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/748467
IN THE WIND P34 WALLIS JOINS BETA B eta USA says it has signed Justin Wallis to their factory off-road race team for the 2017 season. Wallis will race a specially prepared Beta 480 RR in the 2017 WORCS (World Off Road Championship Series), as well as in the Big 6 Grand Prix Series. Wallis hails from Caliente, Nevada, and raced the 2016 season aboard a Sportsman Cycle/Gary Smith-tuned Beta. With one win, two podiums and a third-place finish in the championship, he earned a spot on the fac- tory team. "I'm excited to sign with Beta after my rookie year taking third In the WORCS Championship series," said Wallis. "My goal is to take myself and Beta to the top of the podium for the 2017 season!" Beta team manager Zack Huberty said, "I'm ex- cited to add Justin Wallis to our team for 2017. He has proven himself as a title threat in the WORCS series and was able to grab our first win in that series this past season. The combination of his mechanic Gary Smith and Justin has worked well in 2016 and our added support under the factory tent will only assist Justin further. We're certainly strengthening our effort for WORCS and the west coast and we're looking to put more Betas on the podium this coming season." CN HUSQVARNA SIGNS PAULIN F renchman Gautier Paulin will spend the next two years on the MXGP circuit aboard Husqvarna motorcycles. The former factory Honda rider signed a two-year deal that will see him compete as a member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Racing MXGP Team, riding the FC 450. The 26-year-old has eight MX1/MXGP victories to his name and was vice champion in the MXGP class in 2015. Paulin has also been a member of the winning Motocross of Nations team for France the past three years. "I'm really excited to be part of Rockstar Energy Husqvarna," Paulin said. "In our sport there are no limits to improvement and I believe I've got everything I need now to take my riding a step further. I'm in a very professional team that's proven they have the potential to win champion- ships. We have a very good base in terms of equipment and the best support to battle for the top. Obviously, I need time to adapt to my new bike but my goal is to get the best feeling I ever had on a bike. With 20 rounds announced for next year's MXGP series, it's going to be more important than ever to remain consistent and stay away from injuries. My plan is to work harder than ever to get familiar with the bike and prepare myself for every different kind of track." CN Justin Wallis is the newest addition to the factory Beta racing team. Gautier Paulin says good-bye to Honda and hello to the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna team.