18 Feb 2022
Yamaha returns to the intermediate class with new VR46-run Master Camp Moto2 team.
The new Yamaha VR46 Master Camp team has unveiled this Moto2 race livery – combining Yamaha blue and white, with VR46 yellow - for Keminth Kubo and Manuel Gonzalez.
Although run by Valentino Rossi's VR46 organisation, and using a Kalex chassis powered by the spec-Triumph engine, the Master Camp squad is 'wholly owned and funded' by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd - meaning its the first time the factory has been directly involved in the intermediate grand prix class since the 250ccdays.
The world championshipteam is the latest step in a collaboration between VR46 and Yamaha that began with the originalfive-day Master Camp training programme for young riders, held at Rossi's Tavullia ranch, in July 2016.
Initially aimed at helping develop young Asian talent, the Master Camp rider selection later became global.
Gonzalez,the youngest WorldSSP300 title winner in 2019, joined the WorldSSP class in 2020, never finishing outside the top 10 on his way to seventh overall in the championship.
In 2021, he secured third overall with seven podiums, including two race wins - form which he will now aim to repeat on grand prix machinery.
“I‘m really looking forward to start this new season because this year I got the opportunity to make a big step for myself and for my career. Moving to the MotoGP paddock with this Moto2 team that is supported by Yamaha Motor Company and VR46 makes me really happy and even more motivated to give the maximum, to show my potential, and to be a better rider and person," he said.
“I‘m really grateful to have this opportunity and will do my best to exploit it. During our first tests, I felt very good on the bike, and I can‘t wait to start the season with the team at the first race in Qatar!”
Thai rider Kubo took part in the fifth edition of the Master Camp in 2018. He and the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team debuted together in the CEV Moto2 class in 2019, where they have raced for the past three years.
Ninth in his opening pair of CEV seasons, Kubo finished eleventh in the 2021 CEV standings, matching his best race finish of fourth. He also made a wild-card appearance in the Moto2 World Championship at Catalunya, finishing in 26th.
“It is a great honour to be allowed to make my official debut in the Moto2 class with the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team. I would like to thank Yamaha Motor Company, Thailand Yamaha Motor, and VR46 for their belief in me, and I will do my utmost to make them proud.
“We have done two tests (Valencia and Jerez) this month. The bike is great, and I can‘t wait to start the season. I already knew almost all the team members because I was a Master Camp rider in the CEV championship. I have a great relationship with all of them, especially with my crew chief Alessandro Finelli.
“I know this new adventure is a fresh beginning, but I hope to do better every weekend, and I will work hard to achieve this goal.”
Kubo was just a few tenths slower than Gonzalez at this week's private test at Jerez, but with both riders were around two-seconds from leader Ai Ogura.
The Official Moto2 test takes place at Portimao this weekend.
In charge of the Master Camp team will be Gelete Nieto, brother of Pablo Nieto, who runs VR46's MotoGP team.
“First of all, I would like to thank Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and VR46 for letting me lead this new and young project, and believing in me and in my skills," Gelete said. "I think the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team has a great value and strength, because it is supported by two big and important companies, so to me this is a real honour, and I can‘t explain how happy I am.
“I think we can make a great season, but we need to stay realistic about the fact that our riders are two rookies. So, first we need to understand how to work well, step by step, but always keep growing, because the World Championship is difficult.
"There are a lot of strong riders, strong and historical teams, and we are at our beginning. We have some team members with a lot of experience in the Moto2 World Championship, like Luca Capocchiano (Gonzales‘s crew chief), who is a great asset to Manuel and the team. Or me for that matter. I have been a World Championship rider for five years, and later I had my own team with my brother Pablo. But regardless, we must stay grounded and keep working.
“I want this team to grow and work all together, I want everyone to be professional but also friends, and to create a very good atmosphere in and outside the garage. The season is long, we will be together a lot, and that‘s the best way to work well and stay focused. I want the riders to be happy when they jump on the bike, do the best job they can dream of, and feel confident with the people that are working with them.”
VR46 will continue to run its own Moto2 team, featuringCelestino Vietti and Nicolo Antonelli, with Luca Brivio as its team manager.
