Alex Asigno

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. hereby announces that Altadis/Seita's sponsorship regarding Yamaha's Factory MotoGP Team will not continue after the end of the 2005 season. For more than 40 years, Yamaha has successfully participated in the Road Racing Grand Prix World Championship and it has become the leading manufacturer of the MotoGP competition. Altadis/Seita have been sponsors of the Yamaha Factory MotoGP project for the past three seasons under both the Fortuna and the Gauloises brands, during which time the companies shared two world championship victories in the MotoGP class in 2004 and 2005. Yamaha will announce its 2006 MotoGP program in January 2006. Click here to view the news

MX1 World Champion Stefan Everts and vice-World Champion Antonio Cairoli gave Yamaha a 100% score in the MX-des-Nations event. MX1 World Champion Stefan Everts ended his career by guiding Team Belgium to second place today at Matterley Basin in Great Britain for the 60th Motocross of Nations. The 33 year old finished the year in typical fashion by winning both of his races ahead of USA’s Ryan Villopoto and James Stewart in front of a record-breaking 85,000 people (weekend figure). The track was rougher with larger jumps, and the problems with dust as seen in the British Grand Prix in June were lessened by heavy rain on Friday and again Sunday morning. A fantastic cosmopolitan crowd filled the Matterley site and created an exciting atmosphere but also verged on the point of overwhelming the venue due to the unprecedented numbers. Stefan Everts powered into the lead of the first moto contested between the MX1 and MX2 classes. The Belgian was on the precipice of an interesting duel with James Stewart until the American crashed and the World Champ was free to run his own race with a lead of almost ten seconds. In his second outing (MX1 and MX Open) Everts engaged in an exciting tussle with David Philippaerts and James Stewart but once again found the right lines and rhythm to escape from his most direct rival and give World Championship motocross a memorable double over its AMA counterparts. Despite the ten times Champion’s speed and results Belgium finished seven points behind the USA. Everts continued his remarkable record of being on the podium of every Nations event in which he has participated (all fourteen) but could not add a sixth victory to the last time he walked the top step with his two countrymen in 2004. De Carli Yamaha rider Antonio Cairoli was absolutely sensational in the second moto between MX2 and the MX Open categories. The Italian had crashed and had a tough race earlier in the day but his fights with Ben Townley and Ryan Villopoto in Moto2 was the action highlight of the event and the flamboyance of the 2006 MX2 vice-champion on the YZ250F was a joy to behold. Cairoli’s victory ensured a clean sweep of the three races for Yamaha and Team Italy missed the podium by just one point. Stefan Everts After six seasons and six consecutive World titles – all with Yamaha - Stefan Everts now signs off an eighteen year, ten Championships and 101 Grand Prix winning career. He announced on Saturday that he will move into the position of race director with another manufacturer. Stefan Everts, Team Belgium, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: “It was a pretty easy day. It was a great pity that Ricky didn’t ride because I believe he would have pushed for the individual win. Anyway it has been a great race for me. I am very happy to end this way. As a team we were a bit unlucky with Kevin’s bike problem and our chances might have been better if that had not happened; that’s racing. I am always very motivated for this race. I think that was one of the biggest crowds at a motocross event I have seen. It is incredible and for sure I am going to miss this event.” Antonio Cairoli, Team Italy, Team Yamaha De Carli: “I felt really good with the bike and physically I am in good shape. In the first heat I got an unbelievable start and was second; this was excellent because we had all the MX1 bikes with us. After two corners Mackenzie had a bit too much adrenaline I think and hit my back wheel so I crashed. I came from last I think and finished tenth. I was quite satisfied but it wasn’t good for the team. I found it hard to make up ground with the MX1 bikes there also. I was high again, fifth, in the second moto. I waited five or six laps to see the lines of Villopoto and Townley. I was close to Villopoto when he made a mistake and ran off the track. I saw that Tedesco was not so fast and I could control the gap at the front. I really like this track and the fans were incredible when they were cheering me going to the lead.” Michele Rinaldi, Team Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: It's unfortunate that after an unbelievable successful 6 years the Yamaha - Everts relation has to come to an end. Yamaha has made a very good offer to Stefan to continue the relationship, which Stefan also admitted. But Yamaha was not prepared to make a similar position offer as KTM due to being differently organized and judging certain things differently. At the same time we are disappointed about the timing and the way the news was presented as we had agreed before with Stefan to lift it over the weekend. It doesn’t change the fact that we are very proud that Yamaha, Stefan and the team together wrote a unique chapter in the Motocross World Championship history. And it will not affect our preparation nor determination to continue our successes in 2007 Click here to view the news

The green light comes on for the Superbike World Championship's 20th anniversary this weekend with Yamaha expecting great things in all the classes for 2007. Round one of the 2007 series takes place at the impressive Losail circuit in Qatar, where Yamaha Motor Italia's 'dream team' will look to capitalize on an impressive testing display at the Middle Eastern circuit just over a week ago. The squad goes into the season with a new and much improved YZF-R1 for Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga. The latest version of the legendary superbike comes loaded with sophisticated engine management electronics as standard, including Yamaha's YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) - the so-called 'fly-by-wire' system that should provide a huge help in transferring the 16-valve engine's 200+ bhp to the back tyre as smoothly as possible. The team has tested twice in Qatar over the winter period with Corser, who has won two of the four races held at the Losail circuit, under the lap record in last weekend's test. The two-times world champion feels he is ready to go for the start of his 11th full superbike campaign, saying: "The team has made me feel very welcome and I'm really enjoying working with them. There's always a lot to do when you have a new bike and the new R1 is no exception. Of course, a little more time on the bike would have been good but I think we'll be ready for the first race. It's going to be another tough season - but then the Superbike World Championship is always tough. There are many good riders and many good bikes, so I don't think any rider is going to find it easy. I may be one of the 'senior' members in the series now, but my passion for racing and winning is the same as when I first started. It's hard to explain the feeling you get on a racebike when everything is working well. It's a tremendous buzz and one that I'm going to enjoy as long as I am having fun. I want to repay Yamaha's faith in me and I'd like to go into the record books by becoming the first rider to win on three different bikes. That would be some achievement!" Aiming to stop Corser in his quest for a third world title will be his team-mate and Yamaha stalwart Haga. The Japanese rider has finished third in the series for the past three seasons but sees the arrival of the Australian rider as a positive thing rather than a threat. "I have a big respect for Troy," he says. "Not only is he a very fast rider, he also understands how to get the best from the bike. We have had many great and hard battles over the years but he is a good friend off the track. For me the goal is always the same at the start of the season and this year is no different. We want to win the title and I hope we can work well together in developing the new R1 and challenge for the number one. So far testing has gone quite well and the new bike has a lot of potential. But it's the racing that matters and I think that everybody is looking forward to the start of the season." Yamaha also has high hopes in the world supersport class, where Kevin Curtain came so close to winning the championship last season. For 2007 the structure of the factory's official team has changed, with Yamaha Motor Europe taking over the running of the squad from German distributor Yamaha Motor Germany, although the organization remains largely the same, retaining the team's staff and base in Neuss. With the current model R6 already having a year's development under its belt the squad is confident of being able to challenge for the top step of the podium from the opening race. Curtain and team-mate Broc Parkes have enjoyed a good winter testing programme, working mostly on suspension and fine-tuning the groundbreaking 600cc machine's electronic systems in a bid to improve ride ability and reduce rear tyre wear over race distance. The team also has the advantage of having tested in both Qatar and Australia, venues for the opening two rounds of the 2007 campaign, with Curtain topping the timesheets at both locations. "Testing's gone really well," confirms Curtain. "Our lap times have been good and the team has made lots of small improvements that make the bike easier to ride. This time last year we had a new bike and had to play catch up for the first two races but this year hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of the continuity of having the same basic package. After coming so close last year our team is probably more motivated than ever and I really want to get the best possible results for them in these first two races." Click here to view the news

One day after sealing the Triple Crown of titles for 2009, the Fiat Yamaha Team was back at work in Valencia today looking towards the next season. World Champion Valentino Rossi and runner-up Jorge Lorenzo tested this afternoon and will continue tomorrow before finally getting the chance to take some time off. Lorenzo finished the day second fastest behind Casey Stoner and Rossi was just behind him in third. Both riders had a new evolution of the 2010 prototype YZR-M1 to try alongside a 2009 bike, a step on from the first version they tried in August in Brno. They both reported back positively to the Yamaha engineers and were able to set some good times on the prototype bikes. Lorenzo's best time was just 0.025 seconds off Stoner, with Rossi 0.141 seconds behind his team-mate. Valentino Rossi - Position: 2nd Time: 1'32.685 Laps: 45 "I was really excited to try this new version of the M1 today and I had a lot of motivation to get back to work. The feeling out of the corner is much better and we have more grip already in the rear so it's a big improvement for me. We still need to work on accelleration but I like what we have so far and I think we will continue to be competitive like this year. We have to wait and see the comparison between the old and new bike at a different track next year, but I am excited. I'm quite tired because this is already our fourth day riding here, but I am happy to have one more day of testing." Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 3rd Time: 1'32.826 Laps: 37 "It was quite hard work to get back on the bike today but it's a very important test for us. The new prototype we have already feels better than what we tried in Brno, so this is positive. I was faster than with the old bike straight away so we know we're working in the right way and hopefully we can improve some more tomorrow. Of course we still have a 2009 specification engine and we won't have an update until the next test in February, but the bike already feels more stable and has more rear grip. Tomorrow we have quite a lot to get through and it will be an important day before we can finally relax." Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team begin 2010 preparations Less than 24 hours after the conclusion to a successful 2009 MotoGP world championship campaign, the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team was back in action at the Valencia circuit today to begin preparations for next season. With track action not commencing until 1pm, this morning gave the team chance to welcome new rider Ben Spies, who will partner fellow Texan Colin Edwards in 2010. It was also an opportunity for his mechanics to acquaint themselves with new crew chief Tom Houseworth, who has been a fundamental part of Spies' successful career to date. Spies raced to a brilliant seventh place on his Yamaha debut yesterday and his impressive pace cont inued in sunny but blustery conditions today. For Spies, this afternoon's four-hour session was all about continuing to familiarise himself with Yamaha's YZR-M1 machine. The World Superbike champion opted to work more on refining his own riding style than making alterations to the set-up of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine. The 25-year-old completed 50 laps with a best time of 1.33.496 making it a positive and productive first day with Tech 3. His time was the sixth quickest today and only 0.8s away from fastest rider Casey Stoner and he knocked a massive 0.6s off his best time posted in yesterday's race. Fresh from a brilliant fourth place in yesterday's 30-lap Valencia MotoGP race, which secured fifth overall in the final rankings, Edwards completed a short stint of 35 laps while experimenting with wheelbase and front-end settings on his YZR-M1. Ben Spies - Position: 6th Time: 1'33.496 Laps: 50 “I am really happy to finally make my debut for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. They are a great team and it feels good to finally get to work with them. Today I was obviously on a different bike but with the same setting that I raced on and it felt good. I improved on my qualifying time so it was a positive and productive day. I really just focused on doing a couple of things different with my style and in the last two sessions I tried to do some things very different and it worked. I was slowly able to chip away at the lap times, so it is encouraging that I'm getting faster and more comfortable without even making any changes to the set-up of the bike. We'll make some changes to the bike tomorrow, more for me to see what I can feel, than looking for big improvements.” Colin Edwards - Position: 12th Time: 1'33.929 Laps: 35 “First of all I want to welcome Ben to the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team, or should that be Team Texas. He's joined a fantastic squad and we already love him here because his brilliant Yamaha debut in the race helped me get fifth in the world championship. Personally I'm really excited about working with him in 2010 because he's a talented rider, and I'm sure we'll be motivating each other a lot. I didn't too many laps today and all I did was work on the wheelbase and some different front-end geometry. The bike felt good and we definitely learned a couple of things by making the bike longer. I've got a couple of other things to check on the bike tomorrow and then it will off for a hard earned winter break.” Test Times 1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 1'32.660 2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'32.685 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'32.826 4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'33.088 5. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1'33.358 6. Ben Spies (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'33.496 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda 1'33.675 8. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Racing 1'33.726 9. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'33.775 10. Marco Melandri (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'33.839 11. Alex Espagaro (SPA) Pramac Racing 1'33.878 12. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1'33.929 13. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'34.144 14. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'35.229 15. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'35.772 16. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 1'36.204 17. Hiroshi Aoyama (JPN) Scot Racing Team 1'37.964 Comunitat Valenciana: Record Lap C. Stoner (Ducati) 2008, 1'32.582 Comunitat Valenciana: Best Lap V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2006, 1'31.002 Click here to view the news

