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/713106
IN THE WIND P46 YAMAHA WANTS ROSSI AT THE 8 HOURS! Y amaha's European Boss, Eric de Seynes, has said he wants Valentino Rossi on board a factory-prepared YZF-R1 at next year's Suzuka 8 Hours. Speaking to British publication MCN, de Seynes admitted that the 8 Hours is one of the highest priority events for the Japanese factory and thus wants the biggest name in world racing— and indeed the highest paid Yamaha rider—in the race to help Yamaha retain the 8 Hours title they have won for the past two years. Next year marks the 40th Anniversary of the event and with Honda bringing out an all-new CBR1000RR for their home race (Honda owns the Suzuka track), the stage could be set for Rossi to return to the track for the first time since 2001, when he teamed with Colin Edwards to win on a factory Honda RC51. "This race is key in the racing calendar, and we would love to get Vale for the anniversary," said de Seynes to MCN. "It's been already discussed, but we know it's a project that we could match some day. Will we achieve it next year? I don't know. But I know for sure one day he will enjoy returning to Suzuka." CN HERLINGS RE-UPS WITH KTM R ed Bull KTM Factory Racing's Jeffrey Herlings won't be going anywhere soon, at least when it comes to race teams. The two-time MX2 World Champion (and probably more if it weren't for inju- ries), will remain with the team through 2020. The big news, however, is that he will move up to the MXGP class in 2017. The 22-year-old is currently leading the MX2 championship but has been recently sidelined with an injury. "We are very pleased to sign Jeffrey through to 2020," said KTM Motorsports Director Pit Beirer. "He came to us at a very young age and we have seen him develop into a highly skilled rider on all terrains. He is an outstanding competitor, and to have 59 GP wins at such a young age is excep- tional. Jeffrey is an integral part of our KTM family and we view our relationship with him as one for a lifetime." Herlings added, "I'm really happy to be with the KTM family. I've already been there since 2009 and I'm very happy to extend my contract. Hope- fully we will have a lot of championship titles and a lot of wins together. I will try to win as much as possible and I am thankful to have this chance. It's an opportunity and we'll try to make the best of it. This will be my last year in MX2 and I'll try to win the title." CN Jeffrey Herlings won't be leaving KTM anytime soon, and he will be moving up to the MXGP class next year. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KTM IMAGES/J.P. ACEVEDO