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YRT In For Phillip Island WSBK Opener

10th February 2016

The Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) have confirmed that they will compete at the 2016 season opening round of the World Superbike Championship, held at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, on February 26-28.

Contesting the Australian Superbike Championship, the support class to the WSBK category, all three YRT riders and crew will be at Phillip Island, adding to the huge Yamaha presence at the high profile event.

"We are excited to going racing and get our year started at such a major event like the opening round of the WSBK," states YRT manager, John Redding. "With Yamaha Motor Finance as the major sponsor of the event, combined with the on-going development of the Yamaha R1 and just the fact that we love racing at Phillip Island, we committed to doing the event and the riders can't wait to hit the track.

"It's not an event we have done consistently over the past few seasons but the team, riders, sponsors and Yamaha Australia were extremely enthusiastic when the idea was pitched and discussions escalated quickly from 'should we do it', to 'let's enter and make it happen.'

"I'm thankful for everyone pulling together for YRT to compete at this event and we are eager to put our best foot forward on the world stage," Redding ends.

With Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton and Cru Halliday again at the controls of the YRT – Yamaha R1 in 2016, the Phillip Island event will be the first hit out for the team this year and the significance of racing alongside some of the world's best riders is not lost on the trio.

"Racing the Phillip Island circuit is always something to look forward to," says Victorian based, Maxwell. "The circuit itself is one of the best in the world and with a big crowd on hand and the atmosphere of the opening round of the WSBK, it makes for a very special event."

The event also represents the opening round of the Australian Superbike Championship and represents the perfect opportunity for the YRT crew to test their bikes and riders under real racing conditions and ensure the work done during the off season is have an effect on the track.

"During the off season we have also made some gains in developing the bike so it will be great to see how that translates in racing conditions with a high quality field," Maxwell finishes.

For Allerton and Halliday, racing the WSBK round at Phillip Island is the ideal way to kick start their 2016 season.

"I have had some success at Phillip Island in the past and having competed at this event previously, I know what to expect and how important this is. It's great that the team decided to commit to the event and shows that above all else, we just love racing," Allerton said.

For more information on the opening round at Phillip Island and the entire WSBK championship, visit www.worldsbk.com

On track action gets under way on Friday February 26 with practice and qualifying sessions. The YRT riders will contest three, ten lap races over the weekend while the WSBK race is set down for Sunday afternoon, February 28.

Credits: Russell Colvin