The lineup for the 2005 season is almost finalized, even if the series’ future lacks a rosy outlook heading into the new season. The lack of outside sponsors coupled with a very exacting calendar–two of the 16 races will be outside Europe, in South Africa and Japan–weighs heavily upon the teams’ budgets. Finally, the organizer of the world championship, Youthstream, isn’t helping the situation much. As it did in 2004, the company decided to limit the number of teams competing and consequently the number of riders. Not completely satisfied, it also decided to reduce expenses by abolishing the race purse money. This means a rider’s income will come solely from his team and from any race wear companies with which he is able to sign. It’s quite easy to understand why young European riders prefer to race in the States–fewer problems in the organization and definitely more money! In spite of these uncertainties, firms, teams and riders are getting ready for the next agonizing season.In the MX1 class, things are decided: Market the most important man. Reigning eight-time World champion Stefan Everts has agreed to continue with his current Team L&M/Rinaldi/Yamaha ride after a lengthy negotiation. The contract talks dragged on for more than a month, during which Everts had the opportunity to consider various offers from Kawasaki and Suzuki. It seems the sticking point was an economic one, since the champ asked for a pay raise but Yamaha wanted to conform to this year’s budget. The team’s main sponsor, L&M Cigarettes, probably helped the situation by coughing up the lacking money. Everts’ new teammate will be 29-year-old Dane Brian Jorgensen, who rode for the Tiscali Martin Honda Team. He finished 2004 eighth in the point standings, missing the last two GPs with a swollen knee from a bee sting that now requires surgery.
Speaking of knee work, Joel Smets will be back on the factory Suzuki RM-Z450 four-stroke with Kevin Strijbos next year after recuperating from his operation. Once the 2005 season is over, Smets intends to retire and become a Suzuki team manager. His young Suzuki partner, Strijbos, improved a lot this year (winning two motos), and he is bound to the yellow bike till 2006.KTM reconfirmed with both Belgian Steve Ramon, who capped off the year with an excellent fourth in the final results, and unlucky Norwegian Kenneth Gundersen, who raced only a few times because of problems with his right knee. Last but not least is the fresh MX2-class champion Ben Townley. KTM managers expect much from the 19-year-old Kiwi, and he’ll go face-to-face with Everts and company in the MX1 class on an all-new 450 SXF.After seeing Mickael Pichon’s excellent results in the last GPs and his runner-up series finish, Honda decided to change strategies. The company hasn’t demonstrated a big interest in the World Championship during the last few years, but look for more official Honda presence in future in the MX1 class. Through its European branch office, Honda signed an agreement with the Italian Tiscali Martin Honda team to be its Southern European team. So Pichon stands to benefit and enjoy special treatment from Honda. New Zealander Joshua Coppins re-signed with the English CAS Team, which will have a similar arrangement with Honda as its Northern European team.The Jan DeGroot team, running the Kawasaki effort in Europe for years, lured this year’s revelation rider in the MX1 class, Tanel Leok, away from Suzuki to race the new factory Kawasaki 450 four-stroke.KTM owned the 125/MX2 World title in 2003 and 2004. To stop this domination, Yamaha made a surprise move by bringing L&M/Rinaldi rider Cédric Melotte from the MX1 class back to the MX2 class. The Austrian company is relying on Dutchman Marc De Reuver and South African Tyla Rattray to counter this effort aboard the fully developed 250 SXF.Of course, the rider most requested by the team managers was the young and acrobatic Antonio Cairoli. The 19-year-old Sicilian inked a two-year agreement with the Italian De Carli team (a Yamaha satellite team). To see an interview with Antonio Cairoli Click here. After 2005, Cairoli hopes, as all young promising European riders do, to have the opportunity to race in the United States. He will join veteran racer Claudio Federici, who will campaign a Yamaha in the MX1 class. The Italian RZ team will entrust its Yamaha to former world champion Alessio Chiodi next year; and Australian Andrew McFarlane will replace Andrea Bartolini, who will simply be a test rider for Yamaha. Representing the green bikes, Stephen Sword will again be racing for the Jan DeGroot team–on its only factory KX250F.
Speaking of knee work, Joel Smets will be back on the factory Suzuki RM-Z450 four-stroke with Kevin Strijbos next year after recuperating from his operation. Once the 2005 season is over, Smets intends to retire and become a Suzuki team manager. His young Suzuki partner, Strijbos, improved a lot this year (winning two motos), and he is bound to the yellow bike till 2006.KTM reconfirmed with both Belgian Steve Ramon, who capped off the year with an excellent fourth in the final results, and unlucky Norwegian Kenneth Gundersen, who raced only a few times because of problems with his right knee. Last but not least is the fresh MX2-class champion Ben Townley. KTM managers expect much from the 19-year-old Kiwi, and he’ll go face-to-face with Everts and company in the MX1 class on an all-new 450 SXF.After seeing Mickael Pichon’s excellent results in the last GPs and his runner-up series finish, Honda decided to change strategies. The company hasn’t demonstrated a big interest in the World Championship during the last few years, but look for more official Honda presence in future in the MX1 class. Through its European branch office, Honda signed an agreement with the Italian Tiscali Martin Honda team to be its Southern European team. So Pichon stands to benefit and enjoy special treatment from Honda. New Zealander Joshua Coppins re-signed with the English CAS Team, which will have a similar arrangement with Honda as its Northern European team.The Jan DeGroot team, running the Kawasaki effort in Europe for years, lured this year’s revelation rider in the MX1 class, Tanel Leok, away from Suzuki to race the new factory Kawasaki 450 four-stroke.KTM owned the 125/MX2 World title in 2003 and 2004. To stop this domination, Yamaha made a surprise move by bringing L&M/Rinaldi rider Cédric Melotte from the MX1 class back to the MX2 class. The Austrian company is relying on Dutchman Marc De Reuver and South African Tyla Rattray to counter this effort aboard the fully developed 250 SXF.Of course, the rider most requested by the team managers was the young and acrobatic Antonio Cairoli. The 19-year-old Sicilian inked a two-year agreement with the Italian De Carli team (a Yamaha satellite team). To see an interview with Antonio Cairoli Click here. After 2005, Cairoli hopes, as all young promising European riders do, to have the opportunity to race in the United States. He will join veteran racer Claudio Federici, who will campaign a Yamaha in the MX1 class. The Italian RZ team will entrust its Yamaha to former world champion Alessio Chiodi next year; and Australian Andrew McFarlane will replace Andrea Bartolini, who will simply be a test rider for Yamaha. Representing the green bikes, Stephen Sword will again be racing for the Jan DeGroot team–on its only factory KX250F.
