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/891001
IN THE WIND P30 JGRMX SIGNS DECOTIS J immy Decotis has been picked up by the AutoTrader/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Rac- ing Team for 2018. He moves over from the Geico Honda squad. Decotis will ride yellow in the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Champion- ship in the 250SX class, and his deal with the team "includes the potential to also contest the 250 motocross series." "I heard that Suzuki was mak- ing a big push with their 250 program," Decotis said. "I imme- diately went to JGRMX and met with the team. Believe it or not, the first free sponsored bike I ever got was a Suzuki RM-Z250 when I was an amateur. John Dowd helped me get my foot in the door. I still think about the day the truck showed up with a free RM-Z250 in it. My dad and I were freak- ing out! I really liked the brand and did well, which is why I wanted to get back on yellow. I figured it was a good idea to visit with the team and throw my hat in the ring. "I signed with JGRMX be- cause they believe in me," added Decotis who hails from Massachusetts. "I really like the team and the atmosphere. It's a very good fit. There are a lot of positives, and I feel that I can be the guy to get Suzuki up front. This is where I belong." Team Manager Jeremy Albrecht said, "I have known Jimmy for a while and always kept my eye on him. Now that we've reached a partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation of America, Inc., we have the ability to field a full factory effort. Decotis was on my wish list. He strikes me as a consummate professional who knows what it takes to succeed. It goes with- out saying that Jimmy has the talent to perform at the highest level. I'm excited to begin work- ing with Jimmy." CN SUZUKI CALLS IT QUITS IN MXGP A ccording to a release from Suzuki Motor Cor- poration on October 23, Suzuki has elected to pull out of the FIM Motocross World Champion- ship racing. This likely pulls the plug on the Team Suzuki World MXGP team run by Stefan Everts, which has relied solely upon factory Suzuki for funding their efforts in the MXGP championship. The Belgium-based team used the 2017 cham- pionship as testing grounds for the all-new 2018 RM-Z450, with a handful of top-10 finishes by Kev- in Strijbos. Without a new title sponsor, the team is unlikely to survive into next season. The following is a release from Suzuki… Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to sus- pend the FIM World MXGP Championship and All Japan Motocross activities from 2018. Suzuki Motor Corporation, having reviewed its motorcycle operations to focus on the core busi- ness functions and restructuring of our motorcycle business, concluded to suspend the MXGP activi- ties from 2018. Suzuki will continue to produce RM-Z250 and 450 series and support those customers the entire world. [sic] Suzuki expresses its great appreciation to spon- sors and fans around the world for their strong support to its activities. The company will continue to provide valued products for its customers by utilizing the experiences earned through the Rac- ing activities. CN Jimmy Decotis has found a new home on the AutoTrader/ Yoshimura/ Suzuki Factory Racing Team for 2018.