The Sterilgarda Yamaha Team have unveiled the special one-off livery for 2009 World Superbike Champion Ben Spies ahead of his wildcard ride at the final MotoGP race in Valencia this weekend. Spies will be riding the Yamaha YZR-M1 prior to joining the Tech3 Yamaha Team next Monday to start testing for the 2010 season. The American rider has achieved astonishing success in his rookie year in World Superbike, bringing the first ever World Superbike Championship victory for Yamaha. Over the 2009 season he scored 14 race wins and 11 pole position starts in the class, becoming the all-time greatest rookie in the process. “I’m really excited for the opportunity to race at Valencia this weekend,” said Spies. “I’m fully aware that MotoGP is a big step up from World Superbike and realize it’s not going to be possible to achieve the same results in my first year there. I see this weekend as an opportunity to spend some time on the bike and start learning it for next season, and to have some fun as well!” Click here to view the news

The Yamaha World Supersport Team is pleased to announce their rider line up for 2008, ahead of next weekend’s race at Lausitz in Germany. Australian Broc Parkes will remain with the team and he will be joined by the French former Supersport world champion Fabien Foret. 2008 will be Broc’s sixth year challenging in the World Supersport Championship and his fourth with Yamaha. 25 year-old Parkes plans to fight for the world title this year were hampered by injury early on in the season when he broke his collar bone at Donington in April. In spite of this, Parkes has been in contention for top positions at each of the other events this year. Following his first win of the season at Brands Hatch last month, he is now looking to finish the year on a high and is targeting third position in the championship and still has a mathematical chance to finish 2nd. Fabien Foret, aged 34, joins the Yamaha World Supersport team with a good pedigree behind him. He was World Supersport Champion in 2002 and is currently second in the championship, having won this year’s Philip Island round. The Frenchman, who is known for being a hard charger on the track, has ten race wins and twelve more podiums to his name in addition to the title. Foret is no stranger to Yamaha, having ridden in the Supersport championship for the Yamaha Motor Italia team in 2004 and he rode for the German-based team at Lausitz last year as a stand-in rider, where he made a strong impression on the team by finishing third without any prior testing time on the bike. He brings with him a wealth of experience covering entries in Superstock, Supersport and Superbike championships. The 11th round of the 2007 World Supersport Championship will take place this coming weekend in Germany. Click here to view the news

Yamaha XJR Owners Club The XJR1300 is no ordinary muscle bike – it’s muscle that can hustle. The XJR’s colossal air-cooled engine proves the old saying that nothing succeeds like excess, with 106Nm of torque at 6500rpm for awesome acceleration, whichever gear you happen to be in. It’s the kind of power that’s always right there, ready and waiting. But this is one heavyweight that doesn’t need wrestling into submission. The XJR is awe-inspiring but not overwhelming, because it’s got a sports chassis with box-section aluminium swingarm and trick Öhlins gas shocks that really handle that motor. Which is why this muscle bike is all grunt and no groan. Whether you have are an owner of a 2003 Yamaha XJR, or an owner of 2006 Yamaha XJR this is a fun club to be a member of. Why don’t you let us know all about your new Yamaha XJR at our Yamaha XJR Owners Club Forums. Here are the Yamaha XJR 1300 Owners Club Forums 2006 Yamaha XJR Technical specifications XJR 1300 EngineEngine type: 4-stroke, forward inclined parallel 4-cylinder, DOHC Engine cooling: Air cooled Displacement: 1,251cc Bore x stroke: 79 x 63.8mm Compression ratio: 9.7:1 Maximum power: 78.1kW (106.2 HP) @ 8,000rpm Maximum torque: 106.2Nm (10.8 kg-m) @ 6,500rpm Lubrication system: Wet sump Carburettor: Mikuni BS37/4 Clutch type: Wet, multiple-disc Ignition system: TCI Starter system: Electric Transmission system: Constant mesh, 5-speed Final transmission: Chain Fuel tank capacity: 21 litres (4.5 litres) Oil tank capacity: 4.2 litres ChassisFront suspension system: Telescopic fork Front travel: 130mm Rear suspension system: Swingarm Rear travel: 120mm Front brake: Dual discs, Ø 298mm Rear brake: Single disc, Ø 267mm Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17 (58W) Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR17 (73W) DimensionsLength (mm): 2,175mm Width (mm): 775mm Height (mm): 1,115mm Seat height (mm): 790mm Wheel base (mm): 1,510mm Minimum ground clearance (mm): 120mm Dry weight (kg) 224 kg Click here to view the news

Yamaha World Superbike Team rider Ben Spies, a World Superbike rookie and three-time AMA champion, has secured the first Superpole of the 2009 season in an incredible display of speed and skill on the new Yamaha YZF-R1 superbike at the Phillip Island circuit with a time of 1.31"069. Team-mate Tom Sykes put in an impressive display in the new format Superpole, a mere 0.8 of a second behind Spies with a time of 1.31"881, he will start the race tomorrow on 12th position on the grid. Equally impressive as the riders performance was that of the all new 2009 YZF-R1, the M1 GP inspired bike has proved to be incredibly quick and stable straight out of the box, the crossplane crank shaft and uneven firing order giving both Spies and Sykes the right tools to get the power down fast and hard through the corners and take the fight to the top of the table. Spies ended the first day of qualifying in 9th position, before moving up to 8th on the second session, improving his time by nearly half a second while he focused on consistent lapping. His final Superpole time was nearly a second and a half faster than his first qualifying session. Sykes also improved from the first session, taking nearly half a second off his first qualifying session. Both riders go into tomorrow's races confident in their speed and consistency. Ben Spies, Yamaha World Superbike Team "For the first two qualifying sessions, we were taking it very steady, we only used one set of tires each session, looking to be consistent and doing some more laps. We turned up the heat in Superpole and found some more time and in the final lap we pulled the pin and went for it. It was tricky as the track was pretty windy so maybe we could have got a bit faster. It's the first pole position for the new Yamaha and for me too. Now the focus is totally on having a good race package and good race pace, I think it's going to be great racing tomorrow. The bike is incredible, I'm feeling really confident in its abilities, I can't wait to race tomorrow!" Tom Sykes, Yamaha World Superbike Team "For me things have been good out here. We've been making steady progress all weekend and we've found the direction we need to be going in. I don't feel we've got where we need to be yet, perhaps where we should be but we're getting there. Overall it's looking pretty good, we seem to be able to do the times, unfortunately in Superpole we got caught out with a tire which wasn't as consistent as it should have been forcing a switch and costing time. So we've had a bit of bad luck, on the plus side I'm confident of getting on the pace and fighting for the podium in the race tomorrow." Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha World Superbike Team manager "I think we have done a good job so far and the test last weekend helped us. The bike set up is good, and the tire life is as well. If everything stays the same I think we are in a good position. Ben did a perfect lap in Superpole and has been very consistent through all the sessions, I'm very happy. Tom was also really good, good in practice and qualifying, he's on the third row but he has good pace and with a good start he can fight with the pack and make it in the race. We're all ready for tomorrow and really excited about the potential of our riders to go out and race." Superbike Qualifying - First session 1 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'32.312 2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.569 3 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.623 4 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.673 5 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.704 6 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.928 7 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.932 8 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.939 9 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.971 109 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.991 113 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.995 12 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09 1'33.202 13 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.206 147 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.224 15 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'33.317 16 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.377 17 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.418 18 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.709 19 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.911 20 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'34.080 21 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.123 22 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.487 23 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1'35.123 24 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'35.716 25 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.759 26 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'36.103 27 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.514 Superbike qualifying - Second session 1 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.161 2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.306 3 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'32.312 4 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.377 5 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.397 6 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.491 7 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.500 8 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09 1'32.508 9 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.509 10 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.525 11 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.602 12 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.623 13 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'32.704 14 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'32.708 15 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.884 16 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'32.928 17 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.947 18 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.992 19 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.055 20 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.104 21 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1'33.588 22 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.709 23 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.174 24 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.194 25 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'34.341 26 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.390 27 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'35.767 28 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.363 Superbike - Superpole 1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'31.069 2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'31.402 3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.596 4 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'31.600 5 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'31.837 6 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.112 7 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.537 8 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098 RS 09 1'32.649 9 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'31.843 10 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.860 11 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'31.867 12 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'31.881 13 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'31.907 14 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'31.916 15 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'32.119 16 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.719 17 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.873 18 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.997 19 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.152 20 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.363 21 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1'33.588 22 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.709 23 86 Badovini A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.174 24 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.194 25 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'34.341 26 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'34.390 27 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'35.767 28 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'36.363 Click here to view the news

