WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Ambitious to Kick off European Season

19-04-2022

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Ambitious to Kick off European Season

Darryn Binder and Andrea Dovizioso are curious to start racing in Portugal this weekend and ambitious to improve their results.

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve close to one of Portugal’s famous holiday destinations Portimao is the host of the first European round in 2022. Riders and teams are likewise excited to return to Europe following four very unique flyaway rounds at the beginning of the season and to commence the race weekend at the 4.6-kilometer rollercoaster circuit.

After he faced probably the toughest round of the year in Austin, Texas, WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team’s Darryn Binder is happy to change scenarios this weekend. At the same time, the MotoGP newcomer is well aware that he needs to restart from scratch again in order to get used to riding his Yamaha YZR-M1 at the extremely varied track at the Algarve. He arrives at round five with six points on his account as the second-best rookie.

At the same time, Andrea Dovizioso eyes to achieve more decent results. The experienced Italian lands in Portugal with just three points to his name following some unfortunate races in Indonesia and Argentina. Last time out in the United States, he scored one point, but is still working to improve his feeling with the Yamaha YZR-M1 and eagerly awaits the World Championship’s return to Europe.

The first of another back to back weekend with the Portuguese and the Spanish Grand Prix, start this Friday with Free Practice one at 09:55 local time (10:55 CET) followed by FP2 at 14:10 local time (15:10 CET).

Darryn Binder

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

“I’m really looking forward to get to Portimao. After being in America, which was a very difficult track, I feel like I’m a little bit more ready for Portugal now. It’s going to be a challenging track as well with all the elevation changes, ups and downs, but I’m really excited to start racing back in Europe and trying to make a step forward. I can’t wait for the weekend!”

Andrea Dovizioso

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team

“Portimao is a really good track, but at the same time a strange track, different to others. Our only goal is to do a better race there than we did last time at the Circuit of the Americas. Anyway, we arrive there more confident overall and we’ll see what we can achieve in Portugal.”

Razlan Razali

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team, Founder and Team Principal

“The first European Grand Prix in Portimao will be serving as an acid test for both, Andrea and Darryn. It is crucial for both riders to aim for as many points as possible from the first European round this weekend. While Darryn’s approach is to understand the M1 at every circuit being his first, the strategy must be more aggressive and risk taking to qualify closer to the front with greater chance to fight for positions and gain more points to compete for that Rookie of the Year crown.

“For Andrea, being the more experienced in the team and the MotoGP line up, he needs to dig deep and starts dicing with the top riders and be a contender in the top 10. The first European round will also be the place where we as a team will unveil our new hospitality and MotoGP units as a new team with this livery. At the same time, we are excited to welcome our European sponsors finally.”

Wilco Zeelenberg

WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Racing Team, Team Manager

“Portimao will be round five and of course we are looking forward to the 11 rounds in Europe now and to travel short distances again. We live in a different world when we are overseas, especially in the paddock and in Europe we can enjoy our own trailers, our own offices and our own hospitality and of course a bit more public, fans and sponsors, which is interesting for the show. For the riders, we also look forward, arriving without jetlag, so there are a lot of positive points. Result-wise, we have to wait and see.”

“Of course, we were not very satisfied the last couple of races and obviously we are working hard to find some better speed for the boys. Darryn is still learning, step by step, although he had a tough time in Austin to get the race at this track under his belt. Portimao is a rollercoaster as well, so it won’t be easy. Normally, one race weekend is not really enough to get everything out of yourself, but let’s see how that goes and how he can continue to learn in MotoGP. For Andrea, I think he’s happy as well to restart. Fighting for that last point in Texas with Franky (Morbidelli) was nice, he said, but seeing the 29 seconds gap to the winner, he was disappointed. But it’s the reality at this point, we need to accept that and work hard to reduce this gap.”