Yamaha's multi-pronged effort is being led at present by an WSBK rookie – yet experienced Grand Prix competitor - Norick Abe, currently fifth overall for the Yamaha Fance team. One of several former WSS Champions in the field, Andrew Pitt, on the Factory Yamaha motor Italia bike, has had a fraught but fast introduction to his WSBK career, frequently running with the leaders. Abe's team-mate Sebastien Gimbert is another fast rookie who has shown his speed more than once.
Proven World Supersport runners in the biggest league this year, Klaffi Honda, have adopted the most experienced current SBK competitor of all, Pierfrancesco Chili, and promoted 2004's WSS Rookie of the Year Max Neukirchner. Having already been on the podium, Neukirchner is one of the stars of the show after only three rounds. Chili and Neukirchner have each lost points due to high speed falls, but enter Monza with the knowledge that they should be giving nothing away in terms of outright performance to any of their rivals.
Karl Muggeridge is another high-profile WSBK rookie this year with the Winston Ten Kate Honda team, showing his obvious speed despite some misfortunes in race situations.
Ben Bostrom returned to the top ten fold at Valencia, overcoming some early season machinery issues just as soon as his technical package was completed. Both Bostrom and his Renegade team are serial WSBK race winners, and want to return to their days of glory before the season is out.
Noriyuki Haga is an old sparring partner of Bostrom's and also awaits his first 2005 season podium, with his return to the Yamaha fold with the Motor Italia team.
Aussie pairing Garry McCoy and Steve Martin front-up the Petronas attack this year, running the unique three-cylinder 900s in their recently updated guise. Results in races have not quite matched some of their impressive qualifying performances, but it seems only a matter of time before one of the experienced duo rejoins the elite.
