Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Here is a tentative rundown on some of the Supercross teams for the 200S-06 season. These teams could very well change before the opening round of the Amp'd AMA Supercross Series, which gets under way january 7,2006, and the Amp'd FIM World Supercross GP Series, which gets going in Toronto, Canada, on December 5,2005, but here's the latest so far. Team Makita Suzuki: Ricky Carmichael Ivan Tedesco Broc Hepler (Team Notes: The 2005-06 season will be a big change for Ivan Tedesco. After winning back-to-back 125cc SX titles with Kawasaki, Tedesco will be making his debut with Suzuki and in the premier Supercross class (formerly known as the 2S0cc class.) Sobe/Samsung Mobile/Honda: Kevin Windham Mike laRocco Josh Grant Billy Laninovich Tommy Hahn Joaquim Rodrigues Jake Weimer (Team Notes: Formerly known as the AmsoiVFactory Connection/Chaparral team, the Sobe/$amsung Mobile/Honda team sees Mike laRocco back in action after sitting out the 2005 outdoor Nationals. He'll also now be pitting out of the same semi as Windham.) Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki: Chad Reed Heath Voss (Team Notes: Former World Supercross Champion Heath Voss is now an official member of Yamaha's factory team. Last year, he was a Yamaha factory-supported rider. He is basically stepping up and filling in the spots vacated by David Vuillemin and Tim Ferry.) Grant Langston Ryan Villopoto Ben Townley Troy Adams (Team Notes: New team member Troy Adams recently broke his femur and will miss some of the early rounds of the series. New Zealand's Ben Townley, a top rider in the 2005 GP MX Series, is one of the SX series' most promising new riders, as is young up-and-comer Ryan Villopoto. Grant Langston will be defending his number-one plate in the 125cc class.) Team Kawasaki: Red Bull KTM: James Stewart Michael Byrne (Team Notes: james Stewart should be fully recovered from the stomach virus that kept him out of the U.S. Open. A rejuvenated Michael Byrne will ride Kawasaki's new KX450F four-stroke. Stewart? Maybe.) Mike Alessi Josh Hansen Jeff Alessi Jay Marmont Nathan Ramsey (Team Notes: Mike Alessi will be making his first full·time attempt in Supercross. He recently won the Genoa SX in Italy. New to the team is Australia's jay Marmont.) Team Yamaha: Team Honda: Emesto Fonseca Travis Preston Jeremy McGrath (Team Notes: Team Honda remains pretty much unchanged for 2006. Seven-time Supercross Champion jeremy McGrath is expected to ride selected rounds.) BooKoo/Holigan Honda: David Vulllemin Justin Keeney Steve Boniface (Team Notes: After many years with Yamaha, David Vuillemin will be on Hondas, riding for the new BooKoo/Holigan Racing team.) Boost MobileIYamaha ofTroy: Matt Walker Brett Metcalfe Andrew McFarlane Branden Jesseman (Team Notes: The Yamaha of Troy team pretty much reloaded for 2006, with new riders Matt Walker, former I25cc SX champ Branden Jesseman and Australia's Andrew Mcfarlane. The only rider returning is Brett Metcalfe, who won the l25cc class at the U.S. Open.) MotoworidRacing.com: Stephane Roncada Justin Brayton (Team Notes: After a dismal 2005 season, the MotoworldRadng.conv'Suzuki team is still in reconstruction mode, though they have signed Stephane Roncada and justin Brayton. The team has yet to determine what brand of motorcycle it will race, but it won't be Suzuki anymore.) Subway Honda: Jason Thomas Jeff Gibson Keith R. Johnson (Team Notes: One of the top privateer teams, the Subway Honda team retains the services of jason Thomas and jeff Gibson. Albuquerque's Keith R. johnson has joined the team.) Team Bikesellerz.com/ Solitaire Honda: Ryan Clark Justin Buckelew (Team Notes: Ryan CIari< won't be so "solitaire" this year now that he has signed on a new sponsor, Bikesellerz.com, and a new rider, justin Buckelew.) Motosports Outlet/Honda: Paul Carpenter Danny Smith Bobby Kiniry Kelly Smith (Team Notes: This team features half of Yamaha of Troy's old team, with the signing of the two Smiths - Danny and Kelly - for the 2006 season. Paul Carpenter and Bobby Kiniry are also new members.) Rockstar Suzuki: Tyler Evans Mike Brown Sean Hamblin Ryan Mills Jason Lawrence (Team Notes: This new team should be a force to be reckoned with, reportedly signing last year's series' top privateer, Tyler Evans, and veterans Mike Brown and Sean Hamblin. It also signed young guns Jason Lawrence and Ryan Mills.) Moto XXX: Kyle Lewis (Team Notes: So far, Kyle Lewis will be holding down the fort for the Moto XXX team. He's a longtime veteran of the sport and is known for his good starts.) WBR Suzuki: Ryan Sipes Mike laPaglia Ryan Morais (Team Notes: Under the guidance of for· mer Supercross Champion David Bailey, this team made up of young prospects should start turning some heads.) Unbound Energy/MDK Motosports Honda: Nick Wey (Team Notes: Nick Wey was the hottest privateer last year until he injured his knee. He's now fully recovered and is ready to pick up where he left off.) CYCL.E NEWS • NOVEMBER 23,2005 19

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