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04-03-2009, 10:34am
It appears that Stoner has got the pace once in again with that Ducati as he was vertually a whole second quicker than his rivals and as I mentioned yesterday it's also good to see Chris Vermeulen up there in the mix rounding out the top 4 just knudging Nicky Hayden back to 5th in the last session last night.
Now we will have to wait for some more action when they do there final lot of testing at the end of the month at Jerez and then the one day that we are waiting for the 2nd weekend in April when the 1st round of MotoGP kicks off back at Qatar.
So in saying all that here's some more light reading from both sessions as well as some more info for you all.... enjoy.
Last evening at Qatar sees Stoner set the pace in early running
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
As the last night of testing at the Losail International Circuit got underway on Tuesday it was Ducati Marlboroâ€s Casey Stoner leading the way on the timesheets.
At the midway point of Tuesday nightâ€s concluding test session in Qatar the 2007 World Champion and winner of the last two MotoGP races at the Losail track, Casey Stoner, was again way out in front of his rivals on the timesheet.
A dry, calm day preceded the MotoGP workout at the desert circuit in contrast to the rain on Sunday and wind on Monday. The first rider out on track at 6.05pm local time was Hayate Racing Teamâ€s Marco Melandri, shortly followed by Monster Yamaha Tech 3â€s Colin Edwards and Pramac Racingâ€s Niccolo Canepa, the proceedings commencing with an ambient temperature of approximately 20°C.
Just four laps into his eveningâ€s work the 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner set down a 1â€56.301 marker, shortly before 7pm, a hot lap which had not been bettered as of the midway point in the session at 9pm. Having completed less laps than any other rider Stoner is running quickly, but still in short bursts as he attempts to rebuild his stamina following winter surgery on his left wrist.
Below Stoner on the timesheet in second place was his successor as World Champion Valentino Rossi, though the Italian trailed the Australian by a considerable 0.671s margin as the only other rider to have lapped under the 1â€57 mark.
The early evening top five was completed by an improved Nicky Hayden, the new Ducati rider going more than a second faster than his Monday best already, followed by Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha).
The only incident of note was when Canepa suffered a crash on turn 13 but the MotoGP rookie has not been injured. Several riders are expected to undertake race simulations before the test concludes at midnight local time (10pm CET).
Qatar Night Test, day three – best times as of 9pm local time
1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'56.301 (20)
2. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.972 (36)
3. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.225 (36)
4. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.253 (26)
5. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'57.414 (41)
6. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.515 (46)
7. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.741 (39)
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.816 (32)
9. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'57.938 (36)
10. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'57.946 (32)
11. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'58.243 (32)
12. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.302 (34)
13. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'58.455 (34)
14. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.565 (32)
15. James Toseland, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'59.177 (30)
16. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'59.575 (34)
Stoner ends Losail visit ahead of competitors again
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
As the MotoGP Official Night Test came to a conclusion at midnight in Qatar on Tuesday it was Casey Stoner who sat proudly at the head of the timesheet.
Winner of the last two MotoGP races at the Losail International Circuit, including last yearâ€s historical first ever floodlit Grand Prix, Casey Stoner showed his strength around the 5.38km desert track again on Tuesday night.
The night time practice visit to Qatar, the second preseason test for the 2009 MotoGP field, ended with Stoner setting the pace just as he did in the opening test of the year in Malaysia in February.
Stonerâ€s best effort of 1â€55.744 was recorded shortly after 9pm on the 22nd of his 31 turns under the floodlights, the Australian completing far fewer laps than any of his rivals. The test saw him successfully debut a new carbon fibre swingarm on the Desmosedici GP9, though he was unable to undertake a race simulation and kept to short bursts on track as he rebuilds the strength in his left wrist, which was operated on over the winter.
Stoner crashed without consequence on turn two around ten minutes after setting his best time, but was back out on track within an hour.
