Sport – The blues are thinking big for next year – Used YAMAHA

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The blues are thinking big for next year

Sport - The Blues are thinking big for next year - Used YAMAHA

The two-wheeler manufacturer, number one in sales in France, wants to "accelerate" in 2008. For this, it is investing more than ever in competition: from the world level to the regional level, Yamaha intends to win the maximum number of races and titles….

In introduction to the press conference held yesterday in Paris, Jean-Claude Olivier, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor France, notes that "France, there are 320 brands on the two-wheeler market"! Also according to him, the"some glimmers of progress"in truth hide a market"very difficult".

In order to stand out from the competition, the Japanese firm therefore logically chose to invest in competition, an environment still reserved for the elites. Here is in summary the "competition program" of Yamaha Motor France for the year 2008…

Among the most prestigious championships is the World Superbike. However, by finishing in the top 10 in the Supersport category this year, Christophe Guyot’s GMT 94 team has obtained its entry ticket into this booming Championship..

"We like to delegate to people who look like the spirit we convey", explains the big boss" JCO ", with whom Christophe Guyot will begin his 6th year of collaboration at the highest level.

Full of praise for Guyot, his team and his partners who allowed Yamaha to win the Bol d’Or 2007 (read), Jean-Claude Olivier considers that having Yamaha Motor France participate in the Mondial SBK via the GMT94 team is already a victory.

The GMT94 program is therefore more coherent: while they were driving in 2007 on R1 pavements with Dunlop and R6 paved with Pirelli, Sebastien Gimbert and David Checa will only use R1 equipped with Pirelli, whether in Endurance racing. or in Speed.

For 2008, "the Blues" will target above all the top10, synonymous with increased resources to better compete for the championship the following season. "The financial assistance of the promoter is increased and for Qatar, this makes it possible to send 3 tons of material against 1.8 tons for the other teams ", indicates for example the French team manager.

For the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Bol d’Or, events in which the GMT94 will naturally participate, Sebastien and David will be joined by Steve Plater, a friendly and very experienced English driver who also finished second in the World Endurance Championship with the Kawasaki France Team.

Cumulating participations in the Superbike and Supersport championships in England and Spain, the British rider also participates in the impressive TT events of the Isle of Man, the North West 200 and even won the last two editions of the Macau Grand Prix on R1. ! A serious customer, therefore…

Always in speed, Yamaha also wants to give pride of place to young people since Martial Garcia – in addition to Nakatomi’s involvement in SBK – will lead the "Junior" project of YMF. So the French team will race next year Sylvain Barrier (ex-driver of the Dark Dog Academy) in European Superstock 1000 and the very young Loris Batz (15 years old!) In 600.

A long-term investment for Yamaha Motor France since with Loris, Jean-Claude Olivier is explicitly targeting the future GP2 category: by 2010, 4-stroke (of as yet unknown displacement, between 400 and 600?) Will replace the 250 cc 2-stroke. So the French are preparing for it !

Through this young recruit, JCO wishes "perpetuate the history of Patrick Pons, Christian Sarron and think that a 15-year-old who returns to Yamaha can make his career and win at Yamaha"(see our video interview) … To be followed closely !

On the road, Yamaha France will once again be represented by the disturbing Chevalier de Groland: Serges Nuques! French road rally champion in 2006 and 2007, "Ze Zalduna" will try the treble on the handlebars of his R1 … Banzaï !

Off-road, Yamaha Motor France will not always be officially entered. But while Alexandre Kowalski – YMF communications director – let us understand at the 2007 Paris Motor Show that the "limited structure of Marc (Germain, NDLR) in the French Championship", would not change, now JCO announces the support of Marc Germain at world level! The enduro rider therefore knew"rekindle the flame"at the French director !

Johnny Aubert in the World E2, Stephane Peterhansel in the classic events, Arnaud Demeester in the Trophee de France for sand races, Nicolas Aubin in the World MX2 with Team Ricci will also defend the colors of Yamaha.

Yves Demaria for his part is preparing to reorient his career: he will compete in three events in MX1, three in MX3, will participate in the enduros of Touquet and Hossegor and will even take part in classic events..

Romain Couprie will run after a 4th national title in Quad-Cross and a 3rd victory in Le Touquet. He will also compete in the Trophee de France Sand Race on a quad on Saturday and on a motorcycle on Sunday! Finally, he will participate in the European Quad-Cross Championship, just like Gregory Lassaigne. Christophe Declerck will compete in the World Rally Championship on YFM700 and will participate in the Dakar for the first time.

Regarding the Dakar "motorcycle", the official return of Yamaha Motor France will not be considered until the unique 450 cc category is established. "Because we are running for the scratch victory (…) and not to possibly win by default by an effectively unbalanced regulation", insists JCO … To David Fretigne of"strike the match", like Marc in enduro…

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