Waters and Gibbs for KTM MX team
New faces and new bikes in 2013 as the race team moves back in-house for the first time in three years, with high hopes that Waters can take the MX1 crownThe Motorex KTM Racing Team has been unveiled for 2013, with a brand new look and an all-new format for season 2013.
The two riders who will guide the team’s MX1 fortunes on the 450SX-Fs will be Todd Waters and Kirk Gibbs, who have moved across from Suzuki and Yamaha respectively.
“We’re also very excited at the prospect of seeing our new KTM 450SX-F this season,” said KTM Australia boss Jeff Leisk. Roger DeCoster’s input into the development of this model is a significant thing, and the importance of it was apparent when Ryan Dungey used the bike to win the AMA Motocross Championship last year, so we’re hopeful of big things from it.”
The team will be guided by long-time KTM stalwart Rob Twyerould, with the experienced hands of Danny Apro as crew chief.
“It’s a very exciting time for the Motorex KTM Racing Team,” said Twyerould. “We’ve got Todd who is sure to be one of the major contenders this year coming back to KTM where he’s spent so many years, and Kirk making his first step up to MX1 which is very exciting for him and all of us.
“It should be a vintage year for Australian motocross in terms of the depth of talent with anywhere up to 10 guys capable of pulling a race win.
“We’ve got a really good group of people involved this year and we’re definitely in with a shot-- it could be a very good year.”
At just 22, Waters came agonizingly close to a first national championship win in MX1 last year when he was just pipped by New Zealander Josh Coppins.
“I want to be the best in the world and that starts with being the best in Australia," said Waters. "Naturally everyone wants to win but for me the focus is on being consistently fast and eliminating the bad weekend.
“KTM was the dream team back in the Marmont days and Robbie T was the manager who was behind so many championships, but when I first came to KTM it was just as he left the race team job, so it’s been a dream of mine for so long to work with him. For myself, my trainer and my family to achieve this feels pretty cool.”
Meanwhile, KTM has also announced an unchanged off-road line-up in 2013, with Toby Price, Chris Hollis and Ben Burrell flying the flag, while HSE Motorex KTM Desert Racing Team star and recent Dakar finisher Ben Grabham will share the awning at all events.
For more information on KTM motorcycles visit www.ktm.com.au or www.facebook.com.KTMAustralia.
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