Yamaha boss reflects on ‘fabulous’ 2010

2010 was the year in which Yamaha continued its unrivalled domination of the MotoGP world championship as Jorge Lorenzo won his first world title in record-breaking fashion.

But it was also the year that the Japanese factory had to recover from the blow of losing talisman and nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi to rivals Ducati.

On the track, Yamaha was unstoppable again with Lorenzo and Rossi claiming 11 wins between them with the Spaniard amassing a record 383-points as he finished all 18 races.

Yamaha won the prestigious triple crown of rider, team and constructor titles for the third successive season and race boss Lin Jarvis told MCN: “It has been a fabulous year for Yamaha again having got the triple crown for the third year running.

“What more could we hope for? It is superb and seeing a new rider like Jorge that is staying with us win, it was important. Seeing his dominant performances at the end of the season reaffirmed to everybody that he was a justified and deserved champion. I was also happy to see our bike come back to full speed at the end of the season.

“Mid-season our competition had a little bit more horsepower than we did and at the back end of the season we took a new engine and even though we didn’t use it in Valencia, we came back to full speed, so that bodes well for the future.”

Jarvis, who did try and convince Rossi to extend his Yamaha deal earlier last season, also reflected on the Italian icon’s move to Ducati for next season.

Rossi enjoyed a glittering career on board a factory YZR-M1 winning four world titles and 46 races.

But he opted to quit and finish his career with Ducati back in late June and Jarvis added: “Valentino’s departure of course has been one of the big themes of the year, as has his injuries.

I think this was handled well. A divorce is always a difficult thing but I think at the end of the season we managed to keep a good understanding and a good mutual respect between Valentino and Yamaha and we were able to close this very important chapter of our racing history in the best way that we could.

“Seeing Valentino riding the Ducati is kind of weird and strange. But it is okay. We have also got Ben (Spies) and Jorge together in our factory team and we are quite satisfied and optimistic of their chances for the future.”

Jarvis said he was also delighted to see the emergence of American Spies after an impressive first full season in MotoGP.

Spies produced a series of eye-catching performances for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad and he will move to the factory team alongside Lorenzo in 2011 following Rossi’s departure to Ducati.

Jarvis added: “Seeing Ben get best rookie is great and he had a very solid first year. To finish sixth with this level of opposition is good.

“Jorge was fourth in his first year but the competition is more difficult and intense now and we are very happy with Ben. We are optimistic and all set for next year.”