Monster Energy signs two-year deal with Yamaha Factory Racing

Return of Rossi to Japanese manufacturer spurs drinks giant to become team sponsor

The return of seven times MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi to Yamaha Factory Racing is already paying off for the Japanese manufacturer with drinks giant Monster Energy signing a two year deal with the company that will see the familiar luminous green claw mark logo on the YZR-M1 machines and leathers of both Rossi along with teammate and reigning MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo.

We are very happy to be able to announce the start of a new chapter in the Yamaha ? Monster Energy partnership.

Lin Jarvis

The deal doesn?t see Monster Energy being the title sponsor but instead the company will feature in the same prominence as current team sponsor, oil company ENEOS. The new deal with Monster Energy is believed to be in the region of 4 Million Euros. Rossi will retain his existing personal sponsorship deal with the drinks manufacturer while the satellite Yamaha team, Tech 3, will also retain its sponsorship deal with the Monster Energy brand.

The new deal did cause somewhat of a headache for Yamaha though as they have had to activate a buy-out clause in Lorenzo?s personal sponsorship with rival drinks company Rockstar who had just extended the deal for two years with the reigning champion. Monster Energy is also believed to have covered the cost of the buy out clause in an increased bid, further confirming how adamant the company is to align itself with the Rossi, Lorenzo and Yamaha team.

Speaking about the new deal, Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing said he is very happy with the partnership. He said, ?We are very happy to be able to announce the start of a new chapter in the Yamaha ? Monster Energy partnership. Monster Energy is already a major partner to Yamaha?s top global sports activities in many domestic and international racing activities around the world in Motocross, Supercross, Endurance and Superbike disciplines. They have also been the title sponsor of the Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha team for the past four years. The expansion to include the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team is a logical and prestigious expansion of the program.

This completion of the program permits Yamaha and Monster Energy to work even closer together to develop their sports marketing programs and to develop rider talent to continue to be successful into the future in all areas of motorcycle racing. For the Yamaha Factory Racing Team this new partnership will bring even more ?energy? into our racing program and Monster Energy will be a great supporter to further promote our Team and our riders' performances around the world,? Jarvis added.

Source: http://www.motorsport.com/all/news/monster-energy-signs-two-year-deal-with-yamaha-factory-racing/

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