Tech 3 Yamaha confirms Monster deal

James Toseland and Colin Edwards will have Monster sponsorship on their Tech 3 Yamaha bikes in 2009 and 2010, as was exclusively revealed by MCN a month ago.

The American energy drink giant has signed a title sponsorship deal with the French-based squad, which will run British rider Toseland and Texan Edwards for the second successive season in 2009. The team will be branded Monster Yamaha Tech 3.

Monster has turned to Tech 3, which finished top independent team in last year’s world championship, following the collapse of Kawasaki’s factory MotoGP, which Monster had signed to support again in 2009.

Monster backed Kawasaki’s factory team in a deal tied in with American rider John Hopkins. And bosses don’t want Monster to lose its position in the MotoGP market, despite the global economic crisis.

Monster Energy President, Mark Hall said: “Both Colin and James have built huge followings throughout their careers and they are extremely popular riders, so Monster Energy is pleased to become part of their continued efforts through our partnership with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for the upcoming ‘09 MotoGP season.

"Tech 3 has a highly successful track record as one of MotoGP’s premier teams and will provide a solid platform for Monster Energy as we continue to develop our brand image globally.”

The new Tech 3 livery featuring the famous Monster ‘M’ claw will be unveiled at the final pre-season test session at the Jerez circuit in Spain later this month (March 28/29).

The company recently signed a personal sponsorship deal with reigning world champion Valentino Rossi and the Italian now carries the famous green ‘M’ logo on his paddock cap and he has stickers on either side of his AGV helmet.

Tech 3 team manager Herve Poncharal said he was delighted with the deal and added: “It’s great to be linked with a growing brand such as Monster Energy, which has such a strong image and a big profile.

"Monster are very keen to support MotoGP and I’m sure that our partnership will prove to be very successful. The 2009 Yamaha package with the Bridgestone tyres has looked extremely promising in pre-season tests so far.

"Our aims are to go even better than in 2008, and thanks to this agreement we are highly motivated to do so.”

Monster Energy confirm sponsorship of Tech 3 Yamaha Team for 2009

The Tech 3 Yamaha Team will be powered by Monster Energy in 2009 and 2010 after the energy drink brand penned an agreement with the private MotoGP team to become their title sponsor for at least the next two seasons. Former World Superbike champions Colin Edwards and James Toseland, who continue as the teams riders in 2009, will see their latest version Yamaha YZR-M1s liveried with the famous Monster Energy M-Claw logo.

Thanks to the battling performances of the American and the Briton, Tech 3 Yamaha finished an impressive fourth in last seasons MotoGP Teams World Championship. Under the guidance of experienced team boss Hervé Poncharal, the team took two podium finishes and a further 11 top-six finishes to make them MotoGP’s top independent team in 2008.

Having already sealed a personal sponsorship deal with reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi recently, Monster Energy continue their global push with the support of one of the sport’s most experienced outfits. Already the number one by-volume sales energy drink in the USA, support of the French team will help its growth across the rest of the world and particularly in Europe - where MotoGP is one of the most highly prized events on the sporting calendar.

Monster Energy President, Mark Hall, explained the reasons behind the company’s decision to extend their commitment to the sport, “Both Colin and James have built huge followings throughout their careers and they are extremely popular riders, so Monster Energy is pleased to become part of their continued efforts through our partnership with the Tech 3 Yamaha team for the upcoming ‘09 MotoGP season. Tech 3 has a highly successful track record as one of MotoGP’s premier teams and will provide a solid platform for Monster Energy as we continue to develop our brand image globally.”

At the head of the Tech 3 team since its conception in 1989, and having taken the team to World Championship success in the 250 class in 2000, Poncharal admits the new deal has excited the whole squad. “It’s great to be linked with a growing brand such as Monster Energy, which has such a strong image and a big profile. Monster are very keen to support MotoGP and I’m sure that our partnership will prove to be very successful. The 2009 Yamaha package with the Bridgestone tyres has looked extremely promising in pre-season tests so far. Our aims are to go even better than in 2008, and thanks to this agreement we are highly motivated to do so.”

MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3 are currently testing at the Losail circuit in Qatar where the MotoGP World Championship will kick-off with the night-time Grand Prix of Qatar, which runs under floodlights on the evening of April 12th.

Melandri, who has signed a contract to race a factory Kawasaki with American John Hopkins in 2009, will now renegotiate his contract with Hayate in the next few days.

Vergani told MCN: "Marco will race on. He has decided today that he will go on. He tested the bike in Qatar and he said the new bike was not so bad. If they can solve a problem with rear grip then he believes he can be reasonably competitive."

Vergani said Melandri had decided not to go into self-imposed exile to enhance his chances of finding a place in the premier class again in 2010.

"He decided to race because he felt staying out of the championship for just one year was too hard. Even though the bike might not be at the highest level, for him it was best to carry on and at least try rather just sit at home.

He spent a couple of days thinking about it after Qatar, and nothing is signed yet but he will carry on.

There is no alternative, so he has to try, "said Vergani.
Vergani also added that Melandri was under no illusions about how tough 2009 will be, particularly with Kawasaki not developing the bike during the season.

"He is aware of the situation. He knows he has to suffer a little bit. It will be a tough, tough season, but you never know. There was some encouragement in Qatar so maybe he can surprise in some races. He said the bike is better than 2008. "said Vergani Former Kawasaki Technical Director Ichiro Yoda is running the Hayate team.

John Hopkins is in the final stages of reaching a settlement with Kawasaki as the American continues his silence on his racing future.

The 25-year-old has refused to speak on the shock resurrection of Kawasaki’s factory team, albeit in the form of a one-rider effort that has been re-branded Hayate.

That move has left Californian Hopkins frozen out of racing, despite having a contract to race with Kawasaki in 2009.

A Hayate spokesman told MCN in Qatar: “The discussions with John over the settlement of his contract are close to being finalised. We are confident it will be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties very soon.”

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted that he is disappointed with Honda's performance so far in pre-season testing.
The works Repsol team trailed not only main rivals Ducati and Yamaha, but also the resurgent Suzuki team, at both Sepang and Losail.

Dovizioso, who joined the factory squad from the satellite JiR Scot team over the winter, has also had to carry out most of Repsol Honda's development single-handedly due to teammate Dani Pedrosa's injuries.

The Italian said he was concerned by Honda's apparent lack of speed, and thinks he is more unhappy with the package than Pedrosa.
"It's early to tell, but I expected a more competitive package," Dovizioso told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't know how much that's down to Pedrosa and how much down to Honda. My understanding is that I think he doesn't want many changes."

He feels that Honda currently have several areas that require attention.
"We have a few little problems, especially with rear stability under braking, but also engine power output," said Dovizioso.

"There's also work to do on the clutch. We are slow at turn entry and in Qatar, with cold and damp conditions, the bike would slide a lot under braking."

Dovizioso believes Honda are making progress, but not rapidly enough for his liking.
"I'm happy with the improvements, but they are late," he said. "We have taken too long to see small progress. We need to react more quickly."

I have been under STRICT instruction from my management not to comment on anything or talk of any plans from here. I notice that someone got a little emotional for me not updating and keeping everybody informed, but I will give you my word right here and now "I promise you all, as payback for your support, as soon as i get the go ahead on what i can do and say this page will have the first press release from myself!".

It seems that anything i say can be twisted or minipulated in the media, so i am choosing to not say much to avoid any confliction or drama. I appreciate all of you that support me, you are true die hards and thats awesome.

All i will say is, you are all in for big treat!!!!!

Marco Melandri will contest the 2009 season as a Hayate Racing rider in a single-rider, single-year deal, the Italian has confirmed to motogp.com. His previous two-year contract with Kawasaki has been torn up and a new agreement hastily arranged in time for the start of the coming season, one in which he will ride a Ninja ZX-RR with no further factory development.

“The contract with Kawasaki has been cancelled. I had to make a big financial sacrifice, but the most important thing that I wanted was to find trust,” he said on Thursday morning, just over a week on from his first testing appearance of 2009 in Qatar.

“I have nothing to lose. One month ago I had one foot outside the World Championship, and now I have a team that is working solely for me. My motivation is this, and to show Kawasaki that they made a mistake in choosing to pull out their factory support.”

