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Yamaha riders eager to get back to real race action

Wednesday, 25 May 2011 16:31 GMT
Yamaha riders eager to get back to real race action
The most successful team effort of the year so far is surely that of the Yamaha World Superbike outfit. Having two riders inside the current top five is a feat no other team or manufacturer can match in the first four rounds, and the official R1 squad is also the only team to have had both their riders win at least one race. Not a bad effort, especially when you consider this is a team with two new riders at the start of the year, none of whom had any previous WSBK experience, and the fact that the team is now under the supervision of Andrea Dosoli, who is also new to the WSBK paddock in 2011.


Little wonder then that the team is eager to get back to winning ways now that the Miller Motorsport Park race is almost upon them, although a tough challenge is expected from many of the top riders, one in particular according to Melandri. "It's another completely new track for me but I've heard plenty of positive comments so I'm eager to go there and experience it for myself. On the down side, I know it's one of Checa's best tracks! I intend trying to close the gap between us in the standings but that won't be easy in Miller. I'm pretty sure we will be very competitive, obtain good results and enjoy the weekend in Salt Lake City." Melandri is second at present and the points gap he refers to is now down to 27 after the Monza round.


The classic venue of Monza was more than momentous for double race winner in his rookie season, Eugene Laverty. "I am really looking forward to the weekend at Miller Motorsports Park especially after my double win in Monza," said Laverty. "It's probably one of the tracks where I have performed best in the past so it should be an ideal place to pick up where I left off in the last race, just less than three weeks ago! I have always been quite fast at Miller on the supersport bike and hopefully I will be again this year on my R1. The bike is working very well, so I'm feeling pretty confident that I can have a good weekend." Laverty is now fifth overall, with a points gap of 60 behind championship leader Checa.