13th Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Students Pass Final Test on Day 6

The 13th-edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp riders showed off everything they had learned on the sixth and final day of training. They wrapped up their experience with a last visit to the VR46 Motor Ranch for a flat track session. In the afternoon they enjoyed a visit to the VR46 Store and a tour of the VR46 headquarters before the traditional graduation ceremony.

On the sixth and final day of the 13th-edition Yamaha VR46 Master Camp, riders Gonzalo Sanchez Melendez (age 15, Spain), Takumi Takahashi (age 16, Japan), Dorian Joulin (age 17, France), Aymon Bocanegra (age 14, Peru), Wahyu Nugroho (age 21, Indonesia), and Md Adamhaikal Bin Jahar (age 19, Malaysia) wrapped up a full-on and sweltering but also very rewarding week of training. They successfully completed their final session: flat track at the VR46 Motor Ranch. This was followed by a visit to the VR46 Store, a tour of the VR46 headquarters, and the traditional graduation ceremony.

When the students arrived at the VR46 Motor Ranch in the morning, Flat Track Expert Marco Belli had the YZ250F bikes ready for some Americana racing. This time the Master Camp group was joined by former Grand Prix championship race winner and now rider coach Andrea Migno. The students couldn't have asked for a better extra expert for their final day, as he knows the VR46 Motor Ranch like no other.

After a bit of last-minute training with Migno, the game was on! It was a close battle, but ultimately Bocanegra graced the top step of the flat track podium. Takahashi came second, and Adamhaikal Bin Jahar took third.

Belli summed up the experience, saying: "The last day. The most important day. The day we had all been waiting for. It's the day that we put into practice all the tips and knowledge we have been teaching these guys.

"It was a really good session. Already in the Practice we saw some really good lap times, and everyone was safe in their riding, showing that they had fully grasped the required techniques. We did a Superpole to create a grid line-up for the race. Migno was also present for all of this, which was a good push for the riders and an extra challenge because he was fighting with them during all the races.

"We had a four-lap final race to decide our flat track podium, and it was nice to see how happy the guys were who came first, second, and third - they worked hard for it.

"I hope the riders have the opportunity and will make the time and effort to try flat track again in the future. Everyone from the staff is really happy with the progress the guys made. They learned a lot and raised the bar every day."

"Another Yamaha VR46 Master Camp just finished", said Migno. "It seems to me that the level of the riders attending this event improves every year. This year they were fast again, and because of this I also really enjoyed training at the Ranch. I think they also really enjoyed the experience, both today and overall. They enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, so all I can say is that I hope to see them again in the future."

After a busy morning, the Master Camp riders made their way to the Bar, Ristorante e Pizzeria Da Rossi again. The students made the most of their lunch break and did some serious shopping at the VR46 Store next door.

Then it was already time to move on to the final venue: the VR46 headquarters. After the traditional guided tour, the students headed to Valentino Rossi's office to watch a summary video of the last six special days before being handed their official Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Certificate of Attendance. Besides their diploma, the Master Camp graduates also left with a bag of gifts from VR46that was filled with various merchandise.

The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp staff want to sincerely thank Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Valentino Rossi, VR46, the VR46 Riders Academy, 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

"It was a very hot and full-on Master Camp, but it was over in the blink of an eye! First of all, we are happy that we completed the entire programme with all riders showing great maturity. They were professional and also paid attention to the safety of themselves and others. We are all very proud that these six riders have remained focused despite the heat and made the most of this opportunity to absorb as much information as possible.
I want to sincerely thank all involved. VR46, all the instructors and trainers, and Ayumu Sasaki, Jeremy Alcoba, and Andrea Migno. They have gone above and beyond to help the six recruits grow as much as possible over a one-week course.
Last, but certainly not least, I sincerely thank Oakley and Alpinestars for supporting this project. Helping and inspiring young talent in the next steps of their racing careers in a safe manner is a cause they have taken to heart, and we sincerely appreciate their contribution.
I want to say 'Congratulations' to our new Master Camp graduates. We hope they have gained much experience, knowledge, and good memories that they can take with them throughout their racing careers."

