Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127812
been looking for a top rider capable of . taking the manufacturer to a world title. In 1997, Russell will be alongside the talented but still very raw 22-year-old. Colin Edwards.II, and will be aiming for the title. Russell, who has signed a oneyear contract with an option for 1998, arrives at Yamaha at just the right time. The YZF750 is improving rapidly, and at the end of the season was right behind the Ducatis and the Hondas, thanks to the exceptional development work carried out by the" almost entirely Italian team which runs the factory Ibikes. " "I was at the final two rounds of the Ichampionship, Assen and Phillip Island," Russell'says, "and I saw that the Yamaha is now capable of winning races. It's the handling which has impressed me the most; I forgot that a superbike was so agile in the chicanes." Even though Russell is coming back to superbike as one of the top riders, surely there is some regret over what could have been in 500? "I don't think my return to superbike is a defeat for me," he says. "Of course, I didn't do as well as I had hoped in 500, but there were too many problems along the way." . Russell, however, doesn't reveal whether the reason for this was the lack of competitive machinery or the lack of feeling with the team, which accused him of scarce professionalism and of staying out late in discos on the nights before the races. "I don't want to talk about the past, or enter into arguments," he said' sharply. "All I want to say is that a lot of ,things didn't work out, and it wasn't my fault. I want to put my negative experience in 500 behind me, and the best way to do that is to return to superbike and win." . What about 500cc'stars like Mick Doohan and Luca Cadalora; are they really unbeatable? "I can't really say," was Russell's non-committal reply, "because I didn't have their bikes, so I couldn't verify how good they really were. I'm still con. vinced that I could have beaten' them, but unfortunately my judgment is worthless because I was unable to prove it on the track." Now Troy Corser, the 1996 World Superbike Champion, and Anthony Gobert are switching to the 500cc World Championship. The latter will be taking over the Suzuki which has been left vacant by Russell. "I don't know them very well, but I've seen them ride and they're both good," Russell says. "I hope they have more luck than I did." Yamaha announced its 1997 lineup of Russell and Edwards as "the Dream Team." Russell, in fact, could be the most dangerous rival for the FogartyDucati pairing, which has just been reformed and which clearly has to be the favorite for the 1997 title. "Ducati has won again, and I know Fogarty well:' Russell observes, "but let's not forget that Honda is improving rapidly and Kawasaki can't be ruled out either. The 1997 season is going to be tough, hard-fought and top quality, that's for sure." Russell only raced a couple of years in World Superbike, in 1993-94, and in both those years, the championship went right down to the wire. Instead, in 1995, with his number-one enemy out of the way, Fogarty dominated and won the title two rounds before the end. It is difficult to predict the future, but we are convinced that King Carl will shortly have to roll up his sleeves and get ready for a battle once again. c:N PLEASE MARK THE APPROPRIATE CLASS(ES) AND EVENT(S) OCALA SAT., JAN. 4 1._ 51cc Auto Stk (4-6) 2._ 51cc Auto Stk (7-8) 3._65cc7-11 4._85cc7·11 5._85cc12·13 6._85cc14-15 7._125B 8._125C 9._250B . 