Yamaha has already had the name Fiat on the fairings of its motorcycles in Grand Prix where we still see the Abarth sign and, in 2022, the Japanese firm will have motorcycles powered by Triumph with its identity on them in Moto2. What do these mixtures of genres have in common? Valentino Rossi, whose influence remains in place, this time via his academy. Here is the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team, which the Iwata firm says is proof of a sector intended to reveal its champion of tomorrow...
Three years after his debut in FIM CEV Moto2, the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team arrives this year at the Motorcycle World Championship with Gelete Nieto at the controls of his box and with a couple of very young drivers: the Japanese Kevin Kubo and the Spanish Manuel González. They will have the opportunity to compete full-time in the world championship for the first time.
The Madrid pilot arrives in Moto2 after showing his talent in the WorldSBK paddock, where he was the youngest Supersport 300 champion in history. He also shone during his two seasons in Supersport 600. Last year, he achieved seven podiums, two victories and a third place in the final standings.
These merits earned Manu one of the places in the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team, a structure resulting from the collaboration between the manufacturer Iwata and the company VR46 owned by Valentino Rossi, which aims to consolidate itself as a pilot incubator for Yamaha in Moto2. A diagram that looks like KTM made with the teamAki Ajo. In fact, the very name of the team -Yamaha Master Camp- refers to the intensive riding courses that the VR46 Academy regularly organizes in Tavullia for pilots Yamaha of the whole world. To date, 42 men and women from 15 countries have already passed through its facilities.
« I really want to start this new season because this year I had the opportunity to take a big step for myself and for my career" , said Manuel Gonzalez. " Arriving in the MotoGP paddock with this Moto2 team which has the support of Yamaha and VR46 makes me very happy and motivates me even more to to give my best, to show my potential and to be a better driver and a better person. I am very grateful to have this opportunity and will do my best to take advantage of it. During our first tests I felt very good on the bike and I can't wait to start the season with the team at the first race in Qatar ».
“I want the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team to include professionals but also friends”
His teammate Kubo knows the people of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team very well. The Japanese rider has raced with this team in the FIM CEV Moto2 for three years, and now it is time to make the jump to the world championship paddock. “ It is a great honor to be able to make my official debut in the Moto2 category with the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team »Says Kubo. “ I would like to thank Yamaha Motor Company, Thailand Yamaha Motor and VR46 for believing in me, and I will do my best to make them proud. We did two tests in Valencia and Jerez this month. The bike is great. I already knew almost everyone on the team because I was a Master Camp driver in the CEV championship. I have a great relationship with them all, especially with my team manager Alessandro Finelli. I know this new adventure is a new start, but I hope to do better every weekend and I will work hard to achieve this goal ».
At the head of the new Yamaha VR46 Master Camp will be a former Spanish rider, Gelete Nieto, who approaches this project with great enthusiasm: “ first of all, I would like to thank Yamaha and VR46 for allowing me to lead this new and young project and for believing in myself and my abilities. I think the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team has great value and strength, because it has the support of two large and important companies, so for me it's a real honor and I can't explain how happy I am. I think we can have a good season, but we have to be realistic about the fact that our drivers are two rookies. We must first understand how to work well, step by step, but always growing, because the World Championship is difficult. There are many strong drivers, strong and historic teams, and we are only just getting started ».
« I want this team to grow and for us all to work together, I want everyone to be professionals but also friends, and to create a very good atmosphere inside and outside the box. The season is long, we will be together for a long time and this is the best way to work well and stay focused. I want the riders to be happy when they get on the bike, to do the best job they can dream of and to feel safe with the people who work with them », concludes Gelete.
The Kalex of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Moto2 team will be painted in the now classic blue color Yamaha with a few brush strokes of black and fluor yellow which have always characterized the brand VR46. The proof…
