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/377698
partner the KTM initiated Orange Brigade amateur program into the TLD operation. The mission of the initiative, the release says, will be to create a world-class structure that will bring talented young motocross racers into the KTM program, and in doing so, provide them with all of the tech- nical assistance and professional guidance needed to help them achieve their goals in the sport, be they amateur national titles or AMA Pro Racing number-one plates. "I can't even put into words how excited we are to be teaming up with KTM," said Troy Lee of the new racing collaboration. "We dream big over here at TLD, and in order to get to where we want to be, we needed a company that not only lives and breathes, and most importantly, believes in racing, but also one that has the infrastructure and equipment to help us reach our immediate, near and long term goals in the sport. More than any other com- pany in modern history, KTM has proven to the motocross world that they are here to win and they will do absolutely anything that it takes to make that happen. To my way of seeing things, KTM takes a racing stance of 'we need to race and race to win, then we'll worry about selling motorcycles later.' That's just amazing to me and a philosophy both I and my employees want to be a part of. First and foremost, Troy Lee De- signs is a racing company and the attitude KTM displays will motivate all of us to go above and beyond in our mission to become the planet's elite program for de- veloping young talent into The World's Fastest Racers." Added Jon-Erik Burleson, President of KTM North Amer- ica, of the comprehensive TLD amateur and professional racing cooperative: "For the past four years we have been build- ing a program to start with our Orange Brigade kids at an early stage and bring them all the way through our program to the profes- sional level. By adding the TLD program, we can final- ly say all of the core com- ponents are there. They have a proven 250 pro- gram and a keen interest in farming from our already strong amateur program. Add to that the amazingly creative brand of Troy Lee Designs and we not only get a racing program, but a great col- laboration of our two brands that will be really exciting to see de- velop over the next few years." So far, only won rider has been named to the new TLD/KTM Team, and that is Jessy Nelson. IN THE WIND P32 Jessy Nelson will be a part of the new TLD/Lucas Oil/Red Bull KTM Team. WHAT OF HONDA IN WORLD SUPERBIKE? H onda was at the crossroads of rider signings at the Jerez round in Spain this past week- end, with Jonathan Rea looking set to leave the team and join the official Kawasaki squad if the last hopes of a GP disappear. New- ly crowned World Supersport Champion Michael van der Mark