Yamaha Factory team principal Lin Jarvis is truly a very lucky man. He is in an enviable position being torn between excellent riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, who are currently tied at World No.1.
He chatted with motogp.com and he talked about the battle between his two riders and how he thinks the rest of the season would play out.
Read the transcribed chat below:
Lin, it must be the dream position to find yourself in, with both of your riders tied on points of the top of the MotoGP World Championship standings?
"Sure, we are very fortunate to find ourselves in this situation at this stage. I am very, and we collectively, are extremely happy to be in this situation. Long may it last."
What’s been the key to turning it around?
"Well, I think that basically these are the benefits we are seeing of something we started in the first half of last season really, as a result of Honda’s domination. Racing is often cyclical by nature because when one gets defeated, you have to dig deeper, you have to find solutions and work extremely well to come to the top again. I think the defeats of last season, the first ten victories of Marquez were pretty brutal and really thats when we obviously started to work hard to improve the bike."
The new M1 definitely seems to play to your riders strengths, Lorenzo at times has almost looked unbeatable…
"I think that this has always been Yamaha’s philosophy in general with our racing bikes and with our production bikes, man and machine in harmony is what it is all about. At the end of the day you can create a machine that is ultimately super powerful, with super high technology, but if the rider doesn't have that feeling, and if doesn't give the feedback to the rider and it’s not manageable, it’s not easy to ride, then the rider cannot perform at his maximum level."
Could the championship battle go all the way to Valencia?
"Yes, I think it definitely could, if we see the way the leadership has swung from basically Vale had an advantage, Jorge closed it down, Vale opened up another advantage, and Jorge’s closed it down. If we look at the last six or seven races, nobody has been able to break away and open up an advantage. So if we look at the next six or seven races, we could find ourselves coming into Valencia in a very similar situation. I certainly hope we don't end up in that position, I am sure the spectators would be happy if we did, but I personally would like it to done one race before Valencia. But I think it’s almost impossible for the championship to be decided before Malaysia."
Is this the hungriest you have seen Valentino Rossi, as he hunts for that elusive 10th title?
"Yes, I would say so. To see him comeback after effectively five years of defeat, with his last championship win back in 2009, is incredible. To be leading the championship up until the last race, its quite phenomenal for somebody of 36 against these younger riders who has been through a period of difficulty for several years. This season he is riding exceptionally well, eleven podiums, plus the four at the end of last season, so his consistency is excellent. His motivation is huge, his attention to detail is still the same, and for me personally he is riding as good as he ever has in the past. The way he has been able to adapt his style over the years is incredible, there are very few riders, racers, pilots, skiers, any sportsman that are able to make that significant change to adapt themselves to a new style, to a new requirement at the latter stages of their career. I think thats the phenomenal thing and that shows his passion."
How do you see it unfolding at the British GP?
"You are always hoping for a 1-2! For me I really believe we can get another double podium and one of our riders can win the race. I would say that the circuit is more favourable to Jorge than Valentino, we know that he has been strong there in the past, and had some great battles with Marc. I think Marc will be strong there as well, but if Jorge can replicate the form he had in Brno, I think he can win the race. Double podium for sure, I just pray it wont be raining!"
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