The Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha completes its second day of testing at Croft Circuit

The Team was unveiled last Tuesday at the North Yorkshire circuit

© Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha The Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha launched its 2007 team last Tuesday along with the Virgin Media Cup class of 2007. Rob McElnea's Team is undoubtedly the largest team in the paddock, fielding a two-man British Superbike team of Tommy Hill and James Haydon, a two-man British Supersport team of Billy McConnell and Tom Grant, and the 29-rider line-up of the Virgin Media Cup.

Yamaha Motor UK has once again pledged full support to the team, culminating in the instigation of the new Supersport team for the coming season. The winner of the Virgin Media Cup in 2007 will earn themselves a seat in the Supersport team for 2008.

After a successful day's acclimatisation with new machinery for the Virgin Media Cup riders, the Superbike and Supersport riders took to the North Yorkshire circuit for a full day's testing. Tommy Hill concentrated on rear suspension set-up around one of the most technical circuits in the country. Coupled with successfully testing a series of new compound front Pirelli tyres, Tommy is confident of the ability of the Yamaha YZF-R1 package.

© Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha "We've got a great package for the season ahead," said Tom. "I can't wait to get out there racing again. The championship is going to be unbelievable this year. There are at least ten rider capable of winning races and we intend to be one them."

James Haydon has made excellent progress over the course of the two-day test. His main focus, after a debut test on the bike last Friday at Mallory Park, was to find an optimum set-up with Pirelli rubber.

"It's great to be back with Rob and the team," confessed James Haydon. "Although brand new, it's a great bike and I've been concentrating on matching the bike with Pirelli tyres during the past few tests."

Supersport newcomer, Tom Grant, took the opportunity of the glorious weather and track conditions to gain extended time in the saddle and find race distance tyres for his Yamaha YZF-R6.

"The Supersport bike is looking really strong," reckon Tom Grant. "Last year was a steep learning curve for me, and I know this year will be even steeper. However, I'm confident that I can mix it and stick the Yamaha R6 into the top six."

© Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha Billy McConnell's crew made significant front suspension changes that resulted in improved lap times round the 2.1-mile circuit. Once again, the team has been working hard with Pirelli to find tyres that will allow Billy to maintain a consistently fast pace.

Billy McConnell commented this first test: "The Yamaha R6 feels like a real race winner that I know will help me challenge for the championship this year."

Rob McElnea, team owner: "The lads covered over 250-laps between them. We've had fantastic weather conditions, and two days dedicated track time. We've made a lot of progress and achieved our goals. The test couldn't have gone any better. As ever, the team has worked tirelessly, and it's smiles all round."

(Virgin Mobile Racing)