Yamaha started as a motorcycle manufacturer in 1955 and their first claim to fame was winning the very first race they entered. Since then Yamaha’s has gone from strengths to strength in about every major motorcycle racing discipline, from 1972 also in the 500cc ‘king class’ later renamed in MotoGP. Now 35 years on Yamaha has accumulated 150 wins in the pinnacle of racing with their victory at the British MotoGP round held at Donington.
Last weekend saw Valentino Rossi clinch the 150th victory for Yamaha at Assen in Holland with a spectacular win. Valentino didn't get the best start in the race starting by off at 11th on the grid and then getting caught up in the early traffic.
Rossi made up little ground at the start but after the first couple of laps he found his rhythm and began a spectacular charge to the front, passing rider after rider with a series of bold moves and eventually making his way up to second behind Stoner by lap 12 of 26, setting a string of fastest laps on the way.
This is what Valentino had to say:
"This was an incredible race. I think maybe one of the top five of my career! Clearly starting from 11th is quite lucky for us because I've won a few times from that position, including last year at Sachsenring. Last night I didn't sleep so well and I couldn't have imagined that the race could turn out like this, in fact I was really a little bit worried after the qualifying and didn't know what to expect today!
Once I got going though I saw that I had a great pace and so I just rode as hard as I could to get past everyone because I knew then that I could come back to Casey. When I finally got there I was quite tired, as were my tyres, plus he was riding very well and it was hard to overtake him, but my M1 worked brilliantly today and in the last few laps I was able to go past and win. I have to say a big thank you to Michelin and to my team, because today our package was brilliant and I was able to ride at the maximum. I'm so happy to win here in Assen, it's a special place for me and this is a great emotion! It was nice to have a special livery here as well, in the past I haven't been so lucky with new liveries but hopefully today has turned that around! Congratulations to Yamaha for 150 wins, I am glad that we could celebrate like this!"
Below you will find a complete overview of all these 150 victories.
1972:
1. SPA – Montjuich – Chas Mortimer (GB) – YZ634A
1973
2. FRA – Paul Richard - Jarno Saarinen (FIN) - YZR500 (OW19)
3. AUT – Salzburg - Jarno Saarinen (FIN) - YZR500 (OW19)
1974
4. WGER – Nurburgring - Edmund Czihak (WGER) - TZ380
5. AUT – Salzburg - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YZR500 (OW20A)
6. IOM TT – Phil Carpenter (GB) - TZ380
7. NL – Àssen - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YZR500 (OW23)
8. SWE – Anderstorp - Teuvo Lansivuori (FIN) - YZR500 (OW23)
1975
9. FRA – Paul Richard - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YRZ500 (OW23)
10. AUT – Salzburg - Hideo Kanaya (JAP) - YRZ500 (OW23)
11. WGER – Hockemheim - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YRZ500 (OW26)
12. NAT – Imola - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YRZ500 (OW26)
13. FIN – Imatra - Gìacomo Agostini (ITA) - YRZ500 (OW26)
1976
14. IOM TT – Tom Herron (IRL) – TZ380
1977
15. FIN – Imatra - Johnny Cecotto (VEN) – YZR500 (OW35)
16. CZE – Brno - Johnny Cecotto (VEN) – YZR500 (OW35)
1978
17. AUT – Salzburg - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW35K)
18. FRA – Nogaro - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW35K)
19. NAT – Mugello - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW35K)
20. NL – Assen - Johnny Cecotto (VEN) – YZR500 (OW35K)
21. GB – Silverstone - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW35K)
1979
22. AUT – Salzburh - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW45)
23. NAT – Imola – K. Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW45)
24. SPA – Jarama - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW45)
25. YUG – Rijeka - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW45)
26. GB – Silverstone - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW45)
1980
27. NAT – Misano - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW48)
28. SPA – Jamara - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW48)
29. FRA – Paul Richard - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW48)
30. NL – Assen - Jack Middelburg (NL) - Bakker TZ500
1981
31. WGER – Hockenheim - Kenny Roberts (USA) - YZR500 (OW53)
32. NAT – Monza - Kenny Roberts (USA) - YZR500 (OW54)
33. SWE – Anderstorp - Barry Sheene - YZR500 (OW54)
1982
34. ARG – Buenos Aires - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW60)
35. SPA – Jarama - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW61)
1983
36. WGER – Hockemheim - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
37. AUT – Salzburg - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
38. NL – Assen - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
39. BEL – Spa - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
40. GB – Silverstone - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
41. RSM – Imola - Kenny Roberts (USA) – YZR500 (OW70)
1984
42. SA – Kyalami - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW76)
43. SPA – Jarama - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW76)
44. AUT – Salzburg - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW76)
45. SWE – Anderstorp - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW76)
1985
46. SA – Kyalami - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
47. WGER – Hockenheim - Christian Sarron (FRA) – YZR500 (OW81)
48. YUG – Rijeka - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
49. RSM – Imola - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
1986
50. NAT – Monza - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
51. WGER – Nurburgring - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
52. AUT – Salzburg - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
53. YUG – Rijeka - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
54. BEL – Spa - Randy Mamola (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
55. FRA – Paul Richard - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
56. SWE – Anderstorp - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
57. RSM – Imola - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW81)
1987
58. JAP – Suzuka - Randy Mamola (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
59. WGER – Hockenheim - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
60. NL – Assen - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
