12TH YAMAHA VR46 MASTER CAMP STUDENTS GO IN DEPTH ON DAY 1

The 12th-edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders started their new adventure in high spirits. 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) showed great enthusiasm in the morning gym session and in the flat track theory class in the afternoon, attesting to their eagerness to learn.

Arriving at the FISIO GYM in the morning, the riders were greeted by VR46 Riders Academy Director Carlo Casabianca (who is also the owner of the gym), training expert David Zuccaroli, and VR46 Academy rider Andrea Migno. For their first of two work-out sessions this week, they focused on flexibility as well as endurance, both vital in motorsport at World Championship level. The riders are expected to use the stretching techniques they learned before every riding session in order to prevent injuries and improve movability. A run at the Campo Scuola with Migno gave them an extra reminder of the necessity of training if they want to compete at the highest level.

After a lunch break in Tavullia at Bar, Ristorante e Pizzeria Da Rossi, the riders got to visit the VR46 Motor Ranch for the first time. They were keen to meet flat track instructor Marco Belli, who is affectionately known as 'King of the Sands' amongst Master Camp graduates. Belli came armed with footage of previous Master Camp editions and a drawing board to explain all the dos and don'ts of flat track in his theory crash course. Though the students agreed that his explanation made it sound simple, they also all confessed that they expect their flat track riding session on Day 2 to be a challenge.

"We already got the theoretical bit of flat track over and done with", said Belli after his Flat Track 101 lesson.

"We used videos of previous Master Camp editions to point out tricky points on the track, and we also explained the geometry of the body and the correct techniques to interact with the motorcycle.

"We got the full attention of the riders, which we are very thankful for, but of course now they just want to start riding. So, tomorrow morning I will only do a brief chat, just to get an understanding of what they remember of the Day 1 theory lesson, and then they can start to enjoy the flat track experience aboard the motorcycle."

Comments

Eduardo Burr

"The morning gym session was really enjoyable. They taught us how to use our bodies correctly and how to stretch. I feel like this will definitely come in handy because being fit is important as a rider. I like Tavullia, it's a beautiful place, but visiting the VR46 Motor Ranch felt like a dream, except it was real! The track was really right in front of me. I can't wait to start riding there on Day 2. We learned a lot about flat track from Marco Belli, so that makes me even more excited to start riding. I think it might be a bit hard at first, but more than anything it will be fun!"

Dawid Nowak

"I learned some new stretching techniques. We also went running with Andrea Migno, and we had a bit of a chat with him about our championship, which was nice. Tavullia, for me, it's a beautiful place. Everybody 'lives' Valentino Rossi there: there are 46s everywhere. The VR46 Motor Ranch also is a really nice place. It's a big, nice track. It's such a nice feeling to be aware that the best riders train there, and that we will have the opportunity this week to ride with them. Marco Belli told us all about the body position, the angle of the bike, why do we have to lean, where do we open the gas, why do we have to open the gas, things like that. He also highlighted the places of the track where we need to pay extra attention. It seems easy, but whenever something seems easy, it's actually hard, so we'll see."

Marc Vich

"On Day 1, I learned about the importance of a warm-up before training. It's an important thing to do, so it's good to be reminded of that. Then we went to Tavullia - it's a beautiful place! It's touristy like where I come from: Mallorca. We passed the VR46 Store, and it looks beautiful on the outside. I'm feeling very excited about going inside later in the week. I hope to do some shopping there. When I saw the VR46 Motor Ranch as we were riding towards it, I was lost for words because it's a special place that not many people get to visit. So, I feel very fortunate to be here with the other riders. I'm really looking forward to start riding there. I already learned a lot from Marco Belli on Day 1, but I feel like we are going to learn even more on Day 2 because he is such as skilled rider. Let's see how it goes. Watching the videos, it didn't look so hard, but I already know it's not going to be easy!"

Krittapat Keankum

"On Day 1, in the morning, we learned some techniques to do a proper warm-up and we also practised some stretching exercises that help improve flexibility. I had a lot of fun, and it was nice that Andrea Migno was there with us. I was happy to see so many VR46 logos and pictures in Tavullia. It gives the place a special atmosphere. Another highlight for me was getting to see the VR46 Motor Ranch. I really like the track; it looks like great fun! We learned about the correct riding posture and bike handling. I think it will be hard for me the first time, but I will learn as much as possible and gain as much experience as I can."

Thurakij Buapa

"The exercises we did in the FISIO GYM to help improve posture by stretching were new for me, and that was fun. When we went to Tavullia the reality of the experience started to kick in. I felt so impressed and motivated. And then when we went to the VR46 Motor Ranch, I got even more excited. I really like the track. Learning about the riding position and correct lines made me want to ride there even more. I think it will be difficult in the beginning, but I'm impatient to get started!"

Shoma Yamane

"We've did a lot of stretching exercises on Day 1 that I had never done before, so I want to include those in my usual training. I enjoyed it a lot, especially with Andrea Migno joining us. I look up to him since he is a VR46 Academy rider and rides in Moto3. My first impression of Tavullia was that Valentino's restaurant and the VR46 Store are bigger than I expected. I enjoyed the delicious lunch at the restaurant. And I was also surprised by the size of the VR46 Motor Ranch. The track is bigger than I expected. I already had a theory class of Marco's once before. Thanks to this second theory class, I feel like I'm well prepared for tomorrow's training. It could be easy or hard, I think it all depends on the track conditions, but the track is wider than I'm used to. So, I want to use this width well with the gas fully open!"