Yamaha welcomes Crescent as part of 2016 racing line-up

The 2016 Yamaha Racing Global Press Conference took place at the Diagonal 00 in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday afternoon, launching the Japanese Manufacturer’s strongest team and rider selection in its over 60-year racing history.

Alex Lowes, Sylvain Guintoli and Crescent Racing’s Paul Denning were publically welcomed into the Yamaha Racing family as part of the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team, with the YZF-R1’s 2016 livery unveiled on stage in front of a packed auditorium of invited guests and media. The event was held at the Telefonica Headquarters, hosted by MotoGP commentator Gavin Emmett and saw an impressive twelve teams share the podium to showcase their 2016 racing colours.

Before Yamaha’s road and off-road challengers were revealed, the President of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Mr Hiroyuki Yanagi shared a few words on Yamaha’s racing spirit. He was then joined by the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. General Manager, Motorsports Division, Kouichi Tsuji to discuss the 2016 road racing strategy.

After reminiscing on the successes of 2015 including the Triple Crown in MotoGP, the stunning Suzuka8H endurance win and the MXGP title, all in Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.’s 60th anniversary year, Yamaha Motor Europe Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Eric de Seynes took the stage to present Yamaha’s 2016 racing strategy.

For the first time since 2011, Yamaha returns to the MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship stage, with the newly formed Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team. Supported by Yamaha Racing R&D – which was established in Germany last year to manage the new YZF-R1 development – the team strives for glory with the new Superbike-spec YZF-R1. The all-new racing machine will be put in the very capable and talented hands of 25 year-old Lowes and 2014 World Superbike Champion Guintoli, with Denning at the helm as Team Manager.

The end of the presentation provided a further surprise for the newly-launched teams as the full line-up were joined on stage by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team’s Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi for a unique moment and a photo opportunity showcasing Yamaha’s entire racing strategy from the bottom to the top.

With this new strong line-up Yamaha is set to prove once again its challenging spirit and share the success that will come with sponsors, partners, fans and a worldwide fan audience captivated by the thrill of motorsport.

Paul Denning – Team Manager:

“Yamaha’s 2016 Global Team Launch was a great way for Sylvain, Alex and Crescent to be introduced and so warmly welcomed into the Yamaha family. The commitment of Yamaha Motor Corporation Japan and Yamaha Motor Europe is extremely impressive – from local events, all the way through the racing pyramid up to the World Championships, Yamaha is there fighting with the best competitors and strongly flying the “Racing Blue” flag.

“For Crescent Racing this is a challenging but exciting time – with Yamaha, we have a partner who is striving to achieve nothing less than victory but always upholding strong sporting and human values. The passion and positive spirit is clear from the start, and we are encouraged and supported by the long-term vision for the WorldSBK project and the prospects for success with the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team.

“The reaction to the livery for the new YZF-R1 was very positive, if the bike performs as well as it looks all will be well! Thanks to all at Yamaha, to Mr Gobbi from Pata and to all the project’s existing, new and yet-to-be-announced partners – we look forward to working with you all and to creating a positive new chapter for Yamaha within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.”