Last yearâ€s Qatar poleman Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha) got closest to Stoner on the timesheet, though he was nearly a full second (0.989s) behind the Ducati rider, with his best time registered late in the evening. Lorenzoâ€s colleague Valentino Rossi completed the top three with a 1â€56.972 effort as the only other rider to go round under the 1â€57 mark, the Italian satisfied with a new electronics system on the Yamaha M1.
The top five was rounded off by Rizla Suzukiâ€s Chris Vermeulen, his best time arriving on the last of his 70 laps, and Stonerâ€s new team-mate for 2009 Nicky Hayden.
Also featuring in the top ten were Vermeulenâ€s Suzuki colleague Loris Capirossi, fastest Honda representative Randy de Puniet, factory Honda newcomer Andrea Dovizioso, the experienced Colin Edwards and San Carlo Honda Gresiniâ€s Alex de Angelis.
There were also crashes for Capirossi on turn six, Niccolo Canepa at turn 13 and Yuki Takahasi at turn three, but all three riders were reportedly unhurt.
The next outing for the MotoGP riders is the Official MotoGP Test at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain which takes place on 28th & 29th March. They will then return to Qatar for the first Grand Prix of the year on 10th-12th April.
Qatar Night Test, Day 3
1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'55.744 (31)
2. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.733 (82)
3. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.972 (75)
4. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.224 (70)
5. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.225 (53)
6. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.253 (42)
7. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'57.401 (77)
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.449 (74)
9. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.515 (46)
10. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.591 (61)
11. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.804 (66)
12. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'57.938 (54)
13. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'57.946 (50)
14. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'58.412 (61)
15. James Toseland, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'58.786 (51)
16. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'58.851 (73)
Suppo reviews new Ducati swingarm findings
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
New suspension part gets first run-out at Losail night test.
The big changes to the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 already brought in during the early stages of preseason, the relatively minor details are being refined in the final tests before the season curtain-raiser in Qatar. For this weekâ€s night test in Losail the latest item on the agenda is a new swingarm, used by the factory riders under the night sky.
Timesheet topper Casey Stoner was able to run the rear suspension fork on Monday night, in a brief ride on his last stint out of the garage. Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo commented on the findings, indicating no big worries with the partâ€s introduction.
â€Casey was able to do several laps with the swingarm and he is happy with it. Heâ€s helping us with what we are looking for, so heâ€s happy about that,†said the Italian after the second night of testing.
“Itâ€s the first time that we are testing it. For sure itâ€s not perfect,†he warned. “We have to work on the set up of the bike to adapt it to the swing-arm but the first feeling is good, positive.â€
Stoner was unable to test the part on Sunday night due to rain at the Qatari circuit, reducing his test to two days. The three-night event concludes at daybreak on Tuesday.
Pedrosa fractures not expected by Clinica Mobile
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Doctor Claudio Macchiagodenaâ€s initial examination on Spaniard reveals only bruising and swelling.
One of the first to attend to Dani Pedrosa after his crash in Qatar, Clinica Mobileâ€s Doctor Claudio Macchiagodena has eased fears over the Spaniardâ€s condition. The experienced paddock medic performed the initial examination on Pedrosaâ€s left hand and knee, and his early findings were limited to bruising and swelling.
“Pedrosaâ€s crash has left him with trauma in the left knee and arm, of which the knee damage seems to be the most serious because of the previous injury (suffered at Phillip Island last year and subsequently treated with surgery). There is no evidence of any fracture and it will simply require re-bandaging,†said Macchiagodena on Monday night.
“There was a suspicion that perhaps a bone had been fractured in his hand, but the first examination has ruled this out. We will have to wait for 24 hours for the swelling to go down and be able to definitively eliminate the possibility of muscle or bone damage.â€
Further examination on the Repsol Honda riderâ€s injuries will take place in Barcelona, Spain.
Pedrosa to undergo surgery on arm and knee
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Back in Barcelona following his Qatar test crash, Dani Pedrosa will need an operation on his left arm on Wednesday to fit a screw in a fractured radius bone, with his injured left knee also in need of surgery.
