Master Camp Riders Level Up at the VR46 Motor Ranch on Day 3

2018-09-17 06:06
Malaysia’s Muhammad Aiman Bin Tahiruddin (16) and Nazirul Izzat Bin Muhammad Bahauddin (18), Indonesia’s Muhammad Faerozi Toreqottullah (15), and Japan’s Shota Yokoyama (16) had no problem keeping up with their teachers during two intense training sessions at the VR46 Motor Ranch. They started Day 3 of the sixth Yamaha VR46 Master Camp with a soft cross session aboard YZ125 bikes, guided by Stefano Manzi at the sand track that runs through parts of the flat track. In the afternoon they had the chance to further improve their flat track skills as they tried the entire track lay-out for the first time, riding with expert Marco Belli and VR46 Academy riders Marco Bezzecchi and Lorenzo Baldassarri.



The riders had a long Day 2, but the prospect of trying soft cross with Manzi had them buzzing with excitement on the morning of the third day. Before could put on their Alpinestars gear and any track action could take place, the Moto2 rider explained the correct body position and shared safety tips. Once the students were given the time to ride on the soft track it became clear their level was high, but thanks to Manzi‘s help they still made further progress.



The hard work left the Master Camp riders hungry, so they headed to Tavullia, where there was a surprise in store for them. They met up with Official Fan Club Valentino Rossi Tavullia Vice President, Flavio Fratesi, who asked the riders to head over to the VR46 fan club headquarters to sign up as members. After completing the registration process, they received the VR46 Fan Club membership card and were showered with gifts.

With a bag full of VR46 fan club presents, the riders made their way back to the VR46 Motor Ranch for their second riding session of the day. They were especially invited by Marco Belli to attend a private training session, to learn the theory behind the techniques. They viewed video footage of the students' Day 1 flat track action, so they could go over points of improvement.



It was then time to get aboard their YZ250F bikes. After quickly getting reacquainted with the flat track, the young riders were soon allowed to try first the big oval and later also the entire track lay-out, when they were joined by Moto3 rider Bezzecchi and Moto2 rider Baldassarri. The VR46 Academy riders rode in front to show the techniques they had discussed before the session, whilst Belli observed the students' riding style and progress from the back of the group.

The system worked, as the riders all made big steps forward, which was clearly noticed by trainer Belli:



“We finished a good second day of practice at the flat track. We already saw that the guys had good level on Day 1, so we started Day 3‘s session wasting no more time on the drills, we went directly out on the track. However, when we went out on the big oval the riders got a bit over-enthusiastic, so we decided to take them back to the little oval for a short while to show them how to proceed and to get them back in the right position, and also mindset, before using the entire track.


“The riders were lucky that they were helped by two riders from the VR46 Riders Academy, Bezzecchi and Baldassarri, and had the chance to ride the track with them. This was really good training for the students. They learned a lot by following, not only about the lines on track, but also about how to manage themselves on track when doing a long run.

“The riders completed five laps each time they went out, which comes down to about a 15-minute long stint. This is a long time for these young guns, but I‘m really happy. The VR46 Academy riders also told me that the level of this group is good, so that makes me proud, and now we focus on our last flat track session on Sunday.”


You can watch back some of the soft cross session HERE.

To watch the Day 3 Review Video, click HERE.



The extended imagery of Master Camp 6 - Day 3 is available on
www.yamahamotogp.com
Download



MUHAMMAD AIMAN BIN TAHIRUDDIN

MUHAMMAD AIMAN BIN TAHIRUDDIN


Soft cross was a great experience, I like it a lot. I had an easier time in the morning than I did in the afternoon. I tried to do my best on the flat track, but it doesn't come easy to me. I'm studying hard in order to get better at it. I still enjoyed it, though. I'm constantly looking for improvements: not just body position, also mentally, so I'm going to continue working in this way and give my all on the last two days of the Master Camp programme.