Having participated in two successful winter tests in Qatar and Australia the Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team is already in a high state of readiness to meet the challenge of the forthcoming World Superbike Championship season. Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser (both Yamaha Motor Italia (YMIT) WSB Team) continue their riding partnership for a second year, after taking a total of 24 podiums between them last season. Japanese superstar Haga came within a meagre two points of winning the riders’ championship outright on ‘07, ending the campaign with six victories to his credit. In the Qatar test last November both Haga and Corser made immediate improvements even compared to the strong results obtained by their 2007-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 machines, and carried on their good work in the subsequent test last month, at Phillip Island. These venues are the first two on the WSB calendar, the 5.380km circuit of Losail again enjoying its now traditional status as the season opener, on Saturday 23rd February; one week ahead of the Australian round, on Sunday March 2. In the Qatar test Corser was particularly fast from the outset, with Haga matching him on the final day, while the changing conditions of the Phillip Island tests provided more of a challenge to both riders and technical staff. Everyone in the highly respected YMIT WSB squad worked hard to make final adjustments to the 2008-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 and help the championship’s single make tyre supplier with feedback on their latest development tyres. Yamaha Motor Italia’s YZF-R1 Superbike, a new model in 2007, was the tool with which Haga and Corser helped earn Yamaha the Manufacturers’ Championship, and the 2008 version has undergone a comprehensive programme of development over the winter months. The race machine now runs Yamaha’s revolutionary YCC-I variable intake system, as fitted to the original road bike. Even in early trials this unique Yamaha innovation showed its potential, and in testing has provided smoother and more torquey engine response in the midrange, reduces the massively powerful R1’s desire to wheelie in the lower gears and yet still maintains its class-leading top end performance. Due to recent changes in the WSB technical rules four-cylinder machines can now run at a minimum weight of 162kg, and the R1 has lost mass due to a new swing arm design, lighter Akrapovic exhausts, a carbon airbox and even a new lightweight wiring loom to meet that new lower limit exactly. The latest rear swing arm is a step closer to the state of perfection that demands more feel with less unsprung weight; more ultimate performance with longer tyre life. The latest generation of Öhlins suspension units also make a significant contribution to the weight loss programme, and have already shown measurable improvements during the track tests. The look and graphics of the 2008 machines are based on the 2007 versions, while a new logo joins existing sponsors Santander, Sika, Akrapovic and Fabbri on the flanks of the R1. FIMER, a welding machine company that has long links to Yamaha Motor Italia (even taking over the premises once used by the Yamaha importer in its early years) has now signed a three-year deal to support the efforts of the official YMIT team in WSB. The 15-round 2008 season is set to be a stiff challenge for all comers, with four long haul races instead of two, Qatar; Australia; USA and Indonesia, and four individual venues which are either new to World Superbike entirely or have been missing from the calendar for a decade or so. Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) "We will have 30 individual races this year and many good riders have now entered the World Superbike series, including six Japanese! I’m looking forward to a good battle with all of them. I think World Superbike will be more exciting than MotoGP this year, so people should come along to their local race to see the close battles. I feel that the performance of all the riders and teams will improve a great deal so the biggest threat is difficult to see right now. We must see more of the competition first. Suzuki and Ducati were strong at the Philip Island tests, but we have not seen the new Honda. We’ll have to wait for that. Our YCC-I variable intake system will improve acceleration and make the engine performance more useable everywhere. It worked very well at the Phillip Island tests. Our whole machine is very competitive, but like always in racing, we are still seeking points to improve. We are determined to continue the improvements on the 2008 R1 all year, starting from this moment.” Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) "Our test in Qatar was particularly good and we also worked through a lot of new things in Phillip Island. The engine on the machine is definitely stronger and lots of other aspects are improved now, especially the electronics. We weren’t that concerned about absolute lap times at the Phillip Island test, we just wanted to get lots of time on the bike to try out all the equipment that we had to test there. For me that test wasto make sure we started the season with the best equipment and information we could get, and to get us all working well together once again. The new suspension is definitely an improvement; it’s just a case of spending more time with it now, and we will have that chance in the two-day test at Qatar soon. Same with the YCC-I system, which we felt a difference with straight away. I know Yamaha has been working hard over the winter and after the last couple of days of testing, we will really be ready to go. I think it’s going to be a tough championship but I haven’t been looking at the other riders too much at this stage.” Massimo Meregalli - Team Coordinator, Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team - has been impressed by both his men and his machines already, and knows that the team should start the season in great shape. “We had a very good test at Qatar and although we found some more work to do in Australia we were still satisfied with our progress on the bike. It was a big improvement in Qatar, and in Australia we went faster than we did last year - faster than we had ever gone. “Overall, we expect to have some small advantage over the manufacturers who will arrive in 2008 with new machines, and we will see what the real potential of the new 1200cc twins are in races, not testing. The main thing is that we know our bike is already better than the way it finished the season with a double win in Magny Cours last year, thanks to many areas of development. One is reduced weight and we will start on the weight limit of 162kg. Another example is the new rear swing arm that has proven to give both the guys a more positive feeling on the track. Right now we are ready to race, very focused on our main goal, and everyone knows what this is. We have two absolute top riders and in my opinion we have the very best rider combination. Nori and Troy have a lot of experience, and have a strong motivation to reach the goal. We have never seen Noriyuki so willing to do extra work in testing. He was doing more than one long run per day and that is a great sign.” Final pre-season preparations will be carried out in a two day test at Qatar on 12 and 13 February. The first round begins for real with first practice on Thursday 21 February, continues with Superpole qualifying on Friday 22 and culminates in race day, Saturday 23 of February. Rnd 01: February 23 - Qatar - Doha/Losail Rnd 02: March 2 - Australia - Phillip Island Rnd 03: April 6 - Spain - Valencia* Rnd 04: April 27 - Netherlands - Assen* Rnd 05: May 11 - Italy - Monza* Rnd 06: June 1 - United States - Salt Lake City Rnd 07: June 15 - Germany - Nürburgring* Rnd 08: June 29 - San Marino - Misano* Rnd 09: July 20 - Czech Rep. - Brno* Rnd 10: August 3 - Great Britain - Brands Hatch* Rnd 11: September 7 - Great Britain - Donington Park* Rnd 12: September 21 - Italy - Vallelunga Rnd 13: October 5 - France - Magny Cours* Rnd 14: October 12 - Indonesia - Sentul Rnd 15: November 2 - Portugal - Portimao* *with Superstock FIM Cup Click here to view the news

For the third time since the conception of the new technical regulations of the Dakar the Yamaha WR450F has been victorious in the hotly contested 450cc motorcycle class. David Frétigné won the class in 2004 and 2005 and Helder Rodrigues came close in 2006 when he finished ninth overall as best Yamaha rider. This year Rodrigues managed to clinch the 450 class title. The Portuguese Enduro star finished two and half hours behind race winner Cyril Despres (KTM >450cc) to match Frétigné’s best performance in 2005 with a fifth position overall. Quad rider Josef Machanek caused more reason for celebrations in the Yamaha camp with his overall victory in the Quad category. The Czech proved the speed and endurance of his Banshee YFZ350 by leading only five fellow competitors from 13 starters over the finish line. Helder Rodrigues’ fifth position overall places him as second best privateer rider behind Norwegian Pal Anders Ullevalseter (KTM), who finished fourth overall, but on a bigger capacity bike. Besides consistency, Helder showed some fearsome speed on the more technical stages. He finished second in the sandy opening leg, won the second and tenth stage and finished third in the 16 km beach special on the last day. On the stages where top speed was less advantageous, Rodrigues always made sure to claw back time on the bigger bikes. The accumulated experience of his previous two Dakar participations helped Rodrigues to celebrate his first African stage win this year; “The stage of day 10 was very technical, which allowed me to battle with bikes from the bigger categories. With my 450, I lost out somewhat on the straight sections, but I was able to make up for this on the technical parts. I’ve had a good day and this victory is very important for the team, and me as well, because it’s the first time that I’ve won a special stage in Africa. Previously, my best was a third place last year”. Rodrigues continued by confirming he exceeded his own expectations, and vows to be back next year even stronger; “My aim was to be in the top five and to win one stage. I am fifth in the overall rankings and I won two stages. So I am more then happy. We all worked well together. The team was better and so was the Yamaha. I was unable to give priority to preparing the Dakar because of my endurance race commitments. But next year, I’ll change priorities and dedicate more time to preparing for the Dakar”. Besides the winning success of Rodrigues there have been other great achievements of WR450F riders. The Frenchman Michel Marchini finished seventh overall and second in the 450 class, while Dutchwomen Mirjam Pol again managed to finish as runner-up female. She has left 84 males in her wake and 49th overall is a significant improvement over her 80th place last year. Although it is not an official category victory, Mirjam is in fact the fastest woman on a 450, as her French opponent Ludivine Puy (KTM) finished in front of her on a bigger capacity machine. The formidable result for the 23-year-old sports teacher did not come easy and she has had some ups and downs since leaving Lisbon; “At the end of the marathon stage in Foum Zguid, I started running a fever and it got worse the next day. Then during the stage to Zouerat I landed badly after a jump and twisted my right ankle. I did not think much of it in the beginning, but the pain kept me awake all night.” With her ankle tightly strapped, the strong Dutchwoman kept on going. “I don’t care so much about my ranking or about the other women in the race. Ludivine Puy was better than me this year”, she admits looking at the rankings. During the stage to Atar, Mirjam deserved a fair-play award when she stopped to give another top female competitor Swedish Annie Seel some fuel. Most of the seasoned contestants judged the 2007 Dakar to be a little bit easier then previous editions. Over half of the 245 motorcyclist, 132 to be precise, made it to the finish, a percentage that is slightly higher then past events. Helder Rodrigues led the following 29 fellow WR450F riders over the finish line on the beach at Dakar: Position Name Total time Difference to winner 5 RODRIGUES (POR) 54:07:34 02:30:41 7 MARCHINI (FRA) 54:37:20 03:00:27 15 MACEK (CZE) 59:16:38 07:39:45 16 PAIN (FRA) 59:18:50 07:41:57 17 ALGAY (FRA) 59:55:25 08:18:32 22 CROQUELOIS (FRA) 60:53:28 09:16:35 29 COTTET (SUI) 61:34:43 09:57:50 33 VAYSSIE (FRA) 62:17:07 10:40:14 43 GADIOUX (FRA) 66:17:39 14:40:46 48 WILLEMSEN (HOL) 67:45:05 16:08:12 49 POL (HOL) 67:48:12 16:11:19 58 IRVINE (MEX) 70:04:49 18:27:56 60 RONCONI (ITA) 70:30:53 18:54:00 70 CARON (FRA) 73:04:56 21:28:03 80 MIOTTO (ITA) 75:15:16 23:38:23 81 VULLIET (FRA) 75:45:18 24:08:25 83 VULLIET (FRA) 76:08:56 24:32:03 91 CHIRENT (FRA) 78:33:05 26:56:12 92 TRISCONI (SUI) 78:44:56 27:08:03 95 STIJKEL (HOL) 79:36:27 27:59:34 98 ZUIDINGA (HOL) 80:55:33 29:18:40 103 BIANCHI (POR) 82:13:53 30:37:00 113 VILLY (FRA) 85:29:34 33:52:41 114 JAYEZ (AFG) 86:51:40 35:14:47 115 ANO (FRA) 87:58:56 36:22:03 116 MELLONI (ESP) 88:33:32 36:56:39 117 DE GROOT (HOL) 88:46:45 37:09:52 118 BROWET (BEL) 89:22:59 37:46:06 124 OHASHI (JAP) 95:45:39 44:08:46 126 KIRISHIMA (JAP) 96:30:12 44:53:19 Click here to view the news

