Romain Febvre joins Yamaha Factory Racing
Friday 17 October: Yamaha has announced that MX2 star Romain Febvre has signed to form a two rider spearhead in Michele Rinaldi’s squad for the premier MXGP class in 2015.
Romain Febvre - Photo - yamaha-racing.com
Febvre seen here at the GP of Sweden. Photo - Youthstream.
That comes in the wake of an excellent 2014 FIM Motocross World Championship for
Yamaha Factory Racing and Jeremy Van Horebeek with the works YZ450FM.
Febvre, a
former European Champion, has developed through three years in the FIM
Motocross World Championship to emerge as a Grand Prix winner in 2014
and finish third in the MX2 standings; the highest classified athlete
from a group who graduate to MXGP next season and the very top
international stage. The former supermoto racer – he also won the
prestigious Mettet Superbiker event two weeks ago - took his first GP
podiums in 2013 and made fantastic progress in 2014 to embellish his
reputation as one of the FIM series’ brightest young prospects.
Van Horebeek - Photo - yamaha-racing.com
The 22 year old Frenchman is expected to form a promising bond with the
YZ450FM that already shone in Van Horebeek’s hands this year as he kept
pace in the chase for the 2014 MXGP crown. "I can finally start work
this week and I’ve bought a plane ticket without a return journey at the
moment because I’m keen to get to Italy and then see what we have to
do,” the 2014 Grand Prix of State of Goias winner commented. "I’ve
already had two quiet weeks and I want to get started with my
preparation and work for 2015. I know I will have things to learn about
MXGP and this new challenge but I believe I’m in the right place to do
that.”
2015 will be not only represent Febvre’s first in MXGP but also on the
larger 450cc motorcycle. "On the 250 I liked to use a lot of rpm and
liked wide spread of power but we’ll have to see with the 450,” he
offered. "From what I saw in 2014 Van Horebeek had the bike working
really nicely and I’m sure I get the engine to my liking. I know the
team have such a good name for giving riders the best packages they
need.”
Yamaha Factory Racing toasted twelve podium finishes from seventeen
rounds, Grand Prix victory in the Czech Republic and second place
overall in MXGP thanks to a positive union with Van Horebeek. It is the
latest occasion that a racer has gelled immediately with the YZ450FM
after Josh Coppins, David Philippaerts and Steven Frossard all vied for
the championship in their first terms since the New Zealander caused a
stir in 2007. After a year in which the team split their priorities
between MXGP and MX2 categories they will be focusing on the blue ribbon
MXGP division, while Yamaha Motor Europe will spread their influence
and offer significant support to several private teams to continue
development on the vastly promising technical platform of the latest
YZ250F in MX2.
"Our team changes for 2015 with Romain joining Jeremy in MXGP but we
already made positive work with the YZ450FM in 2014 and I know we will
be able to offer our new rider exactly the same possibilities with
set-up and performance for next season,” commented Michele Rinaldi. "It
was very positive for us and also Yamaha Motor Europe to be fighting for
wins and podiums again this year and I cannot help but feel that we
have strengthened again for what will be a long campaign in 2015.”