NAZIRUL IZZAT BIN MUHAMMAD BAHAUDDIN

NAZIRUL IZZAT BIN MUHAMMAD BAHAUDDIN


I'm already used to riding soft cross in Malaysia, but there are some differences. The landscape and the track here, for example, are going uphill and downhill, whereas in Malaysia our soft cross tracks are completely flat, but it was still OK for me. I was improving and getting better as the session went on. I tried to become faster on flat track as well, and I got to know the track surface and find the correct body position a lot better. We also went to the fan club and it was impressive. I'm very happy and I want to say thanks to Marco Belli, the VR46 Academy riders, and the Master Camp team for these opportunities.







MUHAMMAD FAEROZI TOREQOTTULLAH

MUHAMMAD FAEROZI TOREQOTTULLAH


Day 3 was awesome at the Master Camp. In the morning, we had a short session of soft cross, but I feel that I‘ve learned a lot from Stefano Manzi in that short time. We did a few exercises on the bike on the full soft cross track and I liked it very much – I had a lot of fun. During lunch we went to the VR46 official fan club. It was unbelievable, I have no words to describe being a part of Valentino’s fanbase and I even got an ID-number. It was absolutely awesome to ride at the Ranch for a second time. I preferred riding the bigger oval, americana, and the full track with VR46 academy riders Baldassarri and Bezzecchi, because I understand better how to do it now, with good pace and technique. We learned step by step and improved our skills. I’m happy with what I achieved and I hope to continue learning on Day 4.







SHOTA YOKOYAMA

SHOTA YOKOYAMA


It was my first time riding on a motocross bike and at the beginning it was difficult for me. But from halfway through the session onwards I started to gain more confidence and by the end I was really enjoying it. In the afternoon we tried flat track and I‘m very pleased, because I was able to do what I wasn‘t able to achieve on Day 1. Flat track isn‘t an easy racing discipline. It‘s hard to learn how to do right and left corners using good technique. At first, I couldn‘t understand how to find the right position on the bike but watching the video footage with Marco Belli really helped me a lot, so now I look forward to continue the training programme.






LINKS & DOWNLOAD


6th Yamaha VR46 Master Camp - Review Video, Day 3
Download

6th Yamaha VR46 Master Camp - Soft Cross / Alpinestars
Download



NOTES



In an effort to support young Italian riders aiming to become world-class racers, Valentino Rossi decided to put his vast experience and knowledge from his many years of racing to good use in 2014 and established the VR46 Riders Academy.



In March 2016 Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. entered into a formal three-year partnership agreement with the VR46 Riders Academy as an Official Partner and also as its Official Motorcycle Supplier.



In July of 2016 Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and the VR46 Riders Academystaged the inaugural Yamaha VR46 Master Camp with the goal of helping selected young Yamaha talent make their way in the racing world by increasing their skills and experience in various racing disciplines, riding Yamaha YZ85, YZ125, YZ250F and YZF-R3 bikes.



Since then the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp has put on five subsequent training events. The participants so far have been 28 mostly teenage riders who race in various championships on bikes like the YZF-R25 and YZF-R3and hail from 13 countries in all: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States.



Outstanding among them has been Thai rider Apiwath Wongthananon. He was selected to join the VR46 Master Camp Team in the CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship for the 2017 season and he is racing with the team again in 2018.



Indonesian rider Galang Hendra Pratama is now contesting a full season in the World Supersport 300 class. In addition, Italian rider Alfonso Coppolahas made the step up to the World Supersport Championship. With examples like these, it is clear Yamaha‘s system of advancing young promising riders is seeing results.



The riders for the sixth edition of the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp were selected by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. A place in the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp can't be bought, nor can riders apply for a placement – riders are to be put forward by Yamaha distributors.


Those eager to know more and curious about the goings on at the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp can easily stay up to date. Tips, news, images, and videos from the event will be posted regularly on its dedicated media channels throughout the sixth edition:

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP website: Yamahamotogp.com

Facebook: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp

Twitter: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp

Instagram: @YamahaVR46MasterCamp

Youtube: @YamahaMotoGP

Source: Yamaha Motor Racing

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