2006 FIM International Six Days Enduro – Taupo New Zealand (November 14-19 November) Germain finishes fourth in E1 class Yamaha France rider Marc Germain has finished in fourth place in the overall Enduro 1 class at the 81st running of the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) staged in Taupo, New Zealand. Competing aboard his WR250F Marc performed brilliantly to win the E1 class on the opening day of the competition and continued to perform well on days two, three and four despite being disadvantaged by being the first rider in the event. On day five, the wettest day of the competition, Marc placed just 17th in the E1 class but he showed great speed again at the sixth and final day’s motocross race, which placed him just outside the top three in the E1 final standings. Topping the Enduro 1 class in New Zealand was former World Enduro Champion Juha Salminen, who returned to international enduro competition after two years of racing in the US GNCC series. In winning the Enduro 1 class Salminen helped Finland win the Trophy Team competition. Finishing as runner-up in E1 was Italian Simone Albergoni, who also placed second in this year’s E1 world championship. Third was reigning E1 world champion Ivan Cervantes. Backing up Marc Germain’s strong performance UFO Corse Yamaha rider Maurizio Micheluz ended the event in eighth in the Enduro 1 class, producing one of Italy’s best individual performances. Finishing in sixth, 10th, fifth, eighth and sixth respectively on the first five days Maurizio added a solid ISDE performance to his season of strong WEC results. Early in the week former world championship motocross rider Darryl King was well placed in the Enduro 1 class aboard his WR250F but was forced to retire from the event on day three due to an injured elbow. Finishing close behind Micheluz in the final E1 class standing Australian Yamaha rider Christopher Hollis placed an eventual 10th while countryman Anthony Roberts finished his week in 14th on his WR and French veteran David Fretigne piloted his Yamaha to 15th having placed third on day one. Mark Germain (Yamaha France) Enduro 1 class – Fourth: “On day one I knew I could win because I like flat, grassy special tests. Once the special tests started to get rougher I wasn’t quite fast enough. It was an advantage being the first rider on day one but after that it’s difficult being the first rider on the special tests. I found that the course on day four was not so hard for me, despite the weather not being so good. We spent a long time riding on big stone roads in the forest. Being the first rider in the event the tracks were pretty nice to ride, but with the soft ground I think that it would have been difficult for the riders at the back of the entry. It’s been a great race but there were not so many spectators during the week. The organisation was really good, the track was well marked, and I liked the special tests – for me it has been a good six days.” Maurizio Micheluz (UFO Corse Yamaha) Enduro 1 class – Eighth: “It has been a difficult event, especially on day four and five. The conditions are very soft in many places, which made it hard to not make any mistakes on some of the special tests because of the ruts. But I have enjoyed the race, especially the third day, which was my best. I am also pleased with my riding during the week. I didn’t make too many mistakes and generally everything went well.” Merriman on the podium in E2 class UFO Corse Yamaha rider Stefan Merriman claimed a well deserved podium at the end of the 81st ISDE finishing third in the highly competitive Enduro 2 class. Although competing for Australia the New Zealand born rider had a promising start aboard his WR450F with a victory on day one taking an early E2 class lead. Placing in third on day two Merriman then finished as runner-up on days three, four and five to claim his eventual third place in the finalrankings. Winning the Enduro 2 class was Finn Samuli Aro. Competing for the Finnish Trophy team along with E1 class winner Juha Salminen Samuli won just two of the event’s six days in the E2 class but his consistency ensured that come the end of the competition he was the rider to beat in E2. Following Samuli home was countryman Mika Ahola in the runner-up position. Taking part in his first ever ISDE competition as part of the French Trophy team UFO Corse Yamaha rider Johnny Aubert performed like an experienced six days rider and claimed an impressive fifth overall in the Enduro 2 class. Finishing third on the opening day Johnny then finished in fifth on days two, three, four and five to place close behind US rider Kurt Caselli. Stefan Merriman (UFO Corse Yamaha) Enduro 2 class – Third: “The event certainly hasn’t been easy, it’s been really challenging on days four and five. Just staying upright on some of the special tests has been tough and trying to push 100 per cent has been really difficult. As far as Six Days go I reckon it’s one of the best we’ve had for several years. I reckon that some of the Club team riders must have found it tough from day three onwards because there were some really difficult sections on the course and tests. The Australian team has ridden really well. The weather and terrain conditions suit the Scandinavians and the British riders more than the Aussies, so the team result is great. I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to win the E2 class but there are so many things that have to go right in the six days to win. I caught quite a lot of riders on the special tests, which cost me time, but dealing with slower riders is a part of the ISDE.” Johnny Aubert (UFO Corse Yamaha) Enduro 2 class – Fifth: “I was not exactly sure what to expect from my first ISDE but I am happy that it has gone well for me. I think that the French team have also ridden well, and I am proud to have been a part of it. I have learned a lot from this experience and although the conditions changed a lot during the week I enjoyed the event. The final motocross race was amazing, it was an incredible feeling racing against Joel Smets.” Stefan Merriman 81st ISDE – Results Enduro 1 class 1. Juha Salminen (KTM) 2.31:19.08; 2. Simone Albergoni (Honda) 2.34:16.59; 3. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 2.34:56.99; 4. Marc Germain (Yamaha) 2.35:37.88; 5. Eero Remes (Honda) 2.36:49.19; 6. Ricky Dietrick (Kawasaki) 2.37:53.51; 7. Petri Pohjamo ™ 2.38:23.31; 8. Maurizio Micheluz (Yamaha) 2.38:33.65; 9. Marc Bourgeois (Husqvarna) 2.38:55.28; 10. Christopher Hollis (Yamaha) 2.39.06.12; 11. Fredrik Georgsson (KTM) 2.40:03.04; 12. Niklas Gustafsson (KTM) 2.40:08.38; 13. Thomas Oldrati (Husqvarna) 2.40:17.64; 14. Anthony Roberts (Yamaha) 2.40:49.60; 15. David Fretigne (Yamaha) 2.40:59.56 Enduro 2 class 1. Samuli Aro (KTM) 2.34:15.10; 2. Mika Ahola (Honda) 2.34:41.34; 3. Stefan Merriman (Yamaha) 2.34:51.99; 4. Kurt Caselli (KTM) 2.35:01.54; 5. Johnny Aubert (Yamaha) 2.35:19.92; 6. Shayne King (Honda) 2.37:09.75; 7. Jari Mattila (Honda) 2.38:46.87; 8. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 2.39:15.42; 9. Glenn Kearney (Suzuki) 2.39:16.27; 10. Emmanuel Albepart (Honda) 2.39:50.09; 11. Paul Whibley (Honda) 2.40:04.54; 12. Joel Smets (Suzuki) 2.40:19.11; 13. Jake Stapleton ™ 2.40:19.11; 14. Joshua Strang (Kawasaki) 2.40:42.12; 15. Jimmy Jarrett (Suzuki) 2.40:48.89 Trophy Team competition 1. Finland 9:50.59 - Mika Ahola E2; Samuli Aro E2; Jari Mattila E2; Petri Pohjamo E1; Juha Salminen E1; Marko Tarkkala E3 2. France 24:59.89 - Emmanuel Albepart E2; Johnny Aubert E2; David Fretigne E1; Marc Germain (Yamaha) E1; Seb Guillaume E3; Fabien Planet E3 3. Spain 29:56.83 – Ivan Cervantes E1; Xacob Agra E2; Joan Jou E2; Oriol Mena E3; Cristobal Guerrero E3; Xavier Galindo E3 4. Italy 33:15.53 - Simone Albergoni E1; Maurizio Micheluz E1; Roberto Bazzurri E2; Fabrizio Dini E2; Alessio Paoli E3; Alessandro Zanni E3 5. Sweden 34:01.32 - Bjorne Carlsson E3; Joakim Ljunggren E2; Andreas Toresson E2; Daniel Persson E3; Fredrik Georgsson E1; Niklas Gustafsson E1 6. Australia 34:42.04 - Damian Smith E1; 2. Glenn Kearney E2; Stefan Merriman E2; Anthony Roberts E1; Bradley Williscroft E3; Jake Stapleton E2 Click here to view the news

