Yamaha has a wider range of off-road sports motorcycles than any other Japanese motorcycle manufacturer with 2- and 4-stroke machines, ranging from 50 to 450 cc, available as motocross or enduro versions - in actual fact, everything you can possibly think of is in their portfolio! "In our opinion, it's important to continue to offer two-stroke bikes," said Sebastian Klein, RVPP & MX Manager at Yamaha Motor Deutschland. "We want to provide young riders in particular with a range of options to practise their sport."
The 'blues' are very keen for young MX riders to do well and launched the bLU cRU programme for young talents a few years ago, targeting aspiring motocrossers, riding machines ranging from 65 to 125 cc in order to bring on and develop them. Any child or youngster riding a Yamaha can apply. In return, they receive a welcome pack with motorcycle clothing and accessories. There are also other great offers available such as training camps and visits to the MXGP plus other high-calibre events. Those who excel by achieving good race results in the course of the season can qualify for the bLU cRU SuperFinale usually held during the Motocross of Nations. At a separate training camp, the best of the bunch can then qualify for a place with a professional team in the following season and thus begin to realise the dream of becoming an MX professional. Frenchman Thibault Benistant is a prime example of how well Yamaha's support programme works. He currently has a clear lead in the standings of the EMX 250.
Yamaha have long been strong partners of the ADAC MX Masters. "The MX Masters is an excellent example of a professionally organised race series that attracts attention even way beyond Germany's borders," said Sebastian Klein with satisfaction. "That's why we are very happy now to increase our existing commitment." In order to help with getting things organised at the racetrack, Yamaha presented the ADAC MX Masters team with a Yamaha 'Kodiak 450' ATV earlier this year in January at Supercross Dortmund. The 'Utility' quad is now used to carry out various tasks at ADAC MX Masters events.
Even the youngest visitors to ADAC MX Masters events will in future be able to ride a Yamaha, as the manufacturer intends to make a large quad and PW50 circuit available once measures to deal with the coronavirus are no longer in place. Even very young spectators will be able to try out two- and four-wheeled vehicles made by the Japanese manufacturer under supervision.
Sponsored by Yamaha Deutschland, SHR Motorsports will be lining up again in the ADAC MX Masters and its three junior classes in 2020. Mike Stender, Hannes Volber and Nico Koch are the team's top riders. "We are very pleased to be working with Yamaha Motor Deutschland," said Steffen Hünecke, Team Manager at SHR Motorsports. "We made a conscious decision to field mainly German riders in all classes," added Sebastian Klein. "The tests and initial test race outings with the 2020 bikes went very well. The team is a perfect fit with our bLU cRU development programme, making it possible for a young rider to progress through into the MX Masters class within the same team. In our opinion, this targeted sponsorship of German MX youngsters is at least as important as winning championship titles."
The targeted sponsorship of motocross beginners starts with 65 cc machines in the Yamaha Meyer bLU cRU Junior team. Following on from the sponsorship of Larissa Papenmeier as an individual, a Ladies MX team consisting of four riders has now been set up; Larissa came third in the 2019 Women's MX World Championship.
Further info at: www.yamaha-motor.eu and www.yamaha-racing.com