Ben Spies has signed a one-year extension to his Yamaha MotoGP contract, meaning that he’ll be staying on with the team for all 2012, and he’ll be also testing and giving feedback on the new 2012 1000cc bike which will be rolled out the day after the Mugello race at the beginning of July.

“I am very happy to say that I will remain a part of the Yamaha family,” said Ben Spies, “and that I will continue in the MotoGP series for 2012. This is a privileged time of my career riding for the most successful team in recent years at the very highest racing level. Yamaha has been great in supporting me through World Superbike and on to MotoGP and I want to thank them for all they have done, and for giving me their trust to continue in MotoGP in 2012. I especially would like to say thank you to Lin Jarvis and Masahiko Nakajima for their support.”

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, said “We are obviously delighted to announce the continuation of our partnership with Ben for the 2012 season and we hope that he will remain at Yamaha for many years to come. Ben has shown his ability to successfully compete at the highest level; firstly by becoming Yamaha’s first World Superbike champion in 2009 and then attaining the status of Best Rookie in 2010 with the Tech3 Yamaha Team. His transition to the Yamaha Factory Racing team in 2011 has just begun and we have every confidence in Ben’s abilities and high potential for the future. This timely decision now allows us to concentrate on the present championship and, in parallel, to prepare for our 2012 MotoGP program with the change to the 1000cc bikes.”

Reigning World champion and current standings leader Jorge Lorenzo also has a contract with the factory team until the end of 2012.

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Fiat Yamaha Team has opened its Yamaha Motor Racing headquarters in Italy, with a stunning display of old and new MotoGP bikes and two-stroke 500’s. Check out the great pics below of this tribute to Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and the Yamaha motor racing team. Gallery follows after the jump.

Fiat Yamaha Motor Racing headquarters museum

Source | Motoblog.it

Continue reading: Fiat Yamaha Motor Racing museum pics and headquarters in Italy

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Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd has signed a three-year agreement with Petronas, the Malaysian national oil and gas corporation to become a new official sponsor and partner of the Fiat Yamaha Team.

Under the new partnership, the Fiat Yamaha Team will carry the Petronas logo on both Rossi’s and Lorenzo’s bike’s as well as the team equipment and material.

“This is a very exciting development for Yamaha and for the sport of MotoGP Yamaha and Petronas already have a successful business relationship away from racing, and this new long-term business partnership will see the ties between the two multi-national companies strengthened further. It is especially good to see a global company of Petronas’ stature making the decision to enter into our sport at this difficult time and we look forward to working hand in hand with them to develop a long and mutually beneficial relationship.” said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing.

The new livery of the Fiat Yamaha Team riders and bikes with the Petronas logo will be seen for the first time during the first round race in Qatar this weekend.

Source | yamaha.motor.co

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