The 2007 FIM Motocross World Championship sees Yamaha once again retain a strong and potent line-up of teams, riders and, importantly, equipment to tackle the MX1 and MX2 classes over the sixth month, fifteen round series. Top priority of course will be to maintain the riders and manufacturers titles won and practically owned by the Rinaldi Team in the premier category since 2001. From 500cc to MXGP and then the last three years in MX1, Yamaha has toasted championship success every season this century. Thanks to Team Yamaha De Carli the company also has one of the most talented riders in the MX2 competition, Antonio Cairoli, pushing for a second title in three years this coming term. The YZ450FM and the YZ250F have set benchmarks in their respective circles since 2003 and now carry the current Yamaha fleet - outlined below - as the FIM World Championship celebrates 50 years of existence when the paddock reconvenes on April 1st. Yamaha Motocross Team The Yamaha Motocross Team may have an all-new rider line-up for 2007 but their pedigree and immense record of results is well-known and feared in the paddock. The Rinaldi brothers (Michele and Carlo) have moulded a highly professional crew from their Italian base since first embracing Yamaha’s four-stroke technology in 1999 with Andrea Bartolini claiming the 500cc World Championship. The small but technically proficient group have won a further seven titles in the last eight seasons thanks to a prosperous alliance with now-retired-Stefan Everts and their expertise with the factory’s innovations in motocross machinery. 2006 was something of a zenith as the team scored 14 from 15 MX1 Grand Prix wins on the latest aluminium-framed version of the YZ450FM. This year they will assist double World Championship runner-up and widely touted favourite for the ’07 crown Josh Coppins. The 30 year old is one of only six riders to have won an MX1 Grand Prix since the inception of the category in 2004 (and one of only two currently still in the series). Famed for his work ethic and dedication, Coppins has already adapted well to his new ‘steed’ with pre-season victories at meetings in Italy and France. ‘The whole bike is a step above what I had been using so it was a really positive experience from day one,’ the New Zealander commented on his initial tests with the YZ. ‘I felt comfortable right away and as I have been working with it more and more over the last couple of months I have found the strong points, the chassis among them.’ ‘I feel like I have adapted to a new bike very fast and I have a decent speed already; the team have helped so much in this respect and could not do any more for me,’ he added. ‘Regarding 2007 and beyond I will never be a Stefan Everts and win multiple world titles but I’ll do everything to win the title too with Yamaha; that’s my goal and I have some work to do.’ Coppins will be backed-up in his plight by MX1 debutant Marc de Reuver. The 24 year old has won two Grand Prix in the MX2 category but his tall frame and determined character means that this colourful Dutchman should be a valid threat in his maiden campaign on the YZ450FM. ‘I have some more to learn but it is coming along,’ he assessed. ‘Riding a 450 is very different. It hurts your body more. With an MX2 bike you are working hard with the cardio-vascular but the bigger bike makes your arms and legs ache! The Yamaha is really an awesome machine, powerful yet predictable and very strong at starts.’ ‘The Rinaldis are very passionate and take a lot of interest,’ he continued on his new team. ‘They want to know what you are up to and they go with you riding and testing. When you get off the bike they immediately want to know what is good, what is wrong, they want feedback and have meetings. It is very productive and professional.’ Of course Carlo Rinaldi will be marshalling his unit of six personnel for the two riders and is clear about his goals for 2007. ‘I believe that Josh can win and I am confident in him but it will be difficult and we must keep our feet on the ground a little bit,’ he said. ‘There are many people saying Josh is the title favourite and this is perhaps the first time he has ridden under this kind of pressure; in my experience pressure can affect riders in different ways. We have every confidence in him though.’ ‘With Marc he has the potential to be one of the top guys and has shown that he is as fast if not faster than the others at different circuits,’ he states. ‘He needs to work on his consistency though and still be able to find a result even on a bad day. I have seen him mature since he has been working with us and I am confident that this will have a positive effect on the track.’ Concerning the evolution of the YZ450FM: ‘We have improved the bike quite a bit again which I did not really think would be that possible especially because it was already so good last year. We have two new riders now though and we have found some settings and we have made some significant changes to the engine to match the riders’ requirements. That has left us very satisfied with the package we have.’ YZ450FM specifications Engine Engine type: Single cylinder liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC 5-valve Displacement: 449cc Carburation: Single Keihin FCR 39mm carburettor Ignition: YRRD Lubrication system: Semi-pressurized wet sump Maximum power: 60ps Exhaust: Full Titanium TransmissionType: 5-speed Primary drive: Gear Clutch: Wet with 9 plates: Hydraulic operated Final drive: Chain Chassis and running gear Frame type: Aluminium semi-double cradle Rear frame: Carbon fibre Triple Clamps: CNC machined from billet, made by Ergal Front suspension: Factory fully adjustable 50mm upside down Kayaba forks Rear suspension: Monocross with factory Kayaba gas shock absorber with titanium spring Front/rear wheels: 20/21 inch front, 19 inch rear Front brake: Ø270mm single disc, - radial calliper Rear Brake: Ø245mm single disc Weight: 101 kg Fuel capacity: Carbon fibre, 8 litres capacity Technical partners: Acerbis ; Afam ; Arrow ; Braking ; Brembo ; Champion ; Domino ; DT 1 ; Pirelli-Metzeler ; Regina ; Technical Touch ; Tommaselli ; Yamalube Josh Coppins - #6 Personal profile Date of Birth: 11/03/1977 Place of Birth: Motueka, New Zealand Nationality: Kiwi Residence: Motueka, New Zealand and Balen Hulsen, Belgium Height: 177cm Weight: 73kg Marital Status: Single Hobbies: Watersports, BMX, Trials Career highlights 2006: 7th, Motocross MX1 World Championship (injured) 2005: 2nd, Motocross MX1 World Championship + British Champion 2004: 3rd, Motocross MX1 World Championship + British Champion 2003: 12th, MXGP Motocross World Championship (injured) 2002: 2nd, 250cc Motocross World Championship 2001: 6th, 250cc Motocross World Championship 2000: 4th, 250cc Motocross World Championship 1999: 7th, 250cc Motocross World Championship 1998: 13th, 250cc Motocross World Championship 1997: 17th, 250cc Motocross World Championship 1996: 23rd 250cc Motocross World Championship Marc de Reuver - #14 Personal profile Date of Birth: 21/02/1983 Place of Birth: Amstelveen, The Netherlands Nationality: Dutch Residence: Lommel, Belgium Height: 191cm Weight: 75kg Marital Status: Single Hobbies: Surfing on internet Career highlights 2006: 5th, Motocross MX2 World Championship 2005: 20th, Motocross MX2 World Championship 2004: 14th, Motocross MX2 World Championship 2003: 7th, Motocross 125 World Championship 2002: 9th, Motocross 125cc World Championship, 125cc Dutch Champion 2001: 8th, Motocross 125cc World Championship, 125cc Dutch Champion 1988: Started racing Members Yamaha Motocross Team Michele Rinaldi (ITA) Team owner Carlo Rinaldi (ITA) Team Manager Massimo Raspanti (ITA) Technical coordinator Gerald Wever (GER) De Reuver's mechanic Fabio Santoni (ITA) Coppins' mechanic Andrea Zirri (ITA) Engine mechanic Manuel Volpato (ITA) Assistant mechanic Giovanni Pelizza (ITA) Logistics coordinator Team Yamaha De Carli Yamaha’s MX2 arm with the YZ250F is led by Team Yamaha De Carli. The Italian outfit has become one of the leading squads in the category since 2004 thanks to the achievements and eye-catching style of Antonio Cairoli. ‘Tony’ has won 26 motos from 96 and 10 Grand Prix from 48 in the last three years, as well as giving the 250 four stroke its first crown in 2005. The 21 year old Sicilian has finished third, first and second in the last three seasons of MX2 competition and adopts the race number ‘222’ for 2007; the digits with which he debuted on the international stage in 2004. ‘The YZ250F in 2007 has improved again and my team have done some excellent development work,’ Cairoli said, who leads the Italian Championship after three rounds. ‘It has been difficult to train in Belgium in the last few years because of the weather so we have committed to the first four rounds of the Italian Championship. They say there is no better training than racing but then there is also the risk of competition and giving 100% for the win! Obviously my objective is to regain the world title this season. I want to avoid the mistakes I committed in 2006 and I am hopeful.’ Cairoli is backed up by fellow 21 year old Matteo Bonini, who is hoping to shake off his bad luck with injury that blighted his first season with the team in 2006, and new highly rated teenager Alessandro Lupino (16 years old) who has already posted some very encouraging top ten results in Italy. ‘I am satisfied with our development and speed at the moment; we have reached a base that I believe is very good,’ said Team Principal Claudio De Carli. ‘The Italian Championship started well for us and is continuing to be positive. Tony is in good condition even if not still 100% and also Bonini has recovered and we expect some good results from him in the World Championship. We will also be running young Alessandro Lupino this year and we want him to mature and get some experience. He is only sixteen years old but has a lot of promise. He has made some good finishes in the Italian Championship and we hope this will carry on.’ Yamaha Van Beers Racing Team The Netherlands based Yamaha Van Beers Racing Team came to prominence during the 2006 MX1 World Championship when rider Manuel Priem finished a lofty eight in the final classification and they also celebrated two Dutch championships thanks to the efforts of Priem and Aigar Leok. The Dutch squad now offer Yamaha potentially excellent options in MX1 and MX2. 21 year old Estonian Leok graduates to steer the YZ450F while promising 19 year old Dennis Verbruggen is Belgium’s next star-in-the-making and attempts his first full MX2 campaign after winning the Under18 World Championship in 2005 and the European MX2 title in 2006 aboard his Yamaha. Leok and Verbruggen will start this season with renewed YRRD kits for both their bikes. Yamaha Team Ricci The second of three heavyweight Yamaha teams in the MX2 class is Yamaha Ricci who field Grand Prix winner Kenneth Gundersen, GP moto victor Davide Guarneri and Nicolas Aubin who surprised many at the Bulgarian and British Grand Prix last year with his speed on a privateer entry. All three riders can now benefit from the improved 2007 YRRD kits available for the YZ250F. The Italian set-up completed test sessions throughout February and Guarneri in particular seemed to be placing an injury-perturbed 2006 season behind him with some impressive podium finishes in the three rounds of the Italian Championship run to-date (that in itself is becoming a Yamaha ‘mini-series’ with De Carli and Ricci team members disputing the leading positions). Bike it Yamaha UK Dixon Racing Yamaha’s intent to regain number one status in the MX2 class extends to the calibre of Britain’s Bike it Yamaha UK Dixon Racing Team who have provided the YRRD kitted YZ250F with further victories and at least one triumph every season since 2004. Double British MX2 Champ Carl Nunn returns to the fold where he debuted in great style by winning the French 125cc GP seven years ago. Now 27, Nunn was Britain’s top ranked rider in all categories last year with a decent sixth position in the MX2 standings. The Brit will be partnered by another new Dixon signing Carlos Campano. Spain’s most recognised MX2 participant means that Yamaha’s cosmopolitan line-up in the World Championship includes representation from the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Britain, Norway and Belgium. Laurens Klein Koerkamp – Department Manager Racing Division Yamaha Motor Europe NV 'After winning 6 world titles in the last 6 years, for 2007 there a new challenge in MX1 with two new Yamaha riders. Josh has lots of experience, has shown a strong pre-GP season performance and used it to get to know the YZ450FM in each and every detail. We expect him to fight for race wins from the beginning and fight for the championship. Marc is extremely talented, has gelled into the team perfectly and with the Rinaldi experience and focussed rider-approach on and off the track we believe he can be a top MX1 rider. In MX2 Cairoli is fully determined to get back his world title. We expect Guarneri to come through as a next top MX2 rider with improved consistence. Kenneth Gundersen and Carl Nunn have the experience already and should be up there from the beginning. Interesting will is what the young guys will be doing : with Dennis Verbruggen, Nicolas Aubin, Bonini and Lupino Yamaha is investing in the future. They all get good support in professional teams and have the chance to show their skills and gain experience. Race Calendar 01 Apr 2007 – GP of Benelux, Valkenswaard 15 Apr 2007 - GP of Spain, Bellpuig 22 Apr 2007 - GP of Portugal, Agueda 06 May 2007 - GP of Italy, Mantova 13 May 2007 - GP of Germany, Teutschenthal 27 May 2007 - GP of Japan, Sugo 10 Jun 2007 - GP of France, St Jean d'Angely 17 Jun 2007 - GP of Bulgaria, Sevlievo 01 Jul 2007 - GP of Sweden, Uddevalla 15 Jul 2007 - GP of Republic of South Africa, Sun City 29 Jul 2007 - GP of Czech Republic, Loket 05 Aug 2007 - GP of Belgium, Namur 19 Aug 2007 - GP of Northern Ireland, TBA 26 Aug 2007 - GP of Great Britain, Donington Park 02 Sep 2007 - GP of Netherlands, Lierop Click here to view the news

The European motocross scene cranked into life last weekend with chilly and adverse weather conditions affecting the Valence and Starcross International races in France and Italy respectively. The first bout of action for the 2011 FIM World Championship Yamaha line-up was a very positive one with Monster Energy Yamaha’s David Philippaerts and Gautier Paulin winning the MX1 and MX2 classes on their YZ450FM and YZ250FMs at the sandy circuit just north of Bologna while new team-mate Steven Frossard won the Superfinal in France and was runner-up overall in MX1 in his first ride on the factory motorcycle. Bike it Cosworth Wild Wolf Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus – another debutant on YZ machinery – claimed the MX2 division just south of Lyon for an all-round impressive list of results. “My starts were not so good but my lap-times were fast and I was able to pass riders and come to the front,” said Philippaerts who won all three races through drizzle at Mantova. “It is a little bit hard to judge my level at the moment as we did not have so many GP riders here but I felt good and the bike was working very well. This was a good test and for sure it always feels nice to win. We will test some more on the Yamaha now in the coming races and I’m looking forward to Ponte e Egola next week.”  While Philippaerts was leading the way in Italy Steven Frossard was fighting a larger quota of world championship peers with at least nine grand prix teams present at Valence. Rain lashed down Saturday night and through Sunday morning and although a persistent wind dried the muddy terrain in the afternoon the layout was greasy and one-line. Frossard – making his MX1-GP debut in 2011 – went 8-2-1 in the three sprints, finishing the day with the chequered flag and second overall to Clement Desalle. “I hit the gate in the first heat so I had a really bad start,” he recounts. “It was hard to come back because the track was so slippery and dangerous. I was better in the second moto and when Pourcel crashed I moved into second but Desalle already had too much of a gap ahead; I also had a bit of arm-pump. I found it very easy to ride quickly in the last moto and this is a good start for me with Yamaha.” The third member of the Monster Energy Yamaha MX1-GP crew, Anthony Boissiere, took third place in the final MX1 ranking at Mantova. Gautier Paulin shone against the bigger 450 bikes in Italy to record 4-3-3 and capture the winner’s spoils in the MX2 division. Harri Kullas was also on the podium with third position while Christophe Charlier was sixth. “It was a pretty easy day and being the first race I did not want to take any big risks so I just rode within myself and got a feel for the bike in the conditions,” said 2010 Grand Prix of Benelux victor Paulin. “I did not push myself so it was satisfying to finish the day as MX2 winner.” At Valence Swiss Tonus gave the British Bike it Cosworth Wild Wolf Yamaha team a triumphant start to 2011 by setting a mean pace through the French ooze. The nineteen year old hit 1-3-4 results for a noteworthy start to his career as a Yamaha pilot. His fourth spot in the Superfinal was creditworthy considering it was against a split field of MX1 and MX2 machines and Tonus ripped the uphill start on his YZ250F. “My start was amazing in the last moto and I got a lot of traction,” he said. “I was almost in front of the 450s so that was pretty cool. The track was really slick so my aim was just to stay on two wheels and there were people crashing around me. I fell twice in the second moto and was pushing a bit too much so I didn’t want any more mistakes. Overall this is a great way to start and the bike was strong; which gives me confidence for the coming races.” Monster Energy Yamaha will see all six of their riders competing at Ponte e Egola, close to Florence, for the first Italian Championship round (of four) next weekend. Tonus is committed to the opening races of the British Championship, which begins in two weeks and will also see the first European outing of reigning champion Zach Osborne who returns from training in his native USA. Click here to view the news

The 2011 Yamaha World Superbike Team has unveiled the livery they will run for the upcoming World Superbike season. The new design features a Yamaha blue corporate racing colour scheme. The livery takes its inspiration from both the famous Yamaha speed block design and also one of the colours of the current production model YZF-R1, giving the bike a modern sleek appearance whilst emphasizing Yamaha’s racing image. The team features an all new rider line up for the 2011 championship with 28yr old Italian rider Marco Melandri, a previous 250cc World Champion, stepping across from MotoGP to partner 24yr old rider Eugene Laverty from Northern Ireland who steps up from the World Supersport Championship. The new livery will feature prominently on the leathers of both riders. The team continues its winter testing schedule on the 21st and 22nd February at the Phillip Island circuit in advance of the opening round of the championship in Australia on 27th February. Extensive photography of the new Yamaha World Superbike Team livery including detailed technical images of the 2011 YZF-R1 Superbike are now available for download at www.yamaha-racing.com/wsb/photo Click here to view the news

