Noriyuki Haga signs with Yamaha for World SBK
Noriyuki Haga
By blue2bikes
January 10 2005
It has been officially announced today that ‘Nitro’ Noriyuki Haga has indeed signed with Yamaha for an all-out assault on the World Superbike championship, and a very possible 50th anniversary win for Yamaha.
Haga will ride the Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle alongside team-mate Andrew Pitt. Andrew has already tested the machine at Valencia late last year - a test which Haga was unable to attend due to still being in the employ of the Renegade Ducati team. Haga and Andrew will undertake testing at Phillip Island later this month, for three days, in readiness for the 2005 campaign.
Haga was the man to watch from when he first joined Yamaha, in 1994, through to 2000. he won eleven Superbike races, with a best of second position overall. 2000 was the last year of official Yamaha participation in the series, and they now return for an all-out assault.
Noriyuki Haga in 2004 - photo © Raceline Photography
Haga was placed third in last year’s series and, had his machine not developed breakdowns, could have taken the championship. An exciting and committed rider, who all fans love to watch, he now has the chance to redeem his winning ways and go all-out at the front of the pack.
Haga stated that he was looking forward to returning to Yamaha and making the R1 a winner. He went on to say, “I’m very happy to be staying in the WSBK and joining this good team, as everyone knows I love this championship. And, having worked with the mechanics before, and the people at Yamaha Europe, it will not be all new to me. It should be fun.”
In addition to the Yamaha Motor Europe’s official supported Italian squad, Yamaha France will also be entering a two rider line-up, with the former MotoGP rider Norick Abe, and Sébastien Gimbert. Yamaha are, as reported earlier, making a determined effort to win the top two series this year - MotoGP and WSBK - with a very possible third win in the British Superbike series.
Further R1s will be provided for European Superstock champions Lorenzini by Leoni, who will be fielding Italian rider Gianluca Vizziello; and reigning World Endurance champions Yamaha GMT94, who are intending to enter selected rounds with Spanish rider David Checa.
Without a doubt the WSBK series will be one to watch this year, as Frankie Chili, Chris Vermeulen, Chris Walker, alongside other capable riders and champion James Toseland, will be going all-out to show they are the best.
To buy the photograph shown above, visit Raceline Photography