THE MASTER CAMP STUDENTS RIDE AT MISANO WITH ROSSI ON DAY 4
The fifth edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders went on to explore new territory again on Day 4. Soft cross and motorcycle suspension filled the first part of the day, before they were able to measure their Grand Prix circuit riding skills against those of non-other than Valentino Rossi and the VR46 Riders Academy at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
Tavullia (Italy), 31st July 2018
USA‘s Cory Ventura (aged 16) and Jackson Blackmon (aged 17), Brazil‘s Eliton Kawakami (aged 18) and Bruno César (aged 18), and Thailand‘s Keminth Kubo (aged 19) aced the most intense day of the 5th Yamaha VR46 Master Camp. They started Day 4 at the VR46 Motor Ranch, but this time they weren‘t there for the flat track but rather for a soft cross session with Stefano Manzi at the sand track that runs through parts of it. In the afternoon they had all their bike set-up questions answered by the Andreani Group, before they could put the tips to the test for themselves on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, whilst riding with Valentino Rossi and the VR46 Academy.
Yamaha VR46 Master Camp students prepare to ride “soft cross” with Moto2 World Championship rider Stefano Manzi (third from right).
The riders had a long Day 3, but nevertheless the prospect of trying soft cross on Yamaha YZ125 bikes with Manzi filled them with energy. After the Moto3 rider briefly explained all the do‘s and don‘ts, the students were given the opportunity to get a feel for the track themselves, mainly focusing on keeping riding position and balance around the challenging circuit. Though they only had a relatively short amount of time to practice, Manzi saw them make great progress in the sweltering heat, but unfortunately it was soon time to move on to the next item on the schedule.
After a quick lunch, the students attended a theoretical lesson at the Andreani Group, which they found particularly helpful as they were able to get all their bike set-up questions answered.
After the intensive crash course, the riders were understandably tired from taking notes, but they couldn‘t slouch about for long, because Day 4 had an extra item on its schedule. The Master Camp riders didn’t mind, however, as they were on their way to the Misano circuit and had a Master Camp YZF-R3 waiting for them.
Jackson Blackmon leads two other riders into a corner at Misano.
It was there that the students had their biggest wish fulfilled, when Rossi as well as the entire VR46 Riders Academy joined the riding session in the late afternoon. Though it was difficult for the riders to control their excitement, they still managed to make use of a lot of the information given by the Andreani Group.
Cory Ventura leading another rider at Misano.
The students were clearly in their element on the Grand Prix race circuit. After a short briefing, this time given by Moto2 rider Lorenzo Baldassarri, the students headed out on track for a timed session, soon joined by their heroes. Adding yet another level to the passionate riding session, the last 20-minute free practice became a “mini shootout”. The fastest time was set by Kawakami, followed by Ventura and César.
Cory Ventura (left) turned the second-fastest time among the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp students at Misano.
You can watch back all the action of Day 4 here.
At the end of Day 4 the young talents were given a photo opportunity with number 46, ending yesterday‘s schedule in a perfect way, in preparation for today’s final leg of the programme.
VALENTINO ROSSI
It was a great pleasure to ride with the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders yesterday. I‘m happy that they could join us in Misano, so I could see them ride. I was curious to see what steps they made, because it‘s almost the end of the fifth edition. I‘m very happy with this Master Camp, it‘s always a very special event, and yesterday was especially nice with also all the riders from the VR46 Riders Academy there at the circuit. I had the opportunity to watch the Master Camp guys ride their YZF-R3s and some of the riders were very fast. I enjoyed spending time on the track with them and I hope they got some good experience from it and also had fun.
CORY VENTURA
It was a pretty amazing day. I got to try soft cross in the morning and it was nothing like what I expected it to be, but I still had a lot of fun. After the theoretical course we were able to ride Misano on some YZF-R3s and I had an absolute blast! I got to ride another GP track and I just can‘t wait to see what today brings.
JACKSON BLACKMON
Day 4 was another awesome day here at the Master Camp. I got to try something new and a little out of my comfort zone in the morning with the soft cross, so that was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. The same goes for the Andreani Group lesson. Then getting to Misano, the track that I ride in video games, is amazing! It’s so cool and fast – I just had a blast.
ELITON KAWAKAMI
We only had a short session of soft cross in the morning, but I feel I learned a lot. We did a few exercises on the bike and I liked it very much. After lunch we went to the Andreani Group and I was able to learn a lot about suspension. Then in the afternoon we went to Misano to ride the YZF-R3s. Since the first training I was taking a liking to the circuit. I was quick to find my way around it and went faster and faster. After the training I was able to improve my time. I‘m so happy with the results and to reach first position! I‘m looking forward now to start riding flat track again at the start of Day 5.
BRUNO CÉSAR
It was a day of mixed emotions for me – I didn‘t know whether to cry or smile. In the morning I had a crash during the soft cross session, which cut my riding session short. After a short medical check, the doctors said I was OK to ride the bike in Misano. When I arrived at the track, I had a bit of difficulty at the beginning, but I was still in pain from the crash. However, in the third training, my friend Ton helped me a lot and I was able to be a full second faster. This helped me be more focused during the last session. I was really fast and reached third place. I want to thank my friends for all the support.
KEMINTH KUBO
Yesterday morning we had a great practice session where we got to try soft cross at the VR46 Motor Ranch and I got some really good advice from Stefano Manzi. His tips helped me get new experience and I will definitely use it in the future to develop myself even further. The Andreani Group session was very interesting, especially because we got to apply the fresh knowledge immediately afterwards in Misano. It was my first time riding there and it‘s a good track, but also difficult. I really enjoyed riding it. It was also three or four years since I was last on a YZF-R3, so I learned a lot and had a great experience.
NOTES
In an effort to support young Italian riders aiming to become world-class racers, Valentino Rossi decided to put his vast experience and knowledge from his many years of racing to good use in 2014 and established the VR46 Riders Academy.
In March 2016 Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. entered into a formal three-year partnership agreement with the VR46 Riders Academy as an Official Partner and also as its Official Motorcycle Supplier.
In July of 2016 Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academy staged the inaugural Yamaha VR46 Master Camp with the goal of helping selected young Yamaha talent make their way in the racing world by increasing their skills and experience.
Since then the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has put on four subsequent training weeks. The riders for the fifth edition of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp were selected by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
A place in the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp can’t be bought, nor can riders apply for a placement – riders are put forward by Yamaha distributors only.
Yamaha is currently in the process of creating a step-up model and system to provide tier-based opportunities for young riders to further develop their careers.
Those eager to know more and curious about the goings on at the Master Camp can easily stay up to date. Tips, news, images, and videos from the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp will be posted regularly on its dedicated media channels throughout the fifth edition.
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP website: Yamahamotogp.com
Facebook: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp
Twitter: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp
Instagram: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp
Youtube: @YamahaMotoGP