Haga back to Yamaha

Noriyuki Haga has now been confirmed to return to the Yamaha World Superbike team in 2005.

Haga will race a YZF-R1 for the Milan-based Yamaha Motor Italia team, having rode for Renegade Ducati last season. Haga made his name with the Japanese manufacturer between 1994 and 2001, finishing second in the 2000 series.

Haga joins new team-mate Andrew Pitt for a three-day test at Phillip Island in Australia later this month.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Yamaha and turning the R1 into a winner!” said Haga. “I am on holiday with my family just now so I should be feeling good when I meet up with the team at Phillip Island. I love this championship and I’ve also worked with many on my mechanics before, and also the people at yamaha Europe, so it will not feel all new to me. it should be fun.”

In addition to the officially-supported effort, a number of privateer teams will use Yamaha race-kitted R1s. Yamaha Motor France will enter Norifumi Abe and Sebastien Gimbert. Lorenzini by Leoni will run Gianluca Vizziello, and reigning Endurance World Champions GMT94 intend to enter selected rounds with Spanish rider David Checa.