The factory KTM team line-up for the 2006 FIM Motocross World Championships has been bolstered by the addition of former double World Champion Mickael Pichon who put pen to paper this week for a one year deal to race the MX1 class for next season's campaign.
Pichon will ride alongside another Frenchman and ex World Champ Sebastien Tortelli; forming a "dream team." KTM's factory MX1 entry will also boast the young talents of Spain's Jonathan Barragan and Holland's Marc de Reuver.
Pichon said: "I'm happy with this new deal because the last four or five months have been quite hard. I did not know what to do with my career and I said that I would be prepared to go another year if I could find something serious. With KTM I believe I have what I want and need. It is a factory team and many people think like I think and want to give their best. They treat their riders like they should, and they have a lot of power and resources for developing the bike."
"I am happy also to work with Pit (Beirer) because in the past he was a great rival but always a nice guy, I have a good feeling about the whole situation and for sure I will find that motivation I need for 2006. Both KTM and I badly want to win the Championship; we all want to beat Stefan Everts!"
"Having me and Sebastien in the same team is quite special," he added concerning his countryman. "It is good he is coming back to the GPs. We both have two titles and it is a top set of riders for KTM just after they have lost Ben Townley. Sebastien and I get along well and we were team-mates before in the United States. I think we will do good things for KTM."
"Mickael deciding to join KTM is exactly what we needed," said Pit Beirer, one of KTM's Sport managers. "Our team and structure for next year was ready but we were missing the two big riders needed for the MX1 class; this is the title that is still not part of KTM history. With Sebastien and Mickael we have the strongest team possible. We now have to organize the distribution of our six factory riders for MX1 and MX2." "It is not that we want to give less importance to Marc and Jonathan but we want them to develop within our framework and in one or two years be ready to step up into that hot seat. We can only hope that they progress and get some good results next season."
In the MX2 class, Italian David Philippaerts has finally been confirmed as the second works rider and will share the awning with Tyla Rattray. The Italian has impressed in his breakthrough term with six podiums and a debut victory since inheriting the 250 SXF midway through the Championship.
Philippaerts said: "I'm really happy to be a factory rider next season," he said, "It took a while to sort out the details between the contracts, but everything is finally in place and I am already looking forward to the challenge I will have in 2006. This year has been very positive for me and I am glad and grateful that KTM saw my potential."