What's the best way to become a force on the AMA Superbike circuit? Hire Tony G. and give him the best equipment and technical staff you have. Undoubtably, trophies will follow.

That seems to be Yamaha's plan. Anyone who watched Gobert's spectacular rides on the Kawasaki or Ducati savors the chance to watch Gobert race the even more nimble R7 Superbike. How is it going?

"I've been enjoying it so far. It's been pretty good," said Gobert. "I've had a lot of support from the Japanese and they've sent us full factory bikes. They are going to be here all season as well, so I'm excited about that."

Yamaha has four Japanese technicians to work on his machines. "I've been working with those guys as well as the American guys, and we're making a lot of progress, and I'm really confident. Each day we've gone quicker and we're making improvements."

Gobert says the R7 feels good, even though the track conditions and set-up are not yet optimal. "At the moment it's really hard to ride because it slides a lot being a four cylinder and also here, there's not much grip (after the rain). It seems to have a lot of as soon as I touch the throttle it just lights up. It's taken me a little bit to get used to it because I've been riding v-twins the last few years. Every day I'm getting better suited to it so I'm sure by March I should be all right."

Gobert will also race a production 600 racebike for the first time in an AMA Supersport event at Daytona when he hops on the factory Yamaha R6 next March. 

His initial thoughts on the Supersport machine? "It's kind of a bit boring around here," Gobert grinned. 

"It's so fast of a track. The 600s are a bit slow. With the Superbikes, they've got so much horsepower now, they'll just wheelspin the whole way around the banking, pretty much. It's quite an experience! Then you get on the 600 and it's just pinned everywhere. I really, really enjoy the Superbike. When I get with a couple of other guys, though, it's good fun." 

Gobert's brother Aaron is here with him and is rumored to be the second rider on the Graves Yamaha team. 
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