Today, Yamaha officially announced each of their support teams and the riders that will make up those teams. Nothing has changed from our earlier predictions of what the teams will look like, though, there is still no official word on which coasts the Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha riders will enter. A brand that had once discontinued its factory team and appeared to be struggling in the 250 class, has since been revived and features a full-factory team, four support teams, and 14 riders. You can read the full press release below.
Cypress, CA – Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., is proud to announce its bLU cRU support teams and riders who will be competing in the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
“We’ve already announced our Yamaha Factory Supercross team for the 2017 season, with Chad Reed and Cooper Webb as our 450SX riders,” commented Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. “And now, we’re excited to officially announce our 2017 lineup of Yamaha bLU cRU support teams and riders. We’ve got four solid support teams assembled for 2017, with 12 talented bLU cRU riders ready to race aboard their brand-new Yamaha YZ450F and YZ250F machines.”
Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha
Led by team owner Bobby Regan and team manager Brad Hoffman, the Yamalube/Star Racing/Yamaha riders include 2016 250SX East Championship runner-up and Indianapolis 250 Supercross winner #23 Aaron Plessinger, along with #39 Colt Nichols, #45 Mitchell Harrison, #108 Dylan Ferrandis, and 2015 Australian Supercross Champion Dan Reardon (#122). All five riders will be competing aboard Yamaha YZ250F machines in the 250SX class.
CycleTrader/Rock River/Yamaha
Returning for 2017, long-time bLU cRU support team CycleTrader/Rock River/Yamaha, which is led by team owner Mike DuClos and team manager Christina Denny, will compete once again in 450SX with Tommy Hahn aboard his #85 Yamaha YZ450F, while new team members Bradley Taft and Lorenzo Locurcio will make their professional Supercross debuts. Bradley will race his #74 Yamaha YZ250F in 250SX West, while Lorenzo will compete in 250SX East aboard his #183 Yamaha YZ250F.
Rock River will also continue to operate Yamaha’s successful “Pro Parts” program, offering emergency OEM parts at a discount to all racers at all Supercross and Motocross events, including the Monster Energy Cup.
Barn Pros Racing/Yamaha
Founded in 2011 by Barn Pros’ Steve Oslund and managed by former pro racer Scot Steffy, the Barn Pros Racing/Yamaha team—which is sponsored by Barn Pros, the nation’s leading barn manufacturer, and Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the U.S.—welcomes seven-time AMA Supercross and Motocross Champion Rick Johnson to its team as a rider liaison and trainer. Rick will be working with #58 Chris Alldredge and #76 Scott Champion, and both riders will be competing aboard Yamaha YZ250F machines in 250SX West.
51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha
With team owner Carlos Vieira, race director Terry Beal, and team manager Craig Monty at the helm, 51FIFTY Energy Drink/Yamaha also returns for 2017. The team will compete in 250SX West with four-time Arenacross Champion and 250SX race winner Tyler Bowers (#52) and his teammate, Australia native and 2016 Australian 250 Supercross Championship runner-up, Hayden Mellross (#64). Tyler and Hayden will both be aboard Yamaha YZ250F machines.
Look for Yamaha’s bLU cRU support teams and riders in action on Saturday, January 7, as the 2017 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship gets under way at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA.
For more Yamaha racing news, results, photos, and videos, visit YamahaMotorsports.com
