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/557678
IN THE WIND P42 YAMAHA STEPPING UP RACING PLANS W ith AutoTrader.com/Toyo- ta/JGR Yamaha's Justin Barcia (MX1), and Yamalube/ Star Racing Yamaha's Jeremy Martin (MX2) and Cooper Webb (Open) representing Team USA at the 2015 Motocross of Na- tions, Yamaha has decided to use the USGP at Glen Helen to get some time to familiarize themselves with the competition they'll be facing at the MXoN, as well as dial in some settings for the different fuel and sound regulations that they face in the GPs. Barcia and Webb will be racing the MXGP (450cc) class at Glen Helen, and Martin will be doing his thing in MX2 (250cc). "With this team, you've got three guys who just aren't going to give up," Barcia said. "The team has had some crashes and things like that the past few years, but we're going over there to fight for it. If they're going to beat us, they'll have to earn it, that's for sure." The Yamahas Team USA will be racing overseas have to be shipped prior to the MXGP, but they feel it's still valuable to fig- ure out exhaust and electronics and things, which they will pack with them when they head over to France. In addition, it's seeming more and more likely that the old Team Yamaha—which ceased operation quite a few years ago with the strength of JGR and the San Manuel team at the time— may be coming back for 2016 with the team's former number- one man Chad Reed. We'll have more on this as it develops. Steve Cox Justin Barcia (pictured), Jeremy Martin and Cooper Webb will compete in the USGP at Glen Helen. PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COX SMETS APPOINTED KTM MX FACTORY RACING SPORTS DIRECTOR J oel Smets, a five-time World Motocross Champion, has been appointed to a new posi- tion at KTM. The Belgian, who has association with KTM in the past, is now the company's Mo- tocross Factory racing Sports Director. "I'm pleased and proud that we have been able to bring a personality like Joel into this new position," said Pit Beirer. "I'm confident that he is going to lead our riders onto even greater things. Joel's experience and his career achievements speak for themselves, and clearly he's also a strong role model for both our senior and junior factory riders." Smets joins KTM to fill this newly created position within the factory team structure and both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Managers, Claudio de Carli (MXGP) and Dirk Gruebel (MX2) welcome him onboard. He will be in charge of oversee- ing general planning, and will coordinate and facilitate training schedules to the best advan- tage. Smets will also be head of the race workshop in Belgium. The MXGP, MX2 and KTM Factory Junior teams will now share two comprehensive base camp facilities, one in Belgium and a second near Rome. The two locations will allow them to take best advantage of prevailing weather conditions, and to work out of two top class facilities. The Austrian workshop at KTM Factory Racing head- quarters, the exclusive loca- tion where all factory bikes and engines are built, remains the hub for the company's world- wide factory racing activities. Beirer added, "This new setup, along with Joel's appointment, guarantee we have the very best of everything in Italy, Austria and Belgium. With this strong man- agement structure and excellent facilities we will always be Ready To Race!" CN