2015 Riders and teams

It is the time of the year that many of the teams and riders look for signing their contracts for 2016. Of course the HRC effort is already finalized with Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev staying on as they focus on trying to capture the biggest prize in world motocross.

Kawasaki has of course signed world MX2 champion Jordi Tixier from the MX2 class to move to the MXGP class in 2016, and many young riders are in the midst of joining the GP scene.

Two leading team managers Antti Pyrhonen of the Red Bull IceOne Husqvarna factory team and Tim Mathys of the Standing Construction Yamaha are busy putting together their plans for next season.

Pyrhonen is very much moving forward with the team as they continue to develop as one of the newest teams in the paddock. In 2016 the team look likely to keep a similar line-up as in 2015 and the Finnish team manager is excited for that.

“Actually we have a two year agreement with Max,” Pyrhonen said. “So he will continue with us and we are so happy with his professional attitude, and how we melded together in the winter and during this season. As for the second rider this is currently open, and we need to follow how the season goes, but Todd Waters and Nathan Watson are doing a good job and a big possibility they will continue with us also.”

Mathys who has been building his team for some time now, and is in 2015 one of the most competitive team’s in the GP paddock. Mathys is always looking for ways to improve his set-up, and it looks like 2016 will be a massive year for the Belgian based team.

“We will nearly surely continue with Valentin in 2016 and in the MXGP class,” Mathys said. “His riding style suits better for a 450 than a 250, he rides the 250 like it’s a 450, not much clutch use. The contract is between Valentin and myself, and we are pretty sure that everything will continue next year in my team. Next year we will be even more important for Yamaha, doing their development, but our focus will also be in MX2, and we have signed another rider who has won moto’s this year, but we can’t make that announcement until the contract with his current team is over. We want to respect that.”

No doubt as the season progresses to the final rounds many of the MXGP and MX2 teams will be looking to finalize their riders. As is the case every season the opening round in 2016 will see new colors, new bikes and as always an exciting element to what is the most competitive series in the world.