Having had a full medical assessment at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus clinic in his native Barcelona on Tuesday, as a result of his Monday night Qatar test crash, Repsol Hondaâ€s Dani Pedrosa has been diagnosed with a fractured left radius (one of the bones in the forearm) and a severely cut and bruised left knee.
Pedrosa flew back to Spain on Tuesday and went straight to his trusted surgeon Doctor Mirâ€s clinic, where he was also operated on in December having originally injured his left knee last season in Australia. The knee has been further damaged and will require skin graft surgery.
His left arm, meanwhile, requires a supportive screw insertion in order to heal the fractured radius bone more rapidly than if left unsupported.
Pedrosa did not stay at the clinic overnight and will therefore return on Wednesday to go under the surgeonâ€s knife again. It is unclear as yet how this will affect his preseason preparations with just over a month to go before the first race of the year.
Takahashi learning lines from predecessor Dovizioso
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Scot Racing rider picks up 800cc track tips in Qatar.
Preparing for their debut on the biggest stage, the MotoGP debutants are busy learning their lines for opening night in Qatar. That is the case for newcomer Yuki Takahashi, who chose an appropriate rider to whom to play understudy on the second night at Losail.
The Scot Racing rider´s former 250cc teammate and predecessor in the satellite squad, Andrea Dovizioso made an impressive debut to finish fourth at last years Grand Prix in Qatar. The Italian found time on Monday night to show the ropes to Takahashi, leaving the Japanese newcomer grateful for his help.
“I tried to do as many laps as possible to understand the bike; It was important to follow some more experienced riders to study the best line and I have to thank Andrea Dovizioso for this,†said Takahashi after a 65-lap marathon session on track.
"I'm still adapting to the RC212V, a completely new bike for me. It's normal that I need to do kilometres and get the feeling with the bike. At the beginning of the test session there was a lot of sand on track, then the conditions improved.
Takahashiâ€s fastest lap on Monday night was a time of 1â€59.153, leaving him thirteenth quickest.
MotoGP satellite squad becomes Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Tech 3 team agree two-year title sponsorship deal with energy drink manufacturer Monster.
Yamahaâ€s Tech 3 satellite team have reached a two-year title sponsorship agreement with energy drink brand Monster, which will see the squad rebranded as Monster Yamaha Tech 3 from the 2009 season onwards.
The team, headed by Herve Poncharal and running riders Colin Edwards and James Toseland, have been one of the more successful satellite efforts in recent seasons, and now have the strong backing of Americaâ€s number one by-volume sales energy drink factory behind them as they attempt another strong campaign in the MotoGP premier class. Their bikes will be decked out with the Monster Energy M-Claw logo, most recently placed on Yamaha factory rider Valentino Rossiâ€s helmet in a personal sponsorship deal.
“Itâ€s great to be linked with a growing brand such as Monster Energy, which has such a strong image and a big profile,†says Poncharal of the agreement. “Monster are very keen to support MotoGP and Iâ€m sure that our partnership will prove to be very successful. Our aims are to go even better than in 2008, and thanks to this agreement we are highly motivated to do so.â€
The attraction of sponsoring the team was explained by Monster Energy President Mark Hall, with the personalities involved in the project giving strong pulling power to the project.
“Both Colin and James have built huge followings throughout their careers and they are extremely popular riders, so Monster Energy is pleased to become part of their continued efforts through our partnership with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for the upcoming ‘09 MotoGP season,†comments Hall.
“Tech 3 has a highly successful track record as one of MotoGPâ€s premier teams and will provide a solid platform for Monster Energy as we continue to develop our brand image globally.â€
Now we will have to wait for some more action when they do there final lot of testing at the end of the month at Jerez and then the one day that we are waiting for the 2nd weekend in April when the 1st round of MotoGP kicks off back at Qatar.
