One Magazine Triggered MATSUMOTO Yasushi's SUPERMOTO Career.

The man of MOTO1, talking about men who created MOTO1. Rider MATSUMOTO Yasushi is appearing as our second guest.
"It was really cool. The rear tire going big slide and it was a riding style I have never seen, said MATSUMOTO. It was a SUPERMOTO magazine his elder brother Takeshi brought in.
MATSUMOTO was a motocross rider at that time and magazine left strong impact on him. With his elder brother Takeshi, they read the magazine over and over. Since then, MATSUMOTO Yasushi is attracted with SUPERMOTO.

MATSUMOTO "Yassy" Yasushi, was born in 1979, living in Nagano Prefecture. Yassy started motocross at the age of four when he saw his elder brother Takeshi riding at off-road course. With his talent and hard work he was promoted to I-A class at the age of seventeen. Later, he came across with SUPERMOTO and now he is one of the top riders in MOTO1 All Stars.
(SUPERMOTO ALL JAPAN CHAMPIONSHIP) He is Husqvarna's first rider, most popular rider in MOTO1, and a rider who created SUPERMOTO racing in Japan. So to speak, he is not only the MOTO1 rider but is also the man in the Japanese SUPERMOTO scene.

2006 moto1 class (currently moto1 pro class) Champion
2010 moto1 pro class Champion

"First time I ride on asphalt, I was not able to do the braking sitting on the seat. It was frightening, I never felt sitting and braking would stop the machine. You know, in the motocross you do the braking when you are standing. I was too used to that. It was fun riding on tarmac but still it was frightening", said Yassy and continues. "My brother Takeshi started MOTO1 earlier and I learned quite a few from him. Takeshi rides with his talent, and I ride through hard practice. So not all of his riding style can give me a hint, but still he helped me a lot." His brother Takeshi was riding Husqvarna. In 2005, he was a top rider placing No.2. Later, Takeshi stopped racing and left Husqvarna. The seat was handed over to his younger brother Yassy.

The racer MATSUMOTO is often called "Yassy". Once you see him ride, a strong impression is left behind. A sharp deep angled accurate sliding is not meant to show off riding performance but the result of pursuit for speed. With the maneuverability of Husqvarna, he brings a riding you've never seen before.

Impactful Debut at "OVER ALL"

Yassy made his debut in SUPERMOTO "OVER ALL" in December 2004 and left strong impression.
"Who is he? Who is doing that kind of aggressive ride?" The crowds were all talking about him.
Few weeks before that race, there were pre racing of All Japan Series MOTO1 held as MOTO1 was programmed to start from next 2005 spring. Most of the fastest riders were joining this race and riders were known, but Yassy was not there.
Sliding was big and his riding style with youthful power and maybe a bit of violence really attracted people's attention in the course. He left a strong impression to fans, staffs and professionals.
His riding was real. In 2006 at the final race he made a dramatic turn over, slamming down all the candidates and became the moto1 class Champion. FYI, moto1 class is currently called 450cc moto1 pro class.
Yassy moved to Husqvarna team. He is now the first rider of Husqvarna and brought up and established the brand value of Husqvarna in Japan.

Yassy in air fight. Photo is from 2009 Fukushima Round.

"Yassy is a guy with legend. That's why fans like him so much."

"When we were doing photo shooting for Honda XR250 MOTARD advertisement, Yassy came to the place as a rider and model. At that time he was riding on Honda and that's the reason why we asked him to be the shooting rider of XR250 MOTARD. He was not a champion at that time but already known as top rider so we were worried how his character might be. When we met him we found that our worry was wrong, he was so generous and thoughtful all the way. He kindly proposed that he would do the ride and posing over and over if we prefer another cut at the sight. He has now moved to Husqvarna but I am still a great fan of him" said a lady engaged in Honda business.
"You know, his sharper sliding style and the run with passion to go in front for the victory must be the charm of him. Remember the battle for the top position in 2007 Fukushima Round? And recent one is the turn over victory in the last rap at last year's Sugo Round. I have some more. In 2006 Motegi Round, his machine had trouble just before the start and had to bear with pit start. After that you are gonna see something. He has passed over 20 riders. He did not win that race but left strong impression among all of us. This guy will be a great rider, I thought that for sure." Mr. K, a photographer and writer mentioned that there are so many stories to tell.
"I wanna be pro, how do I do that? He has always said that. I had serious talk about the future of MOTO1 with him at early autumn of Karuizawa train station till morning. That was really cold, I mean the weather. I realized that Yassy has strong passion towards MOTO1", said Mr. K who knows Yassy's younger days.

