Yamaha announce complete 2018 road Racing line up
Japanese manufacturer prepares for battle with 12 riders
Getting geared up for the opening round of the 2018 season, Yamaha Motor Europe have unveiled their full line up through all three classes in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. From WorldSBK to WorldSSP300 their full factory line up will be a forced to be reckoned with this season.
Leading the way in the World Superbike Championship will be Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK riders Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark. A successful end to 2017 was welcomed in the blue garage, as the duo secured six podiums throughout the season – Lowes taking four and van der Mark securing two. With plenty of improvements made in the season, and more to come for 2018 the team are hoping to get the YZF-R1’s onto the top step this year.
Reigning FIM Supersport World Champion Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) sticks with Yamaha and his team for 2018, hoping to defend his title with a strong fight and will be joined alongside young Italian Federcio Caricasulo once more. Both proven race winners, they will be a strong team on the YZF-R6 as the WorldSSP championship continues to be renowned for it’s intense battles.
Joining Mahias and Caricasulo in WorldSSP will be Alfonso Coppola (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Junior Team), as the 2017 WorldSSP300 runner up and bLU cRU winner makes the step up into the 600cc category to compete in the European Supersport Cup. Beginning his season at MotorLand Aragon in April, the Italian will draw on his experience gained in 2017 and will look to impress with his new challenge.
The third official Yamaha team in WorldSSP this season will be the GMT94 YAMAHA team, as Mike Di Meglio is set to make his debut in the WorldSBK paddock with his well-established team. Competing with the team in the EWC, the French rider will bring a strong relationship and work ethic to the championship as he fights to make it into the top ten with the new team.
Spearheading the 2018 bLU cRU Challenge in the WorldSSP300 class this season will be Indonesian Galang Hendra Pratama, who took the first ever podium finish for an Indonesian rider in a World Championship race at Circuito de Jerez last season. Alongside Hendra will be Italian Luca Bernardi, Dutch riders Dennis Koopman and Joep Overbeeke, Notis Papapavlou from Greece and Frenchman Hugo de Cancellis.
Ahead of the official Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team launch, the Yamaha teams are raring and ready to go for what is set to be a sensational 2018. Follow all the action with the WorldSBK VideoPass.
