Yamaha has today confirmed that Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga will remain with the Yamaha Motor Italia World Superbike Team in 2008.

A flamboyant and much-loved character, Haga has worked with Yamaha for many years and his WSB career highlights include second in 2000 and third title position in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Currently Haga is fighting for the 2007 title with only 41 points separating him in second place from front man Toseland, having caught up 25 points at the last round in Lausitz. With only two rounds remaining on 30th September (Vallelunga, Italy) and 7th October (Magny Cours, France) Haga is taking the fight for WSB crown all the way to the wire. So far this season he has already won four races, including taking the double win at the team’s home circuit of Monza.

This year has been Corser’s first season with the Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team but it has been a fruitful one, with him gaining eight podium positions so far this season. Corser has also had a good and close working relationship with Haga, with the two riders working together to help develop a championship winning machine in the YZF-R1. The two-times World Superbike Champion has 13 years of experience in the class, including 40 pole positions and an impressive 114 podium positions, 33 of which have been race wins.

Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
“I feel great about how things have worked out, I’m very happy to stay with the Yamaha Motor Italia Team. This will be my fourth year with them; they are such a great team and I feel like I have known everyone for a long time. It’s like one big family! I’m pleased to be riding with Troy again next year; I know him quite well and we get along together, which always makes for a good atmosphere in the pit box.

I’m looking forward to repaying Yamaha’s faith in me with, hopefully, my first WSB championship title this year and a second one next year! With my position for next year sorted I can now concentrate on chasing the title in the last two rounds. I never give up!”

Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team)
“I’m very happy to be staying with the team next year; this year has been a very positive learning experience for me so far. We’ve made a lot of progress with the bike, the chassis and the suspension and I’m confident we can make further improvements in winter testing. It’s not all been plain sailing but that’s to be expected when you join a new team and get on a new bike. We’ve got a good path forward for next year, though, and that’s the important thing. Nori and I have worked well this season with good communication between us about the bike and tyres. I’m sure that the close working relationship will strengthen even more during next year.”

Laurens Klein KoerKamp (Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Division)
“We are very pleased to continue with both Nori and Troy next year; both riders are proven front runners and we are confident that, by maintaining the team line-up, Yamaha will be a title candidate in 2008 again. The technical cooperation in development and sharing of set-up information between the riders was another important factor in the continuation of this pairing.

Nori is very much part of the Italian family team and his time with Yamaha means he has become almost at one with the marque. His ‘full-attack and never give up’ attitude is so motivating for everyone involved in the team, as well as followers all around the world.

Troy just fits in perfectly and is so fired up to get his third title, which motivates the team even more. His experience shows and next year he will have the full benefit of a year’s knowledge on the R1 behind him. It's fantastic for Yamaha fans and our network to not only have two fast and spectacular riders, but also two such high profile characters.”