Revised Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Set For Merzouga Rally 2017

2017-05-04 08:02
Warmly welcoming this year's Dakar Rally revelations Xavier de Soultrait and Franco Caimi, the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team are all set to kick off their international rally racing campaign at the Afriquia Merzouga Rally 2017 in Morocco.

With Yamaha mounted riders having twice claimed victory in the seven-year-long history of the event, the updated Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally team are planning to use this year's Merzouga Rally as an important training and bike development session ahead of the Dakar Rally 2018.

Following his impressive performance aboard a rally modified WR450F during this year's Dakar, Xavier de Soultrait will be leading the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team into the eighth edition of the Merzouga Rally. Impressed by the speed and overall performance of his new WR450F Rally machine, the Frenchman is confident of a strong performance next week in south-east Morocco.

Making his racing debut aboard the WR450F Rally machine during the Merzouga Rally will also be Franco Caimi. Earning eighth overall in his first participation at the prestigious Dakar Rally, the 29-year-old Argentinean has also been the best performing rookie in last January's event in South America. Joining the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Franco is expected to be a strong asset to the team for the upcoming Dakar Rally.

Working hard to return to full fitness following his injury, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team's Adrien Van Beveren will be forced to miss this year's Merzouga Rally.

Kicking off with a Prologue and the opening stage on Sunday, May 7, the 2017 edition of the Merzouga Rally will see participants set off for a six-day adventure of more than 1,000 kilometres in the dunes of Morocco.

Xavier de Soultrait - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Xavier de Soultrait - Yamalube Yamaha Official Team rider
"I can't wait for the Merzouga Rally to begin. Being part of the Yamaha family for a long time, it feels great to be part of the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team. Everything is so well organised and from our part we only have to worry about our performance in the stages. We've started testing the latest version of the WR450F Rally couple of weeks ago and I was immediately impressed by its overall performance. Compared to the mostly standard bike I raced in this year's Dakar, there is more power, better braking performance and loads of extra top speed. It's a great package, which we want to make even better for the upcoming Dakar. My goal for next week is to get a good race pace. If I manage to keep my momentum from this year's Dakar going, I know we can fight for the overall victory."
Franco Caimi - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team Franco Caimi - Yamalube Yamaha Official Team rider
"There are no words to thank Yamaha for giving me the opportunity to join their official team. The feeling has been great ever since I got on the WR450F Rally machine. Switching from enduro to rally racing almost two years ago I immediately felt it was the right thing to do, so joining the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team is a huge step in my career. There is a great atmosphere within the team and I'm really looking forward to the Merzouga Rally. The conditions and terrain in Morocco are ideal to improve on navigation and test ourselves too. The goal is to remain focused and avoid mistakes. If everything goes according to plan, I know we can battle for a good overall result in this rally."
José Leloir - Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team manager José Leloir- Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team manager
"We're really happy to welcome two fresh riders to the Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team. Xavier has been a member of the Yamaha family since his enduro racing days. Two years ago he was part of our Junior team for the Dakar Rally and in 2017 he impressed us with his performance as a Yamaha supported rider. As for Franco, it's the first time we have a rider from Argentina join our team. Earning eighth overall at this year's Dakar, he proved he has the speed to battle with the elite. Following a really productive week of testing, we are ready to kickstart the season in Morocco. The Merzouga Rally is a great opportunity to continue working ahead of the Dakar Rally 2018. It will be a long and demanding event and we believe that an overall podium result or even the win is within our reach."
Race Schedule - Merzouga Rally 2017
Sunday, May 7 | Prologue & Stage 1 | Xaluca Erfoud
Monday, May 8 | Stage 2 | Erfoud - Erfoud
Tuesday, May 9 | Stage 3 | Erfoud - Erfoud
Wednesday, May 10 | Stage 4 | Erfoud - Marathon Bivouac
Thursday, May 11 | Stage 5 | Marathon Bivouac - Erfoud
Friday, May 12 | Stage 6 | Extreme GP

Source: Yamaha Motor Europe N.V.

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