Monster Energy Kawasaki announces 2015 Racing Team
Friday 03 October: RV2 to Europe has been speculated for weeks but what is happening to KX elsewhere.
Monster Energy Kawasaki is to continue its legendary form
into the 2015 season aboard the championship proven Kawasaki lineup.
Following nine major championships in the United States, Kawasaki
announced that
Ryan Villopoto will look to capture another prestigious
title by contesting the FIM Motocross World Championship in 2015.
Leading the charge in the U.S. for Kawasaki, the team welcomes two
former 250 supercross champions as
Davi Millsaps and
Wil Hahn make their
debut on the KX450F.
Millsaps proved himself in 2006 by dominating the
Eastern 250 Supercross Championship and has continued to be a top
competitor including finishing runner-up in both the 2012 and 2013
Monster Energy Supercross Championships. Hahn made his debut in the 450
class after capturing the 2013 Eastern 250 Supercross Championship and
is poised to collect podium finishes in 2015 on his new Kawasaki.
"We are extremely anxious to begin the 2015 season,” said
Dan Fahie,
Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Manager. "We have big shoes to fill after
winning four-straight supercross titles but I could not be more excited
to have both Davi and Wil on the team. Both riders have proven to be top
contenders in the 450 class and they are just as enthusiastic as we are
to get back to racing and on top of the box.”
After four-consecutive Monster Energy Supercross championships and
two Pro Motocross championships in the premier class, Ryan Villopoto
looks forward to a new challenge in 2015, one that has never been done.
Villopoto will join the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in Europe to
compete in the FIM Motocross World Championship beginning in March. By
doing so, RV will become the first rider to leave behind a supercross
title defense to compete for a World Championship and plans to bring
Kawasaki their first World Championship in the premier class. Joining
Villopoto is former MX2 World Champion and Kawasaki veteran Tyla Rattray
in the MXGP class.
Monster Energy Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team will welcome
back Frenchman Dylan Ferrandis and American Thomas Covington to compete
for the MX2 World Championship and will be joined by the reigning 2014
MX2 World Champion Jordi Tixier, as he will run the No.1 plate on his
KX250F.
"I am ready for the final chapter of my career, and in my final year of
racing I am looking to accomplish something no one else has achieved,”
said Villopoto. "I’ve never been one to look at the record books so when
an opportunity like this comes around, to race against the best in the
world and represent the U.S.A., I have to see it through. It will be a
major change of pace, but I am extremely excited about the opportunity
and also to be joined by a former champion like Tyla. He knows what is
needed to succeed on the world championship stage and I know I can learn
a lot from him.”
Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki is excited to return to sweeping
the podium with a nearly all-new roster for 2015. Adam Cianciarulo
returns for his second full year after an astounding rookie showing in
250 East Supercross, winning the first supercross he entered along with
two additional wins and five podium finishes in five races.
Four-time
arenacross champion Tyler Bowers returns to the team for his first full
season following special appearances that included a 250SX win at Las
Vegas in 2013. Chris Alldredge will make his supercross debut following
impressive top-10 finishes in the last three Pro Motocross nationals
along with Arnaud Tonus who will make his U.S. debut after competing in
the MX2 World Championship for Kawasaki where he won the 2014 MXGP of
Brazil. Rounding out the roster is Joey Savatgy who scored his first
professional podium finish in Indiana with second overall in the 250
Class.
"We have a fresh crop of riders for the new season, all of which have a
lot of potential,” said Mitch Payton, Pro Circuit owner. "We expect Adam
and Tyler to hit the ground running, while Alldredge and Tonus will be
making their supercross debuts, and Savatgy will be looking for a
breakthrough year. I expect nothing but the best from each of these guys
every weekend.”
Discount Tire/TwoTwo Motorsports will continue their partnership with
Kawasaki in 2015 as multi-time supercross champion and former Pro
Motocross champion Chad Reed is joined by Josh Grant on the KX450F. As
well, X Games gold medalist and 250 supercross winner Josh Hansen will
make his return to competition on his Team 100 Motosport.com Kawasaki.
"We have put together a tremendous group of riders for the 2015 season.
The championship proven line of KX bikes has allowed us to fill our
stable with race winners and champions,” said Reid Nordin, Senior
Manager of Racing. "Having TwoTwo Motorsports choose Kawasaki is
important to us as well. Chad is a proven champion and knows he needs
good equipment in order to be competitive and win. We’re also excited to
have Hanny return to racing. He came close to winning a championship
for us in the past and we believe he has the talent and determination to
be competitive.”
Monster Energy Kawasaki would not have a star-studded lineup without
the prestigious Kawasaki Team Green program which enters its 34th
year in 2015. As top manufacturer with 13 championships at the 2014
Amateur National Motocross Championship at Loretta Lynn’s, Team Green
continues to build champions such as recent graduates Cianciarulo and
Alldredge.
For 2015, the team will consist of Jett Reynolds, Ryder
DiFrancisco and Nick Romano on the KX65.
Stilez Robertson, Carson
Mumford, and Lance Kobusch on the KX85,
Garrett Marchbanks and Tanner
Stack on the KX100, and leading the team Mitchell Harrison, Tristan
Miller, Darian Sanayei, and Mark Worth in the A class.
Austin
Forkner, Joey Crown, Jordan Bailey and Brandy Richards in the B class,
all aboard the KX250F.
"We have a lot of faith in our riders and do not cut any corners to give
them the best chance at success,” said Ryan Holliday, Team Green
Supervisor. "We give them all the tools and a foundation for these kids
to transition through the ranks. We know we have some of the best
equipment and all our riders become KX™ ambassadors at the grass roots
level.”
First to debut on their 2015 Kawasaki will be Hansen at Red Bull Straight Rhythm at Pomona Fairplex on October 4th, followed by the Monster Energy Cup on October 18th in Las Vegas where Millsaps will also make his return to racing along
with Team Green who have won the Amateur All-Star class and are
undefeated in the Super Mini class.