User:Nick realz/sandbox/Montiron Gianluca

Career Overview
Gianluca Montiron has been involved in world championship motorcycle racing as a team owner since 1987. He first gained significant recognition in 1993 when Tetsuya Harada won the 250cc class world title under his management, marking the beginning of a successful era before the rise of Aprilia. In 2002, Montiron transitioned to the top class of motorcycle racing with Tetsuya Harada. In 2004, he established the Japan Italy Racing (JiR) team, based in Monte Carlo, and entered the MotoGP World Championship in 2005 with the Konica Minolta team.

World Championships
Montiron's first world championship win came in 1993 with Tetsuya Harada in the 250cc class. From 1994 to 2000, he coordinated Aprilia Racing, overseeing victories by riders such as Max Biaggi, Valentino Rossi, and Loris Capirossi. Montiron's move to MotoGP in 2002 included notable moments such as Bridgestone's debut in the top class and the achievements of the Konica Minolta team. The JiR team, under Montiron's leadership, developed several successful riders, including Andrea Dovizioso, who finished fifth in 2008 and was named Rookie of the Year.

In the Moto2 class, the JiR team continued to foster talent, with riders such as Simone Corsi, Alex De Angelis, and Mike Di Meglio making significant progress. Johann Zarco, another JiR rider, was named Rookie of the Year in 2012. Montiron is one of the few World Championship managers who have achieved success in every competition they have entered. He stepped away from grand prix racing at the end of 2015 to focus on other projects, including a partnership with the World Sport Legends Awards (WSLA) based in Monte Carlo.

FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup
Montiron returned to the racing world through a partnership with Yamaha, starting with the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European Championship, which debuted in 2021. This series provided young riders with a pathway to the 300 Supersport World Championship. The series was renamed the FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup in 2024, reflecting its global reach. The competition, held over 12 races in six European rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship, is aimed at riders aged 14 to 20. Managed by JiR, the series offers young riders the opportunity to develop their skills on a global stage, with support including identical bikes, technical assistance, and professional coaching.

Japan Italy Racing (JiR)
Japan Italy Racing (JiR) is a motorcycle racing team based in Monte Carlo, founded by Gianluca Montiron and Tetsuo Iida, the founder of Honda Motor Europe. The team competed in the MotoGP series from 2005 to 2008 and in the Moto2 class from 2010 to 2015. JiR has diversified its activities, including investments in real estate, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and motorsport.

In 2021, Yamaha Racing launched a new series managed by JiR, the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU series, within the FIM Superbike World Championship. This entry-level class was designed for riders aged 14 to 20. In 2024, the series was upgraded to FIM World Cup status due to its success and international participation. Additionally, JiR is involved in the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, supporting the development of female riders in motorsport.