Yamaha Motor UK Ltd are pleased to confirm their support for young Yamaha GP rider James Ellison. To help in James' winter fitness schedule Yamaha UK have supplied a British Championship spec YZ250F model in tricked up supermoto trim. James has ridden the tricked up YZ supermoto over the winter months to help hone his reactions and bike co-ordination and improve his fitness in preparation for his most exciting season to date.
James' MotoGP career started on the WCM GP bike which was built around an engine based on an YZF-R1 engine, this year James will be riding for the Tech 3 Dunlop Yamaha squad. Ellison, who has had a busy six years racing all around the globe in endurance and superstock, is very excited about the way things have turned out for him, he said " Well who would have thought it? I am currently preparing to embark on the biggest year of my life running a Factory Yamaha in Moto GP. It was only Year ago when I thought my chances of ever making it into GP's were gone, having had to come back to the UK after spending six years racing around the world". James continued, "At the end of 2003 after winning the World Endurance Championship with Phase One Endurance and finishing third in the European Superstocks with my privately run HAP Construction, HI-Peak and Southern Counties Carpentry team I was left with no options for 2005 as the championships I was competing in were not considered to be of any great significance, (all I can say to that is "Lanzi" he was a shock to the WSBK boys) anyway, as it was aproaching the start of the season I was thrown a lifeline by Jentin Yamaha and we had a fantastic year winning the BSB Cup along the way and collecting some good points in WSBK, which then led to Peter Clifford and WCM offering me a chance in Moto GP".
"As you can tell, a lot has happened over the space of a year, I believe everything happens for a reason and I would be riding in AMA Superstocks now if things had panned out how I wanted them to at the end of 2003. So I'm really happy knowing that had things worked out my way I have no idea where I would be right now, but as it happens I will be riding in the elite class of motorcycle racing on the best bike and tyres in the world. How cool is that?! Although I am extatic about the comming season with Tech 3 and Yamaha, I was sad to leave Peter and the team as they were the ones that gave me the once in a lifetime oportunity of riding a MotoGP bike and I would have stayed with them to the end had there been a secure opportunity, I have learned so much from them (technically and general paddock eticate), and we became like a family, I will always be greatful for everything they did and I hope it all works out for the guys this year".
James already has a strong association with the Yamaha brand having previously won the British Superbike Privateer Cup aboard a YZF-R1 and in the same year attaining top WSB wild card finishes. Lets wish young James Ellison all the luck that he needs for the coming season in MotoGP. You can follow James' racing exploits and read more about him on his website, (link below).
Related Linkswww.yamaha-racing.com www.ellison77.com
