Zeelenberg Joins Lorenzo as Team Manager

Fiat Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo will have a new team manager for the upcoming MotoGP season. Wilco Zeelenberg has been appointed to Lorenzo’s pit after his previous stint in World Supersport Championship as the manager for 2009 Champion, Cal Crutchlow.

Zeelenberg’s experience began as a racer in 1986. Over a period of nine years, the Dutchman competed in 100 Grand Prix on three different manufacturers including Yamaha. He moved to the World Supersport series in 1995, before retiring in 2000.

Before assuming the role of Team Manager for the 2009 Yamaha World Super Sport Team, Zeelenberg worked as Technical Coordinator and Test Pilot for Yamaha Motor Europe.

"After nine years working for Yamaha I am very proud to be joining the official Yamaha MotoGP team," said Zeelenberg. "It's a big reward and I am very excited about this new challenge. Jorge is a fantastic rider and I cannot wait to start working with him and the crew. The team is already a well-oiled machine and I am thrilled to be fitting into it. It's clear that there are four main contenders for the title and Jorge is one of those four. I am a very competitive person, I will do everything I can in the team to create the right atmosphere and fight for the championship title."

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director for Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, added, "I would like to congratulate Wilco on his appointment and wish him every success in his new challenge. I am confident that the Team and Jorge will benefit from Wilco's long experience as a rider, a Yamaha racing technician and more recently as a successful Team Manager. We look forward to integrating him into the Fiat Yamaha Team working alongside Davide Brivio, both Team Managers being under the supervision of Team Director Masahiko Nakajima."