In the circuit everywhere is welcomed as their hometown racer.

He goes to many events and schools to aggressively doing promotion for SUPERMOTO, that's Yassy the SUPERMOTO Rider.
He participates in TRY MOTARD event nationwide, Yassy Cup, Ina Smile WE DO!, Try Track Ride, Safety Fun to Learn Bike School, Fun Ride School, All Day SUPERMOTARD Maishima, Yamanashi Bike Festival, Airport Auto School Bike Festival, Real1. Not only SUPERMOTARD events but he also participates in TRY ENDURO event as a coach and Moto West Off-road Event, working in broad category of motorcycle activity. Since he is meeting with many guests at the circuit nationwide, Yassy is regarded and supported as hometown rider everywhere.
Until last year, there was Yassy's supporters' club called Team SOULFUL. This year the team' activity is temporary suspended but I do hope they come back to activity soon.
Note: not only limited to Yassy, there are many MOTO1 riders dedicating to the promotion of SUPERMOTO and this is part of their culture.

Husqvarna SM450RR, this machine is made to conquer Supermoto. Yassy is the first rider of Husqvarna and he rides on this RR. RR is equipped with original race chassis and original suspension and wheel system. You may say that this is Husqvarna's quasi-works machine. Characteristic of this machine is that it is already made into perfection as Supermoto race machine and its ultimate maneuverability at turn. The second wave of turn force is a drag! You can buy it but not allowed to ride on public roads.

▲Right: Yassy giving riding lesson at the TRY MOTARD (Supermoto) hosted by Husqvarna Japan. This TRY MOTARD event is a riding workshop for general riders. Not for professional rearing.
▲Left: Yassy MATSUMOTO surrounded by junior fans calling "Yassy!""Yassy!" at the MOTO1 Rd.7 Kumamoto. His fans and supporters call him Yassy. Being a top rider and yet with his friendly personality, he has many young fans.

I Believe There's Great Possibility in MOTO1

? I realized that I'm already 32 this year!
It was 24 when I switched from motocross to SUPERMOTO. Those days I never thought of small stuff, just run straight.

When I was a kid there were so many professional motocross riders and some of them were making pretty good money. And my dad was quite unique in a sense and told my brother and me "You guys must be professional motocross riders. If you can achieve that, you don't have to study at all". You would think what kind of man my father is.
Raised among my unique parents I have lived in a life of motorcycle. Being professional rider, which I was told in my youth, has become my dream. Or I should say I can't think of other life than this. That's my present situation.

I really feel fortunate that I met SUPERMOTO. Motocross was also fun, but the first race I entered "Over All" was really fun. I had off-road tires still equipped on my machine.
Controlling off-road machines on SUPERMOTO course brought me some kind of feeling I dig into. It's difficult to say how, but it was absolutely fun.

I think SUPERMOTO has great possibility in it. Like MULTIPLEX event we had right in the middle of big Tokyo, Odaiba area. None of the motorcycle sport had this occasion. By doing an event inside city, you can invite people who have never gone to circuit and watch the race. That will bring up our motivation for racing.
SUPERMOTO means MOTO1 to me. Being there and race is my occupation. Honestly, through MOTO1 I grew up and matured as a rider, human and socially connected person. So I would like to be help to MOTO1 as much as possible. I would like to do things I can and things I only can do for the sake of future riders here in MOTO1. I think this activity should bridge to the future.
I'm very pleased to be in this "The Man of MOTO1" article. I know with many riders we have come this far to make it happen.

MOTO1 has possibility to create new scenes. It is rather easier entry for a motorcycle sport, easy to understand the race watching, we can held a race in smaller area, that kind of possibility. I wish to make MOTO1 a place where you can have success after you made hard work. Success does not only mean money but more. I hope to see that kind of success here.
Asking about me? I have not reached a level of success yet. The goal is still too far. I do more and more. So everybody, I need your support to make it happen!

This year many riders will be promoted to moto1 pro class, the ultimate class. I hope all of them to do their best. The things you have done to reach the goal will one day be the treasure of yours. Especially, this proclass is a battle field. By all means I will do my best too! Cheers!