Gonzalo Sanchez Melendez

The last day's flat track training session didn't go so well for me. My objective was to be in the super-finale, but I wasn't able to make it happen. I did improve day by day, but I got eliminated in the second race, and this was, unfortunately, the maximum I could achieve on Day 6. But I did have a good time, and I learnt a lot from Marco and all the other staff. I improved so much! The VR46 Store was nice! I bought something for my brother, my mother, and my father. I'm looking forward to giving that to them when I get home. The graduation ceremony was, honestly, a bit sad though. The staff was summarising our experience here and that made me sad because the programme has come to an end. We will now all go home and rest for a bit. But this has been a spectacular experience for me to be here with the VR46 and Yamaha staff. As for my thoughts on this programme: it's the best camp I have ever been to. To have so many people supporting us, also behind the scenes, feels incredible. I want to say 'Thank you' to all of them, also for doing the work that people don't see! I can only say that I'm so thankful.

Takumi Takahashi

It was amazing that my flat track riding skills on Day 6 were much better than on Day 1. I struggled a lot because the full track is a course that requires technique, but I'm very happy to have finished second in the final race on the final day. There were so many goods being sold in the shop that I had a problem narrowing down my choices! I am very happy to have been given this unique and irreplaceable experience. I think this programme is very well planned. I can say with confidence that I have gained a lot of experience through this Master Camp and have grown as a rider. Thank you to all the members of the Master Camp!

Dorian Joulin

I made progress controlling the sliding during the flat track training. The feeling on the last day was good, it was much better, I loved it. The VR46 Store was great because it's not just a store, it's a museum at the same time. There are a lot of souvenirs, pictures, and trophies on display, and it's great. The graduation ceremony was very moving and touching. I'm really sad that the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has come to an end. The programme was very intense, there were so many activities! Never a dull moment! And above all, you discover other aspects of motorcycling, which is great.

Aymon Bocanegra

I really enjoyed the whole flat track Day-6 session. I felt at ease and noticed that I was riding better than in the first training session at the flat track of the VR46 Motor Ranch. I also won the Americana! I enjoyed the official store a lot. I bought a mini-helmet and a bracelet for my parents. I also liked the final ceremony and the gifts and certificate we received. The whole schedule of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has been amazing! It's the best camp I have ever attended. They really put a lot of effort into organizing all this, and I had a beautiful time. I learnt a lot. Both 'Congrats' and 'Thank you' to Yamaha and VR46 for this fantastic edition of the Master Camp!

Wahyu Nugroho

"It has been real fun to do flat track on Day 6 again. I have gained new relevant experience, and I feel so grateful to have been able to learn in a very competent, friendly, and nice environment. The store is very interesting: there were some of Vale's suits and other historically significant MotoGP objects. Really, there is a lot of great stuff there! I am very happy, and I wish to thank all the people and instructors who have participated in this special event. A special 'Thank you' to Yamaha and the VR46 staff. I have met really nice people who have helped me whenever I needed it. I must confess that for me it has been an unexpectedly beautiful experience because I did not really know what to expect coming here. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity, and I hope I will be able to benefit from the many different things I have been taught this last week. It has been incredible and super fantastic! I wish to thank all the people who have always supported me."

Md Adamhaikal Bin

"The final time riding flat track was a lot of fun. At the end we had an Americana competition together, and I obtained third place and got a medal. I am super happy! The VR46 store is very big, and the quality of both jackets and pants is amazing. The graduation was very good and very entertaining, but that does mean that now the programme has come to an end. The Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has been excellent. I have significantly improved my racing techniques. In addition, Marco Belli and the riders, Ayumu Sasaki, Jeremy Alcoba, and Andrea Migno have given me several useful tips. I will be able to use them in the future for further improvement. Thank you very much to all of the Yamaha and VR46 staff."