC Racing Parts have been kept the same as the current season price list. YEC Racing Parts are for closed-circuit use only and are sold trough the official European Yamaha network. For further information on specifications and availability in Europe please contact a local Yamaha dealer or national Yamaha Distributor. The three ordering deadlines for 2013: November 30, 2012: Delivery early March 2013 January 16, 2013: Delivery late April 2013 Click here to view the news

2012 MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo also gambled on slick tyres and after initially dropping from second on the grid to eighth the Mallorcan began to make steady progress back up the field. By the fourth lap Lorenzo had taken the lead, which he maintained until lap 13, pulling nearly a four second gap to chasing Dani Pedrosa. Disaster struck when he came off the dry line to lap CRT rider James Ellison on the same lap, losing grip on the damp surface and suffering a huge high side crash. Lorenzo was lucky to walk away without serious injury and will be ready to take part in testing on Tuesday and Wednesday for the 2013 season. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Position 2nd - Time +37.661 “I’m so very happy with this result, the conditions were very difficult today. It was a tough race but the team were amazing and I have to thank them for making the best choice for my set up for the race. It is like a dream or a miracle for me to be on the podium as the qualifying was not so good. I want to thank Yamaha for giving me this special opportunity to race here in MotoGP, it has been amazing.” Jorge Lorenzo DNF “I’m happy because we are world champions and that is the most important thing. Maybe if we had arrived here without the title decided it could have been another story and I wouldn’t be so happy. I had a lot of hopes to win today, I chose a really risky tyre strategy and I was making a really good race. Dani was catching me a little bit but then I managed to have a four second lead. I came up to the slower riders and I’m not sure what happened, maybe the marshals didn’t put up the blue flags quickly enough but I was losing some time stuck behind them. I was behind Ellison and he stayed on the racing line, I couldn’t wait for another corner to overtake him as I was losing time. I overtook and made a mistake, outside the dry line and I had a big high side.” Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager “What a crazy race! I think we could have won today so it’s a real shame we wrap up the season like this. Jorge took a big gamble with the tyres which proved to be a clever choice and rode a very strong race. Unfortunately with such tricky track conditions and much slower bikes making traffic the risk was high. We are very happy he is unhurt after his crash and also that we secured the title in Phillip Island! We’ll take some time to celebrate tonight and then it’s back to work for 2013 on Tuesday! Nakasuga-san was brilliant today and really deserved his podium, he and Ben’s crew put in a great effort for the result.” Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director “I don’t think anyone could have predicted today’s results! It’s a pity Jorge’s championship season ended this way in front of his home crowd but we are happy that he has no serious injuries and is ready to test next week. For Nakasuga-san it has been a fairytale day, we are so happy for him and proud of his achievement. After a difficult season it was also a great result for Ben’s crew who deserved this podium today. I would like to wish them all the best for the future.” Click here to view the news

Jorge Lorenzo Laps - 9, Time - 1'57.725 “For sure these last two days we’ve been unlucky with the weather and couldn’t practice for many laps. It was important to get practice here because we have things to try for the chassis and engine for the new season so we can give as much information as possible to the engineers so they can keep working over the winter in Japan. Now we will have to wait until the next opportunity.” Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director “Unfortunately in these two days we haven’t been able to test the majority of things we needed to. We don’t want to dwell on it and most importantly both riders feel confident in the base set up of the bike. We will now have to wait until Sepang to continue. The critical testing is for the engine development so our test rider will continue with that in Japan.” Click here to view the news

