Monster Energy to sponsor Yamaha in 2013

Corporate tie-up won't surprise too many

YAMAHA FACTORY RACING has announced a sponsorship deal with the Monster Energy Company for 2013 and 2014.

Monster Energy branding will be present on bikes and apparel, as well as the leathers of both Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo (who will now be personally sponsored by Monster Energy) and returning hero Valentino Rossi (who has an existing personal contract with the drink's giant). 

Satellite team Yamaha Tech3 will continue to be sponsored by Monster Energy under their existing deal. 

Lin Jarvis, managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing 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 4 years. The expansion to include the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Team is a logical and prestigious expansion of the program.'

The return of Valentino Rossi to Yamaha for the 2013 season seems to have precipitated a rapid coming to terms with Monster Energy. According to Spanish site Motocuatro, Lorenzo was bought out of his contract with rival drink's manufacturer Rockstar which amounts to over a million Euros a year to make way for a Monster sponsorship deal (forgive us).