Paulin and Van Horebeek with KRT in 2013 Gautier Paulin and the Kawasaki Racing Team will be at Teutschenthal in Germany this weekend for the final Grand Prix of the season, and the entire team is highly motivated to end the world championship on a high note as Gautier will be defending his third position in the series, a notable achievement in his rookie season. It has been a highly satisfying season for Thierry Chizat Suzzoni, team owner since 2009, as both of his riders have won GP motos and Gautier has battled for the podium all season with an overall Grand Prix victory in Bulgaria. Gautier has been confirmed to lead the Kawasaki challenge for at least two more years, and KRT is pleased to welcome a new face in Jeremy Van Horebeek as the Belgian enters a new chapter of his career as he moves up to the premier MX1 class. Jeremy, a former Kawasaki rider in the MX2 class, hopes to join his teammate in the top five of the most competitive series in the world. Gautier Paulin: "I’m very happy to continue racing for two more seasons with Thierry Chizat Suzzoni, François Lemariey and Kawasaki. It’s the first time in my career that I have signed for two years, as usually I wanted deal for only one season to keep my career options open, but I saw this year that I really enjoyed the MX1 class and the atmosphere in the team. With a two years deal I can now focus 100% on racing. Our factory Kawasaki KX450F-SR is a highly competitive bike and the staff of the Kawasaki Racing Team is competent and professional so we have all the ingredients to win. I don’t know my new teammate Jeremy so well yet, but I met him a couple of times in the paddock and he is always smiling and pleasant so I’m sure we’ll be able to work in a very good atmosphere, as has always been the case with my teammates in the past.” Jeremy Van Horebeek: "I’m delighted to join the Factory Kawasaki Racing Team for my move to the MX1 class. I had several offers for next season, but my choice was quite easy as Kawasaki offered me a good deal and trusts in my potential. I never raced in the MX1 class so it will be a new challenge, but I watched some races this summer and know that the Kawasaki is one of the best 450s. For sure next season will be tough as there are a lot of top riders in the MX1 class, and I will have to wait where I fit into the rankings but I am confident that the Kawasaki is the bike on which I can fulfill my dream to get into the top five.” Thierry Chizat Suzzoni, team owner: "First of all I would like to thank Xavier Boog, who was with us for the last three seasons. Xavier claimed two French titles, finished in the top seven of the MX1 World Championship each year and did a great job with us. Next season we’ll continue to work with Gautier Paulin, who has signed for two more years. He is serious, motivated and has a lot of human and racings qualities; we are convinced that he will be soon one of the very best motocross riders in the world. He will have a new teammate next season in Jeremy Van Horebeek; Jeremy has strong physical qualities and has obtained good results in the MX2 class, but I’m sure that the MX1 will suit his style and potential even better. He is fast in sand and consistent on all tracks; he already raced with Kawasaki in 2010, and we are glad that he has signed with us for his move to the main class.” Steve Guttridge, European Race Planning Manager: "For Gautier to stay with us in KRT next year was never in question for Kawasaki or the team. We believe in his potential as a future champion in MX1, and Kawasaki are very happy with his progress this year. As a rookie to the class, bike and team, he has shown impressive results all season and it is a pleasure for both the team and Kawasaki to work with him in a highly professional way again next season. It's nice to see Jeremy join our Factory Kawasaki team effort for next season; I'm sure that he's going to adapt to the MX1 class on our KX450F seamlessly, and for sure his specialist ability as an excellent sand rider can only add to the team's capabilities to achieve regular successes at the GPs next year.” |