Yamaha chief delighted with podium whitewash

Four famous Yamaha figures were on the podium in Le Mans, celebrating the Japanese factory´s rostrum whitewash in the Alice Grand Prix de France. Alongside race winner Valentino Rossi, second-placed Jorge Lorenzo and third-placed Colin Edwards, the remaining member of the rostrum quartet was Yamaha Executive Officer for Engineering Operations, Masao Furusawa.

The Japanese boss shared in the celebrations of the factory and satellite riders, and explained the joy that the all-Yamaha podium had brought to the factory.

`Today is a great day for us; I´m not sure, but I think that this is the first time that Yamaha have dominated the podium. It was also the first time that I have come up to the podium, so I´m very happy!´ said Furusawa, before expressing a small degree of surprise at the result.

`I didn´t expect this, because with Valentino we´ve suffered a few problems this weekend. Jorge Lorenzo was amazing; it feels bad watching him walk, so second position was very impressive! Colin Edwards was great as well, really fast despite not being a factory rider. Yamaha have always supported our satellite teams.´

Yamaha currently lead the team and manufacturers standings, and have been on the podium at every race thus far in 2008.