Road rallies – Julien Toniutti explains his time at Yamaha – Occasions YAMAHA

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Julien Toniutti explains his time at Yamaha

Road rallies - Julien Toniutti explains his time at Yamaha - Occasions YAMAHA

The surprise of this start of the year in the world of road motorcycle rallying comes from the transfer of Julien Toniutti, double French rally champion (2012 and 2013), who leaves the KTM family to adopt that of the brand in tuning forks. Interview.

The surprise of this start of the year in the world of road motorcycle rallying comes from the transfer of Julien Toniutti, double French rally champion (and), who leaves the KTM family to adopt that of the brand in tuning forks. Interview.

An important transfer for this top rider from the Journal moto du Net who abandons his Superduke, SMT and other RC8s for the all-new Yamaha MT-09 by joining Team 2B.

"I need to keep moving forward"

Headed by Herve Broyer, Team 2B already has Milko Potisek, a motocross GP rider who is also participating in the French Sables Championship in its team, where he has just won the Hossegor event on January 19. This professional structure therefore aligns our double French road rally champion in 2014 on the handlebars of a superb MT-09, with a third Scratch title in focus and a fourth podium at the Dark Dog Moto Tour to hang on to his already good track record. filled (Julien also has three consecutive podiums in the last three editions of the Dark Dog Moto Tour).

"A story of men"

But Julien Toniutti’s 2014 program is not limited to the French rally championship: he will participate – still in Team 2B colors – in the Dark Dog Moto Tour and the Tunisian Moto Tour, but also in the Manx GP on the Ile de Man this summer (on a Yamaha R6).

Site: Why leave KTM ?
Julien Toniutti : First of all, I really want to say that KTM has given me a lot and that after three magical years, I will not forget that it is thanks to them that I am lucky enough to have done everything path and be where I am today! But I need to constantly move forward and Yamaha, through its president Eric de Seynes (also, Editor’s note), made me a proposal that was difficult for me to refuse.

M.-N.C. : But still ?
J.T. : There is also this sports project which is particularly close to my heart (Manx GP) and Yamaha has the right bike for that (the R6). They give me the chance to be able to realize this dream that has been running through my head for several years now. There is also a story of men, since Herve Broyer, the team manager of Team 2B, is a long-time friend for whom I have a lot of admiration because he is a fighter who gives his all in what ‘he undertakes. It fits my state of mind pretty well. He also taught me a lot on a professional level and I always wanted to be able to set up a professional project with him, even if I did not expect him to offer me a sports project. And then there is also Eric de Seynes, who has always supported me in my projects and in the goals I set for myself, even when I was riding for KTM. A phrase he said to me a few years ago really touched and marked me. He told me: "I am available when you want to move forward on a sports project, the road is long and in our world, enthusiasts are always found!" When I think about it I tell myself he was right…

M.-N.C. : Why the MT-09 ?
J. T. : The MT 09 is a logical choice since it is THE novelty at Yamaha and its brand new three-cylinder in a budget of less than € 8,000 was eagerly awaited. Now, it only remains to show that this bike is versatile, fun and that it can be in front of different races..

M.-N.C. : Do you think you will find the same lap times with this MT-09 as those you did on KTM ?
J. T. : I have not yet had the opportunity to ride my MT-09 because I just received it, but the feedback that I have read in the are very positive. Everyone who has ridden this bike is unanimous in saying that the general assembly and the three-cylinder in particular are perfect for what you want to do with it. I even let myself be told that despite your advanced age, Marcus, you had finished but also on the hill climb with your new MT-09, which is rather very good for someone who only has the bike in hand. for a few days. And that once again demonstrates the versatility of the MT-09! I therefore assume that there are no bad bikes and that even if I start from a blank sheet this year, once I have found the manual and that I will have fun on the motorcycle, the times will follow.

M.-N.C. : What are your goals for the 2014 season ?
J. T. : As always, take maximum pleasure in all the races that I will have the chance to do this year. And like I told you, when the fun is there, the results are not far off. Of course, it would be magical to be able to grab a third French championship title with Yamaha and this brand new MT-09, but I will take the races as they come. I know it’s a long season and in rallying anything can happen, so I’m going to be careful and focused not to make mistakes while trying to stay consistent like I’ve always done. For the Moto-Tour, of course my goal will be to keep the podium in my sights, but a Yamaha hat-trick on this podium would also be a very good thing for the brand and I already have some ideas for that….

M.-N.C. : Why the Manx GP? You intend to leave the rally ?
J. T. : I did not especially plan to stop the rally, but it is true that after several years in this discipline I am attracted by other races. The Manx GP is one of them and it is a bit like the amateur category of the famous Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man. It’s exactly the same 64 km route but without the top drivers, which allows you to learn the route more calmly and to race with your own hands. The TT is a race that has made me dream and has attracted me for a very long time, but I prefer to keep a cool head, not to skip the stages and start with the Manx GP to see if I can handle the very high speeds that you can find there … I don’t expect anything from this race in terms of results, just discovering it other than on these videos that I watch all too often before falling asleep !

M.-N.C. : What races do you plan to do in preparation for this Manx GP, "alongside" the French rally championship ?
J. T. : Even if the circuit does not attract me more than that, I will certainly do some races of, a cup where we only find MT-09, or then a few races of WERC with an R6 to be able to go there in better conditions.

M.-N.C. : Good luck in the rest of your adventures !
J. T. : Thank you and if you will allow me, I would like to thank all my team and my long-standing partners with whom we are going to write a new page: Team 2B for their support in this magnificent adventure but also the entire Yamaha Motor France team which will give me the chance to be able to realize many more dreams that are close to my heart this year.

To follow all year round on the Motorcycle Journal of the Net: stay connected !

Marcus HIMSELF

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