12TH YAMAHA VR46 MASTER CAMP STUDENTS CONCLUDE THEIR TRAINING EXPERIENCE

The 12th edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders showed no sign of slowing down on the sixth and final day of training. They wrapped up their experience with a last visit to the VR46 Motor Ranch for a soft cross session. In the afternoon they enjoyed a tour of the VR46 headquarters and a guest lecture by Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal Lin Jarvis before the traditional graduation ceremony.

On the sixth and final day of the 12th-edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, riders Eduardo Burr (Brazilian, aged 16), Dawid Nowak (Polish, aged 14), Marc Vich (Spanish, aged 16), Krittapat Keankum (Thai, aged 18), Thurakij Buapa (Thai, aged 19), and Shoma Yamane (Japanese, aged 15) wrapped up a full-on but rewarding week of training. They successfully completed their final session: soft cross at the VR46 Motor Ranch. This was followed by a tour of the VR46 headquarters, a surprise visit by Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal Lin Jarvis, and the traditional graduation ceremony.

When the students arrived at the VR46 Motor Ranch in the morning, Marco Belli this time took on the role of soft cross mentor together with guest teacher Celestino Vietti. The entire crew was surprised to find out on the scene that Keankum is a national MX champion. With him available as an extra expert, the other protégées (for whom soft cross was new) were quick to book progress.

Belli summed up the experience, saying: "It was the final day: soft cross with Celestino Vietti, who taught them about the theory behind soft cross and the correct body position. It was also a pleasure to see Keankum in action. He is a professional, and we didn't even know! He also collaborated with us to help the other riders progress. The session went by fast, but they all made a good improvement."

"I think the training went really well", said Vietti. "Soft cross is very technical and physically demanding. It's not easy, but I like it a lot. I saw that the guys also enjoyed it, so I'm happy about that. Some of them had previous experience, for others it was completely new. I enjoyed riding with the more experienced riders. They were fast! The less experienced riders started in the right way: making sure they understood the technique first, and then they improved a lot. Motocross is different from other disciplines, but I'm happy with the work we did. I want to say 'Thank you' to the Master Camp staff and also to the mechanics because they did a very good job."

Then it was already time to move to the final venue: the VR46 headquarters. After the traditional guided tour, the students were in for a surprise. Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal Lin Jarvis had been keeping a close eye on the progress of the riders. He was keen to meet them on the last day and bestow some wisdom onto them about how to further their racing careers. In Valentino Rossi's office, he sat down with the soon-to-be graduates to answer all their questions until it was time for the big event.

The riders watched a summary video of the last six special days before being handed their official Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Certificate of Attendance. However, the signature of Valentino Rossi is still missing - but not for long. The six new graduates are invited to join the upcoming VR46 Riders Academy training at the VR46 Motor Ranch on Saturday as spectators. Rossi will be in attendance and sign their graduation certificates on the spot.

The riders watched a summary video of the last six special days before being handed their official Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Certificate of Attendance. However, the signature of Valentino Rossi is still missing - but not for long. The six new graduates are invited to join the upcoming VR46 Riders Academy training at the VR46 Motor Ranch on Saturday as spectators. Rossi will be in attendance and sign their graduation certificates on the spot.

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team want to sincerely thank Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Valentino Rossi, VR46, the VR46 Academy riders, the instructors, the supporting staff, and the programme's partners Oakley and Alpinestars for their contribution to this project. Moreover, the team wishes the latest six Master Camp graduates all the best in their racing endeavours.

Comments

Tetsu Ono: General Manager - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.'s Motorsports Strategy Division

"This was an extended Master Camp, but it went by very fast! First of all, we are happy that we were able to complete this edition despite the tragic flooding that hit this area days prior to the event. We are all very proud that these six riders have remained focused and made the most of this opportunity. They have taken the tips and trick of the instructors and VR46 Academy Riders to heart, and we have seen them grow as riders in a little less than a week. I want to sincerely thank all involved. VR46, all the instructors and trainers, and the riders have done the utmost to make this edition a success. We are happy to see such stellar progress being made by young talent, and we hope they will continue to train in a similar fashion once they are back home. I want to say 'Congratulations' to our new Master Camp graduates. They have completed the most full-on edition of the programme thus far, and their performance has impressed us all."

