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6 days in the past | Phrases: Andy Wigan | Images: Husqvarna Bikes
Sure, many moto pundits insist that the new-look, USA-only SuperMotocross World Championship is ill-conceived and inaptly named, however that hasn’t stopped the powerhouse Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing crew from throwing all their AMA racing eggs into the mixed sequence’ 31-event basket for 2023. Right here is the crew’s PR announcement about its five-rider roster for 2023, together with some revealing imagery of their new 250 and 450cc race bikes…
With much more on the road than ever earlier than with the SuperMotocross World Championship, the five-rider Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing crew is chomping on the bit for the brand new season and new format of racing. It is going to start with the AMA Supercross season-opener in Anaheim, CA, on January 7, earlier than spanning 31 occasions, together with the AMA Professional Motocross Championship outdoor, for the rest of the yr.
450 RIDERS
Webb, a two-time champion within the 450SX class, is again in motion and on the lookout for redemption in 2023 as a title contender this season. Since first becoming a member of Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing in 2019 and claiming a maiden premier class crown, Webb has persistently been a title candidate and the 27-year-old is set to problem for a 3rd championship as soon as once more.
Becoming a member of the squad for his 13th consecutive season within the US, French rider Marvin Musquin seems to construct on his sturdy efficiency in 2022. Musquin, 32, completed fourth on this yr’s 450SX standings with a Triple Crown victory to his credit score, alongside six podium finishes in whole, and he now seems to construct upon these ends in the brand new yr.
Aaron Plessinger will return for his second season at Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing. He earned a season-high of second within the Oakland 450SX Fundamental Occasion after which later, upon return from harm, delivered a number of podiums within the 450MX class outdoor. The 26-year-old is now motivated to make his mark on 2023 alongside each Webb and Musquin.
Cooper Webb: “I’m actually trying ahead to the upcoming season. It’ll be one other nice yr with the Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing crew. We had a little bit of a tough yr final yr, however we’re seeking to get issues again on observe for this yr. The crew’s been working exhausting, and we’ve been doing quite a lot of testing. I’m again with Aldon Baker, so we’re again precisely like we have been in 2021 and 2019. I’m trying ahead to getting again on prime this yr; the aim is to exit and attempt to win a championship once more.”
Marvin Musquin: “Proper now, it’s clearly the low season with bootcamp and exhausting coaching. The crew is working exhausting to be taught the bike much more for the second season and we nonetheless have a few weeks earlier than the racing begins for 2023. We had a visit to Paris and raced – it was good to get behind the gate and do one race, a minimum of, earlier than the beginning of the season. I’m nonetheless primarily based in California and following this system with DV [David Vuillemin]. I actually like this system and DV will get to know me a bit of extra, so hopefully we could be higher for subsequent yr.”
Aaron Plessinger: “I’m super-excited for 2023, and I’m able to get again behind the gate! Supercross was minimize quick for me final yr and I’m trying ahead to getting again on the market and displaying everyone what I can do. The Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing crew has put in a ton of labor to get this bike to the place we’d like it to be for this yr and I’m feeling actually good on it. I’ve been again driving for some time now and I’m super-stoked on my health and the place I’m on the bike proper now. Solely good issues ought to come from right here on out. Now we have three new races on the schedule this yr, so I’m additionally actually excited for that. I’m trying ahead to spending the entire yr with my mechanic, Jade, and getting some race wins. He deserves it. The entire crew deserves it. I deserve it. We’ve been working exhausting, so time to let the exhausting work repay. I’m simply able to get again on the market and do some racing with my boys!”
250 RIDERS
On the 250 aspect, Max Vohland continues to achieve expertise within the skilled ranks after claiming sixth total within the 250MX standings this yr. At 19 years of age, Vohland is worked up to return to supercross for a 3rd try, this yr within the 250SX Western Regional Championship, and has his sights firmly set on making an affect all through the SuperMotocross World Championship season.
Max Vohland: “I’m excited in regards to the 2023 season. We made some important steps ahead on the finish of the motocross nationals and have constructed on that progress in our SX testing this low season. I’ve been placing within the work at The Baker’s Manufacturing unit and I look ahead to displaying what now we have accomplished. My targets are to place myself as a frontrunner in supercross, be a constant podium man for the outside, and to attempt to win the SuperMotocross World Championship.”
Making his anticipated US racing debut in 2023, 22-year-old French rider, Tom Vialle, is keen for the gate to drop for the 250SX Jap Regional Championship come February. Based mostly in Florida at The Baker’s Manufacturing unit alongside his Purple Bull KTM teammates, the two-time and present MX2 World Champion additionally seems forward to the Professional Motocross season, starting in Might.
Tom Vialle: “For me, it’s a brand new life. After successful the title in 2022 within the MX2 World Championship, I moved to the US and it was a troublesome determination, however up to now the whole lot has been so good. I’m coaching in Florida with Aldon and the group at The Baker’s Manufacturing unit and the whole lot up to now, so good. I prefer it loads. I get pleasure from driving supercross, it’s a brand new self-discipline for me so I’ve loads to be taught. I’m doing job coaching with the crew and mechanic – everyone seems to be very nice to me, so we’ve actually moved ahead. I’ve by no means raced a supercross right here within the US, so I’m actually enthusiastic about it. Simply to go there and see what it’s going to be prefer to trip at night time within the stadium, and to trip in entrance of so many followers goes to be an enormous factor for me. After which I’ll transfer to motocross in the summertime; I’m additionally excited for that. That will probably be a brand new problem for me – a bit of bit nearer to what I’ve been coaching for the final 4 years in Europe – however I’m actually enthusiastic about racing each SX and MX for the primary time within the US. For me, quite a lot of new issues are coming, and I can’t wait to begin racing.”
Ian Harrison, Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing unit Racing Group Supervisor: “We’re only a month away from going into the 2023 season. We’re out in California at this time with all the fellows driving, which is sweet to see all of them wholesome and going effectively. Now we have made some progress on the bikes, and it looks as if it’s working effectively in the mean time for the riders – you by no means know till you go racing. Now we have an enormous crew, the largest we’ve had since I’ve been part of KTM – with 5 riders. Now we have 250 riders on every coast, which we’re enthusiastic about. With the 450 guys, all of them appear able to go, so we simply must maintain them secure and maintain constructing till January comes.”
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