The seventh edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has officially commenced, with the five bLU cRU project participants learning how to use a race simulator from VR46 Riders Academy's Franco Morbidelli and Andrea Migno, and showcasing their off-road talents to three-time English Flat Track Champion and two-time American and European Flat Track Champion Marco Belli.

The Netherlands' Finn de Bruin (18), Italy's Kevin Sabatucci (20) and Jacopo Facco (19), France's Andy Verdoïa (16), and Spain's Beatriz Neila (17), were buzzing to start their training activities in Tavullia. Their first assignment was to complete a warm-up at the Fisio Gym, to loosen the muscles before putting in hot laps around the Misano World Circuit on the race simulator in full riding gear apart from the helmet, as demonstrated by MotoGP rider Morbidelli and Moto3 GP winner Migno.

Having worked up an appetite, the group then travelled to Bar, Ristorante e Pizzeria Da Rossi in Tavullia, where they also took the opportunity to sign up as a member at the Official Fan Club Valentino Rossi Tavullia and to go shopping at the VR46 Store.

Then it was time to really get down to business at the VR46 Motor Ranch. Flat track expert Belli was waiting for them there with five shiny YZ250F bikes and a detailed plan to get the flat track race-ready by the end of the week. After a short briefing on the correct riding position it was time for the riders put the theory into practice.

Joined on track by a VIP guest, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP's factory eRider Lorenzo Daretti, the students focused mainly on bike and throttle control, and body positioning. Impressed with the progress made so far, Belli commented:

"I think I can speak for us all and say that we enjoyed the first day at the VR46 Motor Ranch. For some of the riders this was a totally new experience, but that's why we always dedicate the first session here to letting the riders get used to the bikes and give them an understanding of how to ride on this surface. The ranch is actually a bit tricky, because it's very slippery here, the riding sensation is different from what these guys are used to.

"I always enjoy working with young, professional riders, because what you teach them, they put into practice and you can see their progress over the course of the day. So far, we focused our work on the body position and throttle control, to 'manage' the sliding and to have a good interaction with the bike. It's a very positive starting point for the next few days, and we can now go ahead with Day 2's schedule, which is a bit more intensive and challenging."

After the full-on first day of training, the new protégés relaxed in the evening by playing the MotoGP™18 game by Milestone with reigning double MotoGP eSport World Champion Daretti, who showed off his skills at the Misano track, proving to be unbeatable.

"It was great to be a part of the start of the 7th Yamaha VR46 Master Camp. It may even have been one of the best days of my life!", shared the Yamaha Factory eRider, who is also a passionate motorcyclist.

"It was my first time riding on flat track, just like the Master Camp students. The VR46 Motor Ranch can only be described as 'amazing' and 'enormous'. The riding at the start was very difficult though, it's something that takes getting used to, because it's very different from riding road bikes, which I'm more used to. But I'm sure we'll all see improvements over the next few days.

"From what I've seen so far, this programme is fantastic. The WorldSSP300 riders are all great. At the end of the first day I bonded with them playing a video game and, as I've already expected after seeing them on track, they're very skilled. I have to say that I'm also very impressed with the teachers at the Master Camp. On top of that, the atmosphere here is amazing, so it's all a lot of fun. I'm very excited that I get to spend a bit more time here after this great first day, I'm very happy."

Along with the VR46 Academy Riders, the instructors attending the riding sessions will monitor the Master Camp students' progress and help them further boost their performances. The students can put their new found skills into practice when they will continue their run in the 2019 FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300) and Yamaha Motor Europe's Yamaha R3 bLU cRU Challenge from August 7th - 9th at the Circuito de Jerez - Ángel Nieto for the Acerbis Spanish Round.

Comments

Finn De Bruin
"It was another great day, yesterday. We did a lot, and we also learned a lot. We started our training at the Fisio Gym, mainly focusing or warming-up, stretching, and Pilates. Pilates was a first for me, so I really enjoyed taking part in that, though I must admit that it was quite intense because I didn't have any prior experience. After that I tried the race simulator, which was very cool, because it looks so realistic. In the afternoon, we visited the Rossi Fan Club, where we all 'became a fan', so to speak, and we received a lot of gifts, which was really sweet. We also did a bit of shopping at the VR46 Store in Tavullia, and then we headed to the Ranch, we went 'flat tracking'. This was the first time in my life that I rode on a flat-track bike and on a flat-track circuit. It was really great to experience it, I really enjoyed it, also thanks to Yamaha and VR46, because the bikes were all-new and looked perfect - maybe now, after the first day, a little bit less so... Marco also added to the experience, he gave a lot of tips and tricks on how to ride the bike. I'm really looking forward to starting Day 2, as well as the other upcoming days, to see how much I can improve and push myself."

Kevin Sabatucci
"It was a great first day. We started all the activities, going to the gym and the VR46 Motor Ranch. It was great to see how the VR46 Riders Academy train in the gym, with activities that I've never done before. Also, the race simulator was useful to train the skills required on the bike. Finally, visiting the Ranch which was a dream come true. I can't find the words to explain how beautiful it was to ride up to it. It was my first time riding on a flat track and I want to thank Marco Belli for the advice he gave me. We'll see what will happen during Day 2, but I hope for more of the same emotions as the ones I experienced on Day 1."

Jacopo Facco
"Day 1 was amazing! In the morning we went to the gym with Morbidelli and Migno - they are fantastic and funny - and together with them we tried the race simulator. It was very hard but at the same moment I felt very happy, because I enjoyed it. But the best moment of this day was when I entered the VR46 Motor Ranch. Arriving to the ranch, riding down those hills, was like a dream to me! Riding on the flat track was actually quite difficult, but thanks to Marco Belli it was getting more and more easy as we learned to choose the lines and got to know all his riding secrets. On Day 2 I'll try to improve my skills further."

Beatriz Neila
"The first day was very intense, with lots of emotions. We started off by training with Franco and Andrea on the race simulator, which is an amazing opportunity for us! To make things even better I also ran into Valentino training there, just like we were. It all felt like a dream. In the afternoon we got to explore Tavullia and all it has to offer: the Ristorante e Pizzeria Da Rossi, the fan club, and the VR46 Store. At the end of the day we had our first riding session, which I was very excited about. It's not easy to ride on the flat track, and I had a couple of slides and crashes here and there, but it was overall a very valuable experience."

Andy Verdoïa
"Day 1 was really good. We went to the Fisio Gym first and I've learned a lot from Franco and Andrea. At midday we arrived at the Ristorante e Pizzeria Da Rossi. It's really nice place, very beautiful. We also visited the fan club and to become a member is a dream come true! Later in the afternoon we spent time at the VR46 Motor Ranch. Flat track is new to me, but it's actually really nice! You can slide and drift, it's a lot of fun! I've learned a lot from this first flat track session, and I think it's a positive skill to have in preparation for the remainder of the WorldSSP300 season. I hope to learn more during this week, so thanks to Yamaha and VR46, because this is a great opportunity and I can't wait to enjoy more of it!"