2015 Supercross/Motocross KTM Team Launch
The 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Championship roosts into action in less than a month, and many teams are launching their riders and motorcycles in grand ways. KTM did just that recently by holding a team launch in Murrieta, Calif., the home of KTM USA.
The Austrian-based brand launched its Red Bull KTM Factory team, along with the satellite teams – BTO Sports and Troy Lee Designs.
All teams were present with their perspective 2015 450 and 250 SX-F Factory Edition motorcycles that were “specifically produced for the Supercross championship.”
Headlining the launch was the Red Bull Factory Racing team with riders Ryan Dungey, newcomer Dean Wilson, and Team Manager Roger DeCoster.
Dungey finished the 2014 AMA season as runner-up in both the Supercross and Motocross championships. Scotland native Wilson – who had success with Kawasaki in the 250 class – joins the premier 450 class this season with full factory backing.
In the 250 class, Marvin Musquin will be joined by Justin Hill, another transplant from Kawasaki.
Musquin, the victor of the 250 class at the first-ever Red Bull Straight Rhythm race in October, finished fourth overall in 2014 Motocross after missing the entire 2014 Supercross championship with injury.
The Frenchman is joined by Hill, who took a career-first Supercross win in 2014 and five podium finishes in the Supercross West 250 series. Hill also won the Las Vegas East/West shootout.
The satellite BTO Sports KTM team returns with Andrew Short and newcomer Justin Brayton, who finished second during his debut event with the team at the Red Bull Straight Rhythm race. Both riders will contest KTM 450 SX-F Factory Edition machinery.
The other satellite team in 2015 will be the Troy Lee Designs KTM, which is an official KTM 250 SX-F Factory bike entry for Supercross and Motocross. Piloting “Ready to Race” machinery for this team is Jessy Nelson, Shane McElrath and Darryn Durham. KTM reports the Troy Lee Designs team is certainly looking forward to racing in collaboration with KTM and has been busy in the off-season making the switch to orange machinery.
Roger De Coster (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager) says “It’s been great to present the new Factory Edition bike, which has various revisions over the standard model ready for the Supercross season and so far the feedback from the riders has been really promising. Everybody has worked hard on the development aspect with a lot of input from our team with special attention for SX, as well as from the World Championship team and with the KTM R&D department to create an all-round strong package in both capacities.
“Within the Red Bull KTM Factory team we have two new riders that have a lot of potential we hope to extract, while Ryan (Dungey) and Marvin (Musquin) are also revitalized for 2015. It’s also great to have Troy Lee onboard with KTM, and we expect for this relationship to evolve over the next few years; they are certainly keeping us busy and this is an exciting prospect for us.
“We’re also happy to continue our work with BTO Sports, as Andrew (Short) plays a pivotal role in development, and Justin (Brayton) who looks very happy to be back with KTM. It’s going to be a competitive series as usual, but we are looking for ward to getting started in the New Year.”
