With the first World Motocross Championship scheduled for 2 March at the Losail circuit in Qatar, teams Rockstar Energy Suzuki Factory Racing & Europe are again enjoying technical support from Motul and are carefully preparing their motorcycles and teams. In MX1, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Factory Racing can count on Clément Desalle who finished brilliantly last year on the second step of the podium in the overall standings. Clément will be paired with Kevin Strijbos, who replaces Tanel Leok and is back in the team after a bad patch following injury. Last year, the 27 year old rider showed he had regained all his skills by winning the British MX1 Championship. The training of Desalle and Strijbos, on their RM-Z450s, will be expertly overseen by Joël Smets, a former Suzuki rider and five times world champion. For team owner, Sylvain Geboers, 'With Clément and Kevin we have two different riders with two different approaches to the championship. We know one another well and know how to work together effectively.'
In MX2, the team Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe is welcoming Julien Lieber. The young 18 year old Belgian rider already made a brief appearance in the team last year to replace the injured Petar Petrov: 'I'm very enthusiastic to participate this time in a full season with the team!' he stated. 'It will allow me to focus entirely on riding. Previously, with my brother, we did everything, from organisation to the race itself'. Julien is going to take part in the Le Touquet Enduro, scheduled for 3 February, and will swap his RM-Z250 for a RM-Z450 on that occasion. The team's second rider will be Max Anstie, the solid and talented 19 year old British rider who started his season well with Suzuki by finishing ninth in Anaheim last weekend at the opening round of the AMA/FIM Supercross World Championship.
After an unlucky 2012 season, Max adds: 'I'm very pleased to join this team, which is very professional and organised.'
Photo credits: suzuki-racing.com