The bike was updated in 2012 and given new and improved traction controls. Although Yamaha is no stranger to traction controls which were also featured in their Super Tenere bike, a machine which was designed specifically for adventure-touring, this updated model is Yamaha's first attempt to produce a traction control system that is suitable for Superbike level. They've succeeded here with an advanced six-stage system that is superbly intuitive compared even to the well-known market leaders. The system has the edge over the BMW's S 1000 RR model and is much smoother than the latest from Kawasaki and others. The clear advantage of having four cylinders instead of only two cylinders means it is much more fluid and smoother to run than Ducati's bikes, which use only two. A test in very wet weather demonstrated to us how well the traction control system works. We experienced almost no slippage apart from a flashing telltale illumination light which appeared as a warning, but certainly no perceptible road slip. The expansive electronics system also comes into play when correcting wheelies, and on reducing the traction control level from six down to four this feature of the electronic system becomes deactivated, instantly making a noticeably greater field for the allowable slip. To test out the amazing wheelie and slip control, we located a loop of the track where this was easy for us to achieve. With level six of the controls in action, the flashing light occurred, and we noticed an inconspicuous amount of slip before the front of the bike began to lift and the wheelie control took over. Performing exactly the same test at level four of the traction control system resulted in the rear of the bike slipping very slightly before coming smoothly under control, allowing the YZF-R1 to raise its head on exit. There was little need to experiment with lower levels of traction control as the ride at level four was very satisfactory for our needs and for those of most riders that we could envisage. The rear wheel slip can only be described as wonderfully and smoothly controlled. Note that although we didn't test the bike to its very limits, we've heard both Rick Olson, the 2010 FX Supersport Champion and Cameron Donald, who has twice won the Isle of Man TT, also chose to ride this bike using the level four traction control, in wet weather conditions. What about the experience of riding the bike in better, dryer conditions? Using level four mode here may feel too meddlesome for riders who have lots of experience, but for those who are just starting out with experiencing the power of an open class sportsbike like this one, these system features may prove invaluable to them. All of the traction control levels can be accessed on the fly, as well as a selection of variable engine power maps. There is also a steering damper which has electronic controls. So are there any real downsides to the YZF-R1 model? It's certainly bulkier and undoubtedly heavier than some of the competitors in the market which originate from Japan and Europe. For those who ride in the fastest groups on track days, this could certainly be thought of as a negative aspect of the bike. But for those of us, the majority of riders who enjoy taking their bikes out in the real world, the YZF-R1 offers riders plenty to be thankful for and to enjoy with its functional design and comfortable features. Despite our obvious delight in the new traction control system, perhaps the best feature of the YZF-R1 is the contemporary cross-plane crankshaft engine, which gives the engine an expressive quality that both feels fantastic when riding on track and has an effortless power when riding in the open country or on hills. For racetrack enthusiasts, the heaviness of the modern cross-plane crankshaft engine can no doubt be seen as detrimental and does add unwanted weight to the bike when racing, but the majority of bike riders will derive great pleasure from the characterfulness and personality of the engine. It takes a little time to adjust to the throttle which is controlled by the electrics and needs a proficient touch in order to achieve a smooth ride, but we believe that this is something that any owner would effortlessly learn to achieve. The YZF-R1's braking capabilities are more than adequate with its excellent six piston calipers. There is no ABS with the YZF-R1. This has been deliberately omitted from the bike by the engineers who argued that installing it would affect the weight penalty. When braking very hard, the rear of the bike is still well controlled thanks to a slipper clutch. Since the bike launched back in 1998 the YZF-R1 has easily been the sexiest-looking of sportsbikes to come out of Japan. Paying great attention to detail, Yamaha have honed the fine details and finish of the bike to a level that surpasses even Honda. The 2012 model has a wonderfully finished top triple clamp adding to what was already a rather special cockpit view, adding a touch of class to the whole machine. The front LED lighting is beneficial and cunning, but the side view of the bike is not as fluid and seems to have lost some of the flowing lines that were visible on some of the earlier models. We aren't too keen on the number plate hanger or the covers which protect the exhaust and the mufflers, which strike us as more bare than minimalist, but these are easily remedied with a few simple tools and so not seriously detrimental to the overall package. A very limited edition of the YZF-R1, with only 2000 available worldwide, features a red and white anniversary model for an additional cost, but there is nothing to really separate the models and make this edition worthwhile apart from the colour and a small plaque which is attached to the tank. For a serious track rider, there are no doubt better options available than the YZF-R1. However, taking into account the new traction control system, and an improvement in engine power, this sports bike is ideal for riders who perfer to be out in the hills and is unmatched in the market for sportsbikes. Its special qualities come from its amazing engine capabilities, great ergonomics and a superbly detailed level of finish, all of which combine to produce a rather special and charismatic bike with a smooth engine. Let's finish with a summary of the positive and negative aspects of the YZF-R1. Clearly, the YZF-R1 has a superb engine that is both charismatic but still very smooth and an excellent traction control system which is unrivalled in its class. It also has a superb and sexy finish that is a joy to behold for any bike enthusiast. The only real downsides to the YZF-R1 are the facts that is can be considered to be a little bulky and heavy, especially for serious and experienced racetrack riders, and that there are no ABS features included in the bike's specifications. Click here to view the news

