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/128023
~i Ti ei ai m! ! !i! ! ! !R! ! ! ! !os! ! ! t! ! e! !lr! ! ! s! ! !i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !i ! ! ! !I! !I_i !i i! ! !i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! !i ! ! ! ! ! ! ! i !i i!i i! ! !i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! ! ! ! i! ! ! ! !i :) • rs J Tea,n HODda Mallage" Cliff White Riders 250 11 14 21 Ezra lusk Kevin Windham Sebastien Tortelli Bainbridge, GA Baton Rouge, LA Agen, France CR250 CR250 CR250 lowdown: Whereas the team/rider situation was a veritable game of musical chairs on some fronts this off-season, Honda is standing pat with its trio of riders. In fact, its biggest change involves Jeff Stanton, who has retired from his post as rider coach. He will not be replaced. Not much is expected of the Frenchman Tortelli indoors, but both Lusk and Windham are no doubt feeling pressure to return Big Red to championship status. Tea,n C'-levy TrUf.:ffs Kawasaffi Team KT'M Manager: Bruce Stjernstrom Riders 250 4 16 10 Ricky Carmichael Havana, Fl John Dowd Chicopee, MA larry Ward .....•....Florence, SC KX250 KX250 KX250 lowd(twn: Appropriately at the turn of the milJenium, Kawasaki's factory team is looking both ahead and behind as it heads into the new season. The nostalgia comes with the signing of veterans John Dowd (age 34) and Larry Ward (age 29), both steady riders who although not really a ttlreat for the title, should make top- lOin the standings and are always a threat for the podium. The anticipation comes with the full-time status of young star Ricky Carmichael a proven winner on 125s but still a bit ragged on 250s - and the landing of Chevy Trucks as title sponsor (see "Wind" of this issue). Rider-wise, the team is fresh for 2000. as former champion Jeff Emig was fired at the end of last season following a drugrelated arrest, and Carmichael was technically a SplitFire/Pro Circuit rider outdoors in '99. In the 250cc SX class, Kawasaki went winless last season, and its last title came in '97, so it is certainly hoped that Carmichael, who broke his collarbone in the off-season and then underwent surgery to have a plate inserted - will break out in 2000. On the topic of matters medical, Dowd had off-season forearm surgery to address arm-pump and carpal-tunnel problems. Carmichael will wear Fox, Dowd No Fear and Ward Answer. 10 JANUARY 12. 2000· eye I e n eVIls Manager: Sel Narayana Riders 250 110 Shayne King 125 West 81 Keith Johnson 120 Rodrig Thain 125 East 95 Andy Harrington 41 Kelly Smith New Plymouth, New Zealand 520SX Albuquerque, NM Douchy, France . 125SX t25SX EI Cajon, CA .............•...125SX ludington, MI 125SX lowdown: KTM suffered a terrible pre-season blow when team rider Donovan Mitchell was paralyzed in a crash, but this still looks to be the -Austrian manufacturer's most serious Stateside effort yet. It's got a new team transporter, and some talent to go along with it. The 125 attack will be headed in the west by Frenchman Rodrig Thain, who beat the Americans at the recent Bercy Supercross in Paris. Thumper ace Kelly Smith will tlead the 125cc East effort (he finished 10th last year), and also contest selected 250cc western rounds on a big-bore four-stroke. Going full time in the quarter-liter division is '96 500cc World Champ Shayne King, from New Zealand, who will contest the new 520SX four-stroke. Following Mitchell's injury, Keith Johnson was signed to contest the Western Regional rounds. Interesting note: One of KTM's sponsors is IGA, a grocery-store chain in the midwest.