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/134503
P24 WIND ings for four days with Frenchman Olivier Pain before mechanical problems pushed them down the order. "We had the chance of meeting Cyril Despres after the 2013 Dakar," said Eric de Seynes, CEO of Yamaha Motor France. "Straight away we understood that not only does he have the experience, technical know-how and riding ability to make the Yamaha shine, but also that we share the same values and ambitions. He gave us the desire to work with him because his straightforward manner and professional approach won us over. He is a new source of motivation for all our technicians and for the brand. Both his track record and his personality make him an appreciated public figure who brings an international impact that will benefit Yamaha's entire global market." Honda, meanwhile, made its Dakar team announcement in Mugello, on the eve of the start of the Italian MotoGP. Honda has inked deals with five riders to ride the CRF450 Rally – Helder Rodrigues, Sam Sunderland, Javier Pizzolito, Joan Barreda and Paul Goncalves. Rodriguez has raced in seven Dakar Rallies and has six stage wins and two podium finishes to his credit. The Portuguese racer finished seventh overall in 2013; Sunderland finished third in this year's Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, but the 23-year-old Brit was knocked out of this year's Dakar Rally early on; Pizzolito suffered a broken femur and elbow in the 2012 edition of the Dakar and finished eighth overall in 2013; Barreda is likely the biggest star in the team, the Spanish rider winning a stage of the Dakar in 2012 and four stages in this year's race. Only mechanical woes prevented him from challenging for the overall victory; Goncalves is the veteran of the group, the Portuguese rider having started his Dakar career in 2009. The 34-year-old finished 10th overall in this year's race. WHERE WILL CRUTCHLOW GO? M ystery surrounds the MotoGP future of Cal Crutchlow, after the English rider told journalists at the Italian Grand Prix that he will quit Yamaha, if the company signs Moto2 star Pol Espargaro. The Spaniard's name has been linked with a move to the factory Yamaha squad for some time, but with the factory seats occupied by Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, and Bradley Smith already contracted to the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team, this would leave only Crutchlow's saddle available if Yamaha are to secure the services of the young Spaniard. Crutchlow told Britain's MCN Will Cal Crutchlow still be with Yamaha next year? that he had declined to sign a two-year deal with Tech 3 for fear he might be put on a CRT bike; and now has two possible routes to the factory bike he desires – with Ducati or the returning Sucontinued on page 26 PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE IN THE