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/128086
Team Rosters J')I SO I IiI) It. I f you still have any doubts as to the exponential growth of the sport of Supercross over the past couple of years, just take a look at the array of teams doing battle. No longer is the EA Sports-sponsored series contested by just four factory squads and a smattering of privateer teams - all working out of cramped box vans or even pickups. These days, most manufacturers field an in-house 250cc squad, an official satellite 125cc effort, and a collection of unofficial shop teams. A majority work out of elaborate _semi rigs. Though fairly extensive, the compilation of line-ups presented over the next few pages doesn't begin to cover the broad variety of riders that will contest one or more rounds of the 16stop series. For example, privateer/hero Heath Voss - 10th in the '00 points - is not even included (he's receiving extended support from Honda), and Team Cannondale may race at Daytona. In addition, each night's show is dependent on a host of other riders with minimal backing. And yes, some will even be working out of old-school pickups. eN 'l'I~Jl)1 1 (~O)II)I~'I'I'I'ION i'(~(~I~SSOIUI~S Manaler: Rick Zielfelder Headquarters: Rochester, Riders 250 5 New Hampshire Mike LaRocco South Bend, Indiana Steve Bonjface Puyricard, France CR125 Branden Jesseman 531 Fombell, Pennsylvania CR125 125 EaSI 31 I.O"TJ)O'fN: years ago, this Honda-mounted, Factory Connection-run team Since its inception five has been best known for its long name and for being the home of veteran Mike laRocco (the newly crowned World Supercross Champion). For 2001, the squad has gained a more important role in the eyes of Honda, as it is taking over that manufacturer's official 125cc satellite effort from FMF. It has also signed on new outside-industry sponsors in the form of shoe maker Dr. Martens and shoe retailer Journeys (taking the place of Jack in the Box), and purchased a brand-new big rig. Frenchman Steve Boniface, just 17, joins the team thanks to some guidance from GP great Georges Jobe, follOWing a year that saw him injured for the latter half of the 2000 125cc GP series. He'll be learning in the stadiums this year, but is expected by French pundits to be a contender outdoors. Jesseman, who was hand-picked by LaRocco for his never-say-die attitude, was sixth in the Eastem Regional points last year; outdoors, he posted two podium moto finishes and placed third overall behind Travis Pastrana and Stephane Roncada at Steel City. Little-known fact: Boniface chose his racing number as an amalgam from those of laRocco and Jesseman. 'l'I~Jl)1 11 21 Encinitas, California .....•.....YZ250 g I.O"TJ)OlfN: i!i; ~ 0: DONI)J' M.lller: Cliff White HI.III••rterS: Torrance, Rillers 250 California Jeremy McGrath .....•....CR250 125 West )IJlZI)Jl YJlMi'Di' M.I.ler:: Larry Brooks HI.III••rterS: Lake Elsinore. ~ Rillers :s 258 I li£ Mi' It 'I'I~ NS/., 0 tHIN I~ YS/ As everyone and his uncle knows, Jeremy McGrath is the man to beat· again - in 2001. Though he is racing for a new team. the champ is on the same bike for the new season, and he has definitely dialed in his program of summer rest and early-winter training, once again heading into Anaheim in top form. McGrath has spent the past few years apa.rt from a direct factory effort, but this is the first time he actually owns his own team. McGrath brings Larry Brooks over from Chaparral as his team manager, and he has been reunited with mechanic Skip Norfolk following a stretch with Randy Lawrence. The team has purchased a new Featherlite semi (which will be naVigated by former Chaparral driver Brian Barnhart), as well as office space, and a race shop should be built by season's end. McGrath will of course wear No Fear apparel (he's a part owner of the company), and although there was some off·season talk about him switching helmet companies, he has re-signed with Bell. Vans and Hot Wheels are new sponsors for McGrath. Ezra Lusk Sebastien Tortelli 3.2001 • cue • e n e _ s Bainbridge, Georgia ...•..... _ .CR250 Agen, France ........•..•....CR250 a stint overseas, and we certainly don't intend any slight by not including him on our roster. However, there are no plans for the Californian to contest any Supercross rounds. Instead, he will be testing Honda's race bikes (125, 250 and four-stroke), and performing P.R. duties before hitting the outdoor circuit this summer. Those P.R. duties should be fairly involved, thanks to Honda's new sponsorship deaJ with Universal Studios, which will have that company's Woody Woodpecker character (now the official "team mascot") adorning the team bikes, clothing and transporter. In addition, Universal wUl step in at two events to utilize one rider's bike and apparel for promoting its movies (probably Jurassic Park III and The Mummy II). Ezra Lusk is anxious to prove himself after missing most of last season with a broken shoulder, and teammate Sebastien Tortelli - not normally considered a tbreat in stadiums - has hired fellow Frenchman Jean-Michel Bayie to train him throughout the Supercross Series. Tortelli has switched from No Fear and Bell to Thor and Suomy for the new season. CUff White is still team manager, though Baja hero Chuck Miller has taken over as motorsports manager. '1'I~i')1 YJ')IJ'DJ' 1.1.ler: Keith McCarty le.IIIU.rterS: Cypress, California Rldlrs 250 Tim Ferry .......•....Largo, Florida David Vuillemin Marseilles, France J.O"TJ)O"TN: JANUARY ~ I.O'fJ)O"TN:Ryan Hughes is now a member of Honda's factory team following We know, we know, 15 934 14 California ~HONDA _ YZ426F YZ250 Last year, Yamaha was the only factory to go with a two-man team, and follOWing the early injury to Jimmy Button, the big Yamaha semi was echoing, with only David Vuillernin working out of it. Despite the relative isolation, the Frenchman leamed well in his first full season Stateside, being the only rider to challenge Jeremy McGrath for the title. Vulilemin comes into 2001 with more experience and more confidence, though he does have the disadvantage of U.S. testing time lost while stuck in his homeland with visa problems. He put the time to good use, however, testing parts shipped to him from the U.S. and winning the King of Bercy title with a flawless performance. He is joined by Timmy Ferry, taking the place of Button. Ferry is becoming accustomed to the factory VZ426F after leaVing the now-defunct Chaparral Yamaha team (where he rode twostrokes).