Yamaha unveils factory-backed teams in R6 launch

Yamaha has officially unveiled its new YZF-R6 at EICMA show in Milan and with it two factory-backed squads to take on the 2017 World Supersport championship.

Reigning FIM Endurance World champion Lucas Mahias will return to World Supersport next season with the official GRT Yamaha World Supersport team and is to be joined by Italian Federico Caricasulo.

Having seriously impressed on his opening salvo in the series, Niki Tuuli returns for a full 2017 campaign with Kallio Yamaha which will received direct support from the Japanese manufacturer.

This year Tuuli notched up three second place finishes, while also setting the fastest laps in each, at the Lausitzring, Magny-Cours and Jerez to vault to tenth in the riders' championship despite only contesting a quarter of the season. Tuuli will partner experienced rider Sheridan Morais at the Kallio Yamaha squad in 2017.

Both teams were present at the official unveiling of the new Yamaha YZF-R6 in Milan with Yamaha targeting a fourth World Supersport title in nine years having claimed the top honour with British riders Cal Crutchlow (2009), Chaz Davies (2011) and Sam Lowes (2013).