MotoGP Le Mans: 'JCO' tribute on Rossi, Lorenzo bikes

The motorcycles of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi will have a special logo in tribute to Yamaha legend Jean Claude Olivier during this weekend's French MotoGP round at Le Mans.

Olivier passed away tragically earlier this year in a road traffic accident.

Known as 'JCO', Olivier was a Yamaha icon and loyal employee for 45 years until his retirement in 2010. JCO competed in the Dakar Rally for Yamaha from 1979 to 1989, finishing second in 1985.

A former president of Yamaha Motor France, he was a guiding light in numerous classes of motorcycle racing. There will also be a display inside Yamaha's Hospitality depicting highlights of Yamaha Motor France's story in road racing.

"This weekend we head to Le Mans for the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, one of the most important European GP events and traditionally strongly supported by Yamaha Motor France," said Yamaha Racing managing director Lin Jarvis.

"This time we will sadly be without the presence of the former President of YMF, Jean Claude Olivier, who sadly passed away following an automobile accident earlier this year. Jean Claude was a legend in our industry and the man behind decades of top-level Yamaha Motor France participation in all forms of motorcycle racing.

"This weekend we will pay our respects to Jean Claude, both on-track with the "JCO" logo on the cowlings of our Yamaha Factory Racing YZR-M1s and off-track with our display of 'JCO images' featuring YMF's engagement with Road Racing over the years in the Team Hospitality.

"Yamaha Factory Racing and Yamaha Motor France remain committed to continuing the JCO legacy into the future".