Paul Denning's Yamaha squad is rumoured to have the benefit of ex-Formula 1 boss Herbie Blash in their garage at next weekend's WorldSBK round at Laguna Seca and it is also understood that increased technical support will be present from HQ in Japan.

Motorbike fan Blash, effectively Bernie Ecclestone's number two until the recent takeover of F1, has had a long association with the Japanese brand. He has a particularly fondness for WorldSBK and it may be no coincidence that Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta  has announced big changes.

Yamaha will undoubtedly be heartened by its performance at Misano where, but for a burst tyre, Michael Van Der Mark would have won the first leg.