Ferry Brouwer has sent me original Press photo's of Yamaha factory riders in the early 1970's. I will use the pictures also separately with riders stories later.

Provisional story pictures only with some text, sorry!

The Suzuki brothers Hidiaki and Torao were Yamaha's first Factory riders in Europe. At the end of 1970, in the Isle of Man, the brothers rode Yamaha DT1-MX machines to a third and a sixth place in an International Event.

Hidiaki Suzuki

Torao Suzuki

The brothers also rode in 1971 with the first full motocross bikes, jointly developed by Torsten Hallman, the famous former Swedish Husqvarna World Champion. Apart from Torsten Hallman himself, the first riders were Jaak van Velthoven (Belgium) and Hakan Andersson (Sweden). Tommy Jansson from Sweden scored immediately in 1971 already a Championship with the 125 cc machine.

Jaak van Velthoven

Hakan Andersson

The other riders were Arne Lindfors and Christer Hammergren (Sweden)

Ake Jonsson arrived somewhat later

Ake Jonsson

Mick Andrews made the Yamaha name big with his Trial efforts.

Mick Andrews

The late Kent Andersson was one of the finest Yamaha riders around and paired a good humour to excellent workmanship on his bikes as well.

Kent Andersson

Hideo kanaya unfortunately could never show his true potential in Europe, but I am sure that when he had been given time he could have been an important title contender.

Hideo Kanaya

A formal picture of the man we all know so well, Giacomo Agostini.

Giacomo Agostini

Johnny Cecotto arrived all of a sudden and became immediately the youngest G.P. winner ever.

Johnny Cecotto

A very young Kenny Roberts in 1974

Kenny Roberts

Ikujiro Takai was also one of those Japanese riders who never got the change to show how good they probably were. Quite a pity!

Ikujiro Takai