So in saying all that here's some more light reading from both sessions as well as some more info for you all.... enjoy.
Last evening at Qatar sees Stoner set the pace in early running
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
As the last night of testing at the Losail International Circuit got underway on Tuesday it was Ducati Marlboroâ€s Casey Stoner leading the way on the timesheets.
At the midway point of Tuesday nightâ€s concluding test session in Qatar the 2007 World Champion and winner of the last two MotoGP races at the Losail track, Casey Stoner, was again way out in front of his rivals on the timesheet.
A dry, calm day preceded the MotoGP workout at the desert circuit in contrast to the rain on Sunday and wind on Monday. The first rider out on track at 6.05pm local time was Hayate Racing Teamâ€s Marco Melandri, shortly followed by Monster Yamaha Tech 3â€s Colin Edwards and Pramac Racingâ€s Niccolo Canepa, the proceedings commencing with an ambient temperature of approximately 20°C.
Just four laps into his eveningâ€s work the 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner set down a 1â€56.301 marker, shortly before 7pm, a hot lap which had not been bettered as of the midway point in the session at 9pm. Having completed less laps than any other rider Stoner is running quickly, but still in short bursts as he attempts to rebuild his stamina following winter surgery on his left wrist.
Below Stoner on the timesheet in second place was his successor as World Champion Valentino Rossi, though the Italian trailed the Australian by a considerable 0.671s margin as the only other rider to have lapped under the 1â€57 mark.
The early evening top five was completed by an improved Nicky Hayden, the new Ducati rider going more than a second faster than his Monday best already, followed by Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki) and Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha).
The only incident of note was when Canepa suffered a crash on turn 13 but the MotoGP rookie has not been injured. Several riders are expected to undertake race simulations before the test concludes at midnight local time (10pm CET).
Qatar Night Test, day three – best times as of 9pm local time
1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'56.301 (20)
2. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.972 (36)
3. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.225 (36)
4. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.253 (26)
5. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'57.414 (41)
6. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.515 (46)
7. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.741 (39)
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.816 (32)
9. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'57.938 (36)
10. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'57.946 (32)
11. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'58.243 (32)
12. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.302 (34)
13. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'58.455 (34)
14. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'58.565 (32)
15. James Toseland, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'59.177 (30)
16. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'59.575 (34)
Stoner ends Losail visit ahead of competitors again
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
As the MotoGP Official Night Test came to a conclusion at midnight in Qatar on Tuesday it was Casey Stoner who sat proudly at the head of the timesheet.
Winner of the last two MotoGP races at the Losail International Circuit, including last yearâ€s historical first ever floodlit Grand Prix, Casey Stoner showed his strength around the 5.38km desert track again on Tuesday night.
The night time practice visit to Qatar, the second preseason test for the 2009 MotoGP field, ended with Stoner setting the pace just as he did in the opening test of the year in Malaysia in February.
Stonerâ€s best effort of 1â€55.744 was recorded shortly after 9pm on the 22nd of his 31 turns under the floodlights, the Australian completing far fewer laps than any of his rivals. The test saw him successfully debut a new carbon fibre swingarm on the Desmosedici GP9, though he was unable to undertake a race simulation and kept to short bursts on track as he rebuilds the strength in his left wrist, which was operated on over the winter.
Stoner crashed without consequence on turn two around ten minutes after setting his best time, but was back out on track within an hour.
Last yearâ€s Qatar poleman Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha) got closest to Stoner on the timesheet, though he was nearly a full second (0.989s) behind the Ducati rider, with his best time registered late in the evening. Lorenzoâ€s colleague Valentino Rossi completed the top three with a 1â€56.972 effort as the only other rider to go round under the 1â€57 mark, the Italian satisfied with a new electronics system on the Yamaha M1.
The top five was rounded off by Rizla Suzukiâ€s Chris Vermeulen, his best time arriving on the last of his 70 laps, and Stonerâ€s new team-mate for 2009 Nicky Hayden.
