Virgin Mobile Yamaha is delighted to announce the inception of a brand new two-man team that will contest the ultra-competitive 2007 British Supersport Championship. Comprised of the 2005 and 2006 R6 Cup champions, Billy McConnell and Tom Grant, this is the first time that Yamaha UK has pledged full support to a British Supersport team.
Over the past four seasons, Rob McElnea has worked tirelessly with Yamaha UK in the development and progression of young riders within motorcycle sport. The new Supersport team highlights these endeavours, and with the two most recent champions spearheading the new team, it provides Rob McElnea with the opportunity to showcase the talent produced by the Cup’s continued success.
2006 R6 Cup champion, Tom Grant, has elected to run in the Virgin Mobile Supersport Team after long and careful deliberation. With the envious choice between Superbike and Supersport firmly in his hands, Tom chose the hotly contested Supersport series as a base on which to build a season of solid experience before a step up into the premier class. With three victories and ten podiums on the way to emphatically claiming the 2006 title, Tom is confident of continuing his rich vein of form from last season as makes the transition into the Supersport class.
Twenty-year old Billy McConnell had a highly successful first season in 2006 onboard the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R1. The young Australian rider capped a brilliant debut Superbike season with a spirited 7th place at the climactic round at Brands Hatch in October. Billy has the determination and aptitude to challenge for title honours in 2007, and will prove a valuable addition to the team in terms of bike and rider development.
Virgin Mobile Yamaha will embark on a series of tests ahead of the first round of the 2007 season that takes place over the Easter weekend of 7 – 9 April at Brands Hatch, Kent.
Rob McElnea, Team Owner: "We are all very excited about stepping into the ultra competitive Supersport class. We have watched this series for a few seasons and seen some fantastic racing and amazing talent come through. With the Superbike series running at an amazing world class pace, putting this stepping stone in place for our Cup champions will give us time to hopefully nurture them for the 'Big Step' to Superbike. Tom Grant, at 18, is our youngest Virgin Mobile Cup champion and will benefit from a year on a Supersport bike. His confidence will grow running at the front of the pack. Billy had a great season last year with us in the Superbike series and will definitely start as a title contender. Our long term plan to develop our young guns just gets better!"
Tom Grant: “I can’t wait to get on the bike and to get the bike onto the podium. Really looking forward to working closely with the team next season. I am pleased with my decision to run in Supersport as I feel this will be a more progressive route to gaining valuable experience in the British Championship.”
Billy McConnell: “With a number of excellent riders returning to Supersport next season, it will be a hard fought campaign and I am relishing the opportunity to put the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 on the podium as often as I can. “
Andy Smith, Managing Director Yamaha Motor UK: “It's great to be back in Supersport and at such a high level. With the technical experience of the Virgin Mobile Superbike team putting 100% commitment into Billy McConnell and Tom Grant, there is no question that the YZF-R6 'Bike of the Year' will be in contention for Championship honours.”
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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