2011 Motocross
With the 2010 FIM motocross season just over it’s time to start to look at the possibilities of what might happen next racing season.
It was clear that the Red Bull KTM MX Racing team dominated this year, although next year is guaranteed to be another classic season with possibly surprises and intense action.
With several interesting signings in the last month and some motorcycle riders moving from the MX2 class to the MX1 class, it makes for a very interesting 2011 season. As was the case for 2010 both the MX1 and MX2 classes will be loaded with talent.
The MX1 class will be taking on some very exciting motocross riders. Three of the top ten motorcycle riders from the MX2 class head to the big bike class, those being Frenchman Gautier Paulin, Scotsman Shaun Simpson, and another Frenchman Steven Frossard.
Of course Frossard has made the move from Kawasaki and will race motocross for the Yamaha Monster Energy team in the MX1 class, and will join Paulin on the blue motorcycles. As for Simpson, he will return to Honda machines after recently being signed by the LS Motors Honda team.
Also changing teams for 2011 are Ken De Dycker, who will join Simpson in the LS Motors Honda Motorcycle team, and Davide Guarneri who leaves LS Motors Honda to join the Bud Racing Kawasaki motocross outfit.
Not a lot of changes in the top half of the MX1 class. Antonio Cairoli will remain with KTM and, Max Nagl will be his team-mate. David Philippaerts will race alongside Frossard and Paulin in the Yamaha Monster Energy team.
Belgian riders Clement Desalle and Steve Ramon remain in the Rockstar Suzuki factory team and will once again fight for the right to battle defending Champion Cairoli.
Tanel Leok moves to the TM Factory team, while Xavier Boog, Sebastien Pourcel and Jonathan Barragan remain with Kawasaki Factory Team.
In the MX2 class it will be sensational teenagers Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings who will lead the way and both racing for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team.
Both Roczen and Herlings will make a strong claim for the MX2 Championship, but they will get a lot of pressure from American Zach Osborne who continues with the Steve Dixon owned Yamaha team.
New additions to the MX2 motocross class for 2011 are Tommy Searle and Max Anstie both are expected to be contenders and the two British motorcycle riders will lineup in the CLS Kawasaki Monster Energy team.
Also expected to show some strong motorcycle racing results will be Jeremy Van Horebeek, who will move from the CLS team and race for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team, he will be under huge pressure to compete at the same level as Roczen and Herlings.
As was the case in 2010 many younger motocross riders are expected to come through and put some serious points on the leader’s board.
Young Belgian Joel Roelants, Finnish motorcycle rocket Harri Kullas and French Christophe Charlier will all want to improve on their 2010 standings and a long list of motorcycle riders will join them from the European Motocross Championships.
