Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi gave a brilliant performance at the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana, to bring Yamaha’s Factory Team the 2016 FIM MotoGP Team Title.
The Team arrived at the Circuito de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo with one goal in mind: secure the Team’s Title for the second year in succession.
After the triple-header overseas, Rossi and Lorenzo arrived back on European soil feeling confident that they could put up a strong fight. Highlights of the first 17 rounds of the 2016 season saw the blue team secure five Grand Prix victories (three by Lorenzo and two by Rossi), a total of 19 podiums (ten by Rossi and nine by Lorenzo, including five double podiums), and two consecutive perfect 45-point scores (first and second place) at the Gran Premio de España (Circuito de Jerez, Spain) and the Grand Prix de France (Le Mans, France).
Thanks to their consistent high placements and continued strong pace, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team arrived to the last round of the season with a comfortable ten points advantage over their main rivals in the Team standings.
Lorenzo and Rossi further ensured their chances of giving Yamaha the Team’s Title by positioning their YZR-M1 bikes on first and third place on the grid for the final race in Saturday’s qualifying, giving them a small edge over their competition.
Starting the last race of the season from a perfect position, Lorenzo and Rossi gave a flawless performance during the 30-lap race and signed off the MotoGP World Championship with a first and fourth place respectively to secure the 7th Team Title for Yamaha (since it was added in 2002).
The Team effort displayed at the final round is the ideal closure for Lorenzo’s nine-year long career with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team and Yamaha, seven of which were spent with Rossi as his teammate.
Lin Jarvis – Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
“Taking the MotoGP Team Title for the second time in a row is a proud moment for us and a testament to our riders’, team members’, sponsors’, and technical partners’ hard work and the strong teamwork we have formed. I want to thank all those involved for their commitment and energy, and this also includes the fans and spectators, whose support is the driving force behind all our racing efforts as we strive to make motorsports exciting and fun for fans all around the World. This Team Title is the perfect conclusion to our nine-year run with Jorge which included seven years together with Vale during which we won five Rider Championships and five Team Titles including four ‘Triple Crown seasons’. It has been a very exciting and successful chapter in Yamaha’s racing history and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and wish him all the very best for the future.”
Massimo Meregalli – Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“It’s a great pleasure to celebrate Yamaha taking the Team’s World Title again for the second year in succession. To come out on top after such an interesting year with a strong field of riders, many winners and a high-pace throughout the season says a lot about our team’s strength, consistency and performance level. Saying goodbye to Jorge is a very emotional experience for the team, he has been part of the Yamaha family for nine years and Valentino has been riding alongside him in the same blue colours for seven of those seasons. Successfully defending our Team Title is the perfect way to sign off those incredible years together that have led to many memorable experiences. I want to take the occasion of the final race of the season to thank the entire team for the amazing job they have done this year. The Team Title reflects their dedication throughout the season. Lastly, I want to thank all sponsors and also the fans, because this achievement is something we can all take pride in. Their support and enthusiasm for the sport make all our victories, podiums and titles more meaningful.”