Lin Jarvis: Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

"It's been a great pleasure for me to be able to join the students at the end of the six intensive days of training here at the VR46 sites and the VR46 Motor Ranch. Every year we are trying to improve the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp. I heard that during this 12th edition all the students had a really good time, though it was very intense and quite tiring. We were very fortunate with the weather in the end, and thanks to that, the young riders were able to practise many new skills. They have the Misano race coming up soon in their own championship. Hopefully they will be able to start using the new skills they have acquired. It was great to see such a good team of people work together with them this week. I want to thank VR46, Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Europe, and our staff from Yamaha Motor Racing for putting together this programme. I look forward to seeing how these young careers will develop in the future."

Eduardo Burr

"This was my first time jumping. That is to say: I've done some jumps in Brazil, but these were bigger. It was a good experience. It was also my first time riding a two-stroke motocross bike, and it's a lot of fun. I liked it! Overall, this week has gone by so fast. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has been like a dream. It's difficult to put into words... All I can say is that I'm very happy to have experienced it, and I'm very thankful for everyone who made this week possible."

Dawid Nowak

"Soft cross was a really fun experience. We rode with Celestino Vietti again, which - as I said before - is one of my favourite riders. That track was really nice. It was my first time trying MX. I thought it would be hard, but the tips Celestino gave me helped me improve a lot. I was able to do jumps, which was really fun to do, and it was nice. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp was a really nice experience. I wish everyone could experience this, but that's obviously impossible. It was a very professional programme, and we have done many activities. It's great to be able to ride with top MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 riders. It was really amazing! But the closing ceremony was the worst thing for me. I just couldn't believe it was over. To be honest, I wanted to cry, but at the same time I didn't want to cry, because I wanted to be in the moment so the memory would stay with me."

Marc Vich

"It was my first time trying soft cross, and it was a great experience. I had never done jumps with a motorcycle before, only on a bicycle, but it was completely different. You have to know the motorbike quite well to be able to do it. It was difficult, but by the end of the morning, I was able to do almost all the jumps apart from one. But I'm happy with the progress I made. For me, the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp was one of the best experiences of my life. It gave me the chance to try different motorsport disciplines, flat track and soft cross, and I'm so happy to have had that opportunity."

Krittapat Keankum

"I have experience in soft cross already, so naturally this suited me. It felt great riding motocross with Celestino. It was one of those moments that almost doesn't seem real, but it was real, and it was really great. I had a lot of fun this week. I learned a lot about riding techniques and also about having the right mindset. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has helped me get a new perspective on racing at world championship level."

Thurakij Buapa

"I enjoyed the final session, though it was a weird idea that it was the final session for us. Still, I tried to concentrate and gain as much experience as possible. I was aiming to have fun and learn the techniques so I could ride in a better way. The session went by really fast. Actually, this whole week went by fast. It was great fun and a very good opportunity to learn from the world's best racers. I want to thank the instructors and everyone who worked on the programme. I had a great time!"

Shoma Yamane

"I started softcross hesitantly because I was afraid of injuries, but as I went on, I got a feeling for it, especially the landing, so I got faster. I thought I might get injured if I pushed too hard, so I decided to work at my own pace and concentrated on my training. As a result, I got a good feeling at the end. Throughout the week, regarding flat track, I definitely felt my growth. I realise that I still have many challenges to overcome, so I want to work on them when I get home. As for the other sessions, I'm sure I've obtained skills that are useful also when riding the R3. Unfortunately, I didn't get to play against triple World Champion Lorenzo Daretti in the eSport sessions. That would have been fun. Maybe some day!"