Also featuring in the top ten were Vermeulenâ€s Suzuki colleague Loris Capirossi, fastest Honda representative Randy de Puniet, factory Honda newcomer Andrea Dovizioso, the experienced Colin Edwards and San Carlo Honda Gresiniâ€s Alex de Angelis.
There were also crashes for Capirossi on turn six, Niccolo Canepa at turn 13 and Yuki Takahasi at turn three, but all three riders were reportedly unhurt.
The next outing for the MotoGP riders is the Official MotoGP Test at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain which takes place on 28th & 29th March. They will then return to Qatar for the first Grand Prix of the year on 10th-12th April.
Qatar Night Test, Day 3
1. Casey Stoner, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'55.744 (31)
2. Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.733 (82)
3. Valentino Rossi, Fiat Yamaha Team - 1'56.972 (75)
4. Chris Vermeulen, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.224 (70)
5. Nicky Hayden, Ducati Marlboro Team - 1'57.225 (53)
6. Loris Capirossi, Suzuki MotoGP - 1'57.253 (42)
7. Randy De Puniet, LCR Honda MotoGP - 1'57.401 (77)
8. Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda - 1'57.449 (74)
9. Colin Edwards, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'57.515 (46)
10. Alex De Angelis, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.591 (61)
11. Toni Elias, San Carlo Honda Gresini - 1'57.804 (66)
12. Mika Kallio, Pramac Racing - 1'57.938 (54)
13. Niccolo Canepa, Pramac Racing - 1'57.946 (50)
14. Yuki Takahashi, Scot Racing Team - 1'58.412 (61)
15. James Toseland, Monster Yamaha Tech3 - 1'58.786 (51)
16. Marco Melandri, Hayate Racing Team - 1'58.851 (73)
Suppo reviews new Ducati swingarm findings
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
New suspension part gets first run-out at Losail night test.
The big changes to the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 already brought in during the early stages of preseason, the relatively minor details are being refined in the final tests before the season curtain-raiser in Qatar. For this weekâ€s night test in Losail the latest item on the agenda is a new swingarm, used by the factory riders under the night sky.
Timesheet topper Casey Stoner was able to run the rear suspension fork on Monday night, in a brief ride on his last stint out of the garage. Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo commented on the findings, indicating no big worries with the partâ€s introduction.
â€Casey was able to do several laps with the swingarm and he is happy with it. Heâ€s helping us with what we are looking for, so heâ€s happy about that,†said the Italian after the second night of testing.
“Itâ€s the first time that we are testing it. For sure itâ€s not perfect,†he warned. “We have to work on the set up of the bike to adapt it to the swing-arm but the first feeling is good, positive.â€
Stoner was unable to test the part on Sunday night due to rain at the Qatari circuit, reducing his test to two days. The three-night event concludes at daybreak on Tuesday.
Pedrosa fractures not expected by Clinica Mobile
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Doctor Claudio Macchiagodenaâ€s initial examination on Spaniard reveals only bruising and swelling.
One of the first to attend to Dani Pedrosa after his crash in Qatar, Clinica Mobileâ€s Doctor Claudio Macchiagodena has eased fears over the Spaniardâ€s condition. The experienced paddock medic performed the initial examination on Pedrosaâ€s left hand and knee, and his early findings were limited to bruising and swelling.
“Pedrosaâ€s crash has left him with trauma in the left knee and arm, of which the knee damage seems to be the most serious because of the previous injury (suffered at Phillip Island last year and subsequently treated with surgery). There is no evidence of any fracture and it will simply require re-bandaging,†said Macchiagodena on Monday night.
“There was a suspicion that perhaps a bone had been fractured in his hand, but the first examination has ruled this out. We will have to wait for 24 hours for the swelling to go down and be able to definitively eliminate the possibility of muscle or bone damage.â€
Further examination on the Repsol Honda riderâ€s injuries will take place in Barcelona, Spain.