Jorge Lorenzo Position 2nd - Time +9.223 “What a day! I’m very happy, it was easier than I expected because Dani made a mistake in a corner and crashed. I wanted to keep with Casey but he was so strong. Today all I had to do was finish the race and I have become World Champion for the second time. It’s such a sweet feeling! I want to thank all the team, Yamaha, my family, my friends, sponsors and fans who support me. Today is an amazing moment. We’ve been very patient, very concentrated and finally the World title arrives!” Wilco Zeelenberg - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Manager “It was a very exciting start to the Phillip Island race, we knew we had to beat Dani and of course he knew as well so he pushed really hard in the beginning. In the end it was a bit too hard, but chapeau to him for trying. We knew we had good pace and think we maybe could have beaten him anyway on consistency. From that point Jorge only had to bring it home. He’s had a great season of wins or second places and now the world Championship title!” Massimo Meregalli - Yamaha Factory Racing Team Director “Jorge has really delivered an amazing season for Yamaha and again today we saw his trademark consistency and dedication to deliver second on the podium. From the first race in Qatar his consistency and dedication have been that of a champion so we fully expected he could achieve the best result possible. I want to thank the whole Team who have also been responsible for the success, working as hard as him to make sure he has had a competitive bike to fight with his rivals at each round. It has been a pleasure to watch him ride this year, he is a worthy champion.” Masahiko Nakajima - General Manager Motorsport Development Division, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd “I am very happy to be able to congratulate Jorge Lorenzo for taking his second premier class MotoGP World Championship title with Yamaha whilst still in Phillip Island and with one round remaining. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Team, YMC MotoGP Group and all Yamaha Motor Racing staff so I have to thank them all for their efforts. All of us at Yamaha are proud to have witnessed his performance from the beginning of the season to now, always pushing at the front and fighting to this point to become 2012 World Champion. This season’s results add to his already successful career with Yamaha, I believe we can look forward to more success in Valencia in two weeks time.” Lin Jarvis - Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing "I congratulate Jorge on his second MotoGP World Championship title with Yamaha. He has been faultless all season. To be able to achieve 1st or 2nd in every race he finished is an extraordinary performance of a dedicated perfectionist and a true champion.

 To be able to produce these performances Jorge relies upon the support of a huge network of people. I would like to give my thanks and congratulations to the Yamaha Motor group, all Yamaha Factory Racing Team staff, our technical partners and suppliers, our sponsors, and also to Jorge’s personal staff. Without the efforts of all of these people this fantastic result would not have been possible.

 Having won the championship with one race to spare we go to Valencia to try to crown this already excellent season with a race victory in front of his home fans and to enjoy a much deserved celebration all together." www.yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Spies is currently at home in the USA recovering from injuries sustained in the Grand Prix of Malaysia one week ago. The Texan had successful surgery this week to repair torn ligament damage in the right shoulder and will need a recovery period of eight to ten weeks. www.yamaha-racing.com Click here to view the news

Pocock also impressed on several MX2-GP substitute appearances in 2012 where his speed was enough to place him in contention for top ten results. “It is a dream,” the twenty year old revealed on his new deal. “When I came here a few years ago I didn’t think I would be signing up for a ride like this and to be ‘factory’. I think I have it in me now to deliver. I am older, more mature and I want to be a part of the front group in the world championship next year. That is my objective and I think I can do it.” 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 Click here to view the news