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KAWASAKI WORLD MOTOCROSS LINE UP COMPLETE |
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Friday, 11 August 2006 |
KAWASAKI WORLD MOTOCROSS LINE UP COMPLETE
Kawasaki Racing Team have now completed their motocross line-up for
their assault on the 2007 FIM MX1 World Championships with the signing
of twenty year old Billy MacKenzie who has agreed terms for a one year
deal, riding for the Dutch based factory team of Jan De Groot.
Mackenzie, a double Japanese Grand Prix winner and podium contender
this year will race along side his new team mate, the experienced
Kawasaki rider Tanel Leok in the prestigious MX1 Class onboard a
KX450F-SR machine. The likeable young Scot has produced some memorable
races earlier in the year and climbed onto the podium on several
occasions, as he did in Japan he has set his sights high for the
forthcoming seasons where he sees himself benefiting from the wealth of
experience on offer from new Team Manager Jan De Groot.
Jan De Groot
“There
are a lot of riders wanting to move up to the MX1 class where we have a
very strong commitment. Billy MacKenzie is a talented rider who as a
double Japanese Grand Prix winner and been on the podium several times
this year and one who I see rides with his heart. He is strong and
confident but knows himself that he needs to improve on consistency, he
is maturing and with a past reputation with Kawasaki I am confident
that we can work very well together. Both Tanel and Billy are self
motivating people that MX1 Championship has lost some familiar faces
for 2007 and it is basically anyone’s championship, from our riders,
our technical staff and myself we will be working very hard to ensure
that we have the best possibility of winning the world championship
title for Kawasaki.”
The MX1 class for 2007 will be one of the
most open competitions on record with the retirement announcement of
Stefan Everts a former World Champion for Kawasaki and De Groot, young,
motivated riders like Tanel Leok and Billy MacKenzie hope that they too
can carry off the top world honours like Everts who was once groomed by
their team manager.
Billy MacKenzie
“I’m so excited
about joining the Kawasaki Racing Team! Being a factory rider is
something I have thought about a lot and it was Kawasaki’s commitment
to motocross and its development that was a huge part of making this
decision. I think most MX2 riders’ thoughts about the MX1 class are
that it’s a little easier in some ways because you don’t have to push
the bike so hard but with the amount of new riders going to the class
for 2007 it is absolutely going to be the premium class and one of the
best World Championships in a while. I know my weaknesses but I am
confident in my size, strength and ability that I can make a good shout
for the top three of the Championship on the KX450F-SR. My consistency
has let me down in the past but I am sure that Jan can start to bring
out the best in me once we start working together. “
MacKenzie
has represented his country at the Motocross of Nations and has been
reselected for the forthcoming event to be staged in England at the end
of September. Stepping up for the MX1 challenge, ‘Mac’ as he is known
will replace Stephen Sword in the KRT squad, but twenty six year old
Stephen Sword, a regular in the Kawasaki Racing Team for the past three
seasons will continue to ride under the Kawasaki banner switching teams
and classes for 2007.
Stephen Sword
“All my confidence
and achievements have been in MX2. I am immediately quite confident in
myself moving back to the 250 class where I know I have the speed and
if I can get myself up to 100% and prepare myself well then I can win.
I will have good people around to push me in that direction I am
pleased to be in the Molson line up, I was with the team back when it
was MJ Church Kawasaki at the start, it was good then and they took me
up a level as a rider. I think they have improved to the point where
they are now one of the best teams in the paddock, their structure and
way to work is very professional and I believe they have all the
attributes to be able to win a World Championship.”.”
Sword a
former multi national British Champion won the Dutch Championship in
2005 for De Groot, and he will now complete in the MX2 FIM World and
domestic British Championships next season for Molson Kawasaki Racing.
Lisa Church - Molson Kawasaki Team Manager
“We
are thrilled to have signed Swordy because we know that we are working
with one of the fastest British riders with a very good record of
results, the profile of the team has soared this season and with Gareth
(Swanepoel) and Stephen now confirmed for next year we will again be
one of the MX2 championship threats both at home and abroad.”
His current team manager - Jan De Groot added
“I
am delighted that Stephen Sword has agreed to stay with Kawasaki for
the next two years. He has been a very good rider during the last three
seasons for us, and it was unfortunate for him to pick up a severe
injury earlier in the season, I am pleased that he is making good
progress and enthusiastic about returning to racing, he has a strong
will and is a worthy championship contender, I am sure that he will
succeed in MX2 next season”
Steve Guttridge - Kawasaki Europe’s Team Green Co-ordinator on MX1 Changes
“It’s
great to have signed Tanel Leok again for next year and for sure he
will be a serious contender for what will be a very open MX1
Championship in 2007. I watched his new team mate, Billy MacKenzie at
this years Japanese GP win a race and from not such a great start. I
never saw someone commit to getting to the front as quickly as he did
it. He is a fast rider and I’m sure with Kawasaki’s help we can make
him go faster and on a more regular basis.” “I’m also very happy that
we could create an opportunity to help Stephen Sword move back into the
MX2 class with our Factory supported Molson Kawasaki team. He has lead
World Championships for us on the KX250F and I’m sure with full fitness
he will do the same for us again in the future”
Kawasaki have
also concluded an impressive deal which will again strengthen their
presence in World Motocross with the re-signing of two of France’s
leading talents. In the MX2 class, current championship leader
Christophe Pourcel of the GPKR Team has agreed a three year deal which
will see the sensational French teenager racing in both Europe and
America, firstly in the grand prix series for one year before moving to
the USA for an assault at the AMA Supercross and Outdoor National
Series. Elder brother Sébastien Pourcel will also continue to compete
for Kawasaki through the GPKR Team but with a new challenge switching
categories and moving up into the MX1 class aboard a KX450F ride, while
sixteen year old Gregory Aranda will round of the team’s efforts in the
MX2 and French domestic championship.