10._2SOC 11._. 500 Novice BIC 12._125A 13._ 2501500 A 14._ Plus 25 A 15._ Plus 30 A SUN., DEC. 29 DADE CITY SAT., JAN. 11 SUNSTATE SAT., JAN. 18 GATORBACK SAT., JAN. 25 1._51cc Auto Stk(4-6) 2._ 51 cc Auto Stk (7-8) 3._65cc7-11 4._85cc7-11 5._ 85cc 12-13 6._85cc 14-15 7._125B 8._125C 9._250B 10. 2SO C 11._ 500 Novice BIC 12._125A 13._ 2501500 A 14._Plus 25A 15. Plus 30 A 1._ 51cc Auto Stk (4-6) 2._ 51cc Auto Stk (7-8) 3._65cc7-11 4._85cc7·11 5 85cc 12-13 6._85cc 14·15 7._125B 8._125C 9._250B 10._2SOC 11._ SOO Novice BIC 12._125A 13._ 2501500 A 14._Plus 25A 15._ Plus 30 A 1._ 51cc Auto Stk (4-6) 2._._ 51 cc Auto Stk (7-8) 3._65cc7-11 4._85cc7-11 5._85cc 12-13 6._85cc 14·15 7._125B 8._125C 9._250B 10._250C 11._ 500 Novice BIC 12._125A 13._ 2S0/5OO A 14._ Plus 25 A 15._ Plus 30 A 1._ 51cc Auto Stk'(4-6) 2._ 51cc Auto Stk (7-8) 3. 65cc7-11 4._85cc 7-11 5._85cc 12-13 6._85cc 14-15 7. 125 B 8._125C 9._250B 10._250C 11._ 500 Novice BIC 12._125A 13._ 250/500 A 14._ Plus 25 A 15._ Plus 30 A SUN., JAN. 5 GATORBACK SAT., DEC. 28 SUN., JAN. 12 SUN., JAN. 19 SUN., JAN. 2E> 16._125 Youth 12·15 16._125 Youth 12·15 16._125 Youth 12·15 16._125 Youth 12·15 16._125 Youth 12-15 17._ Super Mini . 17._._ Super Mini 17._ Super Mini 17._ Super Mini 17._ Super Mini 18._Plus35 18._Plus35 18._Plus35 18._Plus35 18._Plus35 19._ 40+ Super Seniors 19._40+ Super Seniors 19._ 40+ Super Seniors 19._ 40+ Super Seniors 19._ 40+ Super Seniors 20._ +50 Masters 20._ +50 Masters 20._ +50 Masters 20._ +50 Masters 20._ +50 Masters 21._16/24 Age 21._16/24Age 21._16/24 Age 21._16/24Age 21._' 16/24 Age 22._ PLUS 25 BlC 22._ PLUS 25 BlC 22._ PLUS 2§ BlC 22._ PLUS 25 BlC 22._ PLUS 25 BlC 23._ PLUS 30 BlC 23._ PLUS 30 BlC 23._ PLUS 30 BlC 23._ PLUS 30 BlC 23._ PLUS 30 BlC 24._ VET PRO 30+ 24._ VET PRO 3.0+ 24._ VET PRO 30+ 24._ VET PRO 30+ 24._ VET PRO 30+ 25._125 ProIExpert' 25._125 ProlExpert' 25._125 ProlExpert' 25._125 ProIExpert' 25._125 ProlExpert' 26._ 2S0/5OO Pro/Expert' 26._ 2501500 Pro/Expert' 26._ 2SO/500 Pro/Expert' 26._ 2SO/500 Pro/Expert' 26._ 2SO/500 Pro/Expert' Name: Birth Date:----J'---l_ _ . Address: Zip: ,-- City: DAY PH#: Riding #: ·AMA#: . 2nd Choice: Bike Brand: PRE-ENTRY FEES: CLASSES 1THROUGH 24-$20 PER ClASS,PER EVENT 'CLASSES 25 TllROUGH 26 - $50 PER ClASS, PI:R EVENT PRE-ENTRY DEADUNE POSTMARKED BY DECEMBER 16THI ,State: _ -'---_W/S #: _ Amount of Entries Checked: MAIL CASHIERS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: World Sports 9770 16th Street North St. Petersburg, FL 33716 Phone: (813) 578-1776 AMA AND WORLD SPORTS MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE TRACKS. AMA - $29 YEAR WORLDSPORTS - $10 YEAR Have You Had a Winning Season? Looking for Sponsors Next Year? I • Say "THANKS" to your sponsors and supporters with an "Appreciation Ad" in Cycle News. You'll show you're a "class act," people will notice, and you'll have the edge before your next season gets started. Special Low Rates • Fast Lead Time • Easy Ad Layout Call Today to Place Your "Appreciation Ad" 310-427·7433 Western us 770-934-7850 Eastern US r--...---v---r--.--.-...................... America's Weekly Motorcycle Newspaper