2010 Yamaha Sterilgarda WSBK YZF-R1 Livery Revealed

One week after the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team revealed its new 2010 YZR-M1 machine, the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike team took the wraps of their own racebike today. The team launched the new YZF-R1 livery at the Sterilgarda headquarters in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy, while riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow answered questions about the upcoming season.

Both two-time World Superbike champion Toseland and World Supersport champion Crutchlow are considered as favorites for the championship title this year.

“The first race is coming up in two weeks and testing has been really promising after riding a GP bike for two years. After the test in Phillip island personally and machinery wise everything should be set to compete at the front from the first race,” Toseland said.

“I’m looking forward to the year ahead, it’s going to be a good challenge, but tough! Testing has gone well, hopefully we can turn that into good results from the first few races and build from there. I know we can do a good job,” added Crutchlow.

New racing developments to the 2010 bike based upon the production crossplane crankshaft R1 include:

• Increased engine power – Maximum engine power increased by 8 hp, considerable power benefits over the full rev range.
• Weight reduction – Overall bike weight reduced by 3kg without losing the electric starter.
• Different radiator shape – For increased cooling capacity and also to reduce drag.
• Different fuel tank – Now made entirely from carbon fibre with greater capability and lighter.
• Re-designed bottom fairing – Narrower design for less drag, design allows for easier heat dispersal
• New exhaust system – For increased power in the middle of the rev range.