Yamaha’s MotoGP team extends RCB deal

MotoGP World Championship motorcycling team Yamaha Factory Racing has extended its sponsorship deal with motorcycle parts and accessories supplier RCB.

The new three-year deal will cover the 2018 to 2020 MotoGP seasons. RCB, formerly known as Racing Boy, first partnered with Yamaha in 2013.

As part of the new agreement, the Malaysian company will serve as an official sponsor of Yamaha, with its logo to appear on the bikes of riders Valentino Rossi (pictured) and Maverick Viñales.

Kouichi Tsuji, general manager of Yamaha’s motorsports division, said: “We’ve had a strong relationship with them since our successful collaborations in 2013 and 2014 at the Asian rounds and noticed we have a lot of common ground. RCB came to exist through the founder’s love for motorcycles.

“The company’s passion and positive outlook laid the groundwork for its growth, and Yamaha shares the same vision on innovation, technology and integrity. Those three key elements can be used to build meaningful relationships and move forward.”

Yamaha is one of the leading MotoGP teams and finished second in the 2017 manufacturers’ standings, behind fellow Japanese outfit Honda.