His future confirmed, next on Melandri’s agenda is finding solutions to some of the problems experienced in Qatar. Although he was some way off the fastest riders at the test, the Hayate Racing man has pinpointed what he thinks are the big factors slowing him down. He put 80% of the time differential down to a rear grip issue that has been a persistent thorn in the side of those riding the Ninja ZX-RR, a difficulty that he admits may not be resolved within the month.

“We weren’t fast in Qatar; that’s a fact. The bike did make a good impression on me though. I don’t know how much it will be possible to improve it before the start of the season, but the team have assured me that they will be making a big effort until the end of March,” the former World Championship runner-up continued.

Melandri has experienced two difficult seasons with Honda and Ducati, respectively, in 2007-2008. Vocal about any disappointments and brutally honest, much interest will focus on how he reacts to a bike with which he does not expect to be pushing for the podium, but for the moment he is not looking too far ahead.

“I’ve heard about not getting any factory support, but I believe in the work that has been done up to now. If the bike improves then I think that I can keep up. Obviously if I’m coming in last every Sunday then it will be hard to deal with, but I don’t want to think so far into the future.”

4. HIROSHI AOYAMA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
6. ALEX DEBON, AEROPUERTO-CASTELLO-BLUSENS
7. AXEL PONS, PEPE WORLD TEAM
8. BASTIEN CHESAUX, RACING TEAM GERMANY
10. IMRE TOTH, TEAM TOTH APRILIA
12. THOMAS LUTHI, EMMI - CAFFE LATTE
14. RATTHAPARK WILAIROT, THAI HONDA PTT SAG
15. ROBERTO LOCATELLI, METIS GILERA
16. JULES CLUZEL, MATTEONI RACING
17. KAREL ABRAHAM, CARDION AB MOTORACING
19. ALVARO BAUTISTA, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM
25. ALEX BALDOLINI, WTR SAN MARINO TEAM
28. GABOR TALMACSI, BALATON RACING TEAM 250cc
35. RAFFAELE DE ROSA, SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc
40. HECTOR BARBERA, PEPE WORLD TEAM
48. SHOYA TOMIZAWA, CIP MOTO - GP250
51. STEVIE BONSEY, APRILIA MADRID
52. LUKAS PESEK, AUTO KELLY - CP
55. HECTOR FAUBEL, THAI HONDA PTT SAG
56. VLADIMIR LEONOV, VIESSMANN KIEFER RACING
58. MARCO SIMONCELLI, METIS GILERA
63. MIKE DE MEGLIO, MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM 250cc
75. MATTIA PASINI, TEAM TOTH APRILIA
77. AITOR RODRIGUEZ, APRILIA MADRID

Total: 24 entries

3. DANI PEDROSA, REPSOL HONDA TEAM - HONDA
4. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO, REPSOL HONDA TEAM - HONDA
5. COLIN EDWARDS, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3 - YAMAHA
7. CHRIS VERMEULEN, RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP - SUZUKI
14. RANDY DE PUNIET, LCR HONDA MOTOGP - HONDA
15. ALEX DE ANGELIS, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI - HONDA
24. TONI ELIAS, SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI - HONDA
27. CASEY STONER, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM - DUCATI
33. MARCO MELANDRI, HAYATE RACING TEAM - KAWASAKI
36. MIKA KALLIO, PRAMAC RACING - DUCATI
46. VALENTINO ROSSI, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM - YAMAHA
52. JAMES TOSELAND, MONSTER YAMAHA TECH 3 - YAMAHA
59. SETE GIBERNAU, GUINEA ECUATORIAL TEAM - DUCATI
65. LORIS CAPIROSSI, RIZLA SUZUKI MOTOGP - SUZUKI
69. NICKY HAYDEN, DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM - DUCATI
72. YUKI TAKAHASHI, SCOT RACING TEAM MOTOGP - HONDA
88. NICCOLO CANEPA, PRAMAC RACING - DUCATI
99. JORGE LORENZO, FIAT YAMAHA TEAM - YAMAHA

Total: 18 entries