The queen class of the world motorcycling cup changes skin, with the advent of four-stroke propellers. A revolution which sees Yamaha and their most representative pilot, Max Biaggi, on the front line. At the dawn of the great revolution that awaits the World motorcycle cup the strong objective uniting Max Biaggi and Yamaha is returning on Motorbike's throne: they declared it together to the Italian press, during the presentation of the Yamaha Yzr M1, the brand new four line cylinders - driven by a four-stroke propeller with five valves per cylinder - made by the Iwata brand to seize once more the number one of the Queen class.The M of the name means Mission One, and the imperative is only one, winning. Tested thoroughly and rigorously with trials that started last Autumn in Japan and then continued in Malaysia and Australia, Yamaha M1 concluded its demanding tour de force in Europe, with the final catwalk of two demonstrative circuits at the Catalogna Gran Prix, in Barcelona. Designed thinking of the pilot, Yamaha M1 is a powerful and manageable motorcycle.
"It's the fourth year that I've been running for Yamaha, I saw great enthusiasm in gaze of Japanese engineers and also here in Italy organisation is cared for to the highest level. We will need it, because the challenge awaits us, and that's the first four-stroke adventure, it is really tough. But also exhilarating".
During the presentation, Max spoke at length of the Yamaha M1 and the next season. "We have already come out various times with the new four-stroke, we have collected good indications but there is still a lot of work to be done. In the next few appearances that will take place in Jerez, Valencia and Estoril we will also have new material to test motor evolutions and for cyclist parts ".
Motorbike championships will be starting the 7th of April in Suzuka, Japan. "Yamaha has chosen a more normal configuration compared to the adversaries, a four in line cylinder. I am confident that this is the right choice, it is a solution our technicians know well and we will be able to get the most out of it. Electronics will count a lot: GP bikes will have a lot of power and we will have to manage it perfectly".
Biaggi continues: "I have never ran with the four stroke in my whole life, the first impact was surprising, compared to the 2T there is the novelty of the motor break: at the beginning it awes you, but if you get used to it can be a great ally to get to the limit ".
A stone's throw away from the Monza circuit, in Gerno di Lesmo, a true race centre was created: next to the GP motorbike department are the headquarters of the Belgarda Supersport team (Belgarda is the Italian importer and operative base for the Yamaha team), which in 2001 has dominated the world cup of the series' derivates with the super-fast R6, for years queen on the track and on the roads of the whole world.
January.2002
Max Biaggi
Yamaha Italy (In Italian)
Yamaha International
Autodromo di Monza (In Italian)
Belgarda (In Italian)
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