MOVISTAR YAMAHA IS MOTIVATED TO MAKE ITS MARK IN MUGELLO
After securing the 500th Yamaha Grand Prix victory in Le Mans less than a fortnight ago, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team prepare to make magic at the Autodromo del Mugello at this weekend‘s Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley.
Scarperia (Italy), 31st May 2017
The Gerno di Lesmo (Italy) based Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team looks forward to arriving at the Autodromo del Mugello for this weekend‘s Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, their first home race of the 2017 MotoGP season.
After a brilliant victory in France, where he showed a superb speed, Maverick Viñales is determined to keep the momentum going over the upcoming back-to-back races in Mugello and Catalunya to maintain the lead in the championship standings.
So far, he posted a three-consecutive podium run in the flowing hills of Tuscany, consisting of a win in 2012 (Moto3) and two third places in 2011 (125cc) and 2013 (Moto3). This weekend he will challenge for a place on the rostrum again.
The upcoming weekend is also important for local hero Valentino Rossi, who is feeling extra motivated to dig deep and put on a show for his dedicated fans.
Having left the “Ospedale Infermi” in Rimini on May 26th, after being diagnosed with mild thoracic and abdominal trauma as the result of a motocross training accident, the Italian will undergo a medical check-up at the circuit on Thursday to receive an official declaration of fitness.
The Doctor aims to add another top result to his previous record of seven back-to-back premier class victories at Mugello from 2002 to 2008, three third places in 2009, 2014 and 2015, a 250cc win in 1999, a second place in 1998, and a 125cc win in 1997.
To mark the team‘s home race in Mugello, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP teammates will show off a special livery again this weekend. Similar to the round in Jerez, both Viñales and Rossi‘s YZR-M1s will sport orange ENEOS branding on the lower cowling to highlight the long-standing partnership between Yamaha and JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy (the brand owner of ENEOS), that started in 2012.
The action at the challenging 5.2km circuit will kick off this Friday. Mugello hosted its first MotoGP event back in 1976 and became a permanent fixture in 1991. Soon it became a much beloved circuit amongst riders and engineers, as well as the thousands of enthusiastic fans that cheer them on, thanks to its mixture of uphill and downhill sections, a variety of fast and slow turns (six left, nine right), and its 1141m longest straight at the centre of the track, set within beautiful countryside of Tuscany, offering the spectators great views.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
After a strong week in Le Mans, where the whole team worked really well throughout the weekend, we now arrive in Mugello, which is the team‘s home Grand Prix. We plan to deliver another strong performance here, at a circuit that has always been a good track for us. Maverick is still on a high from his victory in Le Mans, where we saw three Yamahas fight for podium places. We‘re certain that with his determination, he will be fighting at the front again this weekend. It is also an important weekend for Valentino. Unfortunately, he had a motocross accident last week, but he is on the mend. He is really motivated to take part in his home Grand Prix as his condition improves day by day.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
MOVISTAR YAMAHA MOTOGP RIDER
After the race in Le Mans I could only say that I‘m so happy and so pleased, the team was working at an incredible high level and I‘m sure that we will continue like that. We have a really good bike for a circuit like Mugello, with a really good grip, and we have to make the most of that. With the championship being as competitive as it is, the next rounds will be all-decisive and it will be crucial to take the victory in Mugello, for sure I will keep fighting. We are going to push at our 100% and we‘ll try to do our best, as always.
VALENTINO ROSSI
MOVISTAR YAMAHA MOTOGP RIDER
Unfortunately I crashed while I was training on a motocross bike. The pain in the abdomen and in the chest is still severe. Fortunately, my condition is improving day by day and this allows me to think a bit more positively about the Mugello weekend. My desire to be at the start of the Italian GP is so strong and I’m working on recovering as soon as possible. It will not be easy but I still have a few days to continue the treatment. On Thursday I will have to do the medical check-up to get the OK to go on the track. If all is well, I will ride my YZR-M1 on Friday to really understand my condition. I will do my best to be on track Sunday, for sure.