Holmes to KTM
By TMX Archives on 11th Dec 08
KTM team-manager, Richard Cole, has signed British number three, Paul Holmes, to campaign the Austrian company's 505MX model quad in both the British and European championships. Joining Holmes in the new factory team is Cole protg, James Hellewell. Holmes has had two great seasons riding for the ATV World Yamaha team and it was clearly a difficult decision for him to make the break from the Leeds-based team.
Phil, Martin and all the ATV World team have been really fantastic in their support and my development over the past few seasons. It really is a family atmosphere and I have learnt a lot from them and from my team-mate, John Mitchell.
I sat down with Phil, Martin and my dad and talked through the KTM offer and Phil and Martin said that they didn't want to lose me, but agreed that it was a great opportunity for me, explained Holmes.
Paul's a great lad and we are sure he will go far with Richard and the new KTM team. We wish him every success for the future, said ATV World director, Martin Fletcher.
Cole is still putting the finishing touches to his new team, finalising sponsors and Youth riders, but he was obviously delighted to have secured Holmes' signature.
I've watched Paul improve dramatically over recent seasons and he is ready to make the move up to become a regular race winner in both the British and European championships. James is also improving all the time and we will see great things from him in the years to come.
The KTM is clearly the best machine out of the box and we will be racing it in close to standard spec. I am taking the team to California for winter training and we will be fine-tuning the set-up over there, ready for the 2009 campaign.
Pictured at last week's International Motorcycle Show, Paul Holmes Snr, James Helewell, Richard Cole and Paul Holmes.