Pedrosa to undergo surgery on arm and knee
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Back in Barcelona following his Qatar test crash, Dani Pedrosa will need an operation on his left arm on Wednesday to fit a screw in a fractured radius bone, with his injured left knee also in need of surgery.
Having had a full medical assessment at the USP Institut Universitari Dexeus clinic in his native Barcelona on Tuesday, as a result of his Monday night Qatar test crash, Repsol Hondaâ€s Dani Pedrosa has been diagnosed with a fractured left radius (one of the bones in the forearm) and a severely cut and bruised left knee.
Pedrosa flew back to Spain on Tuesday and went straight to his trusted surgeon Doctor Mirâ€s clinic, where he was also operated on in December having originally injured his left knee last season in Australia. The knee has been further damaged and will require skin graft surgery.
His left arm, meanwhile, requires a supportive screw insertion in order to heal the fractured radius bone more rapidly than if left unsupported.
Pedrosa did not stay at the clinic overnight and will therefore return on Wednesday to go under the surgeonâ€s knife again. It is unclear as yet how this will affect his preseason preparations with just over a month to go before the first race of the year.
Takahashi learning lines from predecessor Dovizioso
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Scot Racing rider picks up 800cc track tips in Qatar.
Preparing for their debut on the biggest stage, the MotoGP debutants are busy learning their lines for opening night in Qatar. That is the case for newcomer Yuki Takahashi, who chose an appropriate rider to whom to play understudy on the second night at Losail.
The Scot Racing rider´s former 250cc teammate and predecessor in the satellite squad, Andrea Dovizioso made an impressive debut to finish fourth at last years Grand Prix in Qatar. The Italian found time on Monday night to show the ropes to Takahashi, leaving the Japanese newcomer grateful for his help.
“I tried to do as many laps as possible to understand the bike; It was important to follow some more experienced riders to study the best line and I have to thank Andrea Dovizioso for this,†said Takahashi after a 65-lap marathon session on track.
"I'm still adapting to the RC212V, a completely new bike for me. It's normal that I need to do kilometres and get the feeling with the bike. At the beginning of the test session there was a lot of sand on track, then the conditions improved.
Takahashiâ€s fastest lap on Monday night was a time of 1â€59.153, leaving him thirteenth quickest.
MotoGP satellite squad becomes Monster Yamaha Tech 3
Tuesday, 03 March 2009
Tech 3 team agree two-year title sponsorship deal with energy drink manufacturer Monster.
Yamahaâ€s Tech 3 satellite team have reached a two-year title sponsorship agreement with energy drink brand Monster, which will see the squad rebranded as Monster Yamaha Tech 3 from the 2009 season onwards.
The team, headed by Herve Poncharal and running riders Colin Edwards and James Toseland, have been one of the more successful satellite efforts in recent seasons, and now have the strong backing of Americaâ€s number one by-volume sales energy drink factory behind them as they attempt another strong campaign in the MotoGP premier class. Their bikes will be decked out with the Monster Energy M-Claw logo, most recently placed on Yamaha factory rider Valentino Rossiâ€s helmet in a personal sponsorship deal.
“Itâ€s great to be linked with a growing brand such as Monster Energy, which has such a strong image and a big profile,†says Poncharal of the agreement. “Monster are very keen to support MotoGP and Iâ€m sure that our partnership will prove to be very successful. Our aims are to go even better than in 2008, and thanks to this agreement we are highly motivated to do so.â€
The attraction of sponsoring the team was explained by Monster Energy President Mark Hall, with the personalities involved in the project giving strong pulling power to the project.
“Both Colin and James have built huge followings throughout their careers and they are extremely popular riders, so Monster Energy is pleased to become part of their continued efforts through our partnership with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for the upcoming ‘09 MotoGP season,†comments Hall.
“Tech 3 has a highly successful track record as one of MotoGPâ€s premier teams and will provide a solid platform for Monster Energy as we continue to develop our brand image globally.â€