2011 witnesses a landmark of World Championship Grand Prix racing for Yamaha, having successfully competed at the highest level for 50 years. From the very first Grand Prix entry in the French GP of 1961 to today, Yamaha has been an icon at the forefront of Grand Prix racing with countless victories delivered the world over to the delight of the many loyal and dedicated fans. Yamaha will commemorate this incredible achievement over the course of this year with a number of actions. A special 50th Anniversary logo has been created using Yamaha's corporate colours and will be used during the season. The logo will be proudly displayed on the 2011 YZR-M1 fuel tank, on all Yamaha Factory Racing Team uniforms, within the pit garage of riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies and also on the Yamaha Factory Racing trucks. The World GP 50th Anniversary will also be celebrated online with a special dedicated website - 50TH YEAR OF ROAD RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX - live from tomorrow, 1st February 2011. The website features an impressive archive tracking the history of Yamaha's involvement with racing along with detailed historical information. Throughout the season the site will be regularly updated with columns and videos along with exclusive messages and interviews of key people involved in the Yamaha story. Several exciting events are also planned to bring some of the glorious racing history to life. A special demonstration run for the public and global media at Motegi in Japan will see iconic machines back on track. The legends on the circuit for this special event will include the 1974 YZR-500 (OW20), Yamaha's first 500cc factory bike and the 1978 YZR-500 (OW35K) which delivered three championships at the hands of Kenny Roberts. This event will also be scheduled for Assen to allow European fans to take part in the celebrations and see Yamaha's racing history come alive. When Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies take their places on the grid to contest the Dutch TT at Assen, their YZR-M1 race bikes will wear a unique Yamaha 50th Anniversary livery design, reflecting Yamaha's legendary GP racing activity. Click here to view the news

Following a successful 2010 season where Monster Energy became the ‘Official Energy Drink Supplier’ for the Yamaha World Superbike Team, the relationship has been extended for the new season. The 2011 team sees new rider pairing Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty both sporting strong Monster Energy branding on their helmets and as the team’s relationship strengthens the YZF-R1 race bikes of Melandri and Laverty will also now carry subtle M-claw logos on their fairings. Monster Energy will continue to have a strong presence in the Yamaha World Superbike Team hospitality. Monster Energy continues to drive a global fanbase by supporting action sports, motorsports and music. Its commitment to 2 wheel motorsports includes Motocross, Supercross, Superbikes and MotoGP plus relationships with some of its greatest athletes. Its action sports roots are unmistakable and the brand continues to work with awesome talent across skate, bmx, surf, FMX and many more sports besides. Having arrived on European shores in 2008, Monster Energy is continuing to grow at speed outside of its US base and brings an unmistakably fresh and fun loving approach to the scenes it supports. The hugely successful relationship between Yamaha Motor Europe and Monster Energy is now entering its fourth year in World Motocross, in 2011 no less than six Monster Energy Yamaha riders will be challenging for world titles in both the MX1 and MX2 world championships. Yamaha World Superbike team supported by Monster Energy – - Marco Melandri (Italy, YZF-R1) - Eugene Laverty (Northern Ireland, YZF-R1) Yamaha Monster Energy team in World Motocross – - David Philippaerts (Italy, MX1 class, YZ450FM) - Steven Frossard (France, MX1 class, YZ450FM) - Anthony Boissière (France, MX1 class, YZ450FM) - Gautier Paulin (France, MX2 class, YZ250FM) - Harri Kullas (Finland, MX2 class, YZ250FM) - Christophe Charlier (France, MX2 class, YZ250FM) In the MotoGP World Championship the Yamaha Tech3 Team continues its partnership with Monster Energy this season and alongside Colin Edwards takes on MotoGP rookie Cal Crutchlow who was also supported by Monster Energy last year when riding the Yamaha YZF-R1 in World Superbike. About Monster Energy The no.1 by-volume sales energy drink in the United States, Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it Superbikes, MotoGP, Formula 1, supermoto, skis, boards, snowmobiles, SX, rally, insane distance jumping, MX, off-road, trial, FMX, skate, MTB, wake, surf, snow, BMX - name it - the athletes are rockin’ Monster Energy more than anything these days. Check out all the types - Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Ripper, Monster Khaos, available in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Monaco, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, South Africa and UAE. The Monster Energy-backed riders putting it on the line dig 'em - so will you. Check us on the Net at www.monsterarmy.com and www.monsterenergy.com. Photography of the new Yamaha World Superbike Team Monster Energy branded YZF-R1 race bikes and riders Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty are now available for download at www.yamaha-racing.com/gallery Click here to view the news

A triumphant 2010 MotoGP racing season witnessed Yamaha Factory Racing Team rider Jorge Lorenzo charge to World Championship victory with an incredible nine race wins and a record breaking 383 championship points earned. The status of reigning MotoGP World Champion gives the young Mallorcan rider the unique opportunity to change his racing number to No 1 as he defends his title this season. Lorenzo today confirmed his intention to run the coveted No 1 on his Yamaha Factory Racing M1 race bike, revealing a clever design incorporating his JL initials. This will be the first time a Yamaha MotoGP rider has worn the No 1 since Wayne Rainey defended his World Championship title in 1993 for the third consecutive time. "Today I can reveal my No 1," said Jorge Lorenzo. "I am very proud because you have to work very hard to have the option to wear it. I have been lucky with my design because the No 1 works really well with my JL initials, maybe with different letters it would have been difficult to make it look right, I hope my fans will like it! I won't forget my No 99 this season, it will be there somewhere on my leathers because No 99 is in my heart. It was a difficult choice to change my number but I have earned the right for this unique opportunity to wear it." Click here to view the news

The 2011 World Supersport Championship will witness the welcome return of the championship winning Yamaha YZF-R6 to the grid with the Yamaha ParkinGO Team. In 2009 the Yamaha YZF-R6 was the track weapon of choice, dominating the World Supersport Championship in the hands of 2011 rookie MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow. The pairing proved unbeatable with Crutchlow using the full potential of the Yamaha Supersport machine to score ten pole position starts and ten podiums, including five race wins, on his way to the title. The Yamaha World Supersport Team was withdrawn by its owner Yamaha Motor Europe from the championship during 2010. For the 2011 season Yamaha Motor Europe will provide the 2009 championship winning Yamaha R6 race bikes along with Yamaha genuine racing parts to the privately owned ParkinGO Team, for 2011 to be named Yamaha ParkinGO Team. The race bikes will be refreshed and bought up to 2011 level at Yamaha’s racing workshop in Germany before being delivered. Yamaha technical staff will provide behind the scenes support on an ongoing basis throughout the season while the team itself will take responsibility for organization, rider selection and race entry. The Yamaha ParkinGO Team will continue partnerships with some of its own technical partners, although Yamaha Motor Europe will also support negotiations with it’s former technical partners and the team for the season ahead. The ParkinGO Team entered the last three seasons of the World Supersport Championship with a different manufacturer, performing strongly in 2010 with four podiums by rider Chaz Davies and a victory at Imola snatched away by technical problems. The season end saw a top five finish for the team with Davies fourth in the standings and teammate David Salom just behind in fifth. The 2011 line up sees British rider Davies remain with the team, joined by new Italian teammate Luca Scassa who impressed in 2010 as one of the top privateer World Superbike riders. Team owner Giuliano Rovelli, Chief Executive Officer of Oasi S.r.l. Servizi Aeroportuali, was a rider himself in the early nineties and is involved in a number of activities including the ParkinGO Company, the first network of airport parking facilities in Italy. "This is a great opportunity for officially supported R6 machinery to return to the World Supersport Championship,” said Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “The R6 is a winning machine which, after taking the World Supersport Championship in 2009, has continued in 2010 with many national titles alongside the European Superstock 600 Championship title, despite not competing at world level. It is our belief and our vision that in today’s circumstances supporting a private team with the materials needed to compete is the appropriate involvement in World Supersport for a manufacturer. I have known Giuliano for a few years now; in the past we could not find the possibility to do something together. The respect for each other has continued however and when the opportunity became available we were able to come to an agreement within a very short time. It is definitely a challenge to start at this late stage with the preparations, but the team and riders are professional and they will have full access to our information database for setup to progress quickly into the season. We consider the test in Portimao this week mainly as a shakedown for both bike and riders.” “We managed to reach a mutually satisfying agreement with Yamaha Motor Europe in just ten days time,” said Giuliano Rovelli, Yamaha ParkinGO Team owner. “Having the opportunity to work with a manufacturer that has racing in its philosophy makes a big difference. I shared this important decision with the whole team. Chaz Davies and Luca Scassa are professional riders and are looking forward to having the chance to win the World Supersport Championship with a very competitive Yamaha R6!” Click here to view the news

After thirteen stages of racing and more than 9000km covering two countries and a sizeable chunk of South America the 33rd Dakar rally has finished with Yamaha present on two of the final podiums. As the teams and riders celebrated the end of another gruelling event Yamaha Racing France Ipone’s Helder Rodrigues was thrilled to take a personal best result of 3rd overall in the motorcycle category while Yamaha machinery filled all three slots on the rostrum of the Quad competition. Portugal’s Rodrigues classified 2nd in the last stage of the two week trek that traversed the Andes and cut through the Atacama Desert. When technical misfortune struck closest rival Francisco Lopez Contardo the WR450F rider was able to improve on his 2010 ranking of 4th overall and open the champagne. Rodrigues claimed victory on Stage 6 and battled against adversity in the forms of a problem with delayed assistance, fuel shortages and navigation difficulty. The 31 year old was consistently quick and claimed top five finishes in seven of the stages. "I had imagined a different Dakar while leaving Buenos Aires two weeks ago,” said Rodrigues who has taken 5th, 5th, 4th and now 3rd in the last four Dakars. “I wanted this place on the podium. While starting the last stage I was somewhat resigned to the fact that I would have try for the top three another time but when I arrived to the special and someone told me ‘Chaleco’ had a problem then I felt excited. He must be disappointed but this can happen at the Dakar. In any case I reached my objective. I will be able to stick something else apart from a ‘4’ on the bike and this means a lot because it represents a real achievement at the Dakar. I want to thank my team and the Team Yamaha Racing France Ipone for their work but also my partners and my fans.” Yamaha saw three other WR450Fs in the top twenty of the class with America’s Jonah Street making it to the Argentine capital in 12th and with the distinction of claiming Stage 9. Rodrigues’ team-mate, Jordi Viladoms, placed 14th and another Spaniard, Jose Pellicer, sealed 19th spot. The third member of the Yamaha Racing France Ipone squad, Olivier Pain, was setting times close to the leaders when he unfortunately crashed in the formative phases of the race and broke his wrist. The name ‘Patronelli’ was again confirmed as a Quad winner at Dakar with Alejandro (pictured) eclipsing his brother Marcos’ success twelve months ago. The latter had to withdraw early in this year’s rally but Alejandro weathered a tough second half of the contest with an injured hand to bring his YFM700R home with an advantage of one hour over Sebastian Halpern and with Lukasz Laskawiec in third. Yamahas won eleven of thirteen stages with Patronelli, Halpern, Josef Machacek, Tomas Maffei and Laskawiec all reaching the top of the time sheets. Patronelli led nine stages and all the way to the line from the eighth leg. “It was hard, very hard,” said the triumphant Argentine. “If you analysed what happened then it is unbelievable. I had lost some morale and Marcos had fallen so I had to climb back up the slope, rediscover hope and then lost again it when I broke my hand and accelerating became almost impossible. I had to complete 400 kilometres that day and then 7 or 8 more stages. I said right then that ‘if the hand could manage the next 400ks then it must last the next 5000’ and here I am as champion with a hand and half! I am number one at the Dakar! I cannot believe it." From the twenty-eight quads that reached the conclusion of the first stage only twelve where classified upon reaching Argentina’s capital city. Among that group was Camelia Liparoti who diligently guided her YZM700R through the wide range of terrain, dust, rocks, dunes and mountains to achieve her goal of surviving the world’s toughest race. She was one of eight Yamaha pilots in the final collective. “My main memory will be of a hard rally,” she said. “With a lot of stones and not enough dunes! We had a lot of mud in the last few days but I kept a high speed on the last stage because I did not want to lose my ninth place!” “The Dakar has been a very strong and personal experience,” she added. “Now we are here at the finish the Yamaha quad still seems like new and a part of me feels like I could do it again.” Photos courtesy of Michel Maindru/Yamaha Motor France Click here to view the news

