Yamaha unveils MX line-up

From Yamaha Motor Canada

TORONTO, ON -- Yamaha Motor Canada announced today the members of its two motocross teams.

Riding out of the official Yamaha Canada/Shift Racing semi are Doug Dehaan (MX1), Brad Hagseth (MX1) and Kyle Beaton (MX2west/MX1east). Simon Homans (MX1/MX2east) will also ride for Yamaha Canada out of his own race transporter.

In the Western half of the series, the emerging young speedster Beaton will race MX2 on his Mongoose Machine-tuned YZ250F, for the eastern rounds he will pilot the potent YZ250 two-stroke in the MX1 class alongside Dehaan and Hagseth. Hagseth, the only American on the team, is not eligible to race the MX2 class by virtue of his two previous championship seasons on the blue bikes in that class.

For the Eastern leg, Dehaan and Homans will pace the blue team in both classes. Dehaan looks to improve upon his third place overall finish last year in MX2, when some unfortunate luck kept him from standing on the top of the box. Yamaha can also expect some consistently fast results out of Homans, the 2002 125 East champ.

Team manager is former Yamaha Canada factory rider Jari Heinonen. “Yamaha has put together a very solid team to contest the CMRC Pro Nationals and I’m really looking forward to working with our riders and mechanics. They bring lots of heart and dedication, with each of them putting in an all out effort to place Yamaha atop the podium. With this team’s personnel and positive outlook, it is going to be a good summer for Yamaha and we are going to have a great season.”

The factory team will receive support from Clearbrook Yamaha and Atlantic Yamaha, plus product support from Shift, M2R, Pirelli, GYT-R, Alpinestars, Renthal, Bill’s Pipes, Works Connection, Enzo Suspension Canada, Ready Racing filters and D.I.D. Racing Chain.

Yamaha Canada’s satellite team, Morgan Motorsports Yamaha will be orchestrated by veteran manager Chris Morgan. Returning to the blue team, but staying with Morgan, will be Californian Craig Decker on the big YZ450F. Decker, a consistent podium finisher is thrilled to be back on the big thumper. Filling out the trailer will be last years MX2 podium finisher, Erick Vallejo. The Texas-based rider has been contesting the U.S. Supercross Series and looks forward to racing the MX1 and MX2 classes north of the border. Vallejo is confident the experience gained last year will improve his results.

Along with the National race effort, Yamaha will be offering free rides for youngsters as part of its Yamaha Riding Academy (YRA) program at each round of the nationals. Kids aged 5-12 will receive professional instruction and take a free spin on a Yamaha PW or TT-R series motorcycle. Some restrictions apply. See the YRA tent at the track for full details.