Ahead of the 10^th round of the FIM Supersport World Championship, where Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team) heads home to continue to fight for the title, himself and his Italian team-mate Federico Caricasulo have resigned with the team for another season following the strong 2017 the pair have had.

2017 has been the second full season for French rider Lucas Mahias in the WorldSSP season, and with some stunning battles up at the front of the field on his 2017 YZF-R6 he has cemented himself in the championship battle with only two non-podium finishes all season. Competing in a variety of different championships last season, he secured the full time ride this season and has made the most of his experience. Thrilled to be back with the team for next season, he feels they have a strong working relationship ahead and looks forward to continuing to build on this.

"I am really happy to have signed for another year with GRT and Yamaha,” declares title contender Mahias. “Yamaha is the manufacturer closest to my heart. I started my career with them in 2009 on an R6 and it is great to know that I will get to fight for the 2018 Supersport World Championship in the official Yamaha team and riding the R6. This year was my first time with an official team in WorldSSP and it has been amazing, so I am excited to continue with GRT and Yamaha for another season. The team really is the perfect setup for me and the R6 is by far the best bike. It has allowed me to always be fighting at the front during 2017 and with another year of experience under our belts, in 2018 I believe we will have an even stronger package!"

Team-mate Federico Caricasulo has spent the last two seasons in the class, riding for Honda in 2016. Moving over to the GRT team this season, the 21 year old took his first WorldSSP victory in Thailand at the beginning of the season and has been a regular front runner in the competitive class. His firey nature and feisty moves are well suited in the series, and he looks forward to continuing to develop his pace and relationship with the Yamaha team into 2018.

Caricasulo explains: "I'm very happy to be staying with GRT and Yamaha for another season because we have shown how competitive we can be this year and that will only improve in our second season together. GRT are an amazing team and I love the Yamaha R6, plus the experience we have gained together in 2017 has made me a stronger and better rider. Therefore, continuing this journey together should allow us to be even faster and more consistent in 2018. My aim next year is to win the title and I feel I that racing on the R6 in the official GRT Yamaha team is the perfect combination to allow me to try and become a World Champion!"

Follow the GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team’s progress in the Pirelli French Round all on the WorldSBK VideoPass, allowing you to follow live from Friday 29^th September right through to the race on Sunday.