The American duo commence their 2010 efforts for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team at the test at Sepang. Refreshed after a long winter break and boosted by the impressive performance of Yamaha's new 2010 YZR-M1 machine, Colin Edwards produced a stunning return to MotoGP action at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia today. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider ended the first day of 2010 pre-season testing with the third fastest time, a best lap of 2’01.932 only bettered by Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner as the MotoGP paddock reconvened after a three-month winter break. Edwards completed 48 ...Read more.

MotoGP teams have flocked to Sepang this week to test their bikes on the Malaysian track in preparation for the 2010 season. Fiat-Yamaha was on hand to unveil their 2010 YZR-M1, along with riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Despite Yamaha’s shuddering sales figures, there doesn’t seem to be too many drastic changes in the factory team’s camp, but perhaps the lack of change is indicative of Yamaha’s financial position. Speaking at the unveiling, Managing Director for Yamaha Racing, Lin Jarvis said, “The MotoGP program is a very important brand image promotion activity and ...Read more.

The new bike was due to be officially unveiled in the summer as a replacement for the FZ6 Fazer, had until now only been partially revealed with two teaser shots released by Yamaha of just the nose. Yamaha’s plan was to spend another month or so releasing more images but MCN was able to get hold of images before that. As a response Yamaha has released this single official image of the naked FZ8. The new FZ8 is based very closely on the FZ1, its 1000cc big brother. Like that bike both half-faired (Fazer) and naked (FZ8) versions will be available. The motor is believed to be a ...Read more.

Riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland completed their final day of testing today at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. The two British riders have worked hard over the three days, experiencing a variety of weather conditions from dry to wet to intermediate as they and the team worked through various electronic and bike set ups ahead of the 2010 season. The final session saw Cal fall victim to the drastically reduced grip of the track following yesterday’s rain. Fifty minutes from the end he lost the front of the bike on the slippery surface on the last corner before the home straight. ...Read more.

According to the Italian Web site GPOne.com, Valentino Rossi was admitted to a hospital in Pesaro, Italy, Thursday night due to severe abdominal pains. The 2009 MotoGP Champion was suffering from a serious inflammation of the appendix, not yet diagnosed appendicitis, but the doctors said emergency surgery was not needed. Rossi was sent home to rest and is taking antibiotics, GPOne.com reported. Appendicitis usually involves the removal of the appendix to avoid further complications. If the appendix remains inflamed, it commonly leads to peritonitis, which can be fatal. To clear up ...Read more.

Yamaha Motor Racing Srl is pleased to announce the appointment of Wilco Zeelenberg as Team Manager for Jorge Lorenzo in the Fiat Yamaha Team. Dutchman Zeelenberg joins the team from Yamaha's World Supersport Team, where he won the World Championship in 2009 with Cal Crutchlow. Zeelenberg previously had a successful career as a rider, contesting 100 Grands Prix from 1986 to 1995, racing with three different manufacturers including Yamaha. From 1995 to 2000 he then raced in the World Super Sport championship. On retirement from racing he joined Yamaha Motor Europe as Technical ...Read more.

The mainstream media includes the Italian in a list alongside the likes of Usain Bolt, Roger Federer and Michael Phelps. As is the norm at the end of the year, and also the decade, the world media has offered its view on the top athletes of the last ten years. With seven premier class World Championship titles since his entry into the category back in 2000, Rossi has secured his spot at the pinnacle of the sport and is now considered one of the best sport stars of the past decade. Assessment methods vary; in some cases the athletes themselves vote and set the rankings, while in others ...Read more.

2009 has been a spectacular and extremely successful racing season for Yamaha, both in the dirt and on the tarmac. We are extremely proud of our achievements so to celebrate with all our fans and customers Yamaha have run an international competition with unique prizes! We have been overwhelmed with the huge number of fans that have participated in the competition and have received many kind words of appreciation, admiration and congratulations on the competition entry forms. This is very valuable to us and we thank you very much for your interest and acknowledgement! On Thursday 10th of ...Read more.

After his dominating performance, the 2009 World Superbike Champion Ben Spies is a candidate for Speed TV’s Performance Award “Rookie of the Year”. During his rookie WSB season, Spies won the title with 14 wins in 28 starts, and a record-breaking 11 pole positions. You can vote for the Texan at www.speedtv.com or www.speedperformanceawards.com. Voting ends December 20, and the award will be presented in February. The Yamaha Sterligarda man, who will race in MotoGP for 2010 alongside fellow Texan Colin Edwards, will be competing against three candidates for the award: the ...Read more.

Kenny Roberts is one of the true legends of Motorcycle racing. A multiple World Road Racing (MotoGP) Champion and father of former MotoGP champion kenny Roberts Jnr. He was also one of the all time greats of American Flat Track racing. Check out this very cool video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k8hJWKIVNs For more discussion on Yamaha Motorcycle go to ...Read more.