Yamaha MotoGP Colours Unveiled

By Kevin Ash - 16/05/2011

Yamaha has unveiled its new 2011 MotoGP team livery, which coincides with the factory‘s 50th year of racing in grands prix, but no major sponsor.

The company is putting a positive spin on the situation. "This is an important year for us being our 50th anniversary of involvement in Grand Prix racing," said Lin Jarvis, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing Srl. "We start the season not only with the reigning MotoGP World Champion but also welcoming Ben Spies, last year's Rookie of the Year to the Factory Team. It's fitting that we will line up for the start of this special year in our corporate colours."

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The bikes are decked out in Yamaha corporate colours, including a modern take on the classic speed block design. This was produced originally in the 1970s by Californian artist Molly who was also responsible for Kawasaki's distinctive lime green colour.

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The factory starts the season with reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo and 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies. Spies is clearly delighted to be a part of the team: “We worked really hard last year to earn the seat with the Yamaha Factory team so it's a great feeling to be here alongside Jorge,” he said. “It's obviously a special year for Yamaha with the 50th Anniversary of GP racing celebrations so I'm really stoked to be par t of it. The bike's feeling really good, we've got a few days more of testing now to really shake it down and fine tune the set up and we'll be ready to go. I'm loving the corporate blue colour scheme, I'm a big fan of the design.”

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Lorenzo meanwhile is keen to get his head down and work for the coming season: “I'm very happy to be here again preparing to start another season riding with Yamaha," he said. "Winning the World Championship last season was an incredible feeling, but now we start again. I have a great crew and with the hard work of the Japanese engineers over the winter I feel confident we can fight for more success this year.”

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