Yamaha playing prominent role as Dakar nears finale Stages 12 and 13 and almost 700km of special are all that remain in the 2011 Dakar – the 33rd edition of the world’s toughest race – and Yamaha are on the edge of another top-of–the-leader-board finish thanks to the skills and exertions of Helder Rodrigues and his Yamaha Racing France Ipone team. During the eleven stages held so far the Portuguese has been almost ever-present in the top ten on his WR450F and has notched five top four finishes including victory on Stage 6. Through more than 8000km of mountainous terrain, rocks, dust and of course the immense dunes of the Atacama, Yamaha has been among the protagonists of the class with Rodrigues frequently setting the pace alongside leaders Marc Coma and Cyril Despres but coming unstuck with navigation issues that have cost him further spoils. The 31 year old now has to reduce a margin of 46 minutes to climb over Francisco Lopez Contardo and enter the first three of the general standings of the bike category. At the same time he has a cushion of 1hr 7 minutes over the fifth-placed rider. “This year’s edition of Dakar is already in the home straight,” he said. “Tomorrow I know that I will start the penultimate stage with one of my very last opportunities to try and break into the podium positions. I realise that I have my current standing consolidated but if anything the history of the Dakar shows us that it is never over until the end of the final kilometre!” Rodrigues claimed Stage 6 but he wasn’t the only winner on the WR450F as Jonah Street aced the relatively short leg 9 to emerge victorious in what has been an inconsistent competition for the American so far. “We didn't have any bike problems, everything went really smooth so I'm happy,” he said after making the headlines. “It's awesome. You know what? We've been capable of this, it just hasn't fallen onto our plate.” Elsewhere Jordi Viladoms is 11th overall and hopeful of a top ten finish as he lies 9 minutes from 9th. The Spaniard would be easily holding this rank if it were not for a fuel shortage on Stage 8 that cost his valuable time. Yamaha has dominated the Quad category thanks to its YFM700R technology and the skills of Argentineans like Alejandro Patronelli (pictured), Sebastian Halpern and Tomas Maffei; first, second and eighth in the standings respectively and the trio have claimed nine stages between them with Yamaha owning ten of the eleven held (Czech Josef Machacek triumphed in the opening sprint but has since retired). Patronelli has not dropped out of the first two positions overall since the second leg and has been fronting the pack from Stage 8 onwards despite some adversity. “I hurt my hand and I'm having difficulty flexing my wrist,” he told www.dakar.com. “I struggled over the finishing line and I thank God that I was able to finish. I'm taking it easy now, riding almost gently. I'm trying to finish and avoid any errors. I'm just concentrating on preserving the quad and my physical health and getting to Buenos Aires.” YMF700R machinery also currently own fourth and fifth in the overall standings with Pole Lukasz Laskawiec and Pablo Sebastian Copetti from Argentina, both chasing the third step of podium. Camelia Liparoti (shown here) is one of the few female competitors remaining in the rally and has risen to 9th overall from just 13 riders left on four wheels (originally 28 finished Stage 1). “It has been difficult and I never imagined I would find so many stones but I feel good with my Yamaha and everyday I have been taking more confidence,” she said. “The quad is extremely reliable, during our rest day we simply cleaned the air filter and that was all. I am pushing at about 70% because my main goal is to arrive back to Buenos Aires on Saturday. The number of people who have abandoned the race at this Dakar shows you how tough it is and I don’t want to add myself to that list! Now so close to the end I realise that making it through every day is a big part of it.” Standings after Stage 11 Bike (with time difference to leader) 1. Marc Coma 19:14: 55 2. Cyril Despres 00:15:49 3. Francisco Lopez Contardo 00:49:24 4. Helder Rodrigues (Yam) 01:35:10 5. Juan Pedrero Garcia 02:42:55 11. Jordi Viladoms (Yam) 04:32:16 15. Jonah Street (Yam) 05:50:30 Quad 1. Alejandro Patronelli (Yam) 2. Sebastian Halpern (Yam) 3. Christophe Declerck (Pol) 4. Lukasz Lascawiec (Yam) 5. Pablo Copetti (Yam) 9. Camelia Liparoti (Yam) Click here to view the news

AMA-SX Race Report - 10/01/2011 Stewart opens 2011 campaign with 3rd at Anaheim The 2011 AMA Supercross series (also an FIM World Championship) got underway in front of a capacity crowd at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Los Angeles on Saturday with Yamaha LandM San Manuel rider James Stewart taking third position on his YZ450F. The 25 year old Floridian was competing in his first Main Event for almost a year and the 2009 champion needed to exercise patience and caution in recovering from a mid-pack start to work his way onto the podium. “There were only two spots on the track where you could do it [overtake] and I was just trying to make sure I made clean passes,” he said. “You know, it’s hard; you get in one side of the track and just follow all the way from the sand section until you get back through the whoops. Overall I’m happy though. Coming from 17th to third, I think that’s pretty good and lets me know that I still have the speed. Get a couple good starts and I think we’ll be right there.” While Stewart needed half of the twenty laps to reach the leading group and was then unable to shut-down the four-five second gap to defending number one Ryan Dungey and winner Ryan Villopoto other Yamaha riders such as Kyle Chisholm and Nick Wey found the difficult track even harder going as they placed 11th and 12th respectively. Stewart’s new team-mate, Kyle Regal, was 13th. Nick Paluzzi was the highest runner on the YZ250F with ninth place in the first round of the West Coast SX Lites. The second round of seventeen in the thrilling indoor-racing spectacle takes place next Saturday at Chase Field in Phoenix. 2011 AMA-SX United States Angel Stadium 10/01/2011 20 Laps 1 Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 19'55.986 2 Ryan Dungey Suzuki USA 0'03.671 3 James Stewart Yamaha USA 0'05.700 4 Trey Canard Honda USA 0'09.832 5 Chad Reed Honda AUS 0'27.453 6 Kevin Windham Honda USA 0'32.742 7 Ivan Tedesco Kawasaki USA 0'37.591 8 Brett Metcalfe Suzuki AUS 0'45.981 9 Josh Grant Honda USA 0'49.902 10 Andrew Short KTM USA 0'54.349 11 Kyle Chisholm Yamaha USA 0'58.861 12 Nicholas Wey Yamaha USA -1Laps 13 Kyle Regal Yamaha USA -1Laps 14 Mike Alessi KTM USA -1Laps 15 Jason Thomas Suzuki USA -1Laps 16 Justin Brayton Yamaha USA -1Laps 19 David D Millsaps Yamaha USA -2Laps 20 Thomas Hahn Yamaha USA -17Laps AMA-SX World Standing Rider Standings After Race 1 of 17 1. Ryan Villopoto Kawasaki USA 25 2. Ryan Dungey Suzuki USA 22 3. James Stewart Yamaha USA 20 4. Trey Canard Honda USA 18 5. Chad Reed Honda AUS 16 6. Kevin Windham Honda USA 15 7. Ivan Tedesco Kawasaki USA 14 8. Brett Metcalfe Suzuki AUS 13 9. Josh Grant Honda USA 12 10. Andrew Short KTM USA 11 11. Kyle Chisholm Yamaha USA 10 12. Nicholas Wey Yamaha USA 9 13. Kyle Regal Yamaha USA 8 14. Mike Alessi KTM USA 7 15. Jason Thomas Suzuki USA 6 16. Justin Brayton Yamaha USA 5 19. David D Millsaps Yamaha USA 2 20. Thomas Hahn Yamaha USA 1 Crowd: 45,000 Weather: Dry Lap Record: 0'44.601 (Ricky Carmichael , 01/01/2006) Last Years Winner: Ryan Dungey Manufacturer Standings 10/01/2011 1 Kawasaki 25 2 Suzuki 22 3 Yamaha 20 4 Honda 18 5 KTM 11 Click here to view the news

