Yamaha has announced an extension with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGRMX) and the addition of Justin Barcia and Weston Peick. Barcia comes over from Honda Muscle Milk, while Peick signed after spending this summer with RCH Suzuki. From Yamaha: Cypress, CA. -- Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA is pleased to announce the extension of our relationship with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGRMX) through a new contract that will see the successful team race YZ450Fs in both the AMA Supercross and Outdoor series for at least the next two years. On top of that, Yamaha is proud to welcome two new riders to the Yamaha JGRMX family. After an illustrious amateur career, Justin Barcia started off his professional career with a bang, winning the AMA Rookie of the Year award in 2009. He followed that early success with two 250SX East Coast Championships. That same success followed Barcia when he moved up to the 450 Class, as he won two 450SX Supercross races in his first season and took home the 2013 AMA 450 Class Rookie of the Year award. Already a proven winner with an intensity that is unrivaled, Barcia is looking forward to the start of the 2015 Season. “I have met everyone over at Joe Gibbs Racing and already feel like part of the family, I am excited to start riding and training for the 2015 season,” said Justin Barcia, who has been recovering from ankle surgery earlier in the season. Joining Barcia on the Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX team is perennial underdog fan favorite Weston Peick. A long-time Yamaha rider Weston had a breakthrough season in 2014 and looks forward to carrying that momentum into the 2015 season now that he’s back on a YZ450F. “I couldn’t be more excited to see what the future holds for the Toyota/Yamaha/JGRMX team. With Barcia and Peick under the tent and the improved 2015 YZ450F at their disposal it should be a very exciting year,” said Yamaha Motor Co. Racing Division Manager, Keith McCarty.
That's certainly helps spread the talent around in the 450 class between the major brands... Not overly surprised to hear JB51 is moving on as more than once it appeared he and TC41 raced pretty f'ing hard for team mates last yr... TC41 looks to be at the Championship level with a little luck next yr ... New teams for both these riders should be good for both I'd guess ... Good luck to both next yr ..
Quick breakdown of 4fitty top riders + brand - 2015 HUS - JA17 - factory team rider KTM - RD5 - rides a new bike next yr - factory team rider SUZ - KR94 - Champ - Satellite team rider HON - TC41 & ET3 - factory and satellite riders? YAM - JB51- Satellite team rider KAW - ? - factory last yr. JB51 has his work cut out for him with just those names above to beat.. He's had a MX ~yr off to gain some perspective on the sport and do something positive for himself towards racing ... Now a new bike? Improvement will be something to watch for ...
