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/393685
IN THE WIND P22 VILLOPOTO TO TAKE ON NEW CHALLENGE A fter months of rumors, Ka- wasaki finally confirmed that Ryan Villopoto will indeed head to Europe in 2015 to campaign the FIM MXGP World Champi- onship for the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team of Europe. That means Villopoto will not defend his number-one plate in the 2015 Monster Energy AMA Super- cross Championship. Villopoto will, instead, try to give Kawasaki its first World Championship in the premier class. The team has also signed former MX2 World Champion Tyla Rattray. "I am ready for the next chap- ter in my career and to accom- plish new goals," said Villopoto. "I've never been one to look at the record books so when an opportunity like this comes around, to race against the best in the world and represent USA, I have to see it through. It will be a major change of pace, but I am extremely excited about the op- portunity and also to be joined by a former champion like Tyla Rat- tray. He knows what is needed to succeed on the World Cham- pionship stage and I know I can learn a lot from him." "Ryan Villopoto is a truly global motocross star; for fans around the world to see him race on their home tracks will indeed be a privilege," said Kawasaki Mo- tors Europe Racing Manager Steve Guttridge. "After such dominance in Supercross it is refreshing and characteristically brave to see Ryan take on the world's best MXGP riders and set his sights on supremacy in this class as well." Villopoto won't be the only ROCZEN BREAKS COVER S uzuki's new signee Ken Roc- zen was introduced to Suzu- ki dealers during the company's dealer show at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino last week with the 450 Motocross Champion and his team owners Carey Hart and Ricky Carmichael taking center stage. "My plans are always to get a championship and win races - period," Roczen said of his at- tack on the 2015 season. "I'm super happy to be on the team. It was a big decision, but I have a lot of faith in the bike and the people that I surround myself with. I think together we will defi- nitely do some damage. I have a lot of good memories on the yel- low bike so I'm super excited to get the training started and finally head into racing. We're going to be pretty solid." With the signing of Roczen, Hart will have his first real shot at winning races and a title and the former racer is all smiles. "I'm definitely over the moon for Ken to come ride for the Soaring Eagle team," Hart said. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HOWELL/QUESTUS