Decotis is new hope

It was with great relief that CLS team owner, Jean-Jacques Luisetti, was able to announce his new signing after a devastating start to the season for the team, which has been so successful in recent years together with Kawasaki, Pro Circuit and Monster Energy.

 

He explained: "We had been so confident of further success this year, and the injuries to Arnaud Tonus have been a terrible blow to both the rider and the team after our winter of preparation.

 

"At the moment we simply cannot say how long it will be before Arnaud receives the green light to race again. 

 

"He has been back for further examination and the medical advice is that he should rest for 15 days before he even tries to ride again and he may not race until he feels no pain whatsoever.

 

"It is impossible to predict a date for Arnaud's return to racing, so we had to respond to respect our commitment to all of our sponsors. 

 

"They have a right to expect results and CLS has a long record of delivering success. 

 

"In fact it was Mitch Payton of Pro Circuit and Mitch Covington of Monster Energy who put us in contact with James Decotis.

 

"I have only spoken to James on the telephone so far, but I was immediately very impressed by his seriousness and professional attitude, which confirmed the belief show in him by Pro Circuit and Monster Energy. 

 

"James will fly to Europe and we will immediately begin testing and training together. He will be at the start in Italy next week, racing 613 and we confidently expect him to put the KX250F back on the podium.

 

"Our contract with James is for the remainder of the 2013 GP season and, when Arnaud is ready to return to racing, we will enter three riders in the series together with Alessandro Lupino. 

 

"And, if all goes to expectations, James will also have the opportunity to stay with CLS in 2014.”

 

Decotis, 21-years-old, from Peabody, Massachusetts, has been a leading privateer on the US motocross and supercross circuit for a couple of years and has recently recorded three top 10 finishes against the factory riders in the AMA Monster Energy Supercross series.

 

Decotis: "It's definitely going to be an experience of a life time, but first of all I need to thank the people who supported me this year and picked me back up and got me out there in SX.

 

"I wish I could finish out the season in SX for all the great people who supported me, but sometimes when an opportunity knocks you gotta kick that door open. I'm ready to get this rolling and take on a new chapter in my life. It should be an awesome experience. Thanks so much to all these people getting me to the position I'm in now.”

 

Kawasaki Motors Europe race planning manager, Steve Guttridge, welcomed the signing, saying: "This is a typically pro-active move by Team CLS Kawasaki Monster Pro Circuit and reflects the global nature of its influence.

 

"Jimmy Decotis is widely recognised as a bright young talent. His involvement is sure to be a great addition to the team.”