Yamaha Gets Monster Deal For MotoGP
Cycle News Staff | January 8, 2013
The distinctive green Monster Energy logo will be more visible on the MotoGP podium in 2013 with the signing of world champion Jorge Lorenzo to a personal contract, as well as support for the Yamaha factory team.
The signing of two-time world champion Lorenzo, who formerly had personal sponsorship from Rockstar, means that he and teammate Valentino Rossi will both ride under the Monster umbrella. Monster will have a presence on the leathers and helmets of both riders, as well as on the Yamaha YZR-M1s and all team clothing and equipment.
En route to the 2012 title, Lorenzo won six races and was on the podium in every race but two in 2012, Assen, where he was knocked down by Alvaro Bautista, and Valencia, where he crashed out. Rossi had a pair of seconds in Le Mans and Misano.
However, Monster Energy will not be the primary sponsor of the Yamaha team. Yamaha has not had a primary sponsor since 2010 when the team of Lorenzo and Rossi were backed by Fiat.
The agreement with the factory team will not affect the longsanding sponsorship of the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team. For the fifth consecutive year, the team will be fully backed by Monster Energy, this year with Brits Cal Crutchlow and MotoGP rookie Bradley Smith.