61. FRA – Le Mans - Randy Mamola (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
62. GB – Donington - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
63. RSM – Imola - Randy Mamola (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
64. POR – Jarama - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
65. ARG – Buenos Aires - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW86)
1988
66. USA – Laguna Sega - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
67. SPA – Jerez - Kevin Magee (AUS) – YZR500 (OW98)
68. POR – Jarama - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
69. NAT – Imola - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
70. AUT – Salzburg - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
71. FRA – Paul Richard - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
72. GB – Donington - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
73. SWE – Anderstorp - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
74. BRA – Goiania - Eddie Lawson (USA) – YZR500 (OW98)
1989
75. USA – Laguna Sega - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWA8)
76. WGER – Hockenheim - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWA8)
77. NL – Assen - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWA8)
1990
78. JAP – Suzuka - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
79. USA – Laguna Sega - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
80. NAT – Imola - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
81. YUG – Rijeka - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
82. BEL – Spa - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
83. SWE – Anderstorp - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
84. CZE – Brno - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWC1)
1991
85. AUS – Eastern Creek - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
86. USA – Laguna Sega - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
87. EUR – Jarama - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
88. FRA – Paul Richard - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
89. RSM – Imola - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
90. CZE – Brno - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
91. MAL – Shah Alam - John Kocinski (USA) - YZR500 (OWD3)
1992
92. EUR – Catalunya - Wayne Rainey (USA)- YZR500 (OWE0)
93. FRA – Magny Cours - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWE0)
94. BRA – Interlagos - Wayne Rainey (USA) - YZR500 (OWE0)
95. SA – Kyalami - John Kocinski (USA) - YZR500 (OWE0)
1993
96. MAL – Shah Alam - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
97. JAP – Suzuzka - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
98. EUR – Calalunya - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
99. GB – Donington - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
100. CZER – Brno - Wayne Rainey (USA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
101. ITA – Misano - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF2)
1994
102. USA – Laguna Sega - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF9)
103. EUR – Catalunya - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF9)
1995
104. CZER – Brno - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF9)
105. BRA – Rio - Luca Cadalora (ITA) – YZR500 (OWF9)
1996
106. JAP – Suzuka - Norik Abe (JAP) – YZR500 (OWJ1)
107. AUS – Eastern Creek - Loris Capirossi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWJ1)
1998
108. GB – Donington - Simon Crafar (NZ) – YZR500 (OWK1)
1999
109. SPA – Valencia - Regis Laconi (FRA) – YZR500 (OWK1)
110. SA – Welkom - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWK1)
111. BRA – Rio - Norik Abe (JAP) – YZR500 (OWK1)
2000
112. SA – Welkom - Garry McCoy (AUS) – YZR500 (OWK6)
113. JAP – Suzuka - Norik Abe (JAP) – YZR500 (OWK6)
114. CZER – Brno - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWK6)
115. POR – Estoril - Garry McCoy (AUS) – YZR500 (OWK6)
116. SPA – Valencia - Garry McCoy (AUS) – YZR500 (OWK6)
117. AUS – Philip Island - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWK6)
2001
118. FRA – Le Mans - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWL6)
119. NL – Assen - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWL6)
120. GER – Sachsenring - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWL6)
2002
121. CZER – Brno - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWL9)
122. MAL – Sepang - Max Biaggi (ITA) – YZR500 (OWL9)
2004
123. SA – Welkom - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
124. ITA – Mugello - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
125. CAT – Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
126. NL – Assen - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
127. GB – Donington - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
128. POR – Estoril - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
129. MAL – Sepang - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
130. AUS – Philip Island - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
131. SPA – Valencia - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP3)
2005
132. SPA – Jerez - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
133. CHN – Shanghai - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
134. FRA – Le Mans - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
135. ITA – Mugello - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
136. SPA – Catalunya - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
137. NL – Assen - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
138. GB – Donington - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
139. GER – Sachsenring - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
140. CZER – Brno - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
141. QAT – Doha - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
142. AUS – Philip Island - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWP4)
2006
143. QAT – Doha - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWR4)
144. ITA – Mugello - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWR4)
145. SPA– Catalunya - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWR4)
146. GER – Sachsenring - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWR4)
147. MAL – Sepang - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1 (OWR4)
2007
148. SPA – Jerez - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1
149. ITA – Mugello - Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1
150. NED – Assen – Valentino Rossi (ITA) – YZR-M1
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