Yamaha unveils YZR-M1 ahead of MotoGP season test
Factory Racing has unveiled its new bikes and liveries in Jerez ahead of the final Official MotoGP Pre-Season Test. For the first time since 2010, Jorge Lorenzo is joined by fellow world champion Valentino Rossi.
Rossis return to Yamaha is one of the major talking points of 2013, as the nine-time title winner reunites with reigning champion Lorenzo for a fourth year together; the latter is aiming to become the first back-to-back champion since Rossi in 2008 and 2009. Fridays unveiling took place in front of the gathered media before company representatives and the riders staged a press conference."This year its going to be very interesting for sure, having the two riders back together," says Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, after a wall having divided the two sides of the Yamaha garage in 2010. "The situation has changed a lot since 2008, obviously, because in 2008 Valentino was the established star and Jorge was the newcomer. There was a kind of a different dynamic between the two riders and for us it was unknown what Jorge would do."The difference now is of course the roles. To some extent its been reversed; Lorenzo is now the current World Champion and Valentino is coming back to regain his form and to challenge again. Am I excited? Absolutely! Is it the same? No, I think it will be different this year but equally exciting."From 2013, the Japanese company has adopted the new slogan of Revs Your Heart."This year Yamaha embarks on yet another challenge, aiming for the top together with defending MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, who makes his return to the Yamaha family this season," adds Hiroyuki Yanagi, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. "All of your cheers of support and the backing of our corporate sponsors are the driving force behind each one of our victories and I hope for your continued support this season."This year the outfit also targets its first Teams and Constructors titles since 2010, when the famed rider combination was last in existence.
