Day two of the first World Superbike test of 2010 saw wet sessions for Yamaha riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland, with dry track only appearing towards the end of the day. Both riders took it easy and enjoyed the opportunity to familiarize themselves with how their bikes worked in the wet for the first time.
The second day saw more extensive testing of the electronic settings and also an opportunity to test the wet and intermediate Pirellis tyres for the season ahead. Cal was again one of the quickest riders of the day, finishing in the top five, whilst James took a more relaxed approach, not pushing too hard in the wet weather.
Cal Crutchlow
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team, (4th, 1’50.1) “It wasn’t so bad today, it dried up in the end. It was a bit of a last minute thing to get a good time in. In the end we only had two laps on intermediate tyres. We got through some more electronics today but we still have some work to do on chassis and other electronics tomorrow.”
James Toseland
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team, (15th, 1’55.4) “It was one of those situations today, we had the last ten minutes getting to grips with intermediate tyres, I was getting up to speed as the last session ended. It’s a bit of a risk to get a good time in the wet on those tyres. It’s looking good for tomorrow though so we’re looking forward to some more dry time. Having said that it’s been good to get out on rain tyres and ride in the damp to experience how the bike behaved.”
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “Today was our first fully wet practice, the second practice started wet and slowly dried out. We worked a lot on the electronics adjustments with both riders. Last year we didn’t have so many wet practices so it has been very helpful today to gather data and information. We’ve had a full day to get a good wet strategy together, so we’re happy and looking forward to some more sunshine tomorrow.”
The Fiat Yamaha Team is pleased to announce that it will unveil its final 2010 livery on the morning of the first MotoGP test day in Sepang, Malaysia. Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will ride at the test in this new livery. On Thursday 4 February at 9am (CET), studio photography of the 2010 YZR-M1s and of riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will go live on www.yamaha-racing.com. There will also be video interviews on the site with both riders as well as with Lin Jarvis, Davide Brivio and Wilco Zeelenberg.
New for 2010 Yamaha World Superbike riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland took their first rides of the year today at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. Day one of the three day test saw the riders re-familiarize themselves with their YZF-R1’s and start working on their set-ups for the year.
The riders focus for the first day was continuing the development of their preferred settings. Crutchlow was on typically fast form, ending the day in second on the timesheet, less than two tenths of a second from the fastest rider. Team-mate James Toseland was also on form, ending the first ride of the year in fifth just half a second off the front.
Cal Crutchlow
Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (2nd, 1’42.9) “It wasn’t so bad for the first day. We’re still trying to get comfortable on the bike as we progress but we’re getting there. I’m working away at it and I think the times were good enough. To still be working out our settings and have good times near the top of the board is very satisfying.”
James Toseland
James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (5th, 1’43.3) “I think I ended up in fifth at the end of the day but only about half a second separates me from first. I’m pretty pleased, we’ve been trying a lot out on the bike and it’s been a really productive day. We’ve tested a lot of things and eliminated a few. I’m hoping the weather holds for out tomorrow but rain is forecast. Having said that, I’ve not ridden this bike in the rain yet so I’m happy for it to rain tomorrow and then be dry on Sunday so we’re testing in all conditions.”
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager “We did a great job today, everything was on schedule as it should have been. The team and riders worked really hard, we tested some tyres and as always also we have some other things in development. Cal was working hard on the positioning for his bike and James continues to get more confidence with bike as he gets used to his change from MotoGP.”
An LandM San Manuel Yamaha rider finished on the podium of the second round of the 2010 AMA Supercross/FIM World Championship at Chase Field in Phoenix but it was Josh Hill gaining his first silverware for the team instead of defending champion and Anaheim 1 winner James Stewart.
Hill gave the 2010 YZ450F its second rostrum appearance in as many weeks last Saturday when he rode to a steady 3rd place in Arizona behind the two Ryans; Dungey and Villopoto. After setting the fastest time in the first practice session Stewart suffered a heavy fall in the qualification Heat and left trackside in some pain. He was able to participate and win the Last Chance race but in discomfort. In the Main Event the Floridian was tussling for a slot just inside the top ten when he tangled with arch-rival Chad Reed causing him to be lapped and drop down the order to 15th. Reed retired for his second DNF and apparently is now on the sidelines with a broken hand.
