James Stewart & Yoshimura Suzuki
The 2014 Monster Energy Supercross Championship didn’t go well for two-time 450SX Champion James Stewart.
The Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 pilot was screened during a random FIM drug test on April 12, 2014, during Seattle Supercross, and tested positive for amphetamines. The team countered the anti-doping violation saying that the positive results were from JS7’s subscribed Adderall, but regardless, Stewart was served with a 16-month suspension.
This caused Stewart to miss the entire 2015 Monster Energy Supercross Championship, and the entire 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship.
But Stewart will return with Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing this fall; Stewart has extended his contract with the Yoshimura Suzuki team, and will begin the “multi-year” agreement during the Red Bull Straight Rhythm in Ponomoa. Calif., on October 11. Stewart will then compete in the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas October 17, followed by the 2016 Supercross and Motocross championships.
Just before his suspension in 2014, Stewart, a two-time 450SX Champion, became the first rider in history to earn a least one SX main event win in 10-consecutive season.
Stewart will ride alongside Blake Baggett on the other Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 as the duo takes on the best MX pilots in the country.
“I’m happy to finish out my career with Suzuki,” Stewart said. “The team has been very supportive and I can’t wait to get back on that bike and be around my guys each weekend. I’m really looking forward to coming back to racing. Since I was forced to step away for a time it’s made me realize how much I miss it and how much I want to be there.
“I still have that competitive spirit and want to get back and give my all in the final years of my career. I also thank all the fans and sponsors who’ve stuck by me. I’m ready to race. I can’t wait to see that first gate drop.”
Yoshimura’s Supercross/Motocross Team Manager Mike Webb looks forward to the return of James Stewart: “We’re very happy to put this agreement together with James,” Webb said. “Even when he wasn’t racing this past year, he’s been very supportive to the team and Suzuki and has been instrumental in helping develop the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450. With James joining Blake we’re looking forward to having a full stable of strong riders for 2016.”
James Stewart Yoshimura Suzuki Photo Gallery / Wallpaper
