2014 Red Bull KTM Factory Team for 2014 AMA Supercross/MotocrossWith the 2014 AMA Supercross Championship just over three weeks away, the Red Bull KTM Factory Team announced its entire lineup.
For 2014, this lineup includes four riders – Ryan Dungey and Ken Roczen in the 450 class, and Marvin Musquin and newcomer Dean Ferris in the 250cc class.This will be Dungey’s third season aboard the KTM SX-F 450 Factory Edition, and he will once again work with longtime team manager Roger De Coster. Dungey won both the AMA Supercross and Motocross titles in his rookie year (2010) while with Suzuki, and took the 2012 AMA MX title with KTM.Ryan Dungey (Red Bull KTM SX-F 450) says: “Next year’s competition is going to be tough with several young, fast and talented riders entering the 450 class.“The competition is strong which pushes us all to step up and ride faster. This will be my third season with Red Bull KTM and KTM is pushing to win a US Supercross Championship. My goal will be to win as many races as possible and consistently finish on the podium to work toward earning that title.”As for the German Roczen, he raced a few select 2013 Supercross rounds aboard the SX-F 350, but will be piloting the SX-F 450 from now on. Roczen was the 250 West Champion in 2013 while riding for KTM.Ken Roczen (Red Bull KTM SX-F 450 Factory Edition) says: “I’m really looking forward to stepping up to the 450 in both Supercross and Motocross classes next year. I feel really good riding the bigger bike. I know the competition will be tough but my goal is to battle up front each week. I’ve changed a lot of things in my program so I can run up front.”In the 250 Supercross class, the Frenchman Musquin will return to compete in the East SX Series. In 2013, he earned four wins, and finished second overall in the point standings. He recently was crowned 2013 King of Geneva following a 1-2 finish at the famed race in Switzerland.Marvin Musquin (KTM SX-F 250) says: “My focus is 100% to win the 250 SX title next year. In 2012, I finished the West Coast series 3rd and last year I came really close to winning with the championship being decided at the final race of the season. I ended up 2nd and now I won’t be content unless I win it next year!”Joining Musquin will be the 23-year-old newcomer Dean Ferris. The Australian has raced in the European MX GP Series the past two seasons and rounded his 2013 season out with an MX2 Series race win followed by a standout performance for Team Australia at the Motocross des Nations event in Germany. Ferris will contest the 250 SX West Supercross Series followed by the 250cc Motocross Championship aboard the KTM 250 SX-F.Dean Ferris (KTM SX-F 250) says: “It’s always been my dream to race in the U.S and I’m really excited about being given this opportunity with Red Bull KTM. I’m especially excited about getting the chance to learn from Roger DeCoster and work alongside Dungey, Roczen and Musquin. I have a lot of learning to do so I couldn’t ask for a better, more experienced group to guide me through my transition into the US racing circuit.”The Red Bull KTM Factory Team Manager, Roger De Coster, also commented about KTM’s 2014 lineup.Roger De Coster says: “With such a talented group of riders; Ryan and Ken both contesting the 450 competition and Marvin joined by Dean in the 250 competition, I really think 2014 is going to be an exciting year for KTM. Ryan and Ken have both made a lot of changes to their personal programs to put them in the best place possible mentally and physically heading into the start of Supercross season.“I’m really glad we were able to add a fourth rider to the squad. With Ken moving up, it’s good for Marvin to have a teammate to train alongside as he works toward finishing one better and winning the East Coast SX title. I was very impressed with Dean’s speed at the Motocross des Nations this year and I’m interested to see what he can do in the outdoors. Having only just arrived in the US a month before the start of the Supercross season, the upcoming series will more or less be a learning season for him with higher expectations for 2015.”
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with Thom Beers, the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent. Thom’s astonishing resume as a Producer, Director, and actor, includes narrating many, many of the shows he’s created.
His fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows, and of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story behind his Jesse James show, ‘Monster Garage’, as well as the ‘Biker Build Off’ and ‘Zombie Choppers’ TV shows. Teejay’s chat with Thom gives us some amazing insight into other areas of Thom’s career, including ‘Deadliest Catch’ and others.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening. I for one, was fascinated; I hope you are too.