Yamaha

As his second season in MotoGP wraps up, Crash.net spoke to Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Johann Zarco to look over his time with the French squad and the next step of his career with Red Bull KTM.

Valentino Rossi will start the final round of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship at Valencia this weekend holding third place in the world championship by just two points over team-mate Maverick Vinales.

Marco Melandri will remain in the World Superbike championship next year after signing a deal with GRT Yamaha alongside Sandro Cortese who steps up to the premier class as World Supersport champion.

Despite its recent upturn in results, Yamaha is planning an internal shake up of its MotoGP project, which will include the hiring of more engineers both from within the factory and from outside, as well as “a change in how we fix problems” after a largely difficult 2018.

What a season of extremes it has been for Yamaha’s managing director Lin Jarvis. Having watched over the factory’s longest winless run in the MotoGP since it made its competitive debut in the class in 1972, he has witnessed a recent recovery of sorts.

Valentino Rossi has spoken of the emotions felt on Sunday, in what was a rollercoaster of a day for the Italian veteran, one which he described as “unforgettable” thanks to the success of his Sky Racing VR46 Moto2 team.

Hafizh Syahrin has produced an eye-catching performance to secure a top 10 result to put away his nightmare in qualifying on an emotionally-charged home debut MotoGP race at Sepang.

Valentino Rossi said he felt “devastated” by the crash that ended his hopes of breaking a MotoGP win-drought that has lasted 17 months, but believes he could view aspects of his performance positively, saying “we lived the dream for 15 laps.”

Maverick Vinales feels when his Movistar Yamaha team can provide an engine package to meet his demands he’ll be confident of consistently fighting at the front in MotoGP following a solid charge up to fourth place in Malaysia.

Maverick Viñales left it late to top MotoGP morning warm-up at Sepang on a rapidly drying track, ahead of Valentino Rossi and Jack Miller.

Maverick Viñales was left frustrated by his lack of performance in Saturday afternoon’s MotoGP qualifying at Sepang, and called on his Movistar Yamaha team to “provide me with a bike for the wet.”

Valentino Rossi says the decision to bring the Malaysian MotoGP race forward on Sunday is a ‘clever move’.

Stefan Bradl fills in for the injured Cal Crutchlow at LCR Honda after the British rider suffered a fractured right ankle during Australian MotoGP race weekend.

Maverick Viñales was pleasantly surprised to see how competitive he and his Yamaha M1 were around Sepang as the Catalan placed sixth overall on the MotoGP combined standings on Friday.

Johann Zarco admitted he was “more scared than [in] pain” in the hours that followed his terrifying 170mph crash at Phillip Island – the worst of his career – but is already feeling “relaxed” thanks to his physical condition.

Valentino Rossi says Movistar Yamaha’s priority at Sepang will be to ensure it gets on top of its Michelin tyre conservation in the hot temperatures for the Malaysian MotoGP.

Rewind 27 years, ahead of the first-ever Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix and the world was a very different place.

Valentino Rossi says his Australian MotoGP performance failed to reach his own expectations finishing an underwhelming sixth place, while he accepts Maverick Vinales’ riding style was key to breaking the Japanese manufacturers’ winless stretch.

Full MotoGP race results from Phillip Island

Cal Crutchlow has been ruled out of the remainder of the Australian MotoGP round after suffering a fractured right ankle in an FP2 crash.

Despite seeing a resurgence from his fellow Yamaha riders, Valentino Rossi feels he has key development and set-up work to refine at Phillip Island as he continues to battle spinning his rear tyre under acceleration.

Full MotoGP FP1 results from Phillip Island

Alvaro Bautista stands in for Jorge Lorenzo at the factory Ducati squad, with Mike Jones taking up Bautista’s spot at the Angel Nieto Racing Ducati squad as a replacement rider for this weekend.

Valentino Rossi is confident Yamaha can leave its troubles behind this weekend and challenge for the podium at Phillip Island in Australia.