Yamaha will continue to develop the R7 Superbike for the 2002 season, according to US Yamaha's Tom Halverson.

There have been rumors since the middle of last season--bolstered by the lack of performance in the R7 ridden by Nori Haga and Anthony Gobert at Suzuka--that Yamaha has stopped R7 development while they continue to develop the M1 GP1 bike.

Not so, says Halverson, US Yamaha's Team Manager, "Yamaha is still developing the R7 for their domestic Superbike program (Japan) and for us here in America. We'll receive parts and support from them in 2002," he stated.

With Honda throwing cash at the US effort in big way in 2002, Suzuki still on par and Ducati perhaps back on the podium with Pascal Picotte, now is not the time for Yamaha to cut back in America.

Yamaha's plan to go with a single Superbike rider in 2002 is seen as a sign from them that they will attack the series championship with a lean and mean effort.