Photo: Colin Fraser/CSBK
CSBK rider Tomas Casas is headed to the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp this weekend, to hone his roadracing skills at one of the world’s most respected development programs.
The VR46 Master Camp takes riders to Valentino Rossi’s personal flat track facility, then to Misano World Circuit, then to a go-kart circuit for minibike fun. This year, the star instructor is three-time English Flat Track Champion and two-time American and European Flat Track Champion Marco Belli.
Six riders have been selected from around the world for this year’s event, held in Rossi’s Italian hometown of Tavullia. Casas is the first Canadian to attend the event (there have been two previous VR46 Master Camps). His press release sounded as if the young Canadian Superbike rider is pretty chuffed about the opportunity to learn from the best: “This is a lifelong dream to be able to not only meet, but learn and share time with Valentino Rossi who has been my idol since childhood and one of the greatest, I dare say the greatest motorcycle racer who ever lived. I feel like I have been walking on air since I was notified.”
Will the experience be enough to propel him closer to the front of the Pro Superbike or Pro Sport Bike ranks this summer? We’ll know shortly; CSBK’s first race is two weeks from this Saturday. It would be great to see Casas come back and show the fans what he’s capable of once again. He was the 2013 CBR250 champion, the 2014 Amateur Sport Bike champion, and 2015’s Pro Rookie of the Year. With some new skills and maybe a new bike, 2017 could be an exciting year.