Jorge Lorenzo A double podium for the Fiat Yamaha Team today sealed the second leg of the 2010 Triple Crown, as World Champion Jorge Lorenzo finished second and Valentino Rossi third behind winner Casey Stoner in the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island. After a sopping wet weekend the weather finally cleared up today, as the sun came out and temperatures rose above 15 degrees for the first time. Lorenzo got a good start into turn one, losing one place to Marco Simoncelli but passing the Italian back soon after to retake second. As the World Champion had feared however he was unable to match Stoner's pace today, despite trying his best in the early stages. Once he realised he could not catch the Australian he contented himself with an uneventful but enjoyable race, unchallenged throughout to finish in second place. It was the 23-year-old's 50th start in the MotoGP class and his 32nd podium from those races. A small set-up tweak in warm-up had left Rossi slightly more hopeful of his chances today but the nine-time champion was left with all to do when he dropped to ninth on the first lap. He gained two places on the next three laps and on lap five found himself on the end of a four-man group in sixth, with third in his sights. He dealt with Simoncelli first, passing his countryman on the brakes into turn one, dispatched Nicky Hayden on lap seven and then fellow Yamaha man Ben Spies on the eighth. His task was not over however and he had his work cut out to hold onto the final podium spot with Hayden hard on his heels. On the third last lap the American got by the Italian but a brilliant last-lap move from Rossi secured him an incredible 13th podium in 14 years at Phillip Island. Stoner's win means Rossi slips one place to fourth in the standings, with a deficit of eight points from the Australian. After a hard three weeks the paddock now heads home for ten days, with Jorge Lorenzo due to take part in a parade through his home city of Palma de Mallorca on Wednesday when he returns victorious as the new World Champion. Today also saw American Tech 3 Yamaha rider Ben Spies, who will join the Factory Team in 2011, secure the Rookie of the Year title. Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 2ndTime: +8.598 "We knew Casey would be hard to beat today! I tried my best, riding as hard as I could at the start and occasionally it seemed like I was closing a little bit, but then on the next lap Casey would extend his lead again by a few tenths. I kept trying but I didn't have much hope and half way through I decided it was better not to take risks. I really enjoyed riding here and sliding a bit on my M1, it was fun but this was Casey's race today. It was good to be on the podium and now we are heading back and I have my first chance to go home to Mallorca as World Champion and to celebrate with my friends and family. Today we won the Teams' Title and this shows what a great season it has been for us all, with everyone working at the maximum." Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi - Position: 3rdTime: +17.997 "To start eighth and finish third is not a bad result and, considering the trouble we had this weekend, we can be happy. Today Casey was riding in a different sport and I want to say congratulations to him - the podium was the maximum for us but it was still a hard fight to get there. We made some good changes to our set-up this morning and I knew I had a better chance, but we still lacked grip and the bike started to slide a lot after a bit. I had great fun with Nicky at the end because in some places he was faster than me and I really had to push, but the podium here is so important for me and I couldn't give it up easily. This is my 13th podium in 14 years racing at Phillip Island and I am very proud of this record. We have had three podiums in a row, including one win, and after this difficult season I am happy about this. Today we won the Team title and I am happy for us all and for Yamaha." Wilco Zeelenberg - Team Manager "Today the podium was the most we could do. Jorge tried his hardest at the start and his lap times were quick; we had a good set-up today but Casey was just faster than us. Jorge really enjoyed himself out there and he had a big gap behind him so it was a successful day. Considering the difficult circumstances we've had all weekend we can be satisfied with what we've achieved. We are happy to win the Team title and now we are going home, finally, and everyone deserves a good rest!" Davide Brivio - Team Manager "This morning we did a good job and we were able to find a much better setting. Unfortunately the difficult conditions this weekend and the bad luck we had in qualifying yesterday meant that we were starting from the third row so we had a big job to do. Valentino did very well to get this podium. These three races have gone well for us and we're heading back to Europe satisfied. Congratulations to the whole team tonight for another Team Championship." Super Spies claims top rookie award in Australia Ben Spies set another personal milestone in his stunning 2010 MotoGP world championship campaign today, the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider's hard fought fifth place in the Australian Grand Prix securing him the coveted Rookie of the Year award. After a weekend of typically unpredictable conditions at Phillip Island, today's 27-lap race started under sunny skies with temperatures hitting a weekend high of 15 degrees. Spies made a flying start from the front row of the grid but slipped back to sixth after nearly touching new world champion Jorge Lorenzo as the field jostled for position at turn two. The 26-year-old was back in the hunt for his third podium by lap five, Spies executing thrilling overtakes to move by fellow American Nicky Hayden and Marco Simoncelli. But a small mistake under heavy braking for the perilously fast first turn dropped Spies back to sixth on lap eight. He quickly regained his composure but was unable to restart his rostrum challenge with Hayden and Valentino Rossi pulling clear. Spies had a determined Simoncelli to occupy his mind though, the Italian seizing fifth on lap 19. Content to shadow Simoncelli, Spies quickly realised he could lap much faster and claimed back fifth on lap 23. Displaying his expertise on worn tyres, a magnificent late attack broke Simoncelli's resolve to ensure Spies lifted the Rookie of the Year title with two races remaining. And his latest top six result means he will also finish top non-factory rider in 2010. Colin Edwards got his bid for a top ten world championship finish back o n track today, the experienced Texan claiming seventh. Edwards was hopeful of fighting for a top six finish but he spent the majority of the race adapting his riding style to counter a small rear grip issue. With just two races remaining at Estoril and Valencia, Edwards is just three-points away from an overall top ten finish. Ben Spies Ben Spies - Position: 5th Time: +22.221 "Jorge and I got super close coming out of the first corner and he almost touched my brake lever. It made me run wide in turn two and a couple of people came by. It didn't ruin the race but it ruined me building up some momentum. I fought my way back into third and was pretty comfortable when I ran wide at the first corner on lap seven. I got in there a bit hot and the rear came round. Everybody got a run on me and came by and dropped me back to sixth. I then had a good battle with Simoncelli. I kind of towed him around and h e picked up his pace and came by me. Once I knew nobody was behind me, I just waited until a few laps from the end to push and pass him back. I made sure I got a decent gap and chilled out in fifth. At the end I was running times that if everything had gone smoothly, I feel like we could have battled for the podium. Towards the end of the race I was running similar times to those ahead of me and that's all I can do. I'm happy to be Rookie of the Year too. I beat a lot of good guys for that and it will be an achievement I can be proud of at the end of the season. I've had some good results on this three-week stretch and I'm now looking forward to the last two rounds." Colin Edwards Colin Edwards - Position: 7thTime: +35.168 "The pace I'd run all weekend was pretty much the pace I was able to run in the race. Conditions changed so much over the weekend that we never really got enough time to work on findi ng a decent set-up. I was confident going into the race and got a decent start but pretty much from the second corner I was having some spinning from the rear tyre. I tried to adjust my riding style because I didn't want to lose contact with the group in front of me. I settled into a comfortable rhythm but I just couldn't go any faster. I was trying different lines but I couldn't enter the corner like I wanted to. My speed was basically dictated by what the rear was doing, but we'll look at the data and figure a few things out for the final part of the season. I want to thank my guys at Monster Yamaha Tech 3. This has been a tough period of the season but we've worked really hard together and I'm happy with the way I've performed. Congratulations to Ben too for getting Rookie of the Year. He's rode awesome all year and he's beaten a lot of good guys to achieve that." Herve Poncharal - Team Manager "Ben's amazing season just gets better and better. To win the Rookie of the Year title with two races to go is a fantastic achievement for him and all of his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 crew. A lot of very talented riders came from the 250cc class into MotoGP this year and they knew all the tracks, which Ben didn't. He's done a magnificent job and done it with another impressive top five finish. Simoncelli never gave up but Ben was too strong for him and showed how strong he is on used tyres. Without a couple of problems in the early laps, I think he could have battled with Valentino and Nicky for the podium. I'd like to thank Colin for all his efforts in this run of three races because he has been very consistent, qualifying very well and showing strong form in the races. He might have expected to be a bit higher up today but he never stopped pushing and I'm delighted with his attitude. Congratulations to Yamaha too on winning another Triple Crown fo r the third year in succession. The competition is so high in MotoGP and that is an amazing accomplishment." Circuit Length: 4445 Temp: 15 Weather: Dry Lap Record: 1'30.332 (Marco Melandri, 01/01/2005) Fastest Lap Ever: 1'28.665 (Casey Stoner, 05/10/2008) Last Years Winner: Casey Stoner 2010 MotoGP Australia - Phillip Island 17/10/2010 Race 1 - 27 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 41'09.128 2 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 0'08.598 3 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 0'17.997 4 Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 0'18.035 5 Ben Spies Yamaha USA 0'22.211 6 Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 0'25.017 7 Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 0'35.168 8 Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 0'46.194 9 Marco Melandri Honda ITA 0'46.294 10 Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 0'59.635 11 Mika Kallio Ducati FIN 0'59.664 12 Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 0'59.732 13 Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN 1'05.029 14 Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 1'05.053 Â Rider Standings 17/10/2010 Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha ESP 333 2. Daniel Pedrosa Honda ESP 228 3. Casey Stoner Ducati AUS 205 4. Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 197 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda ITA 179 6. Ben Spies Yamaha USA 163 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati USA 152 8. Marco Simoncelli Honda ITA 102 9. Randy De Puniet Honda FRA 100 10. Marco Melandri Honda ITA 93 11. Colin Edwards Yamaha USA 90 12. Hector Barbera Ducati ESP 76 13. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki ESP 73 14. Aleix Espargaro Ducati ESP 60 15. Hiroshi Aoyama Honda JPN 47 21. Wataru Yoshikawa Yamaha JPN 1 Â Manufacturer Standings 17/10/2010 Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 354 2. Honda 315 3. Ducati 255 4. Suzuki 96 Click here to view the news

Cal Crutchlow Having wrapped up the 2010 World Superbike Championship on a high in Magny Cours with a race win and a second place finish on his YZF-R1 two weeks ago, Cal Crutchlow ended his season with the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team by clinching fifth in the standings and claiming the ‘rookie of the year’ title. With just a few days rest under his belt he has started his move up from World Superbike to MotoGP with Yamaha by getting straight to business, today completing a one and a half day test of the Yamaha YZR-M1 race bike at Yamaha’s test track in Fukuroi, Japan. Despite mixed weather conditions with a damp or wet track Crutchlow had the opportunity to try the M1 on both full wet and slick Bridgestone tyres, impressing everybody with his speed on the wet test track. The rising Yamaha star also took some time to practice with the M1’s launch control to test starts. Cal Crutchlow “The M1 felt a lot smaller than my Yamaha R1 superbike,” said Cal Crutchlow. “I actually found the positioning more comfortable than the WSB machine. There is a lot of power but it feels very useable, it felt very different to a production based machine in terms of its delivery. In the wet we used the normal steel brakes but when it started to dry I had a chance to try the carbon ones which were cool, I managed to get quite comfortable with them. I found the chassis very stiff, it was really easy to change direction and the electronics were really different, even more advanced than the high level I’m used to in Superbike! It was a shame the weather wasn’t great so I wasn’t able to push to the bike’s full potential, I’m really looking forward to the Valencia test so I can get back on it and give it a proper work out!” Whilst in Japan Crutchlow also took time out to visit The Yamaha Motor Company headquarters and the Communication Plaza in Shizuoka where he had an opportunity to get up close to some of Yamaha’s historic and iconic machinery from past and present. The Valencia test will be on the 9th and 10th November. For 2011 Crutchlow will be entering the MotoGP World Championship in the Yamaha Monster Tech3 team, alongside Colin Edwards. Click here to view the news

Helder Rodrigues Yamaha WR450F rider Helder Rodrigues has completed a decent ‘warm-up’ for the 2011 Dakar by taking the runner-up position overall after six stages of the Rally of Morocco. Wedged in between Cyril Despres and Marc Coma, Rodrigues can feel confident of his form and condition in the final weeks of preparation until the ‘toughest rally in the world’ kicks off in Argentina on new year’s day. More than 150 competitors attempted the desert setting, dunes and rocky paths of the 2300km route over six days last week and the Portuguese was able to demonstrate that his WR450F is fettled for the new regulations at Dakar which sees the motorcycle category restricted solely to the 450cc capacity. The Rallye de Maroc has over 75 years of history. The 31 year old completed a consistent run and broke into the top three twice; finishing as runner-up on day two and then third on day four. In the final classification Rodrigues – who recently secured 3rd in the 450cc division of the 2010 FIM Rally World Championship - was just over five minutes behind Despres. “I am really happy to be part of such a prestigious podium and this proves we are heading in a good way for Dakar,” Rodrigues said. “I have to take my hat off to the organisers of this Rally as it was superb and full of variety.” Spaniard Jordi Viladoms was fifth overall for two WR machines to place at the top end of the leader-board. “It was a good week and I got to know the new bike really well,” he said. “I was really confident in the technical sections but we need to work a bit more to make the most in the quick parts and through the dunes. We will carry on testing to get ready.” France’s Olivier Pain classified 4th in the sixth and last stage and stood seventh in the final table giving Yamaha a sizeable presence in the top ten. Click here to view the news

Eugene Laverty The second day of the two day test at Magny Cours today saw the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team’s 2011 rider Eugene Laverty enjoying starkly contrasted weather to yesterday’s rain. Clear blue skies, sunshine and warm track temperatures allowed the new Yamaha rider the perfect opportunity to settle in to his YZF-R1 Superbike, completing 118 laps over the morning and afternoon sessions. The team were impressed to see his times drop progressively over the day, ending with a fastest lap time of 1’38.7 seconds, the fastest rider of the test. “A great first test on the Yamaha,” said Eugene Laverty. “I really surprised myself, it’s not often I exceed my own expectations as I’m very realistic normally. I really didn’t expect to go quite as quick or feel quite as comfortable so soon. I didn’t want to do anything silly and give the team the wrong impression so have just been taking it step by step learning the bike. I thought I would have to do more laps to get a good feeling but felt pretty good by lunchtime today. To have a good base leaving the first test and got over the nervousness is great. The team has made me feel very welcome; the working relationship is great so I’m looking forward to continuing into the race season next year.” Frankie Carchedi, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Crew Chief for Eugene Laverty “Once again Eugene has exceeded our expectations. We reached our targets very early in the day and were able to make various changes to the bike through the afternoon session to suit Eugene’s riding style. His feedback was very precise which helped us in tuning the set up quickly to adapt to his riding preferences. I’m very excited about getting to our next test where our target is to test the 2011 bike.” Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team “I think it has been an impressive test, especially his calm approach. I think as a first test his integration into the team was really good. It seems that he was riding his bike already and he was able to be very consistent with really good lap times straight away in both wet and dry conditions, this gives me a lot of confidence for next year. In the end I don’t feel we could have expected a better test result, it has been a very positive two days.” Click here to view the news