Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1042406
IN THE WIND P46 SIMEON TO MotoE T he lineup for next year's MotoE Championship con- tinues to take shape, with the announcement that current Mo- toGP rider Xavier Simeon will be leading the Avintia team's effort in the five-round all-electric series next year. A former Moto2 race winner, 29-year-old Simeon joined the Spanish squad in MotoGP this year, but has had a disappointing season, yet to score any points. It was previously confirmed that his two-year contract was in peril, and that Karel Abraham would take over his seat alongside Tito Rabat next year. The announcement is some- thing of a stay of execution for the Belgian. Being part of the com- pletely new championship "will be an important step in my racing career," he said. "I can't wait to go testing and see what we can achieve, be- cause even though the bikes are different, the level of competition will be as high as the other class- es," Simeon added. He will be joined in the Avintia team by former Moto2 rider Eric Granado from Brazil. Other riders already confirmed for the series include former 125cc World Cham- pion Nico Terol and GP veteran Randy de Puniet. Former double World Superbike Champion Troy Corser is another candidate, with current KTM rider Bradley Smith hoping that his testing and wild card duties at Aprilia will also allow him to take part. MotoE will be classified as a World Cup rather than a World Championship, and will be comprised of five rounds support- ing GP races: Jerez, Le Mans, Sachsenring, Red Bull Ring and Misano. Riders will compete on identical race-modified Energica Ego electric bikes. The 18-strong grid will be made up of six two- rider teams, and six more single- rider entries. Michael Scott The 2019 Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM 250 Team will be made up of (L-R) Team Manager Tyler Keefe, Jordon Smith, Sean Cantrell, new member Mitchell Falk and Shane McElrath. Veteran road racer Xavier Simeon has committed to next year's MotoE Championship. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE KTM ANNOUNCES 2019 SX/MX TEAMS K TM recently invited the media to its test facility in Corona, California, to officially introduce its 2019 supercross and motocross factory and support teams. On hand was Red Bull KTM's new factory team manager Ian Harrison and new team member Cooper Webb, who will be joining returning rider Marvin Musquin on a factory KTM 450 SX. Once again, the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull KTM team will lead KTM's 250 effort with a four-rider lineup made up of Shane McElrath, Jordon Smith, Sean Cantrell and its newest member Mitchell Falk, who is moving up through KTM's amateur program. The orange factory also supports the Rocky Mountain ATV-MC/WPS KTM Team, which will again be made up by Blake Baggett and Benny Bloss. Michael Byrne will return as team manager. CN