MV Agusta Bringing WSBK Racing Effort In-House

MV Agusta is cutting ties with racing partner Yachnich Motorsports to assume complete control over its World Superbike and Supersport racing programs. MV Agusta and Yakhnich first formed their partnership last November, so the decision is a curious one, coming just before the mid-point of the 2014 season.

Yakhnich brought a proven winning resume, partnering with MV Agusta after winning the 2013 World Supersport title with Sam Lowes. The team had been doing very well in the World Supersport class with Jules Cluzel sitting second in the championship with one win and four total podiums riding the MV Agusta F3 675.

The WSBK program hasn’t been as successful, with rider Claudio Corti currently sits 18th overall, with his best finish a 12th-place result to go with five DNFs and one DNS. But for MV Agusta’s first season entering the F4 RR, expectations were much lower than they were for the F3.

The decision may have been prompted by the new regulations that kick in next season. Starting in 2015, WSBK will adopt stricter restrictions on engine modifications, so Yaknich’s tuning services may become redundant for MV Agusta’s factory effort.

“We reached great goals so far with the F3 in World Supersport and we are still investing in the development of the F4 in the eni FIM Superbike World Championship for 2015, when the new Technical Rules will be introduced,” says MV Agusta President Giovanni Castiglioni, pictured above in the tie alongside Corti. “We want to increase our efforts and investments in racing to get even better results next year in both championships.”

Effect immediately, MV Agusta will assume the contracts for both Cluzel and Corti, retaining them both for the 2015 season. Supersport racer Vladimir Leonov‘s contract was not picked up, as he will remain with the Russian Yakhnich team. MV Agusta has signed Massimo Roccoli to take his place at this weekend’s Misano round.

[Source: MV Agusta]

By Dennis Chung