Image: Keith Muir.

Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) with YMI’s Rick Olson is coming under immense pressure to retain his seat for 2015 as the factory Yamaha operation awaits delivery of the highly-anticipated brand new YZF-R1.

Multiple riders including Honda’s current Australasian Superbike Championship leader Wayne Maxwell have been linked to YRT in the early stages of the silly season, with major expectation placed upon the yet-to-be-unveiled R1.

However a slump from Olson so far in the 2014 ASC series could potentially see him miss an opportunity to ride the updated Yamaha after five years at the team; a factor impacted by a broken hand that saw him sit out Wakefield Park’s penultimate round last weekend.

“I was coming into turn one, went to start to shifting back through the gears, but when I went to shift back I hit a false neutral,” Olson told CycleOnline. “Because I had no engine braking, I locked the front wheel trying to slow up and it caused me to run off the track. I was still going pretty fast, it was a bit wet, and I was heading toward the gravel trap and wall.

“I was about the bail off before to wall, but it must have went back to gear, locked up and spat me off. I landed on my head, tumbled a bit and ended up breaking my hand. I’ll be right for Eastern Creek though.”

Despite his domestic struggle, Olson has been fairing well in the Endurance World Championship with Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART), including a top 10 finish alongside Maxwell at the Suzuka 8 Hours in July. His most recent hand injury ruled him out of this weekend’s Le Mans 24-Hour.

Olson has a strong history with Yamaha since signing for the factory team in 2010, winning two Supersport (previously FX-600) titles with the team in 2010 and 2014, and consistently shining in the Superbike ranks since stepping up in 2011.

“There’s definitely pressure building,” he admitted. “The crash at Wakefield was disappointing, because I have been riding overseas and feel like I have been in good form. I was confident heading into last weekend, but unfortunately ruined my chances when I came off.

“I haven’t had the best of years – I’m not sure why – but I thought I found my speed again ahead of Wakefield. Pressure is on though. The new R1’s coming and it’s no secret a lot of riders are talking about the new R1.

“I’ll just have to see what I can do in Sydney, try to do really good there. I feel like myself again and am back to 100 percent so we will see. It would definitely be nice to get on that new R1 and show what I can do – I want to continue racing here in Australia and with Yamaha.”

Olson has been unable to match his speed from last year during much of this season, constantly outpaced by teammates Cru Halliday and Robbie Bugden throughout much of the opening four rounds. He said as much as the field quality has increased, his own performances have been below par by his own account.

“I know I haven’t been at the pace I was last year – I haven’t really been able to battle with Cru [Halliday] this year,” he added. “Even at tracks I had lap records at – Wakefield and Winton – I haven’t even met those times. The pace has picked up, but I definitely haven’t been riding at the best of my ability and I can only put that down to myself.”

Olson currently sits 11th in the ASC standings after missing the Wakefield Park round, well below his fourth placing in 2011, second in 2012 and third in 2013 overall.