Stewart catching up
Stewart was able to obtain 6 points for his efforts in reaching the chequered flag but has slipped from 1st to 7th after 2 of 17 meetings in the 2010 schedule. Hill meanwhile survived his own scare prior to his run to 3rd position: "I had a big crash in practice," he said. "I almost got into a head-on collision with [Fabien] Izoird, but I came out of that and didn't get hurt. I just got good starts, which is something I don't usually do, so it was awesome. I was just able to keep a good track position."
The 20 year old celebrated his fifth podium in the supercross class and finished just ahead of Ivan Tedesco, who was 4th, with Justin Brayton taking another top-ten finish with 8th place. Broc Tickle was 5th on the YZ250F in the West Coast Lites series and Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team's Gautier Paulin finished the second Main Event of his career in 12th after a mediocre start.
Round three will take place next weekend back in the Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Los Angeles.
Portugal’s Helder Rodrigues has completed the 9000km, 14 stage loop through Argentina and Chile that formed the 2010 Dakar rally in a fine fourth place on the WR450F. The 30 year old was one position ahead of France’s David Fretigne who added to his Dakar stage win tally by earning victory on the second day. The WR accumulated 10 top three results in total through the endurance and skill of both riders in the 32nd edition of the historic and challenging event.
Rodrigues was hunting for a podium place in the latter half of the two-week rally and traversed a variety of terrain and conditions in what was the second year of the spectacle being based in South America. The Enduro expert finished in the top three in four stages and dropped out of the first ten only once across the entire fourteen.
Helder Rodrigues
“I am really happy because I proved I have the speed and consistency to run at the front of the Dakar,” he said. “I am in good shape and arrived to the finish without any injuries or physical problems and I am really motivated to do well again here. I am one of the youngest riders among the leaders and after this result I feel that I win the Dakar; this will be a dream and I hope I can achieve it soon.”
Although Rodrigues could not topple Cyril Despres, who had led from the third stage, to give Yamaha their tenth Dakar triumph he was nevertheless the highest runner for the brand, just over half an hour in front of Fretigne. The Frenchman, a former winner of seven Dakar stages prior to the 2010 trek and also a victor in the old 450cc classification, had a bittersweet run through the continent. Celebration in stage two and a further four more runner-up positions were ultimately undone by an electrical problem on stage three that cost the Dakar veteran the better part of two hours.
“I did not achieve my goal of third place but to finish fifth despite losing one hour and forty-five minutes with a problem in the dunes, well, I could not hope for better,” reflected ‘Fretos’, who had charged from 20th place in the standings after his misfortune. “I won a stage and was pretty consistent throughout. I showed that I can be considered a candidate for victory.”
Fretigne and Pain
2010 was the first year in which all motorcycles were operating near a level ‘playing field’ with a technical limit of 450cc; larger capacity machines faced air restrictions. Only 450cc bikes will be permitted in 2011. “Next year we will all be on 450s so I am already impatient for 2011 when we will all be on equal machines; the competition has been revived,” added Fretigne.
Fellow Frenchman Olivier Pain was 9th overall, placing three Yamahas in the final top ten.
Yamaha dominated the quad category thanks to the skills of Argentinean brothers Marco and Alejandro Patronelli respectively with their YFM700Rs. Marco, runner-up in 2009, clinched the title with a commanding lead of over two hours. Along with his older brother the South American’s ruled six stages. Yamaha filled five positions in the top six with Spain’s Juan Manuel Gonzalez in third, Poland’s Rafal Sonik in fifth and Argentina Sebastien Halpern in sixth. In total Yamaha grabbed ten stage wins from a possible fourteen.
“In my dreams I could not have imagined this; two brothers finishing first and second at the Dakar! I think it is a bit of history for the rally,” said the winner. “This was a really hard Dakar and the toughest part was the climb through the north of Chile and Antofagasta, navigation was tricky and it seemed to never-end. I want to thank my team and my family who always supported me.”