Riding under the livery
of the GPKR Team in 2007 will also be Women’s World Cup motocross star
Livia Lancelot, runner up and third in this years World Cup
Championship the eighteen year old is relocated to Belgium to be near
to the team and help her prepare and improve by riding and training
with the Pourcel brothers.
The Women’s World Cup has attracted a
lot of media attention and continues to grow in popularity; Kawasaki’s
Katherine Prumm is the current ladies champion.
Christophe Pourcel
“I
think that the agreement reached with Kawasaki was the best for all of
us, for me, my parents, my team GPKR and Kawasaki. Of course I first
looked for my own personal interests but I also thought to my parents,
they have supported me from the very start of my career and they were
there when I made this decision. Kawasaki offered me a great deal for
three more years, firstly to race in Europe but then at the end of next
year to move full time to the United States. I intend to train and race
there over the winter and this will make the transition much easier at
the end of next season. In my career I always raced with Kawasaki and
I’m glad to continue with them, I think it is a very good opportunity
for us both and I want to thank Kawasaki Motors Europe, Kawasaki Heavy
Industries in Japan and Kawasaki USA for their efforts in making this
agreement possible.”
Sébastien Pourcel
“I will enter a
new challenge next season in the MX1 class; I will have new rivals even
if several MX2 riders are moving to MX1 next season with me. I’ve a
good feeling on the KX450F, I don’t need to push as hard as with the
KX250F and I really enjoyed racing the first few internationals on this
bike. My first goal was to get a final podium in the MX2 class before
moving to the bigger category, but I think that now is the right moment
for me to change. I’m pleased to continue with GPKR Team, I feel
confident in this team where I work closely with the staff, one of the
main advantages to stay with them is that they know how I work and I
know how they work, I won’t loose time in discovering a new team, we
have the right combination to start working right now.”
Miss Livia Lancelot
“It’s
a big step for me but of course I’m delighted to join such a famous
team and have the opportunity to race and train with the Pourcels. When
they approached me I was really surprised but glad that Kawasaki also
takes the women’s racing seriously, I’m convinced that it’s the best
way to improve my results. I have known the Pourcel family for a long
time and for sure it will be a sacrifice to leave my family and move to
Belgium but I couldn’t refuse their offer. I missed out on the Women’s
World Cup title this year for just a few details, I’m sure that I will
be much stronger for the 2007 World Cup. It will be my main goal”
For team manager Roger Pourcel, father of Christophe and Sebastien, this announcement was the best he could expect.
“Of
course I’m happy that Christophe stays another year with us, it’s his
own choice and it’s great for us to see that he will be part of our
team for a second year in a row. His decision means a lot for me, it
proves that he is happy in our young team and we’ll do our best to give
him and his team-mates the best support and material. I was dreaming to
have for next season this line-up, and I’m also glad to keep the same
mechanics and technicians with us. We are a young team but we proved
this season that we were able to race for the title, thanks to the
support of Kawasaki and all our partners. Now we’ll be even more
motivated for the last Grand Prix; Christophe will have a free mind as
he announced his decision, while Sébastien will be more confident after
his podium in Namur,”
Patrick Gelade - Racing Manager GPKR Team
“We
are of course proud and glad to have Christophe with us for another MX2
season, I know that it will put some extra pressure on the team, but
we’ll do again our best to support him in the series. It’s a new
challenge for our young team, sportively as well as financially, and
we’re happy to see that Kawasaki was always supporting us during the
negotiations. When I say Kawasaki, I mean in Europe as well as Japan
and in the USA, they all worked together to offer Christophe what he
wanted and to keep him with the brand. Christophe is a “Green” boy and
will stay in the Team Green family for three more years, that’s
important for Kawasaki. I want also to thank Kawasaki as they allowed
us to keep Sebastien in our structure on a KX450F, it’s an exception as
usually it’s Jan De Groot who has the MX1 riders in his team.”
Steve Guttridge - Kawasaki Europe’s Team Green Co-ordinator on MX2 confirmed the good news.
“We’ve
made a rapid progression with the team since helping it to establish
late last year. Kawasaki recognise the talents of the Pourcel brothers
and the efforts made by the GPKR Team so we have enabled Christophe to
remain in the MX2 Grand Prix’s for one more season on Kawasaki and then
helping him to move directly and easily into the Pro Circuit Kawasaki
team for 2008 and 2009 seasons. Christophe has been a fantastic rider
for Team Green since he was just 6 years old riding on KX machines and
now continues for a further three years. He is still only 17 years old
but even competing at the highest levels in the sport, he displays
mature and clever riding and has retained the Championship red leader’s
number plate for the better part of the season. It is obviously his and
Kawasaki’s goal to convert that lead into a world title in the next few
weeks. Sebastien’s move up to MX1 for next season is the best overall
option for him and the team, I’m sure he will surprise a few people
next season as a newcomer to the class! It’s also nice for the team to
be seen to help the young upcoming riders such as Gregory Aranda and
the top French female rider Livia Lancelot. For the entire GPKR Team,
Kawasaki is expecting big things from them all in 2007.”
He summarised
“Added
to that the strengths of Sword, Swanepoel, Church and our current
Womens World Cup Champion Katherine Prumm in the Molson Kawasaki team
and the strength and potential of Jan de Groots KRT then we really are
showing just how comitted Kawasaki are to continuing to be a serious
force in World Championship Motocross in the future with our awesome
KX250 and KX450 Fourstrokes!
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